From: Jeff Phillips <imjeffp@mac.com>

Date: October 13, 2008 8:09:16 AM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] OT - Well perhaps


IF I understand correctly, the problem is that you don't have encoders on your current mount. Starry Night Pro or Equinox could drive it, but they don't have a mechanism to know where the mount is pointed, or how far it has moved during a slew.


You've indirectly hit upon a sore spot for me. I'd like to see a standard emerge for a semi-smart mount: One with motors and encoders, but no electronics. You could then use your own electronics to drive it.



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http://imjeffp.blogspot.com



On Oct 13, 2008, at 7:36 AM, Ray Byrne wrote:

My mounting is an EQ6/Atlas but not the GOTO version. I've been considering buying the GOTO upgrade kit and mentioned it to an astro-mate of mine. He's a PC/Windows user and uses something called ASCOM (his mount has got GOTO BTW). I was wondering if there's an application I can use to acquire targets with my G5 iMac and the EQ6 rather than going to the nearly £400 expense of the GOTO upgrade?