Sponsored By:

Subject: Re: Remote control help
From: Luc Vanhoeck
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Thu May 25 02:25:29 1995

>Subject: Remote control help
>
>
>Now I need your help again. I have an opportunity to use a laptop
>computer and a ST6 CCD camera with my LX200. My question is, do I need
>any particular communications program to use the laptop to control the
>LX200 or will the controlling software, such as The Sky take care of the
>communications? Also there is a controlling program that is freeware
>here in the library. Are any of you acquainted with it? How well does
>it work?

Hi, as both devices work on serial ports, you need a laptop with 2 COM-ports at least. However, TheSky and SkyPro work under Windows and in principle also need a mouse. This can be a problem. At the other hand, there is no need to have the LX telescope and the camera be controlled at the same time. So it probably can be arranged to work on COM2 for both devices. TheSky is great but I found the crosshairs less precise than e.g. Epoch 2000. The latter is a 1992 piece of software and I didn't hear of any update (which it really needs as the speed needs to be improved). The thinks Software Bisque still has work to do ! I've been working with the ST-6 for 2 years and accumulated hundreds of images, mainly with an 8" f/10 LX200 (working at f/6.3 with a Celestron focal reducer). I'm sure you have exciting observing sessions to come ! Luc Vanhoeck Breendonk, Belgium.