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Subject: Re: LX200 computer-controlled Which software?
From: W. Miller
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Tue Apr 02 00:59:29 1996

Apr 1 19:06:13 1996 Fred Jutsum <fjutsum@micron.net> wrote:
LX-200/ST-7 TheSky/SkyPro They were made for each other.
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Yes, but CCDOPS rev 3.5 gives me better control. For instance:
SkyPro CCDOPS
1.8sec ~0.1sec Self guiding processing time (not counting exposure time)
Yonly X,Y Ability to turn off tracking correction by axis.
No Yes Input scope declination to avoid recalibration.
No Yes Ability to input minimum and maximum move (in millisec).
No Yes A text based rather than binary configuration file.
No Yes Immediate interrupt of tracking using mouse.
No Yes Can move scope (activate relays) during track & accumulate.
Yes No Occassional runaway (error ~50) while tracking

Can anyone explain the runaway I sometimes get using SkyPro. This will
occasionally happen with a bright guide star still in the 17x17 pixel box.
Increasing the tracker exposure time, moving a little, or recal does not help.

I run CCDOPS in MSDOS shell while TheSky is in Windows.
Hit alt+tab keys to switch between applications.
CCDOPS graphics mode requires full screen, hit alt+enter keys to switch.

I used TheSky+SkyPro together for 1 year and even upgraded to SkyPro 2.06.
Now I've switched to using TheSky+CCDOPS to get improved tracking.
I like the faster control response time obtained using CCDOPS.
The best part is that CCDOPS is free and new releases keep making it better.
But it is easier to setup using SkyPro focus mode with TheSky focus control.
Does anyone have more tips on using TheSky+CCDOPS together?

Bill Miller, Los Gatos, CA.