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Re: Universal Firmware Configuration Tool (UFCT)
#UFCT
Wes Mcdonald
Wayne you have to highlight the comm port even though it shows up in the UFCT window, then click get configuration
-- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: Universal Firmware Configuration Tool (UFCT)
#UFCT
On Tue, Apr 20, 2021 at 05:55 PM, wayne archard wrote:
When I click the get configuration button I get a com port error. The com port is 3 verified in device manager.Can you give us more information about your cable connection? Have you used your PMC-Eight previous to trying to update the firmware with the serial port connection and ASCOM? -- Jerry Hubbell Vice President of Engineering Explore Scientific, LLC. jrh at explorescientific.com www.explorescientificusa.com 1010 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762 1-866-252-3811 Author: Scientific Astrophotography: How Amateurs Can Generate and Use Professional Imaging Data Remote Observatories for Amateur Astronomers: Using High-Powered Telescopes From Home Mark Slade Remote Observatory (MSRO) IAU MPC W54 Equipment Wilderness, VA Mounts: ES PMC-Eight G11 + Telescope Drive Master (TDM) Scopes: ES 165 FPL-53 ED APO CF, ES 102 FCD100 ED APO CF Cameras: QHY174M-GPS + FW, QHY163C Misc: 3-inch 0.7x Focal Reducer Field Flattener, Filters: Luminance, Red, V-band Photometric, Diffuser, 200 lpmm Spectral Grating Software: MaxIm DL 6, Cartes du Ciel, Astrometrica, AstroImageJ, AutoStakkert!
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Universal Firmware Configuration Tool (UFCT)
#UFCT
wayne archard
I have an Exos 2 mount. When I click the get configuration button I get a com port error. The com port is 3 verified in device manager. Tyler suggested changing com port numbers but I tried several with no solution. Any thoughts? Thank you.
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New Firmware 20A01 Update Awareness
#poll-notice
#UniversalFirmware
I wanted to find out the progress of our customers updating to the new Firmware version 20A01 for the PMC-EIght system that was released a week ago.
Please select the appropriate responses below (multiple choices) about your upgrade plans for your PMC-Eight system.
Thank you for voting.
Results
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Re: New PMC-Eight Firmware UPDATED STATUS
#ExploreScientific
#UniversalFirmware
Wes Mcdonald
Folks:
In a recent web cast, Jerry showed how to install the new update kit. Follow this link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW6yP2qfu0c The install demo starts at about minute 27. Regards, Wes. -- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: New PMC-Eight Firmware UPDATED STATUS
#ExploreScientific
#UniversalFirmware
Wes Mcdonald
Alanciano
The iexos can be in udp or tcp mode but cannot be configured to do both at once. When you use Explorestars you must have the iexos in udp mode. If you use ascom via WiFi you must set the iexos into tcp. It is best to use ascom via serial connection ,it is very trouble free. Wes
-- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: Which ASCOM software with PMC-EIGHT
#ASCOM
Hilldo
Yes. Ascom is an universal platform for communication with different astro hardware and software. Nomen est omen: Cartes du Ciel a star map Stellarium a star map an planetarium software NINA nighttime imaging and astronomy All apps will tell your mount where to slew.
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Re: Which ASCOM software with PMC-EIGHT
#ASCOM
Hildo <hildo79@...>
Thank you Sebastian, None works better than the others with pmc-eight? Just comes down to preference and needed usage?
-------- Original message -------- From: Sebastian <jakob.sebastian@...> Date: 2021-04-18 3:36 a.m. (GMT-07:00) To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io Subject: Re: [ESPMC-Eight] Which ASCOM software with PMC-EIGHT #ASCOM You can install all of them together. Stellarium and CdC will show you where the objects are. I only used them for visual observation . NINA is used for controlling all of your equipment and taking picture with a dedicated astrocamera . You can use NiNA alone for planning or import coordinates from Stellarium (find a YouTube video)or CdC (works from the start) eg. For guiding you will need PHD2, which also integrates in NiNA. When using a DSRL or DSLM you should consider different software than NiNA.
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Re: New PMC-Eight Firmware UPDATED STATUS
#ExploreScientific
#UniversalFirmware
Alcionio
received👍 Scopes: MEADE LX200 8" f / 10, BRESSER AR90S f / 5,5 (guide), KSON 102C f / 6. Cameras: QHY 5L IIC, Nikon D70s, Sony Alpha 5000 Software: PCM-Eight, Sharpcap, PHD2, Stellarium, CdC.
Il giorno dom 18 apr 2021 alle ore 18:11 Jerry Hubbell - Explore Scientific VP Engineering <jrh@...> ha scritto: On Sun, Apr 18, 2021 at 09:39 AM, Wes Mcdonald wrote: --
Supporti : IEXOS 100, MEADE LX200. Scopes : MEADE LX200 8" f / 10, BRESSER AR90S f / 5,5 (guida), KSON 102C f / 6. Telecamere : QHY 5L IIC, Nikon D70s, Sony Alpha 5000 Software: PCM-Eight, Sharpcap, PHD2, Stellarium , Grafico del cielo.
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Re: New PMC-Eight Firmware UPDATED STATUS
#ExploreScientific
#UniversalFirmware
Alcionio
Thanks for the reply. can you explain this to me better? I'm confused: "If you have an iexos you need to make sure the WiFi is in udp mode. This is accomplished with the dongle during boot per the write up which is part of the installation zip file" Scopes: MEADE LX200 8" f / 10, BRESSER AR90S f / 5,5 (guide), KSON 102C f / 6. Cameras: QHY 5L IIC, Nikon D70s, Sony Alpha 5000 Software: PCM-Eight, Sharpcap, PHD2, Stellarium, CdC.
Il giorno dom 18 apr 2021 alle ore 15:39 Wes Mcdonald <wesmcd6@...> ha scritto: Alcionio --
Supporti : IEXOS 100, MEADE LX200. Scopes : MEADE LX200 8" f / 10, BRESSER AR90S f / 5,5 (guida), KSON 102C f / 6. Telecamere : QHY 5L IIC, Nikon D70s, Sony Alpha 5000 Software: PCM-Eight, Sharpcap, PHD2, Stellarium , Grafico del cielo.
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Re: New PMC-Eight Firmware UPDATED STATUS
#ExploreScientific
#UniversalFirmware
On Sun, Apr 18, 2021 at 09:39 AM, Wes Mcdonald wrote:
I want to caution everybody that simultaneous communications over the Serial Port and the WiFi port maybe somewhat functional, but this is currently NOT SUPPORTED in terms of the features included with this firmware. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK and EXPECT NO SUPPORT from Explore Scientific. Currently the feature was meant to just have both communication channels available so that the customer does not have to do a switch any more as in the previous versions of the firmware. WE CURRENTLY ONLY SUPPORT USING WIFI OR SERIAL NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. We will be providing support for this simultaneous communications mode in the future after we have released some additional products that are in development that require this functionality, BUT NOT NOW. Thanks -- Jerry Hubbell Vice President of Engineering Explore Scientific, LLC. jrh at explorescientific.com www.explorescientificusa.com 1010 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762 1-866-252-3811 Author: Scientific Astrophotography: How Amateurs Can Generate and Use Professional Imaging Data Remote Observatories for Amateur Astronomers: Using High-Powered Telescopes From Home Mark Slade Remote Observatory (MSRO) IAU MPC W54 Equipment Wilderness, VA Mounts: ES PMC-Eight G11 + Telescope Drive Master (TDM) Scopes: ES 165 FPL-53 ED APO CF, ES 102 FCD100 ED APO CF Cameras: QHY174M-GPS + FW, QHY163C Misc: 3-inch 0.7x Focal Reducer Field Flattener, Filters: Luminance, Red, V-band Photometric, Diffuser, 200 lpmm Spectral Grating Software: MaxIm DL 6, Cartes du Ciel, Astrometrica, AstroImageJ, AutoStakkert!
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Re: New PMC-Eight Firmware UPDATED STATUS
#ExploreScientific
#UniversalFirmware
Wes Mcdonald
Alcionio
The new firmware and ascom driver need no settings. It is automatic If you have an iexos you need to make sure the WiFi is in udp mode. This is accomplished with the dongle during boot per the write up which is part of the installation zip file Please fill out your signature block so we can see what gear you use. This helps us respond to your questions. Be aware that ascom has priority when using ascom and Explorestars. Once ascom is used Explorestars is locked out until Explorestars is moved from P mode to T mode. This happens in various ways dependent upon what tablet version you are using. Android and iPad allow you to change the mode by pressing the P-T indicator. Windows does not have that feature. In windows one has to press a button, for example a left right up down to put it into T mode. I think. You can experiment Other function on Explorestars toggle PT so if you want to use both ascom and Explorestars you have to figure out what to do to get Explorestars back in control by getting it into T mode. Finally I am pretty sure you cannot run ascom and Explorestars both over WiFi at the same time. Wes -- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: New PMC-Eight Firmware UPDATED STATUS
#ExploreScientific
#UniversalFirmware
Alcionio
Hi, can you tell me what settings I need to use to set PCM-Eight to operate simultaneously in serial and wifi with Explorestars? Thank you
Il giorno sab 17 apr 2021 alle ore 22:14 Walter Vinci <wltvinci@...> ha scritto:
--
Supporti : IEXOS 100, MEADE LX200. Scopes : MEADE LX200 8" f / 10, BRESSER AR90S f / 5,5 (guida), KSON 102C f / 6. Telecamere : QHY 5L IIC, Nikon D70s, Sony Alpha 5000 Software: PCM-Eight, Sharpcap, PHD2, Stellarium , Grafico del cielo.
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Re: #iEXOS-100 #polaralignment #tracking #ASCOM iEXOS 100 tracking error when polar aligned
#iEXOS-100
#polaralignment
#tracking
#ASCOM
matkomicuch@...
Hi, my balance was good on ra and dec, and I think the mount was pretty leveled too. Can you use sharpcap even if your entire north pole is obstructed, because in my backyard, forest obstructs the whole north pole. I think that I'll try going somewhere where I can see polaris if it's clear tonight and see if I still get the trails... As for the worm adjustments I followed the video that you sent.
-- Martin, Kosice, Slovakia Mount: iEXOS 100 Telescope: ExploreScientific ED80 Camera: Nikon D7100 stock Software: APT, ROG Zephyrus G14 (Windows 10)
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Re: Which ASCOM software with PMC-EIGHT
#ASCOM
You can install all of them together. Stellarium and CdC will show you where the objects are. I only used them for visual observation . NINA is used for controlling all of your equipment and taking picture with a dedicated astrocamera . You can use NiNA alone for planning or import coordinates from Stellarium (find a YouTube video)or CdC (works from the start) eg. For guiding you will need PHD2, which also integrates in NiNA. When using a DSRL or DSLM you should consider different software than NiNA.
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Re: #iEXOS-100 #polaralignment #tracking #ASCOM iEXOS 100 tracking error when polar aligned
#iEXOS-100
#polaralignment
#tracking
#ASCOM
jrichard333 <jrichard333@hotmail.com>
Good day Sir,
60-second subs on a iEXOS-100, unguided, is pretty tricky. You have to make sure of the following: 1. the payload is balanced properly in the RA and DEC axis. 2. I can’t see Polaris either, so I use SharpCap Pro. Pretty cool tool. 3. Make sure the mount is levelled as well.
The most I got out of the iEXOS-100 was 60-seconds unguided, but I am sure I can do more. I am mostly into planetary imaging. I have played around DSOs, but not seriously.
As for worm adjustments, view the following video by Alex and see if you have those problems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLXE_BMKVAw&list=PLH50bM7JLoL1PlxOIJPaTyhVL8fVWOMxS&index=9
JR
From: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io [mailto:MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io]
On Behalf Of matkomicuch@...
Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2021 3:38 AM To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io Subject: [ESPMC-Eight] #iEXOS-100 #polaralignment #tracking #ASCOM iEXOS 100 tracking error when polar aligned
Hi,
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Re: #iEXOS-100 #polaralignment #tracking #ASCOM iEXOS 100 tracking error when polar aligned
#iEXOS-100
#polaralignment
#tracking
#ASCOM
matkomicuch@...
I was thinking about using phd2, but I don't have a guide camera and my main camera is dlsr.
-- Martin, Kosice, Slovakia Mount: iEXOS 100 Telescope: ExploreScientific ED80 Camera: Nikon D7100 stock Software: APT, ROG Zephyrus G14 (Windows 10)
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Re: #iEXOS-100 #polaralignment #tracking #ASCOM iEXOS 100 tracking error when polar aligned
#iEXOS-100
#polaralignment
#tracking
#ASCOM
Martin When you got the mount , everything was ok. Then you did some worm adjustments and things got worse. I would assume then not the alignment is your issue. There is a guiding tool called PHD2. It also has a drift alignment tool. Maybe you can try this out.
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#iEXOS-100 #polaralignment #tracking #ASCOM iEXOS 100 tracking error when polar aligned
#iEXOS-100
#polaralignment
#tracking
#ASCOM
matkomicuch@...
Hi,
I have used my iEXOS-100 mount for three months now. When I got it, tracking was alright, but sometimes the RA stepper motor skipped steps. Because of this, I've adjusted the worm gear so that it won't be pushing so hard on the main gear and the backlash would still be minimal. However, no matter how good my polar alignment was, I still got big star trails on my subs(60 sec). I've tried polar aligning with NINA polar alignment and ekos legacy polar alignment(I can't see Polaris). When I try to adjust the polar alignment, the trails are still present. Is my polar alignment bad, or did I screw up my mount? Thank you for any answers. -- Martin, Kosice, Slovakia Mount: iEXOS 100 Telescope: ExploreScientific ED80 Camera: Nikon D7100 stock Software: APT, ROG Zephyrus G14 (Windows 10)
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Which ASCOM software with PMC-EIGHT
#ASCOM
Hildo <hildo79@...>
There is quite a list of ASCOM software on the ES website so I spent a few hours reading a lot of posts in here and 2 subgroups. It seems Stellarium, CDC, and N.I.N.A. are the common choices other than Explore Stars.
Is there one that seems to work best with the PMC-EIGHT? Specifically EXOS2-GT if that matters. I will attempt guiding in the future. Thanks for the help!
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