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Setup Questions With SkySafari 6 + macOS + SkyFi 3 + Orion SynScan (Answer: Read On!)

1) Please confirm that SkyFi3 + SkySafari 6 plus/pro compatible with all version of Orion SynScan V3, V4, and V5 hand controllers. The connection would use the DB9 outlet on the SkiFi3. Would the other  end of the serial cable use the RJ11 (4-wire telephone) port on the SynScan controller?

2) Could the hand controller be dispensed with entirely?  For example, could the SkyFi3 connect to the RJ-11 auto guide port directly on and HDX-110 mount or the RJ-11 auto guide port on the Sirius EQ-G mount?

3) Does iOS SkySafari 6 plus/pro provide direct access to all functions of the SynScan controller for my HDX-110 and Sirius EQ-G, particularly:

1,2, 3 star alignments

Polar alignment

Periodic error corrections?

4) Do 2 star alignments carried out in SkySafari overwrite prior alignment constants stored in the SynScan controller?  How about local alignments?

5) Can SkySafari use the GPS time/location from iOS to overnight stored info in the SynScan?

6) Can a SynScan, a SkySafari 6 app, and an ASCOM-compliant program  on a Mac/PC play nice at the same time?

7) I'd appreciate people's opinion of using the iOS gyros as a tilt controller to move the image in a telescope vs buttons on a controller and iOS screen arrows.

8) I'd appreciate hearing of complete implementation/integration set-ups with a SkyFi (hardware and software) for planetary astrophotography from FireCapture users on a Mac or PC using an ZWO planetary webcam
(I have a C14 with a computer-controlled Moonlite focuser + HDX 110, ZWO filter wheels, and ZWO ASI 224MC and 290MM cameras and a MacBook Air which I can boot as a PC or a Mac)

9) I'd appreciate hearing of complete implementation/integration set-ups with a SkyFi (hardware and software) for DSO astrophotography from users with a Mac or PC and a Canon EOS camera.
(I have a C14 with a computer-controlled Moonlite focuser + HDX 110 and a Sirius EQ-G + 127mm APO refractor, a Canon 6D, and a MacBook Air which I can boot as a PC or a Mac)
I eventually will mount an 80 mm guidescope


Thanks!

 

 

 

 

Date Votes

5 comments

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Hi Joe,

    1) Please confirm that SkyFi3 + SkySafari 6 plus/pro compatible with all version of Orion SynScan V3, V4, and V5 hand controllers. The connection would use the DB9 outlet on the SkiFi3. Would the other  end of the serial cable use the RJ11 (4-wire telephone) port on the SynScan controller?

    Yes.

    2) Could the hand controller be dispensed with entirely?  For example, could the SkyFi3 connect to the RJ-11 auto guide port directly on and HDX-110 mount or the RJ-11 auto guide port on the Sirius EQ-G mount?

    No.

    3) Does iOS SkySafari 6 plus/pro provide direct access to all functions of the SynScan controller for my HDX-110 and Sirius EQ-G, particularly:

    1,2, 3 star alignments

    No.

    Polar alignment

    No.

    Periodic error corrections?

    Yes, if answered below.  If not, please clarify your question with an example.

    4) Do 2 star alignments carried out in SkySafari overwrite prior alignment constants stored in the SynScan controller?

    No. See above. 

    4.5) How about local alignments?

    Yes.  SkySafari creates an offset.

    *** You must align your scope first using the hand controller.  Then connect and control the scope using SkySafari.

    Tapping the Align button stores the offset between the telescope's reported position and the selected object's position. It subtracts that offset from the telescope's reported position whenever the telescope is within 10 degrees of the object you Aligned on. In other words, SkySafari performs a "local sync" around the alignment target. If you move the telescope to a very different part of the sky, you may want to Align on a target in that part of the sky. Also note that the telescope's RA/Dec reported by SkySafari will differ from the RA/Dec reported by its hand controller (since SkySafari is applying the alignment offset to the telescope's reported position.) 

    https://support.simulationcurriculum.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015867607-Scope-Control-View (this KB article tells you just about everything)

    5) Can SkySafari use the GPS time/location from iOS to overnight stored info in the SynScan?

    No.

    6) Can a SynScan, a SkySafari 6 app, and an ASCOM-compliant program  on a Mac/PC play nice at the same time?

    SkySafari is not available for Windows.  SkySafari is developed for macOS - and all telescope drivers are native.

    7) I'd appreciate people's opinion of using the iOS gyros as a tilt controller to move the image in a telescope vs buttons on a controller and iOS screen arrows.

    We implemented a new feature "Tilt-to-Slew" in SkySafari 6 Plus/Pro.  It works very well.  No complaints.

    8) I'd appreciate hearing of complete implementation/integration set-ups with a SkyFi (hardware and software) for planetary astrophotography from FireCapture users on a Mac or PC using an ZWO planetary webcam
    (I have a C14 with a computer-controlled Moonlite focuser + HDX 110, ZWO filter wheels, and ZWO ASI 224MC and 290MM cameras and a MacBook Air which I can boot as a PC or a Mac)

    This is a question that should be posed separately in the community forum.

    SkySafari | OS X Apps

    9) I'd appreciate hearing of complete implementation/integration set-ups with a SkyFi (hardware and software) for DSO astrophotography from users with a Mac or PC and a Canon EOS camera.

    This is a question that should be posed separately in the community forum.

    SkySafari | OS X Apps

    (I have a C14 with a computer-controlled Moonlite focuser + HDX 110 and a Sirius EQ-G + 127mm APO refractor, a Canon 6D, and a MacBook Air which I can boot as a PC or a Mac).  I eventually will mount an 80 mm guidescope

    Hope this helps.

    Thanks!

  • 0
    Avatar
    Joe Izen

    Will Orion's SynScan Pro app communicate with the SkyFi3? I've gotten a "probably" so far from Orion.


    My interest is that the SynScan Pro app has access to all commands on an Orion SynScan 3 or 4 controller, including the Polar Alignment, and it's 2 star alignment which reports how well the polar axis is aligned.

    Once the polar alignment is completed, I could close the SynScan Pro app, launch SkySafari, run it's own 2-star alignment, and drive my scope from my mobile device or computer.  There is nothing that precludes my using the ST-4 port for autoguiding while using a SkyFi3 and SkySafari, right?

    Has anyone tried to use a SynScan with Orion's SynScan Pro app in the manner I've outlined? If so, it's a workaround for what seems to me be a serious design deficiency of SkySafari6.

    Thanks.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    A successful connection between Orion's SynScan Pro app and SkyFi 3 will be possible if the developers behind the Orion SynScan Pro app have developed for, and tested with, the SkyFi 3.  We are not the developers of the Orion SynScan Pro app.  Sorry, I can not say at this time.

    I do not believe it is possible to align your scope with Orion's SynScan Pro app and then switch and control your scope with SkySafari.  This is not how the apps are designed to work.  When you align the scope using an app the app keeps the alignment model.  If you switch apps the alignment model is lost.  

    You are free to experiment.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Joe Izen

    Keiron, I believe you misunderstand the role of a polar alignment. It guides the observer as s/he adjusts the altitude and azimuth of the equatorial mount's right ascension axis so that it is pointing at the celestial pole. Nothing gets stored in the SynScan or other brand handcontroller. The alignment is mechanical, so of course it will work after switching to SkySafari for a 2-star alignment.

    IMHO, adding this polar alignment feature to SkySafari6 is long overdue. There is nothing mount specific about a polar alignment. Modern hand controllers have this feature. Please consider adding to the SkySafari6 todo list.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    My point is regarding switching apps - and I'm happy to be proven wrong :)

    You are free to experiment.

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