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[Scope Control] SkySafari Preset For SkyWatcher Synscan Using Same Port Info Used For XXG Works Perfectly

Mike Atkins

July 09, 2022 15:03

Answered

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Good Morning Developers! I haven't seen much activity in the SS7 for Android Beta forum over the last few days. Last night I updated to 7.0.2. Viewing weather has been terrible, monsoon season is here, but I have been checking recent bug reports there. I have left comments on things that seem to be fixed or working in 7.0.2. Keiron is actually replying to them as I type this message!! Brings me to my Question. Would you like us to continue to post there or begin to post here?

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11 comments

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  Mike Atkins July 09, 2022 15:22

  Oh, one other question.

  Keiron, SS7 + SynScan + the Orion XXG is working in 7.0.2! I'm going to check on one thing (SynScan timeout related). Do you think the How To is ready for release? I read through it again today and made a minor edit....

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  Keiron Smith July 09, 2022 15:42

  Hi Mike, 

  I moved your How-To guide over to here - good idea!

  Let's see what Pedro Braganca thinks about discussing both beta and public release issues in the same community forum.  If there is going to be no difference between the betas and the public release then it doesn't matter anymore.

  Thanks!

   

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  Mike Atkins July 09, 2022 15:48

  Awesome!

  It still works as I wrote it. I changed the screenshot for step 5 of setting the scope preset. I have matched the settings of 2 and 0.2 (200ms) with the SynScan defaults. They work well with the Hand Controller. I'm going to be "experimenting" with those settings to see if the workaround in the guide is still needed or not. My goal is to not have to run the two apps in split-screen mode.

  That will take some time to determine success!

  Thanks!

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  Mike Atkins July 11, 2022 22:09

  Ok, I know what the issue is with SynScan Pro 2.0.6 in relation to Android 12. I can also repeat the issue at will.

  First, let me confirm there are two working methods to get around it.

  First workaround is the method I posted above. Run the apps in split-screen mode. You MUST interact with the SynScan app in intervals that are less than 15 minutes.

  The second workaround is to background SynScan Pro 2.0.6. That way you can run SkySafari in full screen mode. You MUST bring SynScan Pro 2.0.6 to the foreground in intervals less than 15 minutes in length or SynScan will disconnect from the mount's adhoc WiFi. Once you interact with SynScan you can bring SkySafari to the foreground again for another interval.

  The reason is SynScan, when working correctly, requires battery optimization to be set to "Unrestricted" in order for it to be able to Maintain Long Running Tasks. This ability is broken in SynScan Pro 2.0.6 under Android 12.

  Keiron, does someone on your team have a contact at SkyWatcher? I sent them a support request a couple weeks ago and explained the issue. In the email I explained the situation but, because I have an Orion SynScan mount, they replied they cannot help. I sent another this evening. In that email I explained in more detail what is happening. The difference this time is I have the same repeatable issue only it's with my neighbor's SkyWatcher SynScan Dob.

  I'm a little disappointed with SkyWatcher's previous response. Both scopes have the same SynScan Go-To system, other than the color the mounts are virtually the identical. They have the same SynScan control and use the same app, too.

  Any rate, if I interact with SynScan every 12 to 14 minutes max, everything works as expected for as long as I want to use the scope.

  If I don't SynScan will disconnect from the adhoc WiFi every time after 15 minutes. I can tether SkySafari but it's a pain to do either workaround to do so.

  Thanks

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  Mike Atkins July 11, 2022 22:10

  Got a reply from SW support. They want more details!!

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  Mike Atkins July 11, 2022 22:31

  So, I sent SkyWatcher all the info they asked for. The last thing I heard from them was they were going to check with engineering and pass along the info I gave. I made sure I was clear on the issue description and the workaround I'm currently using.

  Hopefully they'll actually look into it this time. I get the same behavior with the WiFi disconnect when controlling a 14" SkyWatcher SynScan Dob, too. They both use the same SynScan system. The bases look almost identical, too. If they were the same color it would be hard to tell them apart.

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  Mike Atkins July 11, 2022 22:41

  Just figured something out, too.

  I created a preset in SkySafari for a SkyWatcher Synscan. I entered the same port info that I use for the XXG. Wouldn't you know it? I can control the XXG just fine.

  I wonder if I should change the title of the How-To to reflect that?

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  Keiron Smith July 13, 2022 21:14

  Title changed.  Does that title make sense to you?

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  Mike Atkins July 14, 2022 01:25

  It does. Most of what is here is kinda an FYI. Just general things I've noticed, etc. IE: SynScan Scope Connection Timeout - Not a SkySafari problem. It's a SkyWatcher problem. I think they're working on it...

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  Mike Atkins July 17, 2022 21:04

  I updated the How to Connect post I created for the XXG SkyQuest to also include the SkyWatcher SynScan Dobsonians. The procedure is the same for both. Some of the steps have more details added for each scope type.

  I have connected to and controlled both. The only difference is the details for the connection info.

  You can actually use either preset name for either scope. As long as the port info for the connection is correct it will work properly!

  Clear Skies!!

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  Keiron Smith July 18, 2022 16:10

  Thank you, Mike!