AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

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seigell United States of America
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AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#1

Post by seigell »


The most popular AutoGuiding Software is PHD2 (available for Windows, Mac, Linux).

In most cases, it truly is "Push Here Dummy" Simple. But when it isn't...

There are so many Options, and Approaches, and Resources - with even more Suggestions offered the minute that you post your Troubles online.

The official Support Forum for PHD2 is: Open PHD Guiding (on Google Groups), where both the Developers and a core of knowledgable Members provide 1st-Rate Support on a very active forum.
But that is not to disparage the folks on this forum (some of them the very same Members as on the PHD2 Group), who are also quite helpful and knowledgeable.

Make use of both resources...

Don't let any troubles or perception of Difficulty stop you from adding AutoGuiding to your AP Imaging - you'll miss the biggest Improvement possible to your efforts.
ES AR152 / ES 80ED Apo / Orion 8in F/3.9 / C9.25-SCT / C6-SCT / C10-NGT / AT6RC / ST-80 / AstroView 90 / Meade 6000 APO 115mm
CGEM (w HyperTune and ADM bling) / 2x CG5-AGT / Forest of Tripod legs / Star Adventurer / Orion EQ-G
550D (Modded-G.Honis) / 60D / 400D / NexImage / NexGuide / Mini 50 SSAG / ST-8300C / ASI120MM-S / ASI1600MM-Cool
Dark Skies in SW CO when I can get there, and badly light polluted backyard when I can't... (Currently Self-Exiled to Muggy Central Florida...)
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bladekeeper
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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#2

Post by bladekeeper »


Thanks, seigell! That is my next step to undertake. :)
Bryan
Scopes: Apertura AD12 f/5; Celestron C6-R f/8; ES AR127 f/6.4; Stellarvue SV102T f/7; iOptron MC90 f/13.3; Orion ST80A f/5; ES ED80 f/6; Celestron Premium 80 f/11.4; Celestron C80 f/11.4; Unitron Model 142 f/16; Meade NG60 f/10
Mounts: Celestron AVX; Bresser EXOS-2; ES Twilight I; ES Twilight II; iOptron Cube-G; AZ3/wood tripod; Vixen Polaris
Binoculars: Pentax PCF WP II 10×50, Bresser Corvette 10×50, Bresser Hunter 16×50 and 8×40, Garrett Gemini 12×60 LW, Gordon 10×50, Apogee 20×100

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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#3

Post by OhNo »


I took advantage of the PHD2 Forum, a guy had me straightened out and on my way in a very short time. I did have to do some adjusting on my mount, and learned some things from that process too!
Scopes: SkyWatcher 8" Quattro, Celestron C8, SkyWatcher ST120, Orion ST80, SharpStar 61EDPH II. SLT 130 Celestron
Mounts: CGEM, CG-4, EQ2, Alt Az, SLT
Cameras: ZWO ASI533MC Pro, ZWO ASI120MM, Canon 1100D
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Brian
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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#4

Post by Brian »


Guiding with PhD2 is super easy... Unless you are a noob like me and get an f10 sct and try to guide with an avx mount with aweful dec backlash 🙄. I got the hang of it eventually.
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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#5

Post by Brian »


bladekeeper wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 3:09 am Thanks, seigell! That is my next step to undertake. :)
You don’t use an autoguider? I’ve seen you post some nice photos. Impressive without guiding.
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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#6

Post by bladekeeper »


Brian wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 4:46 am
bladekeeper wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 3:09 am Thanks, seigell! That is my next step to undertake. :)
You don’t use an autoguider? I’ve seen you post some nice photos. Impressive without guiding.
Thanks, Brian! Nah, just a manual polar alignment and off I go. I can do 60s subs ok. I tried to push to 120s this evening, but I was getting a little tiny bit of trailing. Of course, I could drift align. I may tackle that here soon. :)
Bryan
Scopes: Apertura AD12 f/5; Celestron C6-R f/8; ES AR127 f/6.4; Stellarvue SV102T f/7; iOptron MC90 f/13.3; Orion ST80A f/5; ES ED80 f/6; Celestron Premium 80 f/11.4; Celestron C80 f/11.4; Unitron Model 142 f/16; Meade NG60 f/10
Mounts: Celestron AVX; Bresser EXOS-2; ES Twilight I; ES Twilight II; iOptron Cube-G; AZ3/wood tripod; Vixen Polaris
Binoculars: Pentax PCF WP II 10×50, Bresser Corvette 10×50, Bresser Hunter 16×50 and 8×40, Garrett Gemini 12×60 LW, Gordon 10×50, Apogee 20×100

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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#7

Post by Brian »


Even if I get the polar alignment perfect on my AVX there is a huge periodic error. I can’t get more than 15sec unguided to stack in DSS with my f10 sct.
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seigell United States of America
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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#8

Post by seigell »


Brian wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 4:54 am Even if I get the polar alignment perfect on my AVX there is a huge periodic error. I can’t get more than 15sec unguided to stack in DSS with my f10 sct.
Yes, as you already know, your equipment combo works to magnify the problems common to an intermediate-level GEM.

AutoGuiding will readily diminish the amount and impact of your mount's PE. (Probably not reduce it to Zero, but reduce it nonetheless...)

AutoGuiding has one of the highest ROI of all AP Imaging Hardware,,,
ES AR152 / ES 80ED Apo / Orion 8in F/3.9 / C9.25-SCT / C6-SCT / C10-NGT / AT6RC / ST-80 / AstroView 90 / Meade 6000 APO 115mm
CGEM (w HyperTune and ADM bling) / 2x CG5-AGT / Forest of Tripod legs / Star Adventurer / Orion EQ-G
550D (Modded-G.Honis) / 60D / 400D / NexImage / NexGuide / Mini 50 SSAG / ST-8300C / ASI120MM-S / ASI1600MM-Cool
Dark Skies in SW CO when I can get there, and badly light polluted backyard when I can't... (Currently Self-Exiled to Muggy Central Florida...)
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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#9

Post by JayTee »


Hey Bryan,

PHD2 has a very usable and accurate drift align feature. It appears you need to take this step sooner rather than later.
Besides, summer and all the goodies in that sky are just around the corner. Of course they are already here if you are an early riser.

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#10

Post by Jennifer Christine »


Drift aligning is even quite tolerable with PHD2.
It's conceptually confusing to work out which way is which but the result is quite obvious.
Scopes, 100x900, 102x500, 150x 1000, 200x2000, 200x 1260. 80x400.
Canon lenses 100 to 400 L series, 18 to 135 usm.
Mount's, 2x alt az, 2 x eq (adventurer an neq6pro.)
70dw cam. Ssag guider. Observatory and pier setup.
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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#11

Post by UlteriorModem »


The main catch that most folks new to using the drift align feature is impatience.

I suggest you wait at least 2 minutes for the trendline to settle down, otherwise you will be herding cats.
Tom

Current Equipment:
Mount: Celestron CGX-L
Scope: 130mm f7 APO
Cam: ASI071mc-pro
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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#12

Post by JayTee »


UlteriorModem wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 8:02 pm The main catch that most folks new to using the drift align feature is impatience.

I suggest you wait at least 2 minutes for the trendline to settle down, otherwise you will be herding cats.
It's gotten to the point now that I wait for the trend line to stop moving. If it hasn't moved for 10 potatoes then I'll consider making the appropriate adjustment or say "good enough".

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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Re: AutoGuiding - PHD2: Getting Help

#13

Post by UlteriorModem »


At first you don't have to wait that long. But when you are getting close the trend line takes a lot longer to settle down.

Quite often I will see it start with a downward trend then about 30 seconds later it is trending upwards!
Tom

Current Equipment:
Mount: Celestron CGX-L
Scope: 130mm f7 APO
Cam: ASI071mc-pro
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