APT with a CGX

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Graeme1858 Great Britain
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APT with a CGX

#1

Post by Graeme1858 »


Hello.

I've been using APT for a while to capture images using Celestron CPWI to control my CGX mount. I would like to control the mount with APT. When I click Connect Scope on the Gear tab holding down the Shift key, I get the message "telescope disconnect". The ASCOM dialogue box doesn't appear.

Does anyone know, do I need to set some other setting before I connect my mount?

Thanks

Regards

Graeme
______________________________________________
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.

https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
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Re: APT with a CGX

#2

Post by JayTee »


I have not installed or use CPWI so I cannot comment on it. But I do connect APT to my Celestron AVX mount routinely. I use the simple Celestron ASCOM driver. That's all I've ever needed for APT to talk to the mount. So it may be that you do not load CPWI and load up just the ASCOM driver.

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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Graeme1858 Great Britain
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Re: APT with a CGX

#3

Post by Graeme1858 »


Thanks JT

I've always used CPWI to align the telescope and for the All Star Polar Align.

So without these tools would I just use APT and Plate Solving to align the mount?

I have controlled the mount with APT indoors, on a practice run using the laptop in the past. My problem is with the garage pc which is the one I use for actual astronomy. I'll set up and check the ASCOM drivers later today.

Cheers

Regards

Graeme
______________________________________________
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.

https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
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Re: APT with a CGX

#4

Post by Juno16 »


Hi Graeme,

Looking forward to what JT has to say, but thats what I do. Just do a quick align with the AVX HC then plate solve in APT (GoTo++). I have had great success with Blind solving (ASPS) and it only usually takes 30 seconds) I GoTo++ to a bright star to focus, then another plate solve on the target.
I first do a quick PA with Sharpcap though.

Thanks,
Jim
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), Orion 50mm Guide Scope, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, Orion SSAG, IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
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Graeme1858 Great Britain
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Re: APT with a CGX

#5

Post by Graeme1858 »


Thanks Jim

I'm hoping to get a play this afternoon but some jobs have come up! (apparently!)

Regards

Graeme
______________________________________________
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.

https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
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Re: APT with a CGX

#6

Post by JayTee »


Hi Graeme,
So without these tools would I just use APT and Plate Solving to align the mount?
That is correct.

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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Graeme1858 Great Britain
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Re: APT with a CGX

#7

Post by Graeme1858 »


Ok, so it turns out I didn't have ASCOM installed on the garage pc! Which is why I was able to control the mount from the laptop but not the garage. CPWI has its own drivers and ASCOM has never been required. But now it is.

So I've downloaded the ASCOM files and installed the Celestron Telescope Driver. Now when I click Connect Scope the ASCOM dialogue box appears. When I select the Celestron Telescope Driver and click Properties the Celestron Setup window appears. If I click COM Port the drop down list is empty. In Advanced Setup I can tick Show All COM Ports and I get COM1 and COM9 But neither of them work.

I'm going to go and read the manual now.

Regards

Graeme
______________________________________________
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.

https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
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Graeme1858 Great Britain
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Re: APT with a CGX

#8

Post by Graeme1858 »


Been on a course this week so no time to play until tonight. Whilst playing, the pc dropped out to the BIOS screen then blue screened I think because I didn't have Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1 checked. So I have uninstalled all the ASCOM, checked Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1 and reinstalled the ASCOM platform and the ASCOM Celestron Telescope driver. APT then detected the mount ok and moved it when I clicked Park. But then the programme slowed right down taking 30 seconds to respond to any click and failed to slew the mount any more. Then the pc dropped out to the BIOS screen again and refuses to reload Windows! It's been a long week. Probably should have left it till tomorrow!
______________________________________________
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.

https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
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JayTee United States of America
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Re: APT with a CGX

#9

Post by JayTee »


Sorry Graeme,

These software issues, like the ones you're having, cause the greatest amounts of hair-loss for me.

Commiseratingly,
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."

Image
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