Synscan App update for autoguiding

Discussions of using SharpCap for Planetary Imaging
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MikeHuerto
Posts: 75
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 12:05 pm
Location: Spain

Synscan App update for autoguiding

#1

Post by MikeHuerto »

In response to my email, SW have now updated the Syncann App to allow autoguiding (see my message to them below :).
Will try it tonight (with the ASCOM connection).

Background on this: Until now I, and other SW Alt/Az users were unable to use SC feature tracking. It would not get past the calibration stages. Also see my message to SW below.

Finger crossed!
Mike

## 2021-11-29 v1.19.15
• Removed backlash logic in PulseGuide for better compatibility with autoguiding software

http://skywatcher.com/download/software/synscan-app/
_____________________________________________________________
R D
Thu, Dec 2, 11:50 PM (2 days ago)

to me


Hi Michael,

We have released a new SynScan app, version 1.19.15. Please try to install it and the new app should work.
Please check the following page:
http://skywatcher.com/download/software/synscan-app/

Thank you.

[Support No. 201676] - Please keep this number for future reference.

SynScan App Team



On Mon, Nov 15, 2021 at 8:39 AM michael wrote:
Dear SW.

I am currently using Synscan App v 1.19.0 and the Synscan ASCOM driver to control a SW 14" GOTO Dobson. This has allowed the use of this mount for some stunning astrophotography of planets, galaxies and nebula https://www.astrobin.com/users/MikeHuerto/


However, the Synscan app does not allow autoguiding from software such as Firecapture and SharpCap, Apparently the SynnScan App ignores reverse pulse guide commands. Autoguiding, is an important feature for many telescope users. It allows them to continually track a planet for imaging.


Could you please update the Synscan App to allow pulse guiding from third party apps in all directions (- and + RA and DEC).

I have communicated with the authors of SharpCap (Robin Glover) and FIrecapture (Torsten) and they have suggested some work-around solutions'. But these so far do not work

In this link, you can see that there are many other users with this problem (see my posts on page 3 of this thread)

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=426

There is a similar thread on the iogroups firecapture web page:

https://groups.io/g/firecapture/topic/85958800


There does not seem to be a 'mechanical' reason for the SynnScan app to ignore reverse commands, since I can easily manually send a command directly from the SynnScan app control panel to move the mount in any direction - including reverse (nudging. This is needless to say, very laborious. Updating the SynScan app to accept reverse pulse guides would solve this
problem.

I note that many other manufacturers allow pulse guiding of Alt/Az mounts, so I'm sure it would be to SW's advantage to promote this new capability.

Looking forward to your response.

Regards

Michael
Bortle 5
Skywatcher GOTO Synscan 14" Dobson
Skywatcher 130PDS on HEQ5
ZWOASI224MC and ASI294MCPro
Laptop = Lenovo Legion 5 FullHD 144Hz (Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, NVIDIA RTX2060-6GB, Windows 10
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Re: Synscan App update for autoguiding

#2

Post by admin »

Hi Mike,

wow, that's great news - hope it works and do report back on how you get on :)

cheers,

Robin
MikeHuerto
Posts: 75
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 12:05 pm
Location: Spain

Re: Synscan App update for autoguiding

#3

Post by MikeHuerto »

Hi Robin

I did try a week or so ago, , and it seemed to get further through calibration, but ultimately failed because of bad alignment of alt and az. I'd be interested to hear from other Alt/Az Syncan App Pro Window users about there experience with the update.

Since I have their ear, I did let SW know that it didn't work, and have asked that their engineers try it with SC and perhaps produce a how to video for this app. Lets see what happens. But meanwhile it would be good if others could report back on. their experience with the new update - just to exclude it not my mount - or me!

here's the update link again

## 2021-11-29 v1.19.15
• Removed backlash logic in PulseGuide for better compatibility with autoguiding software

http://skywatcher.com/download/software/synscan-app/

Best

Mike
Bortle 5
Skywatcher GOTO Synscan 14" Dobson
Skywatcher 130PDS on HEQ5
ZWOASI224MC and ASI294MCPro
Laptop = Lenovo Legion 5 FullHD 144Hz (Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, NVIDIA RTX2060-6GB, Windows 10
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