SharpCap Forums

Will Feature Tracking work with a MyT mount? I ask because apparently the ASCOM driver does not currently support the MoveAxis commands so the directional buttons are grayed out when I connect to the mount. We've been clouded out for a while with no end in sight so I haven't been able to try this out much yet.

Thanks,
Dave

Hi Dave,

If the mount doesn't support MoveAxis then that cuts down the options for feature tracking. You should still be able to use it via adjustments to the camera ROI area (OK for planets, but eventually you run out of ROI). You may also be able to use it at the guiding rate of the mount if the mount supports pulse guiding. This could be possible via the ASCOM driver if it supports the PulseGuide command, or it could be possible via ST4 if you are using a camera with an ST4 port and connect that to the mount's guide port.

Unfortunately, with only the guiding rates available, you have less flexibility in setting up the feature tracking - some setups might work nicely at the guiding rate while others might need a faster movement rate to calibrate and track properly.

cheers,

Robin

It does support Pulse Guiding, all that works fine with PHD2. I saw a radio button under the guiding tab in SharpCap to use PulseGuide I think. Does that need to be set for Feature Tracking or does it have its own hierarchy of commands it would try?

Dave

Hi Dave,

there is a separate dropdown at the top left of the Feature tracking window where you need to select the guiding rate for the movement speed. Once you have done that, give it a try and see what happens. You might want to set the required movement for calibration to a low value as the guiding rate is slow.

Note that it's usually possible to test on terrestrial targets - point the telescope at a tree or roof or some other distant landmark, make sure sidereal tracking is off and see if the calibration works.

cheers,

Robin

Finally had a clear night and some time to try this. It worked fine with the guiding motion.

Dave