AZ-GTi in Alt/Az Mode

jkmonroe

I am attempting to get my AZ-GTi working with the ASIAir Pro in alt-az mode. I have awful tracking issues when using the AAP to perform gotos or mount movements. My AZ-GTi is on the 3.20 firmware and my OTA is mounted on the right.

Currently the AAP is used as nothing more than a wireless camera hub and I am using Synscan Pro to perform all gotos. I would really like to get over to the AAP app for everything.

I have a connection over wifi between the AAP and AZGti and can operate the mount if I choose to do so. When I do, tracking never works properly and stars just streak across the screen. I've tested with the Skywatcher AZ-GTi and EQMod drivers.

Am I missing something? What is the recommended procedure to get this combination working together?

Thanks!

PMTeam@ZWO

https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/manuals/ASIAIR_Sky-Watcher_AZ-GTI.pdf

jkmonroe

I've gone through the guide and the mount/AAP are connected together. I am now working with support on this issue.

Thanks!

Yuan89

Hi User, I am using AZ-GTI in Alt-Az mode and connected with the AAP. However, while I can locate the Moon perfectly in Synscan Pro app, the AAP directs the AZ-GTI to a wrong target. Any idea how to solve this? I will first point my telescope to the North and level it just like in Synscan Pro app.

ckh22

Instead of opening another thread, I'm going to pile onto this one. I've got the same setup as @jkizenbe and would love to be able to track using the "SkyWatcher Alt-Az Wedge" option to connect to the mount, however then I don't get the option to track. I've tried using my guidescope but for whatever reason the mount can't keep up with the guiding no matter how I change the settings.

Just to be clear, I've got the AA+ connected to the AZ-GTI with the EQMod cable. It can connect and control the mount no problem. Any guidance would be great here!

astronebulee

Hi
There is a great thread on stargazerslounge.com here all about the AzGti mount maybe of help to you both
https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/387014-skywatcher-az-gti-mount-owners-thread/page/28/
On regarding the tracking not working well I suggest updating the mount firmware to the latest 3.37 here for az/eq right arm mode
http://skywatcher.com/download/software/motor-control-firmware/
Cheers
Lee

Gopurdue999

I cannot get AZGTI to work with ASAIR PLUS in ALT AZ mode. Both devices are on latest version and connected via EQMOD cable. I use level north alignment then connect via Synscan Wedge setting. I do a goto in ASIAIR, which may or may not work. If it does, object immediately drifts from view, because ASIAIR does not start tracking. If it fails goto it is because there is no tracking during platesolve and RA continues to increment. I have sidereal tracking enabled in AZGTI. I have also tried Synscan Wireless and EQMOD mount settings in ASIAIR; neither work. Can you please assist? Thank you.

astronebulee

This thread on cloudy nights may be of use to you.
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/803386-asiair-plus-in-alt-az/#:~:text=The%20feedback%20I%27m%20getting%2C%20thus%20far%2C%20is%20that%2C,it%27ll%20work%20but%20they%20don%27t%20play%20nice%20together.

You may need a wedge to mount your az gti on to get it to work properly or run the synscan app to drive your mount and just use the AAP to image with? Not sure on this.
Cheers
Lee

Gopurdue999

Thanks very much, I've seen that. Not really any specifics on what others have done to make it work. I have a WO wedge and I have a counterweight shaft on order, but I really was hoping I wouldnt have to complicate the setup.

astronebulee

Hi
I only run my az gti in EQ mode with my AApro now so can't really help to much on alt az imaging with the AAplus.
If you go to stargazerslounge.com and look in the mounts section for the az gti mount owners thread there may be some information in there.
Running the az gti in EQ mode is easy once you've done it a few times and the images far superior.
Cheers
Lee

jd8080

I'm another user who uses AZ-GTI in alt-az mode. I want to do public outreach with EAA. I use alt-az mode to keep the setup as simple and light as possible since I need to transport, setup, and teardown the equipment for each outreach event. It would be great if ASIAir would support mount control, plate solving, tracking, and live stacking with AZ-GTI in alt-az mode.

The-Vman

jd8080

I've been writing about that very subject on the ASIAIR 2.0 Beta thread.
https://bbs.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/d/14642-asiair-beta-v200/149

With 2 devices I can hack my way through it. But it would be nice to have a setup to do within ASIAIR. Can't imagine it would require too many changes to the system to do.

dickson

jd8080 I think alike. I am strongly interested in getting AZ-GTiX to mount the C8 for visual or EAA purpose, so ASIAIR compatibility would be a great advantage.

http://www.skywatcher.com/post/advertisement/AZ-GTiX/?fbclid=IwAR22UteykMNT51n03vdy0jmhgcnOJdDTmmbhtMHtt6KTxGdh5cOHnwkznBQ

The-Vman

jd8080 Have you tried using the Hand Controller with the AZ-GTI in alt-az mode? I have had good success using a SynScan Hand Controller V5 and my SkyWatcher Virtuoso Telescope. I think you should be able to get the same degree of success since both telescopes seem to use the same Hand Controller. Link Below for more details about it:

https://bbs.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/d/15152-asiair-and-skywather-virtuoso/3

Either way, I hope ZWO quickly fixes this issue for both telescopes. I have no option to use a EQ setup with the Virtuoso.

francesco

jd8080 I have the same issue. AA+ does not track in alt azimuth mode connected to skywatcher AZGti

johnpd

The-Vman

I looked a little deeper into this and found that the ASIAIR does seem to have a problem with running the AZ-GTI or Virtuoso version in Alt-Az mode. Most people seem to be converting their AZ-GTI for use in EQU mode. That apparently works. The Virtuoso version does have the capability of directly connecting by cable (USB to RJ-12) to the ASIAIR which makes things simpler. This allows the ASIAIR to control the mount. The problem is what mount option you need to use to get the ASIAIR to recognize that you have an Alt-Az mount. The "Skywatcher Alt AZ Wedge" option that some tried does not enable tracking for some reason although it might assume that the mount is set up as EQU since "wedge" is included. There needs to be a straight "Skywatcher Alt AZ" option. So if there is an inherent issue with the ASIAIR running the AZ-GTI mounts in Alt-Az mode, then that is something that ZWO would have to address.

JohnD

The-Vman

johnpd

Interesting. I just got the USB to RJ-12 cable and have been connected via the "Skywatcher AZ-GTI" mount. I will play with the mount settings and see if I can make any progress that way.

The-Vman

johnpd

Okay, I was able to connect to the SkyWatcher AZ-GTi/SynScan Wifi driver instead of using the SkyWatcher Virtuoso GTi driver. The Tracking appeared including Guiding Rate, Tracking and Tracking rate that are missing from the Virtuoso driver.

I unfortunately was unable to use the driver as there appears to be some small incompatibilities between the two drivers. I think the azmuth direction is flipped. Going left goes right. And when plate solving and slewing it was moving in the wrong direction all of the time.

So it appears I'm going to have to wait until the Skywatcher Virtuoso driver is fixed to get the tracking.

thebruce

Hey all I have a similar issue. I have a new AA+ and was assuming it would be plug and play with the AZ-GTI. I purchased the AA+ after reading their official instructions showing you just use the EQMod driver. That driver appears to only be for...EQ mode, which would have been nice of ZWO to point out. Im connecting with the cable and Ive tried the virtuoso and Az-GTI wedge drivers. Both slew in the correct location but cant track. EQmod everything is flipped. And with the Az-GTI/Synscane Wifi driver it seems closest. I could hear it trying to track but it would continue to fail when trying to auto-center after slewing to a large.

The INDI site shows the Skywatcher Alt/Az driver should work. is it just not installed on the AA+? https://www.indilib.org/individuals/devices/telescopes/skywatcher/skywatcher-alt-az-dobsonian.html

jd8080

Stellarmate and Astroberry both work with AZ-GTI in alt az mode, so it can be done. Unfortunately Stellarmate is buggy, so it is not a good option for controlling a EAA/astrophotography setup.

The-Vman I don't like the idea of buying $150 Skywatcher hand controller just to connect to the ASIAir when I don't intend on using the hand controller for any other reason.

PMTeam@ZWO

Noted, guys.

The-Vman

jd8080 Its a very reasonable response. This unit should work directly with the mount bug free, and you should not have to buy the hand controller. I already made several requests here, and opened a bug report directly on the ASIAIR app. Hopefully, they will fix it and it will be in the next update in a month or two..