Meridian Flip with ASIAIR Pro and iOptron CEM26 mount

pemongillo

Very confused. It seems that the ST4 cable from guide camera to iOptron CEM26 mount will not allow a meridian flip. I am told a usb cable connection of some sort is required. However, I have never come across instructions on how to do this with my mount and ASI290 mm mini guide camera. There are two sockets in my hand controller, one goes directly to the ASIAIR and the other from the hand controller to the mount. I am at a loss on how to do this. Perhaps I don't need the ST4 cable from guide camera to the mount. Perhaps it does its guiding job and meridian flip Just by being connected to the ASIAIR via the power connection from my main ZWO camera. My guide camera is recognized by ASIAIR when the ST4 cable is removed. Help please. Thanks.

wvreeven

pemongillo The ST4 cable only allows for sending guide pulses via the guide camera to the mount. For more control of the mount, including a meridian flip, indeed a USB cable from the mount to the ASIAir is needed. And then the ST4 cable can be omitted.

The hand controller of the CEM26 needs to be connected to the mount in the normal way. Then the other USB cable needs to be connected from the hand controller to the ASIAir. When the ASIAir app on your mobile device is started, you need to select the CEM26 as mount. Also make sure that guiding is done via the mount and not via the guide camera. That’s all.

pemongillo

wvreeven Thank you so much for helping me clear this up. Should be able to experiment tonight and tomorrow night.

pemongillo

wvreeven Your last comment didn't settle in right away. Are you saying that there is no need for a guide camera when you have ASIAIR ? If not, how will I know that the mount is controlling the guiding and not the guide camera ? A little confusing. Maybe it will make more sense when I try it out tonight. Can't really try anything until it dark.

wvreeven

pemongillo No, there still is need for a guide camera. But there is no need for the ST4 cable. ASIAir can send the guide pulses directly to the mount instead of via the guide cam (the latter is done when an ST4 cable is used).

pemongillo

wvreeven Thanks again. I got some pretty good guiding last night, but had some trouble getting going. Not sure why, but will do it again tonight.