asiair ioptron gem 28

Freeflysi

After many very frustrating months, I returned a Meade LX85 mount. I had too many issues to list but most related to inconsistent results when following the same setup routine. The Meade was not a listed device with the asiair software, and I struggled with getting the mount to be controlled properly. I am new to the hobby but was pulling my hair out 3 out of 5 times I followed my setup routine and could find my target without issue, and the other two times, the mount would slew to point at my neighbour's car. This nonsense went on for months, and I couldn't resolve the issue.

I am now considering the ioptron gem 28 mount. I wonder how people feel about the results when the ioptron mount is paired with an asiair as it is a listed mount within the software. Is it a pretty straightforward combination? Does anyone have a documented routine for the order in which they set up their equipment? Maybe this sounds like a crazy question, but I had to be sure not to plug in certain cables until specific times during the setup process with the Meade mount. Otherwise, all bets were off unless you wanted an image of Polaris due to the mount not moving or a picture of the car next door. Any tips or tricks a new owner of an ioptron mount should be aware of?

Thanks

wvreeven

Freeflysi I have been using a GEM28 with ASIAir for several months now and have encountered no issue whatsoever. Just connect the mount to any USB port and it will connect and work flawlessly.

norm2121

wvreeven When you say "Just connect the mount to any USB port and it will connect and work flawlessly." what exactly do you mean? Connect to what part (or port) of the mount? The HBX input? There are no USB connections on the GEM28 that I can find. I have purchased a Shoestring EQDIR 6-pin cable that should connect directly from the hand controller HBX mount input to "any" USB port. Two points: 1) there a number of other forums that advise a USB hub, or connecting the mount through the USB hub on my ASI294 camera, and 2)connecting an EQMOD cable between the hand controller input and a open USB socket on the ASIAIR directly works flawlessly on my HEQ5Pro mount with EQMOD Mount selected. With the GEM 28, selecting either "EQMOD Mount" or "EQMOD Mount with SkySafari" as my mount descriptor in the ASI Mount menu results in No Connection. Yes, if I select CEM26/GEM28 and plug in the hand controller I get a connection, but ZWO says you can ditch the hand controller with a direct mount-to-ASI connection. Any clarifications you can offer? BTW, using the hand controller arrangement results in wild pointing errors as well.

Freeflysi

Awesome, thanks for your input

wvreeven

norm2121 Yes I should have been clearer. I connect the hand controller of my GEM28 with a simple USB cable (I think it came with the mount but I may have bought it separately) to any port on the ASIAir and it works flawlessly. No need for a hub at all. The EQMod cable doesn't work with iOptron mounts since it was designed specifically for SkyWatcher mounts.

Where does ZWO say that you can ditch the hand controller in case of a GERM28/CEM26 mount? I know that for Sky Watcher mounts the hand controller is not neede when you use an EQMod cable. But AFAIK this is not true for GEM28/CEM26 mounts but I'd like to be proven wrong.

My GEM45 I can connect from the USB port on the mount to a USB hub or a USB port on my camera. The hand controller is not needed. Connecting it directly to ASIAir doesn't work because the Linux kernel of the ASIAir is too old.

But note again that the hand controller (to my best of knowledge) is needed for GEM28/CEM26 mounts.

norm2121

So many thanks! Sync Succeeded. I guess I will have to live with this device dangling on my mount. But now I see that by running the AAP through the HC USB, the AAP controls the mount, not the HC, although it still has to be the connection medium. So I "assume" that all of the functions of the AAP (focus, guide, RA and DEC, tracking rate, etc.) will govern, and not the HC. Tomorrow night will be our monthly clear night here in Cleveland, and I'll let you know. but now it makes sense. Many thanks again!

Regards

wvreeven

norm2121 In fact, both the HC and AAP can control the mount at the same time. But note that AAP doesn't ask the mount for its position and assumes it is the only one in control. So don't use the HC to move the mount while using AAP.