 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| ||||||||
 |
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
|
|
| 
| User list | You are not logged in.
Pages: 1 2
Since I bought the wrong model by mistake I'll post my results here.
There is no active camera port. The hole is there, but I haven't taken the unit apart yet to examine the insides. This is the main reason why you want to stay away from this model. Ursa Minor is currently developing a bluetooth module for the GoTo version. It'll be a few weeks until I receive it, but I'll continue to post my results here. They currently have a USB connection with a camera port which I originally ordered but I opted for the bluetooth module version 2.
The level bubble has black plastic underneath. No need to tape the bottom of the bubble to prevent light from entering the unit like the non-GoTo model.
Motor speed is 1000x compared to the non-GoTo model which is 800x. So my mount should be 25% faster than the non-GoTo model. This hopefully will make a difference once I get a camera shutter trigger.
A serial cable was included in the package. I have a GMUS-03 USB to serial cable, and I can connect to the mount if the serial cable is plugged into the hand controller and I start up PC-Direct Mode with the hand controller. Without PC Direct Mode enabled I cannot establish a connection, and I cannot connect if I use the AUX port with or without PC mode enabled.
I'm using a 12V 3500mAh Lithium Battery Pack that I got from eBay.
I can control the head, and use the simulation mode for the shutter. I haven't tried tethered shooting since my U810 only has one USB port. I do have an IR remote for my camera so I can always go Step by Step if I wanted.
So far I like the setup, the only big downfall is that I need to have the hand controller connected and on PC Direct Mode. Hopefully once I receive the bluetooth module the need for the hand controller disappears.
Offline
Hi Kevin,
if you open the housing (first unscrew the bottom base plate, there is the acces to two hidden screws, another two are visible on the black side of the arm) please post a picture of the controller. The controller of the "working model" is labeled Synta MC001 and has a connector labeled SW for the shutter release. May be inside your Merlin is the same controller.
Offline
Hi kevshu,
Your findings confirm exactly our knowledge of this mount who reproduce a "classical" generic astronomical mount!
Hi Paul, your idea is correct, also with a bit chance, the board will be approximativelly the same and maybe will have the "connector" in place for the camera firing ... 
So kevshu, we are extremely "anxious" on having the results of your findings !
Thanks for your feed-back ! 
Claude Offline
Paul wrote:
The controller of the "working model" is labeled Synta MC001 and has a connector labeled SW for the shutter release. May be inside your Merlin is the same controller.
We have a unused SW location. Looks like an easy upgrade to make the mount have camera support.
And I heard my bluetooth interface will be on the way tomorrow.
http://www.365astronomy.com/bluetooth-i … -1432.html
The only thing I'm waiting for is a cable from China for my shutter release.
Last edited by kevshu (2009-06-23 03:20:01)
Offline
Yes, the little 2-ways connector on the right is the shutter contact, with the opto-couple, above
Offline
Hi Kevin,
Could you post pictures of the 2 connectors and of the plug of the hand controler ... (close up !)
So I will be able to confirm if the connectors are RJ45 and if the plug is conform to the "generic" production of Synta, the manufacturer of the Merlin/Orion/Skywatcher
Thanks in advance !
Claude Offline
Here's the photos as requested, hopefully I got everything you wanted to see. The mount will be apart until I get my bluetooth module so if you want anything else, let me know. I can disassemble more of it if required.
The ports on the mount are RJ12, and the hand controller is RJ45.
Offline
Many thanks Kevin !
Your info's are of "prime" importance for all of us !
Claude Offline
Would anyone know how the 2-pin shutter cable is wired? It should only be shutter and focus, and common is probably left out. Any idea which is which? I can make a cable and connect it to a 2.5mm female connector so when I receive/make my 2.5mm to N connector cable I can give it a test.
Last edited by kevshu (2009-06-24 02:21:46)
Offline
There is only 1 contact in the Merlin; you can trigger focus/shutter at the same time, by wiring the 2 pins on your camera, or just trigger the shutter (note that on my 20, triggering only the shutter does a focus sequence first!).
Offline
Hi Kevin,
Today I post your Bluetooth module V2 that you have ordered.
It has its own camera remote socket and it implements both of the two contacts. (Auto focus and shooting)
Status leds also present to check the operation of these two signals.
The 2,5 jack cable included with the interface.
The cable has a 3,5mm jack on the Bluetooth module side.
In some days you will receive it.
There is also a downloadable test program to easily test and evaluate the module.
You can find it on my homepage:
http://www.ursaminor.hu/downloads_en.html
Tamas
Offline
kevshu wrote:
Here's the photos as requested, hopefully I got everything you wanted to see.
Hi Kevin,
the controller SYNTA MC001 Rev. C is exactly the same version as inside the non-goto-mount, so I expect that a cable release connected to SW will work.
Offline
kevshu wrote:
Motor speed is 1000x compared to the non-GoTo model which is 800x. So my mount should be 25% faster than the non-GoTo model.
Hi kevshu any chance of a pik of the motor? faster is better, I'm just wondering if they are using different motors for your unit.
Best
Gordon
Offline
I think it's only a matter of firmeware. But the mechanical part may have changed.
@kevshu, could you send the log of Papywizard just after connecting to the Orion head? Please turn on the 'debug'
logger level first (last tab of the Configuration dialog). Thanks.
Offline
fma38 wrote:
I think it's only a matter of firmeware. But the mechanical part may have changed.
@kevshu, could you send the log of Papywizard just after connecting to the Orion head? Please turn on the 'debug'
logger level first (last tab of the Configuration dialog). Thanks.
Here's the info:
2009-06-26 10:40:52,561::MainThread::INFO::Establishing connection...
2009-06-26 10:40:52,937::Dummy-4::DEBUG::MerlinOrionHardware._initMerlinOrion(): full circle count=0xe62d3
2009-06-26 10:40:52,956::Dummy-4::DEBUG::MerlinOrionHardware._initMerlinOrion(): sidereal rate=0x6f9
2009-06-26 10:40:53,000::Dummy-4::DEBUG::MerlinOrionHardware._initMerlinOrion(): full circle count=0xe62d3
2009-06-26 10:40:53,019::Dummy-4::DEBUG::MerlinOrionHardware._initMerlinOrion(): sidereal rate=0x6f9
2009-06-26 10:40:53,019::Dummy-4::DEBUG::MainController.__onHardwareConnected(): flag=True
2009-06-26 10:40:53,069::MainThread::INFO::Connection established
Offline
Gordon wrote:
kevshu wrote:
Motor speed is 1000x compared to the non-GoTo model which is 800x. So my mount should be 25% faster than the non-GoTo model.
Hi kevshu any chance of a pik of the motor? faster is better, I'm just wondering if they are using different motors for your unit.
Best
Gordon
Here's the photos:
besides the MF date, I could really locate any distinctive markings.
Offline
The values returned by the firmeware are usual: looks like it's the same mechanic...
Offline
So I received the new bluetooth module yesterday, and just gave it a try. Works great. Connected, and shot a quick 5x4 pano outside my condo window. I haven't processed it, but this weekend I'll try get out and shoot some river valleys. I haven't wired up my 2.5mm male plug with my N connector I got off ebay so I'm just using my XTI right now.
Offline
Ich hab mir von TA das "Serial (RS-232) Cable for Merlin besorgt.
Hat jemand Erfahrung mit diesem Kabel?
Welche Einstellungen muss ich vornehmen?
Kann man das Kabel auch am Go-To verwenden?
Danke für Infos.
Offline
I have come across a couple issues, and I don't know if it's me or the program.
Do you always have to have your start point on the bottom, and end at the top? If I go Top to Bottom, the picture sequence is off the screen in the papywizard shoot display and once it gets to a picture off the screen it might do a 360 rotation, and forget where it is. I also had it do the top row, than move up, and shoot the row which was supposed to be below.
If I start bottom left, and end top right, it shoots with no issues.
Importing into APG2.02 I have issues.... I can't seem to get it to work.
I go File Import -> Papywizard
Select the XML file.
Select the pictures.
All the pictures look like the right location in the little display before clicking finish.
Once I go finish, and I try to detect the pano, it finds a pano with 1,000,000 x ###### pixels. It also does not display any image.
If I just do the detect pano in the APG it detects fine, but if I had any featureless images I would be screwed.
Any thoughts on this?
Offline
kevshu wrote:
I have come across a couple issues, and I don't know if it's me or the program.
Do you always have to have your start point on the bottom, and end at the top? If I go Top to Bottom, the picture sequence is off the screen in the papywizard shoot display and once it gets to a picture off the screen it might do a 360 rotation, and forget where it is. I also had it do the top row, than move up, and shoot the row which was supposed to be below.
If I start bottom left, and end top right, it shoots with no issues.
Funny behaviour!
I guess your are using the Mosaic mode? Can you send me your config file, and the log file of the entire (wrong) process (use only a few pictures, to avoid too long file)?
BTW, is the arm of the head on the correct side (on the right when you are behind your camera)?
Thanks,
Offline
fma38 wrote:
Funny behaviour!
I guess your are using the Mosaic mode? Can you send me your config file, and the log file of the entire (wrong) process (use only a few pictures, to avoid too long file)?
BTW, is the arm of the head on the correct side (on the right when you are behind your camera)?
Thanks,
Yes, I'm using Mosaic mode. I'll post the requested files tonight.
I have the camera mounted correctly since the arm is on the right side of the camera.
Offline
I couldn't locate the configuration file. The \papywizard\common\papywizard.conf only had the default settings in it.
I uninstalled, and reinstalled 2.1.10-1. I did another test shoot of the same area, and I got the import to work, and the unit shot the complete mosaic from top to bottom with no funny 360 circles. Maybe there was something corrupt in my initial install.
After completing that test, I shot another going bottom to the top, and it didn't shoot a lot of the photos in the correct location., but it imported the photos into APG without any issues. So the whole not being able to import might have disappeared when I reinstalled the software.
I'll take a few more test shots over the next couple of days, and hopefully when I report back, it's shooting at the proper location and still importing.
Is there any recommendations when doing mosaic mode? Set home to a specific location?
Here's a bit of the XML from the bad import test job:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<papywizard version="a">
<header>
<general>
<title>
Here goes the title
</title>
<gps>
Here goes the location
</gps>
<comment>
Generated by Papywizard 2.1.10
</comment>
</general>
<shooting mode="mosaic">
<headOrientation>
up
</headOrientation>
<cameraOrientation>
portrait
</cameraOrientation>
<stabilizationDelay>
0.5
</stabilizationDelay>
<startTime>
2009-07-21_18h01m26s
</startTime>
<endTime>
2009-07-21_18h13m35s
</endTime>
</shooting>
<camera>
<timeValue>
0.5
</timeValue>
<bracketing intent="exposure" nbPicts="1"/>
<sensor coef="1.6" ratio="3:2"/>
</camera>
<lens type="rectilinear">
<focal>
200.0
</focal>
</lens>
<mosaic>
<nbPicts pitch="5" yaw="11"/>
<overlap minimum="0.25" pitch="0.38" yaw="0.32"/>
</mosaic>
</header>
<shoot>
<pict bracket="1" id="1">
<time>
2009-07-21_18h01m34s
</time>
<position pitch="0.0" roll="90.0" yaw="-259.7"/>
</pict>
<pict bracket="1" id="2">
<time>
2009-07-21_18h01m48s
</time>
<position pitch="0.0" roll="90.0" yaw="-256.8"/>
</pict>
<pict bracket="1" id="3">
<time>
2009-07-21_18h02m01s
</time>
<position pitch="0.0" roll="90.0" yaw="-253.8"/>
</pict>
<pict bracket="1" id="4">
<time>
2009-07-21_18h02m14s
</time>
<position pitch="0.0" roll="90.0" yaw="-250.9"/>
</pict>
<pict bracket="1" id="5">
<time>
2009-07-21_18h02m27s
</time>
<position pitch="0.0" roll="90.0" yaw="-248.0"/>
</pict>
<pict bracket="1" id="6">
<time>
2009-07-21_18h02m40s
</time>
<position pitch="0.0" roll="90.0" yaw="-245.1"/>
</pict>I can host the zip file with XML and images if you want to see it.
I included a screenshot of the shooting window and how I only see one row of images when going top down.
Offline
The user config file is in:
C:\Documents and settings\<user>\Application Data\papywizard2\
You need to configure your file manager to show you hidden files.
Offline
Here's my config file.
[General] CONFIG_VERSION=2.1.10 FULLSCREEN=false [Core] SHOOTING_MODE=mosaic PRESET_NAME=4@0 + Z + N [Configuration] SHOOTING_HEAD_ORIENTATION=up SHOOTING_CAMERA_ORIENTATION=portrait SHOOTING_CAMERA_ROLL=60. SHOOTING_STABILIZATION_DELAY=0.5 MOSAIC_START_FROM=start MOSAIC_INITAL_DIR=yaw MOSAIC_CR=false MOSAIC_OVERLAP=0.25 CAMERA_SENSOR_COEF=1.6 CAMERA_SENSOR_RATIO=3:2 CAMERA_SENSOR_RESOLUTION=10.1 LENS_TYPE=rectilinear LENS_FOCAL=200 LENS_OPTICAL_MULTIPLIER=1 SHOOTING_AREA_COLOR_SCHEME=default DATA_STORAGE_DIR=C:/Users/Kevin/Documents/papywizard DATA_FILE_FORMAT=%(date_time)s_%(mode)s DATA_FILE_ENABLE=true DATA_TITLE=Here goes the title DATA_GPS=Here goes the location DATA_COMMENT=Generated by Papywizard %(version)s TIMER_AFTER=00:00:00 TIMER_AFTER_ENABLE=false TIMER_REPEAT=1 TIMER_REPEAT_ENABLE=false TIMER_EVERY=00:00:00 LOGGER_LEVEL=debug [Plugins] PLUGIN_YAW_AXIS=Merlin-Orion PLUGIN_PITCH_AXIS=Merlin-Orion PLUGIN_SHUTTER=Merlin-Orion HARDWARE_BLUETOOTH_DEVICE_ADDRESS=00:0A:84:01:BF:0E HARDWARE_SERIAL_PORT=0 HARDWARE_ETHERNET_HOST=localhost HARDWARE_ETHERNET_PORT=7165 [Simulation_yawAxis] HIGH_LIMIT=360 LOW_LIMIT=-360 SPEED=30 DRIVER_TYPE=bluetooth [Simulation_pitchAxis] HIGH_LIMIT=360 LOW_LIMIT=-360 SPEED=30 [Simulation_shutter] TIME_VALUE=0.5 MIRROR_LOCKUP=false BRACKETING_NB_PICTS=1 BRACKETING_INTENT=exposure [Merlin-Orion_yawAxis] DRIVER_TYPE=bluetooth HIGH_LIMIT=360 LOW_LIMIT=-360 ALTERNATE_DRIVE=true INERTIA_ANGLE=1 [Merlin-Orion_pitchAxis] DRIVER_TYPE=bluetooth HIGH_LIMIT=360 LOW_LIMIT=-360 ALTERNATE_DRIVE=true INERTIA_ANGLE=1 [Merlin-Orion_shutter] DRIVER_TYPE=bluetooth TIME_VALUE=0.5 MIRROR_LOCKUP=false BRACKETING_NB_PICTS=1 BRACKETING_INTENT=exposure PULSE_WIDTH_HIGH=200 PULSE_WIDTH_LOW=200 [Pololu%20Servo_yawAxis] DRIVER_TYPE=bluetooth HIGH_LIMIT=360 LOW_LIMIT=-360 SPEED=30 CHANNEL=0 DIRECTION=forward ANGLE_1MS=120. NEUTRAL_POSITION=3000 [Pololu%20Servo_pitchAxis] DRIVER_TYPE=bluetooth HIGH_LIMIT=360 LOW_LIMIT=-360 SPEED=30 CHANNEL=1 DIRECTION=forward ANGLE_1MS=120. NEUTRAL_POSITION=3000 [Pololu%20Servo_shutter] DRIVER_TYPE=bluetooth TIME_VALUE=0.5 MIRROR_LOCKUP=false BRACKETING_NB_PICTS=1 BRACKETING_INTENT=exposure PULSE_WIDTH_HIGH=200 PULSE_WIDTH_LOW=200 CHANNEL=2 VALUE_OFF=0 VALUE_ON=127 [Tethered_shutter] MIRROR_LOCKUP=false MIRROR_LOCKUP_COMMAND=gphoto2 --capture-image SHOOT_COMMAND=gphoto2 --capture-image BRACKETING_NB_PICTS=1 BRACKETING_INTENT=exposure [Timelord_shutter] PROGRAM_PATH=C:\\Program Files\\OxfordEye\\Timelord\\Timelord.exe LRD_FILE_PATH=C:\\Documents and Settings\\win2k\\My Documents\\timelord.lrd [EOS%20Utility_shutter] PROGRAM_PATH=C:\\Program Files\\Papywizard\\EOSBracket.exe EOSUTILITY_TYPE=new EXPOSURE_BRACKETING_STOPS=1 EXPOSURE_BRACKETING_TYPE=0-+ EXPOSURE_BRACKETING_NBPICTS=1 SHOOT_PICTURES=false BULB_MODE=false BASE_BULB_EXPOSURE=1 FOCUS_MODE=false FOCUS_DIRECTION=far FOCUS_STEP=medium FOCUS_STEP_COUNT=1 FOCUS_BRACKETING_NBPICTS=1 [USB%20TA_shutter] DRIVER_TYPE=serial TIME_VALUE=0.5 MIRROR_LOCKUP=false BRACKETING_NB_PICTS=1 BRACKETING_INTENT=exposure PULSE_WIDTH_HIGH=200 PULSE_WIDTH_LOW=200 LINE=RTS LINE_INVERTED=False
Is there a special bluetooth plugin for the V2 bluetooth module? I'm currently just using merlin-orion bluetooth.
Offline
Pages: 1 2