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I am thinking about the loxandy gemini 2 mount .The question I have is the Gemini software compatable with Skytools4 software they say their base of their software is ascom jeff

Thank you Edward and Brian for making this critical process crystal clear. I have been imaging for 3 years now and simply stopped well before, and then flipped well after meridian. Before now I did not have a mount that the safety stops could configured. I just ordered a G11T and am well prepared to set it up correctly, both for the safety of my equipment, and to maximize the prime imaging time.

Hi, I am considering a similar set ups with an Esprit 120 & and 65mm Quad, I would like to know what plates and clamps can hold the weight of both, is there a calculator ar a rated weight limit for the plates ? Thanks ! Regards Simon UK

Will this fit a 23 year old G11?

Der Support von Losmandy ist einfach nur Unglaublich, besonders das auch das Upgrade alter Montierung unterstützt wird, macht die Firma sehr sympathisch und die Art und Weise wie dem Kunden begegnet wird einfach Konkurrenzlos!

I've got a G11T, knew that's what they were there for but never had a reason to play around with them. Good to see how they work. Glad to see you back and contributing. "Paying it forward" is a righteous approach!

Brian, thanks. I have had a G-11 since 2006 and due to work challenges, I am just starting to use it. This series has been great. I have done some upgrades (gemini-1 to gemini-2) and I'm now making sure I fully understand the awesome capabilities of the G-11

Is Brian back? 🎉

It's been a while - great to see you back!

Glad to know BV is still doing Losmandy videos. At 43 degrees N? I guess he’s in Illinois now.

Sounds like B. Valente?

Great info. Many thanks!

Very late to comment, but the whole raw-egg-standing-on-end thing is more typically associated with the vernal equinox (Springtime and Easter, doncha know). The (misguided) theory is that at (or very near) that time, since the sun is in the earth's equatorial plane, all the gravitational/centripetal forces are sufficiently aligned that you can balance a raw egg on end. (Never mind the nagging detail of the Moon!) And in indeed if you try it, YOU CAN! The trouble is, no one ever bothers to try at any other time of year (when you will be just as successful doing so). But hey: if it gets kids interested in astronomy, I say let the urban myth live. ;-)

Finally, thank you. After weeks of trying to find this information you nailed it for me. Everything connected now through N.I.N.A.

Can thread locker be used on these fasteners? Specifically thinking the blue level locker.

I found the servo programming instructions provided with the update kit to be very straightforward and easy to follow. The color pictures are particularly helpful for being 100% clear which way the pin adapter connects to the PIC programmer, and which way the adapter plugs into the ICSP sockets on the Gemini board. I have two minor corrections to the detailed instructions: Step 8 says: "Turn power OFF on your Gemini. Remove the pic programmer from the servo you just programmed, and plug it into the second servo." You should add at the end of step 8: "Turn Gemini power back on." Most sensible people will know to do this, but it is not explicitly stated in the instructions, so if someone were to follow the instructions verbatim, they would fail on the second servo. The second minor correction is that Step 9 should read, "Repeat from Step 5 to program your second servo." (rather than from Step 4). Step 4 is just for making a backup of the previously existing servo firmware, and as the Step 4 instructions state, you only need to do this once since the servos have identical firmware. One last point for those who happen to notice a mismatch in the checksum in the PICKit2 software: prior to August 2023, the correct checksum was "EF44". A minor servo firmware change was made in August (having to do with torque settings and stalls), after which the new checksum is "E577".

At 11:10, you put in 2 zeros before the 1, can you explain this please?

Polaris is not labeled on my reticle.

Did the upgrade and am looking through the webserver and have a question.My resolution for the RA/DEC Axis shows 4096. However , in the Gearing it shows 256.Should these match??

I had my upgrade kit sitting in the envelope on the dining table for about a month. I thought it was going to be brain surgery so I kept putting it off but today I literally got it done in 10 minutes. Super simple. For anyone worried that it’s really technical, It’s not! So easy with the kit and instructions. Grab a 1/16” hex wrench and you’re set. I’m hoping to track the ISS and other satellites with the newly updated 4X accurate servos.

Sorry, but I have never gotten the Ehternet wired control to work. I am using Windows 11 Pro, I did try to follow the added instructions after the video but it just does not work. I have switched to differetn E-Net cables, no go. The Gemini 2 unit Ethernet port does not have any indication lights for E-Net connection as I do see them on the PC. Should that Gemini 2 controller have indication E-Net light next to the port? I found the shorthand you used on the Windows 11 addendum to be somewhat confusing and I cannot tell if I have done what you said. Please help. Currently I am back to a USB conneciton that is kind of jerky with Sharpcap motion controls and would like to have E-Net up and running. I had the same problem when I tried to run a wireless E-Net adapter too. I have three photos of the various screens on the HC and the PC; how do I get these to you? Thx Scott in Harwood, MD

Is there anything significantly different for Win11? I configured under Win10 and everything worked. Now a year later I have a new Win11 computer and I am struggling to get Gemini to connect.

The Telegizmos 365 has been a great cover for me for the last 18 months or so, and like Brian, mine weathered a crazy couple of winters with high winds (sometimes over 40 mph), and over 2 feet of rain in the 2022-2023 rain season. My G11G + EdgeHD 11" and all my camera gear stay outside year 'round and have remained safe and dry through all of it. In the last 6 months or so, though, I've noticed the inner aluminized layer is shredding and sloughing off in little bits. The material isn't robust enough to withstand "pointy" objects projecting from the telescope (like metal knobs on the finder scope or screws on dovetails mounted to the OTA exterior) coupled with winds battering the cover and grinding the interior surface against those metallic protuberances. At some point I'm going to have to replace my cover, and my thinking is that a towel should probably be hung over the pointy parts to protect the Telegizmos interior thermal layer. Might be worthwhile for Bob to suggest that course of action with the cover's instructions. 🙂

Good thorough video. Thanks

I'm hoping the L6 fixes a bug I have in L5 where I would keep using the physical slew buttons on the hand controller to scroll around the moon or whatnot and suddenly the entire control pad locks up and stops working. Everything, even the display, is unresponsive. I normally need to unplug and replug in the hand unit into the Gemini 2 to reboot and then it works fine afterwards.

I have had my G11 for about 6 months. Will my servos need to be changed/modified, or will they accept the upgrade?

Hey folks!

Will the exact specifications for the pin adapter be in the instructions? I have a genuine PIC programmer (purchased from Microchip directly) and could make my own adapter.

One issue the I came across when using sequencing software (NINA in this case)was that I need to checking the 'flip when goto option' in Gemini telescope setting. If I didnt the scope wouldnt flip within the flip window..

Thank you Brian! Very well explained and vital information for us to be able to directly connect to the Gemini II for seeing what's going on.

Can level 6 be installed on the older tall Gemini 2?

It works, but only if you very carefully follow every direction. Perfectly.

110°F for days together? Is it safe to leave ZWO cameras out all day under covers during such high temperatures?

How do you connect the Air to Gemini 1? I have a serial cable I use on edge port 2 port USB to serial unit with SkyX. What USB to serial was found to work on Air? Thanks

Any chance that a Gemini 3 with built-in wireless capabilities might be on the horizon? This solution just seems like too many, er, "things" trying to talk to each other and "yet another bunch of wires and power sources (really, one cable to COM and another to power?) to babysit" while operating the mount. This user is hoping for a more seamless solution where an iPad (and similar) would simply connect to the mount on powerup. Also, adding a non-built-in GPS module to the mix and, oofah, "spaghetti city" to troubleshoot. Simplicity, pretty please. :)

The design of the iPolar must have changed because the G11 generic adapter he mentioned in the first couple minutes doesn't fit any longer. The hole for the USB port doesn't match as the port gets hidden in the top of the frame of the adapter so you really can't attach the USB onto it. The good news is that the adapter isn't required, at least with the G811 because the the iPolar out of the box slips right into the extension tube and locks.

Have you ever considered doing a video on the production of a G-11? The machine work involved in carving parts from chunks of aluminum and steel. I think that would be very interesting.

This was great and the missing part I didn't know. Much appreciated.

What is the box between the Optec focuser and the ASI662MC camera?

I think your dog has fleas.

What does not completely become clear to me: Once you have the PAC, you dońt use the handcontroller, but the mechanical screws for azimuth and lateral axis, right?

As soon as I saw this I got one. It really made a great deal of difference to my imaging. I got a 12" Pier Extension when I picked up my GM811G HD. But this RAEXK completed my Losmandy Mount!

Tried this, but as far as I can see, it doesn't do anything here on my mount. Comet is still drifting away after 5 minutes of training (or 10 minutes). He does give delta values visible, but apparently does not use them. Any clues?

interesting

With all this new space and added CNC machines, do you see any chance for a few Titan declination axes being run? Please?

What version of mount is that. That's a lot of gear and weight on that mount! Just asking, thanks in advance.

Helpful video. Thanks Losmandy. Volume is too low.

Dear Brian, thank you for this tuto. What is the black box under the guide scope ?

Thank you both for all the info

The issue with a the 14" scope is that it's seeing limited. The 14" is larger then the atmospheric cell size so you need atmospheric cell to cell consistency not just clear skies. Perhaps masking the diameter will result in sharper images. Try masking down to 10 or 11 inches during average seeing or 12" in very good seeing. 14.. only under excellent seeing. You still have the advantage of the long FL.