×

INDI Library v2.0.6 is Released (02 Feb 2024)

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Joystick behaviour

  • Posts: 20
  • Thank you received: 0
I am using a logitech gamepad as a joystick with an AZ-EQ6 running under the Eqmod driver.
I have just got this going (I am new to indi, having come from the Windows world...) and noticed what I thought was slightly odd behaviour. Thus, when I pushed to mini-joystick paddle in RA, there was a DEC slew as well. I eventually realised that the interpretation of 'right' or 'left' movements (nominally RA) was extremely narrow, and any small component of 'up' or down' in the overall movement was interpreted as an additional slew command. In Eqmod running under Windows, I don't think its possible to combine slews in this way (?). This is actually quite useful ('feature' rather than 'bug') and, while combined slewing is a not a deal breaker, I found it hard to induce a 'pure' RA motion under indi control.

First, do other people find this? If not, is there some setting to manage it? Finally, perhaps there are joysticks out there better matched to the indi driver?

thanks

Kevin
7 years 1 month ago #14442

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Replied by Jasem Mutlaq on topic Joystick behaviour

Any joystick will do. Perhaps I can introduce "dead-zone" property that you can adjust to ignore some input. I'll see if it can be done.
7 years 1 month ago #14446

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 20
  • Thank you received: 0

Replied by Kevin gurney on topic Joystick behaviour

That would be great!

thanks
Kevin
7 years 1 month ago #14450

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 1309
  • Thank you received: 226

Replied by Andrew on topic Joystick behaviour

My joystick is also a bit sensitive, but not as badly as described by Kevin. I was thinking about an option to lock an axis on the joystick could be useful.
For example while trying to observe backlash and make adjustments, only one axis should drive.
7 years 1 month ago #14454

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 20
  • Thank you received: 0

Replied by Kevin gurney on topic Joystick behaviour

Yes, and that [axis locking] might be handy for spectroscopy where you just want to move back and forth across the slit viewed through the guide cam.
Kevin
7 years 1 month ago #14456

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Replied by Jasem Mutlaq on topic Joystick behaviour

It's implemented. You should be able to use it tomorrow from PPA.
7 years 1 month ago #14490

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 20
  • Thank you received: 0

Replied by Kevin gurney on topic Joystick behaviour

To try this, I just upgraded indi-full and made sure I had latest eqmod... (I couldn't see a separate joystick driver?)
But in any case, eqmod now crashes upon connect. is this related?

Log follows: a child process dies - I presume this is the problem, even though it seems to restart OK?

2017-02-15T14:52:50: startup: /usr/bin/indiserver -v -p 7624 -m 100 -f /tmp/indififoc55144ea

2017-02-15T14:52:50: listening to port 7624 on fd 3

FIFO: start indi_eqmod_telescope -n "EQMod Mount"

With name: EQMod Mount

FIFO: Starting driver indi_eqmod_telescope

2017-02-15T14:52:50: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: pid=21799 rfd=4 wfd=7 efd=8

2017-02-15T14:52:50: Client 5: new arrival from 127.0.0.1:51050 - welcome!

2017-02-15T14:52:50: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: snooping on GPS Simulator.GEOGRAPHIC_COORD

2017-02-15T14:52:50: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: snooping on GPS Simulator.TIME_UTC

2017-02-15T14:52:50: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: snooping on Dome Simulator.DOME_PARK

2017-02-15T14:52:50: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: snooping on Dome Simulator.DOME_SHUTTER

2017-02-15T14:52:50: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: EnumeratePlugins - found plugin SVD Math Plugin

2017-02-15T14:52:54: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: Using prefix /usr/share/indi//indi_eqmod_sk.xml

2017-02-15T14:52:54: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: Using prefix /usr/share/indi//indi_eqmod_scope_limits_sk.xml

Child process 21799 died

2017-02-15T14:52:55: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: stderr EOF

2017-02-15T14:52:55: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: restart #1

2017-02-15T14:52:55: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: pid=21805 rfd=4 wfd=8 efd=9

2017-02-15T14:52:55: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: snooping on GPS Simulator.GEOGRAPHIC_COORD

2017-02-15T14:52:55: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: snooping on GPS Simulator.TIME_UTC

2017-02-15T14:52:55: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: snooping on Dome Simulator.DOME_PARK

2017-02-15T14:52:55: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: snooping on Dome Simulator.DOME_SHUTTER

2017-02-15T14:52:55: Driver indi_eqmod_telescope: EnumeratePlugins - found plugin SVD Math Plugin
7 years 1 month ago #14533

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 20
  • Thank you received: 0

Replied by Kevin gurney on topic Joystick behaviour

I think my issue is the same as that in another recent thread...
www.indilib.org/forum/mounts/1938-eq-mod...r-connect.html#14516
?
In which case, I'll just wait a day for the rebuild :)
Kevin
7 years 1 month ago #14541

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 20
  • Thank you received: 0

Replied by Kevin gurney on topic Joystick behaviour

With last nights rebuild, I now see the new 'joystick axis lock' toggle - great!
[The kind of rapid response Win users dream of I guess ...]
many thanks!

While I'm here I'd like to comment on/request other joystick features if I may :)
(i) There is currently no option to not control one of the mount variables offered. In particular, I don't really want to have a button that parks my scope; fumbling around in the dark (possibly with gloves on!) I can see me inadvertently parking the scope in the middle of some crucial operation.. I tried putting an empty string into that box but it reports an error.
(ii) Conversely other variables might be handy. In particular, it would be useful to be able to sync to the current location from the joystick, rather than have to go back to the keyboard (I think this is an option in ASCOM EQMOD?)
(iii) Finally, it might be useful to allow multiple assignments to a single variable (comma separate them in the set field?). What I have in mind here is to allow either of the physical joysticks on my gamepad to do the same thing - i.e. slew the mount. Or associate all of the small round buttons with abort(!) (so 'stabbing away' on that side of the gamepad in the dark will get the desired result)

Many thanks

Kevin
7 years 1 month ago #14559

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 1309
  • Thank you received: 226

Replied by Andrew on topic Joystick behaviour

If you don't want to trigger park, simply assign a button number that isn't mapped on your joystick. For example you can configure your joystick buttons such that they map from 1-5. If you were to enter park = button 6. There is no way to trigger it accidentally.
7 years 1 month ago #14562

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Posts: 20
  • Thank you received: 0

Replied by Kevin gurney on topic Joystick behaviour

That works! Thanks..

It appears you can assign fictitious buttons (I have no button_7)..
7 years 1 month ago #14564

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Time to create page: 0.848 seconds