I just installed Stellarmate on my RPi4 and have got it ready to be plugged into my setup:
Star Adventurer 2
Main Camera: Sony A7III
Guiding Camera and Scope : ASI120MM Mini (mono) and ZWO Guide Scope
Stellarmate OS on RPi4
I am quite confused on where to start with the initial connection/setup i.e. KStars/EKOS/INDI etc.
Are there any good guides/videos which talks specifically about this kind of setup (non-Goto mounts with SLR and Stellarmate)?
My Guide scope hasn't arrived yet so was planning on getting myself familiarized with the UI on KStars/EKOS.
I would like to get familiar with the process of Framing a target, Plate Solving, PA using EKOS (if possible with SA), Dithering etc so please let me know where I can read/watch more on this relevant to my above setup.
I am just not sure where to start with all of these different things so I think someone with good understanding of this, can tell me in a few sentences the whole process (step-by-step) or direct me to a guide/video link that I can go through for setting up Auto-Guiding in this setup. I understand that in my case, the Auto Guiding will only work for the RA and not the DA.
I have watched some videos on the Youtube and the ones I came across are mostly talking about the Goto mounts.
I understand about the connections between different devices and I am listing them below. Please correct me if wrong:
1. SA to Guide Camera via ST4.
2. Main Camera (Sony A7III) to RPi4 via USB
3. Guide Camera to RPi4 via USB
As my SA 2 us not a Wi-Fi model (SA 2i), I would be using the Telescope Simulator/Driver in EKOS?
I don’t have much to offer you in terms of videos or guides - I am still to work it out myself…but you may find a topic I started some time ago of relevance
I was able to capture image sequence with different Exposures (30s, 0.1, 0.2..). I did see some issues when setting a long exposure i.e. 0.02 or 0.05. The sequence would abort.
However with Exposure settings in the range of 30s and 0.2s, I was able to get it to capture the FITS file and save it to the local Pictures folder on the Stellarmate OS.
I would like to know further if there are any other settings I should be doing in EKOS for my Sony A7III or am I good with the settings shared below (see the screenshots).
I hope this will help others too who are trying to connect their Sony A7III with EKOS.
I would like some advice on what else should I test on EKOS with my Sony camera while I wait for my Guide Scope & camera so that I feel comfortable in the field if I run into any issues with it.
Please share your experiences/advice. They are always helpful and much appreciated!
Your settings look pretty much identical to mine, ( from memory- I will double check next time I fire her up)
However while I have no problem in setting exposure times- only tried 5 , 10, seconds and a sequence of 2 or 3 - using KStars/EKOS on a laptop- I can’t seem to set exposure time in the app- both in iOS and in Android.
Also while I get a message saying image saved to my device I can’t see it in gallery ( in the app)
I can see the images on a laptop.
Not sure why, I am going to email Jaseem right now asking for his advice
Will post pr ogress, either here or my original thread
From what I have heard or read, the app is still in beta or doesn't have full functionality (correct me if wrong). I am planning to use the laptop initially but an App on the phone/tablet would be a much better option without any second thoughts.
If you are able to get the App to work, do update you post or let me know (if you remember ).