Feedback on Automatic Flat Panels - Forums

Topic starter

IOTD Staff

Dec 14, 2024

Hello everyone!

I am in search for an automated flat panel for a new telescope I am about to install at my remote observatory. The telescope is a SkyWatcher Esprit 150. Here are the options I am considering:

1) DeepSky Dad FP2:  https://shop.deepskydad.com/product/skywatcher-esprit-150ed-flap-panel-fp2/
2)  WandererCover V4-EC:  https://www.wandererastro.com/en/h-col-132.html
3) RB Focus Excalibur:  https://en.rbfocus.net/product-page/rb-focus-excalibur-pre-orden

I have a very good friend who speaks highly about the DeepSky Dad FP2, and another who owns an RB Focus, but would like to have more than just one opinion before I make a decision. I don't know anyone who owns a Wanderer Cover. The DeepSky Dad and the Wanderer cover come with built in heat elements to keep the cover dry at night. I don't think the RBFocus panel has that, but I might be wrong. All of these options fall within my budget. I am just looking for feedback to decide which one should I buy.

If you own any of these automated flat panel and could provide me some feedback based on your experience I will greatly appreciate that.

I live in Europe. Therefore, options made and sold in the USA are not an option for me.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Wanda

Well Written Respectful Engaging

Niels_L

Dec 14, 2024

I bought the Deepsky Dad FP2 a few months ago and I use it with the ASIAIR. It works marvellously! In the ASIAIR you just need to do a preview shot to get your panel intensity and exposure time right, but otherwise it works perfect. I can open and close, turn the flat panel light on and off, change intensity, through my local network on the ASIAIR. I just cannot programme it in a plan but that is a lack of the ASIAIR.

I bought the FP2 for my Askar 120APO and added an additional spacer ring for my Askar FRA300. Both fit snug and easy to swap around.

Also, DSD is extremely helpful and responds to all your questions quickly. Hope this helps.

Helpful

Bill McLaughlin

Dec 14, 2024

+1 on the DSD. I have three of them for RedCat 71 WIFD, FSQ 106N, and Epsilon 130D.

The only issue is with the largest one (the E130). It has a hard time opening completely due to the weight of the panel.

Of course for big scopes one needs a wall panel, for that I use the Optec (which are $$$)….

Joey Conenna

Dec 14, 2024

Wanda,

I have used WanderAstro V3 and V4 panels in smaller sizes as well as an RBFocus Excalibur in a larger 300mm size.

They are both different and have pros and cons.

WandererAstro:
Pros:

LED panel which is less likely to fail compared to EL panel with associated driver electronics.
Very bright, can accomplish short exposure flats.
Lighter than the RB Focus, the motor and electronics are more compact.

Cons:

Very bright, my L filter exposure is a brightness setting of 1 out of 255, and I have read of fast scopes having had issues with not having a dim enough setting. Taking shorter exposures can only go so far due to being short enough to catch the LED PWM which shows as a non uniform flat. One user added diffusion material which worked for them in lowering the brightness.
Motor cannot be manipulated when powered off, which can be inconvenient if you want to open/close the panel in a situation where you are not hooked up to power and data control to open it.
Since motor is stiff and mounting apparatus on scope is thin and tall, it can be tricky to mount it to the scope well enough for it not to move itself due to overshooting or other reasons, leading to repeatability issues. Once you tighten the mounting part onto the scope well enough, repeatability is no longer a concern.

RBFocus Excalibur:

Pros:

Panel moves very well with stepper motor and can be moved when unpowered. The open and close action is much nicer and faster than the WandererAstro, but louder (not a real issue though).
Very good customer support if issues arise.
Dimmer settings than WandererAstro, better for faster systems where issues may arise with the brighter WandererAstro LED panel

Cons:

Dimmer max brightness. I have to do 30s flats for 3nm narrowband filters on an f/4.5 system.
EL electronics are larger and I have had 1 failure of the driver electronics. RB replaced the driver board quickly and all is well, so I wouldn't worry too much as mine may have been a rare issue.

Helpful Engaging

AstroShed

Dec 14, 2024

+1 again for the DSD version, I have owned all the models over the years, and are excellent 👍🏻

Willem Jan Drijfhout

Dec 14, 2024

+1 for DSD as well. I own two of them and they work great. One major benefit that I've not come across any other panel, is that the brightness settings of the panel are linear. There are 4000 intensity levels, and all settings are predictable: 1000 is half the brightness of 2000, 50 is twice as bright as 25, etc. Sounds logical, but a problem I've encountered with several other brands is that if there are for example 25 intensity levels, anything under 5 is just off, 20 is about as bright as 25, and the final range in which you adjust brightness is between 15 and 17 or so.

Well Written Helpful Insightful Engaging Supportive

Daniel Cimbora

Dec 14, 2024 · Edited: Dec 14, 2024

Have you considered a fixed flat panel mounted on the wall? That’s the route I went for my remote installation. Specifically, I went with the Dark Dragons panel and controller. Works great with NINA. One advantage is its size, so that I can use it with other scopes if and when I go larger. Also, the total cost is not that much more than the Primaluce panel and flip mechanism (and others) that I was considering.

https://darkdragonsastro.com/product/dragonlight-panel/

Well Written Concise

Niels_L

Dec 14, 2024

Willem Jan Drijfhout:
the brightness settings of the panel are linear.

I have not measured this but I think it is true for using the DSD with ASIAIR, though you only have 0 - 100% to play with. However, not all % increments actually gives a percentage brighter increase, though this might be due to the ASIAIR and not the flat panel. Still easy to get the exposure right by adding a second or so at a certain setting (I am always aiming for around the 1/3 scale and 5-10 seconds with my ASI294MC Pro).

Jon Woodhead

Dec 14, 2024

If you are in Europe then you might also consider the Prima Luce lab Giotto:

Giotto

I find it useful for a portable rig because it can be entirely controlled from a smartphone but you can also drive it via ASCOM etc

Ashraf AbuSara

Dec 14, 2024

Wanda Conde:
Hello everyone!

I am in search for an automated flat panel for a new telescope I am about to install at my remote observatory. The telescope is a SkyWatcher Esprit 150. Here are the options I am considering:

1) DeepSky Dad FP2:  https://shop.deepskydad.com/product/skywatcher-esprit-150ed-flap-panel-fp2/
2)  WandererCover V4-EC:  https://www.wandererastro.com/en/h-col-132.html
3) RB Focus Excalibur:  https://en.rbfocus.net/product-page/rb-focus-excalibur-pre-orden

I have a very good friend who speaks highly about the DeepSky Dad FP2, and another who owns an RB Focus, but would like to have more than just one opinion before I make a decision. I don't know anyone who owns a Wanderer Cover. The DeepSky Dad and the Wanderer cover come with built in heat elements to keep the cover dry at night. I don't think the RBFocus panel has that, but I might be wrong. All of these options fall within my budget. I am just looking for feedback to decide which one should I buy.

If you own any of these automated flat panel and could provide me some feedback based on your experience I will greatly appreciate that.

I live in Europe. Therefore, options made and sold in the USA are not an option for me.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Wanda

I have two Wanderer flat panels (V4-ec) and they both perform well as advertised. There were some issues with lights turning on unexpectedly but they since updated the firmware and drivers and now they work well. Not sure about the other flat panels but I like the built in dew heater and the fact that the panels are really light.

Helpful

Wanda Conde

Topic starter

IOTD Staff

Dec 14, 2024

Bill McLaughlin:
+1 on the DSD. I have three of them for RedCat 71 WIFD, FSQ 106N, and Epsilon 130D.

The only issue is with the largest one (the E130). It has a hard time opening completely due to the weight of the panel.

Of course for big scopes one needs a wall panel, for that I use the Optec (which are $$$)....

Your experience about the weight is making me think about this. A wall panel would be ideal, but unfortunately there is no way to install one at the observatory where my scope is located.

Thanks for chiming in!

CS,
Wanda

Well Written Respectful

Wanda Conde

Topic starter

IOTD Staff

Dec 14, 2024

Daniel Cimbora:
Have you considered a fixed flat panel mounted on the wall? That’s the route I went for my remote installation. Specifically, I went with the Dark Dragons panel and controller. Works great with NINA. One advantage is its size, so that I can use it with other scopes if and when I go larger. Also, the total cost is not that much more than the Primaluce panel and flip mechanism (and others) that I was considering.

https://darkdragonsastro.com/product/dragonlight-panel/

Yes, I thought about that. Unfortunately the scope is in a tight place and I don’t think there is enough space to flip the scope towards the wall that is next to it, which is the only one that could be available to install one. However, I will keep this option in mind in case I find a way to install one at my location.

Thanks for chiming in.

Wanda

Well Written Respectful

Bill McLaughlin

Dec 15, 2024

Wanda Conde:
Your experience about the weight is making me think about this.

Supposedly they have released new firmware that fixes this but I 3D printed a wedge that attaches to the frame and allows it to lock into place while opening about 90% of the way.