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How to connect Gemini G41 with Pulsar1 to NINA

The ASCOM Initiative ASCOM Equipment Equatorial Mount Troubleshooting
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Sven Wischmann avatar
Sven Wischmann avatar
Hi, 

maybe someone here can assist me in connecting my Gemini G41 via Pulsar 1 to NINA? 
I managed already the installation of the Pulsar ASCOM driver (5.10) by doing a workaround in ASCOM Profiles. NINA now offers me the Gemini Driver but as soon as I click on connect, an error message pops up: xxxxx Com class factory xxxxx HRESULT:0x80040154 (REGDB_E_CLASSNOTREG).
Funny thing is that everthing works with Astro Photography Tool?

Sven
andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Sadly we cannot ask Andras any longer…

Nevertheless I'll be curious to know if that works for you, as I have a G41 too.
Sven Wischmann avatar
Sven Wischmann avatar
Hi Andrea,

yes that’s sad! 
This afternoon I tested other options. I installed the 32bit version of NINA and there it’s at least possible to connect to the pulsar via native driver (see above). But, I’m not able to use the slew buttons. So further tests needed if Platesolving is possible. 
I also tested APT, where the native drive seems to work. Further tests needed as well. 
Tonight I’m going to test the eqdrive 4 via EQMod in NINA. 
If everything goes right, a friend of mine is going to build a OnStep controller and should have enough knowledge to guide me through this process.
Further outcome will follow (soon?)
andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Sven Wischmann:
Hi Andrea,

yes that’s sad! 
This afternoon I tested other options. I installed the 32bit version of NINA and there it’s at least possible to connect to the pulsar via native driver (see above). But, I’m not able to use the slew buttons. So further tests needed if Platesolving is possible. 
I also tested APT, where the native drive seems to work. Further tests needed as well. 
Tonight I’m going to test the eqdrive 4 via EQMod in NINA. 
If everything goes right, a friend of mine is going to build a OnStep controller and should have enough knowledge to guide me through this process.
Further outcome will follow (soon?)

I made one OnStep controller for the G41 myself but not yet decided to take the plunge and replace the motors with the 400 steps one the controller is designed for. If you need any help in that area don't hesitate to PM me. I've built 4 OnStep controllers so far so I'm kind handy with them.
Sven Wischmann avatar
Sven Wischmann avatar
Hi Andrea, 
I asked my friend and he stated that my original 200 step motors can be controlled by the OnStep he is going to finish for me. Or did I get wrong?
If I will have further questions with regards tongue setting or/ and especially how I can implement the RA Encoder to the OnStep in a proper way, I will ask you.
Sven
andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Sven Wischmann:
Hi Andrea, 
I asked my friend and he stated that my original 200 step motors can be controlled by the OnStep he is going to finish for me. Or did I get wrong?
If I will have further questions with regards tongue setting or/ and especially how I can implement the RA Encoder to the OnStep in a proper way, I will ask you.
Sven

Hi Sven,

That's correct, they would still work but I'd rather have smoother tracking at higher torque, as provided by a new set of unipolar steppers @ 0.9deg. That allows at least to avoid a secondary reduction stage which would be awkward.

RA encoders on OnStep are a hot topic and not sure they made it to work seamlessly on OnStep 4.x. OnStep-X seems where most of the development is happening regarding high-res encoders.
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