I don't know how to describe it with words.  Maybe this page on the Mountain
Instruments web site illustrating worm gear maintenance might give you some idea
on how the clutch mechanism is implemented.  Best happenstance is that Larry
answers you.

http://www.mountaininstruments.com/pages/Gear%20removal.html

Cheers, Keith


--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "chillstar2000" <chillstar2000@...> wrote:
>
> Hi, I have a GEM atm project now, but don't know how to design the clutch
system. please look my CN thread:
>
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3473946/page/0/\
view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
>
> MI-250 looks very beautiful and compact, apply two knobs to adjust the clutch
force. are here someone know the clutch?  please help to give some advise for
it.
> thanks a lot!
>

Hi, I have a GEM atm project now, but don't know how to design the clutch
system. please look my CN thread:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3473946/page/0/\
view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

MI-250 looks very beautiful and compact, apply two knobs to adjust the clutch
force. are here someone know the clutch?  please help to give some advise for
it.
thanks a lot!

Hi All

I wanted to let you all know that there will be a significant price increase
once the current run has been completed.  This is the last thing I want to do
however it is an evil necessity in order to stay in business.  The MI-250 will
be priced at about $7550.

Also, I have decided to discontinue taking reservations for the retrofit program
in January.  If you want your mount brought up to current standards, call right
away!


Larry Myers
Mountain Instruments
530-346-6494

James, understandable.  I'm jones'ing for my mount already, especially with some
clear skies available and a not too blatant moon about.  I have new hardware
coming and hope that the skies cooperate enough to allow me to checkout all the
new stuff.  When you do find some idle, non-optimum imaging time and do the
corrected PemPro curve analysis, it would be appreciated to have you post your
findings here.  Thanks in advance.

Keith


--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, James Barnett <anabolicapple@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Keith. With the PE PEMPro reported  of just 2 arc secs I decided it wasn't
worth me spending my first imaging night in a long time (and without a moon, no
less!) building the curve.
> I'll come back to you if I do this at a later date.
> Thanks
> JB

Hi Keith. With the PE PEMPro reported  of just 2 arc secs I decided it wasn't
worth me spending my first imaging night in a long time (and without a moon, no
less!) building the curve.
I'll come back to you if I do this at a later date.
Thanks
JB

On Nov 23, 2009, at 2:51, "Keith" <keith.myers@...> wrote:

Hi James, and thanks for the upgrade update. Did you get a chance to run PemPro
and build a correction curve, upload it re-measure the PE with PemPro?

Keith

--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "anabolicapple" <anabolicapple@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone
>
> This has been a long time coming, but finally I've been able to put my "new"
mount through its paces following Larry's retrofit on it. Unfortunately I didn't
have PEMPro before I sent the mount to Larry so I have no "before" data, but I
thought it might be useful to post some observations of how I've found the mount
since it was returned to me. I'll provide some comments back across multiple
categories and for reference, my "original" mount is from 2005.
>
> 1. Polar Alignment:
> with the new Az base design, re-done male and female rocker etc., I can say
without doubt this is far easier to polar align that the previous design. After
4 polar alignment cycles using PEMPro (I'm just learning :-) and some small
adjustments being made at 530mm focal length I'm with 0.2 arc mins of pole in Az
and 1.2 arc mins of pole in Alt. At this focal length, I think that's pretty
good. The Alt polar alignment is made slightly harder by the fact that the mount
moves when you loosen or tighten the locking mechanisms for Alt, so you have to
take care to loosen/tighten by the same amount so the scope ends back in the
same position. But, clearly manageable and like I said, far easier.
>
> 2. Periodic Error:
> Without PEC, PEMPro is reporting a peak to peak PE of 2.1 arc seconds and an
RMS of 0.54 arc seconds (after 10 worm cycles). Don't forget this is at 530mm. I
think I'll let those numbers speak for themselves....but I'm happy with that :-)
>
> 3. Aesthetics/other upgrades:
> I think this probably comes down to personal taste. I never found the original
grey colour particularly offensive, but I have to admit I think the new white is
a bit of an eye popper and makes it look nicer for sure. The new face plate on
the Az assembly is vastly superior with the 'mountain instruments' etching on
it. The larger telescope mounting plate is very useful and I'm able to now
balance with some greater ease now since I'm able to push my back heavy scope
further up the mount. And finally the new tool-less clutch releases are
FANTASTIC.
>
> 4. Quality of workmanship:
> On first inspection, very good. Typical Larry. I did have some minor issues on
the under-side of the rocker where there was some burring left sticking out
which was digging a groove in the UHMW, so took the rocker apart following
Larry's close guidance and smoothed that off. The Atl adjustment is silky smooth
now.
>
> Overall?
> Extremely happy with the results. I'm now running automatically and am getting
back into imaging. The only thing I'd have on my wishlist now is the mount
movement when loosening/tightening the mount down during polar alignment. But,
as you can see from my results, it is something you can work with and get very
good results still.
>
>
> OK - off to do some imaging now. I hope this has helped if only a little. I
also hope I've reported the data correctly - it's my first time using PEMPro. If
there's something else folks would like to know, please just ask!
>
> As usual, thanks Larry for what is an excellent mount and your continued
excellent customer service - you're always responsive and answer calls even when
I was asking dumb questions!
> Cheers,
> JB
>







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi James, and thanks for the upgrade update.  Did you get a chance to run PemPro
and build a correction curve, upload it re-measure the PE with PemPro?

Keith

--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "anabolicapple" <anabolicapple@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone
>
> This has been a long time coming, but finally I've been able to put my "new"
mount through its paces following Larry's retrofit on it. Unfortunately I didn't
have PEMPro before I sent the mount to Larry so I have no "before" data, but I
thought it might be useful to post some observations of how I've found the mount
since it was returned to me.  I'll provide some comments back across multiple
categories and for reference, my "original" mount is from 2005.
>
> 1. Polar Alignment:
> with the new Az base design, re-done male and female rocker etc., I can say
without doubt this is far easier to polar align that the previous design. After
4 polar alignment cycles using PEMPro (I'm just learning :-) and some small
adjustments being made at 530mm focal length I'm with 0.2 arc mins of pole in Az
and 1.2 arc mins of pole in Alt. At this focal length, I think that's pretty
good.  The Alt polar alignment is made slightly harder by the fact that the
mount moves when you loosen or tighten the locking mechanisms for Alt, so you
have to take care to loosen/tighten by the same amount so the scope ends back in
the same position. But, clearly manageable and like I said, far easier.
>
> 2. Periodic Error:
> Without PEC, PEMPro is reporting a peak to peak PE of 2.1 arc seconds and an
RMS of 0.54 arc seconds (after 10 worm cycles). Don't forget this is at 530mm. I
think I'll let those numbers speak for themselves....but I'm happy with that :-)
>
> 3. Aesthetics/other upgrades:
> I think this probably comes down to personal taste. I never found the original
grey colour particularly offensive, but I have to admit I think the new white is
a bit of an eye popper and makes it look nicer for sure. The new face plate on
the Az assembly is vastly superior with the 'mountain instruments' etching on
it. The larger telescope mounting plate is very useful and I'm able to now
balance with some greater ease now since I'm able to push my back heavy scope
further up the mount.  And finally the new tool-less clutch releases are
FANTASTIC.
>
> 4. Quality of workmanship:
> On first inspection, very good.  Typical Larry. I did have some minor issues
on the under-side of the rocker where there was some burring left sticking out
which was digging a groove in the UHMW, so took the rocker apart following
Larry's close guidance and smoothed that off. The Atl adjustment is silky smooth
now.
>
> Overall?
> Extremely happy with the results. I'm now running automatically and am getting
back into imaging. The only thing I'd have on my wishlist now is the mount
movement when loosening/tightening the mount down during polar alignment. But,
as you can see from my results, it is something you can work with and get very
good results still.
>
>
> OK - off to do some imaging now. I hope this has helped if only a little. I
also hope I've reported the data correctly - it's my first time using PEMPro. If
there's something else folks would like to know, please just ask!
>
> As usual, thanks Larry for what is an excellent mount and your continued
excellent customer service - you're always responsive and answer calls even when
I was asking dumb questions!
> Cheers,
> JB
>

The New ASCOM Gemini.net driver is really coming along great.  One of it
features that it supports a focuser that plugs into the Feature port of
the Gemini.
If any of you Gemini Users are using this feature, would you please let
us know how this focuser is working with FocusMax. The only focuser
controller that
we are aware of is the one by James Lacey.  If you have a different one
then we would really like to know about it.
There are questions to which mode FocusMax is seeing it as, Absolute or
Relative.

We would also very much applicate it, if you would test this driver
against your focuser and report your finding.
You can do this by joining the Gemini_Driver_beta group at
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Gemini_Driver_Beta/

Sincerely
Thomas Hilton

Hi everyone

This has been a long time coming, but finally I've been able to put my "new"
mount through its paces following Larry's retrofit on it. Unfortunately I didn't
have PEMPro before I sent the mount to Larry so I have no "before" data, but I
thought it might be useful to post some observations of how I've found the mount
since it was returned to me.  I'll provide some comments back across multiple
categories and for reference, my "original" mount is from 2005.

1. Polar Alignment:
with the new Az base design, re-done male and female rocker etc., I can say
without doubt this is far easier to polar align that the previous design. After
4 polar alignment cycles using PEMPro (I'm just learning :-) and some small
adjustments being made at 530mm focal length I'm with 0.2 arc mins of pole in Az
and 1.2 arc mins of pole in Alt. At this focal length, I think that's pretty
good.  The Alt polar alignment is made slightly harder by the fact that the
mount moves when you loosen or tighten the locking mechanisms for Alt, so you
have to take care to loosen/tighten by the same amount so the scope ends back in
the same position. But, clearly manageable and like I said, far easier.

2. Periodic Error:
Without PEC, PEMPro is reporting a peak to peak PE of 2.1 arc seconds and an RMS
of 0.54 arc seconds (after 10 worm cycles). Don't forget this is at 530mm. I
think I'll let those numbers speak for themselves....but I'm happy with that :-)

3. Aesthetics/other upgrades:
I think this probably comes down to personal taste. I never found the original
grey colour particularly offensive, but I have to admit I think the new white is
a bit of an eye popper and makes it look nicer for sure. The new face plate on
the Az assembly is vastly superior with the 'mountain instruments' etching on
it. The larger telescope mounting plate is very useful and I'm able to now
balance with some greater ease now since I'm able to push my back heavy scope
further up the mount.  And finally the new tool-less clutch releases are
FANTASTIC.

4. Quality of workmanship:
On first inspection, very good.  Typical Larry. I did have some minor issues on
the under-side of the rocker where there was some burring left sticking out
which was digging a groove in the UHMW, so took the rocker apart following
Larry's close guidance and smoothed that off. The Atl adjustment is silky smooth
now.

Overall?
Extremely happy with the results. I'm now running automatically and am getting
back into imaging. The only thing I'd have on my wishlist now is the mount
movement when loosening/tightening the mount down during polar alignment. But,
as you can see from my results, it is something you can work with and get very
good results still.


OK - off to do some imaging now. I hope this has helped if only a little. I also
hope I've reported the data correctly - it's my first time using PEMPro. If
there's something else folks would like to know, please just ask!

As usual, thanks Larry for what is an excellent mount and your continued
excellent customer service - you're always responsive and answer calls even when
I was asking dumb questions!
Cheers,
JB

Thanks again Keith- excellent information- this is all rather new to me and I
appreciate your response. I'll follow up on your recommendations at the Gemini
group.
Jon

--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "Keith" <keith.myers@...> wrote:
>
> Jon, yes I would absolutely build a good model first in the Gemini before
syncing to TS6.  It really does improve pointing accuracy.  The manual explains
the process.  Generally, 4 or so stars on each side of the meridian for initial
sync and additional aligns allows the Gemini pointing model terms to fully
populate and level out.  No more accuracy is gained from additional aligns are
gained if all the terms are filled out.
>
> I would recommend you use the optional ASCOM Gemini driver.  It is a LOT more
full featured compared to the simple one included in TS6.  You will need to
install the ASCOM platform and download the Gemini driver.  The old driver is
very stable and full featured.  It does need level 1.04 or greater firmware
though. When used with the ASCOM POTH telescope hub, you can have multiple
programs connect to the mount through the ASCOM Gemini driver at the same time
over the RS-232C connection.  There are upgrades going on now with both the
ASCOM platform and also a brand new beta Gemini driver that is its own telescope
hub.  It has all the features of the old driver plus new features and
enhancements.  It will not be beta much longer I believe and will be introduced
to the public as general release soon.  The main ASCOM website is here:
>
> http://ascom-standards.org/
>
> The Yahoo tech group for the beta driver is here:
>
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Gemini_Driver_Beta/
>
> You will at minimum need to install the ASCOM Platform 5a.  There is a
platform update to 5.5 needed if you want to ask to beta test the new .NET
Gemini driver.  If you stick with the standard ASCOM Gemini driver, you might
want to download the ASCOM POTH driver also.  You will also need to download the
TeleAPI.dll otherwise known as TheSky Controlled Telescope driver to make TS6,
ASCOM compatible.
>
> The documentation is very good with the ASCOM Initiative project and very easy
to follow for installation instructions.  If you run into questions, then
answers are available in the Losmandy, Gemini or MI-250 forums from members who
probably predominantly run the ASCOM platform.  So come back here for answers if
needed.
>
> Cheers,  Keith
>
> --- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "jamc2004" <jamc2004@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello Keith:
> > Thanks,you answered my poorly stated question. So it is best to build the
pointing model in Gemini with as many additional alignments as necessary and
then sync TS6 to the Gemini. If further refining to the Gemini pointing model is
required, do it in Gemini with additional alignments and then re-sync TS6 to it.
> > Where might I find out more regarding the optional ASCOM Gemini driver and
the 'syncs perform additional aligns' feature which it seems might be very
helpful?
> > Jon
>

Jon, yes I would absolutely build a good model first in the Gemini before
syncing to TS6.  It really does improve pointing accuracy.  The manual explains
the process.  Generally, 4 or so stars on each side of the meridian for initial
sync and additional aligns allows the Gemini pointing model terms to fully
populate and level out.  No more accuracy is gained from additional aligns are
gained if all the terms are filled out.

I would recommend you use the optional ASCOM Gemini driver.  It is a LOT more
full featured compared to the simple one included in TS6.  You will need to
install the ASCOM platform and download the Gemini driver.  The old driver is
very stable and full featured.  It does need level 1.04 or greater firmware
though. When used with the ASCOM POTH telescope hub, you can have multiple
programs connect to the mount through the ASCOM Gemini driver at the same time
over the RS-232C connection.  There are upgrades going on now with both the
ASCOM platform and also a brand new beta Gemini driver that is its own telescope
hub.  It has all the features of the old driver plus new features and
enhancements.  It will not be beta much longer I believe and will be introduced
to the public as general release soon.  The main ASCOM website is here:

http://ascom-standards.org/

The Yahoo tech group for the beta driver is here:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Gemini_Driver_Beta/

You will at minimum need to install the ASCOM Platform 5a.  There is a platform
update to 5.5 needed if you want to ask to beta test the new .NET Gemini driver.
If you stick with the standard ASCOM Gemini driver, you might want to download
the ASCOM POTH driver also.  You will also need to download the TeleAPI.dll
otherwise known as TheSky Controlled Telescope driver to make TS6, ASCOM
compatible.

The documentation is very good with the ASCOM Initiative project and very easy
to follow for installation instructions.  If you run into questions, then
answers are available in the Losmandy, Gemini or MI-250 forums from members who
probably predominantly run the ASCOM platform.  So come back here for answers if
needed.

Cheers,  Keith

--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "jamc2004" <jamc2004@...> wrote:
>
> Hello Keith:
> Thanks,you answered my poorly stated question. So it is best to build the
pointing model in Gemini with as many additional alignments as necessary and
then sync TS6 to the Gemini. If further refining to the Gemini pointing model is
required, do it in Gemini with additional alignments and then re-sync TS6 to it.
> Where might I find out more regarding the optional ASCOM Gemini driver and the
'syncs perform additional aligns' feature which it seems might be very helpful?
> Jon

Hello Keith:
Thanks,you answered my poorly stated question. So it is best to build the
pointing model in Gemini with as many additional alignments as necessary and
then sync TS6 to the Gemini. If further refining to the Gemini pointing model is
required, do it in Gemini with additional alignments and then re-sync TS6 to it.
Where might I find out more regarding the optional ASCOM Gemini driver and the
'syncs perform additional aligns' feature which it seems might be very helpful?
Jon

--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "Keith" <keith.myers@...> wrote:
>
> Not quite sure just what you're asking.  There are differences between syncs
and additional aligments in the Gemini.  Syncs simply move the existing model to
a new reference position.  Additional alignments build and alter the internal
Gemini pointing model. If you are simply slewing from the TS6 and using the sync
feature in TS6, then you are simply syncing the Gemini to the final slewed
position.  Same goes if you center the desired target in the eyepiece, you are
just syncing to the reported position. However, if you have the optional ASCOM
Gemini driver toggle for "Sync performs additional align" turned on, then
addition sync from TS6 does alter and refine the pointing model. If you are
using the built-in TS6 Gemini driver, it does not have the provision for 'syncs
perform additional aligns'.
> Does that answer your question..... or confuse you further?
>
> Keith
>
>
> --- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "jamc2004" <jamc2004@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello:
> > I just set up TheSky6 to slew the mount and everything is groovy... are 3-4
star alignments with the Gemini DLX beneficial before establishing the link from
TheSky or can you do multiple star syncs from TheSky after centering through the
eyepiece with the Gemini DLX hand controller as you go (if that makes sense)?
> > I also managed to get some video of the moon and Jupiter for the first time
with an old Philips webcam and Deepsky Imaging/WcCTRL and Registax...
> >
>

Not quite sure just what you're asking.  There are differences between syncs and
additional aligments in the Gemini.  Syncs simply move the existing model to a
new reference position.  Additional alignments build and alter the internal
Gemini pointing model. If you are simply slewing from the TS6 and using the sync
feature in TS6, then you are simply syncing the Gemini to the final slewed
position.  Same goes if you center the desired target in the eyepiece, you are
just syncing to the reported position. However, if you have the optional ASCOM
Gemini driver toggle for "Sync performs additional align" turned on, then
addition sync from TS6 does alter and refine the pointing model. If you are
using the built-in TS6 Gemini driver, it does not have the provision for 'syncs
perform additional aligns'.
Does that answer your question..... or confuse you further?

Keith


--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "jamc2004" <jamc2004@...> wrote:
>
> Hello:
> I just set up TheSky6 to slew the mount and everything is groovy... are 3-4
star alignments with the Gemini DLX beneficial before establishing the link from
TheSky or can you do multiple star syncs from TheSky after centering through the
eyepiece with the Gemini DLX hand controller as you go (if that makes sense)?
> I also managed to get some video of the moon and Jupiter for the first time
with an old Philips webcam and Deepsky Imaging/WcCTRL and Registax...
>

Hello:
I just set up TheSky6 to slew the mount and everything is groovy... are 3-4 star
alignments with the Gemini DLX beneficial before establishing the link from
TheSky or can you do multiple star syncs from TheSky after centering through the
eyepiece with the Gemini DLX hand controller as you go (if that makes sense)?
I also managed to get some video of the moon and Jupiter for the first time with
an old Philips webcam and Deepsky Imaging/WcCTRL and Registax...

Hi James, too bad you don't have the 'before' PemPro data but quantification of
the upgraded mount is nice to have.  At least it sets a baseline for you.  I
believe Larry's specs on the MI-250 were originally in the 4-5 arc-sec range. 
My 2004 model was actually half that amount.  It pains me to have my mount in
for upgrade now since I typically get good nights to image all the way up
through Christmas usually.  But it had to be done at some time to get the major
improvement to the altitude and azimuth adjusters.  A little pain now to reap
much pleasure later.  Hope the weather clears for you soonish so you get a
chance to check out your 'new' mount.

Cheers,  Keith


--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, James Barnett <anabolicapple@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Keith
> Sorry it's taken so long to reply to your original post. I just got my mount
back from Larry at the weekend and I'll happily post results from PEMPro etc.,
but I don't have measurements from before the refurb to compare against. I'm not
up and running yet (the glorious weather in the NE is holding me up, plus I work
all hours during the week so don't really get much time to play at this hobby).
> That said, I'm really not expecting 'improvement' from the refurb on periodic
error, since personally I hadn't noticed much with my mount plus Larry's specs
are pretty tight to begin with (I think +/- 7 peak-peak 'out of the box' when I
bought it new?).
> So - if useful, I'll post the results of the refurb'd mount just as soon as I
have it up and running.
> Cheers,
> JB

Hi Keith
Sorry it's taken so long to reply to your original post. I just got my mount
back from Larry at the weekend and I'll happily post results from PEMPro etc.,
but I don't have measurements from before the refurb to compare against. I'm not
up and running yet (the glorious weather in the NE is holding me up, plus I work
all hours during the week so don't really get much time to play at this hobby).
That said, I'm really not expecting 'improvement' from the refurb on periodic
error, since personally I hadn't noticed much with my mount plus Larry's specs
are pretty tight to begin with (I think +/- 7 peak-peak 'out of the box' when I
bought it new?).
So - if useful, I'll post the results of the refurb'd mount just as soon as I
have it up and running.
Cheers,
JB



________________________________
From: Keith <keith.myers@...>
To: mi-250@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, October 26, 2009 9:22:54 PM
Subject: Re: [mi250] Upgraded mount improvements?


Thanks for the reply, Paul.  So far you and only one other person who has had
the upgrade done has replied. No one but me it seems has the baseline PemPro
data on their mount before the upgrade. My mount hasn't been torn down yet, so
Larry doesn't yet know what he will find.  Things to be decided upon after we
have some information. I do know from the PemPro analysis just what fundamental
noise spike is coming from the bearing block.  Was just hoping someone else has
quantified the improvement from the upgrade already.  Thanks again. Hope you can
find some time between school and studying to put some eyeball time on you
mount.  I sometimes think we MI-250 owners are a little jaded with our mount's
performance. We just expect it to work flawlessly, something that is somewhat
rare in the market it seems.  We really do have a premium mount in our
possessions.

Cheers,  Keith

--- In mi-250@yahoogroups. com, "Paul Romero" <paul@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Keith,
>
>
>
>   I was going to get back to you, as my MI-250 had recently undergone a
> refurb. However, with school and studying, I wasn't able to check the Pempro
> curve using my trial version of MaximDL before it expired
>
>
>
> Clear skies,
>
>
>
> Paul
>
>
>
> From: mi-250@yahoogroups. com [mailto:mi-250@yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of
> Keith
> Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:55 PM
> To: mi-250@yahoogroups. com
> Subject: [mi250] Upgraded mount improvements?
>
>
>
>
>
> Has anyone seen or measured any improvements in the mounts performance as
> measured by PemPro? I was wondering what is the outcome of the replacement
> of the worm bearings in the upgrade? Has the worm bearings fundamental in
> PemPro been reduced?
>
> Keith
>
>
>
>   _____
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks for the reply, Paul.  So far you and only one other person who has had
the upgrade done has replied. No one but me it seems has the baseline PemPro
data on their mount before the upgrade. My mount hasn't been torn down yet, so
Larry doesn't yet know what he will find.  Things to be decided upon after we
have some information. I do know from the PemPro analysis just what fundamental
noise spike is coming from the bearing block.  Was just hoping someone else has
quantified the improvement from the upgrade already.  Thanks again. Hope you can
find some time between school and studying to put some eyeball time on you
mount.  I sometimes think we MI-250 owners are a little jaded with our mount's
performance. We just expect it to work flawlessly, something that is somewhat
rare in the market it seems.  We really do have a premium mount in our
possessions.

Cheers,  Keith


--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Romero" <paul@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Keith,
>
>
>
>   I was going to get back to you, as my MI-250 had recently undergone a
> refurb. However, with school and studying, I wasn't able to check the Pempro
> curve using my trial version of MaximDL before it expired
>
>
>
> Clear skies,
>
>
>
> Paul
>
>
>
> From: mi-250@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mi-250@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> Keith
> Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:55 PM
> To: mi-250@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [mi250] Upgraded mount improvements?
>
>
>
>
>
> Has anyone seen or measured any improvements in the mounts performance as
> measured by PemPro? I was wondering what is the outcome of the replacement
> of the worm bearings in the upgrade? Has the worm bearings fundamental in
> PemPro been reduced?
>
> Keith
>
>
>
>   _____
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hi Keith,



   I was going to get back to you, as my MI-250 had recently undergone a
refurb. However, with school and studying, I wasn't able to check the Pempro
curve using my trial version of MaximDL before it expired



Clear skies,



Paul



From: mi-250@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mi-250@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Keith
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:55 PM
To: mi-250@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [mi250] Upgraded mount improvements?





Has anyone seen or measured any improvements in the mounts performance as
measured by PemPro? I was wondering what is the outcome of the replacement
of the worm bearings in the upgrade? Has the worm bearings fundamental in
PemPro been reduced?

Keith



   _____





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Has anyone seen or measured any improvements in the mounts performance as
measured by PemPro? I was wondering what is the outcome of the replacement of
the worm bearings in the upgrade?  Has the worm bearings  fundamental in PemPro
been reduced?

Keith

Hi All
This is a just a heads up for any of you thinking about a retro fit.  Although
the winter months are pretty well booked up, I have a few openings now.  First
come, first served!

More info at our web site. http://www.mountaininstruments.com

Thanks,
Larry & Karen  Myers
Mountain Instruments
530-346-6494

I believe you would call the MI-250 clutch system a 'top-pan' system like the
AP.  The top pressure plate is coupled to the inside top surface of the worm
gear. Perhaps a call to Larry would clarify just exactly what terminology and
design to call it.

Keith


--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "chillstar2000" <chillstar2000@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,I study some high level GEM and found they have different clutch
system.....ME--no clutch, AP--top pan and plate,Byer--on the worm gear.
> after buying two set of Byer worm gear, I plan to make a GEM, and it seems
that Mi-250 with the most compact and functional clutch which will be adjusted
only by two bolts.
> can anyone help about the machenism of Mi clutch system? the two adjust bolts
are on outer ring of worm wheel, different with traditional Byer's.
> thanks a lot!
>

Hi,I study some high level GEM and found they have different clutch
system.....ME--no clutch, AP--top pan and plate,Byer--on the worm gear.
after buying two set of Byer worm gear, I plan to make a GEM, and it seems that
Mi-250 with the most compact and functional clutch which will be adjusted only
by two bolts.
can anyone help about the machenism of Mi clutch system? the two adjust bolts
are on outer ring of worm wheel, different with traditional Byer's.
thanks a lot!

Here are just a few of the new features of the Gemini.Net driver.
1. Fully-featured hand-controller window with real-time status
2. Simple first-time configuration and intelligent connection logic
3. Joystick support that turns any joystick, including a wireless one,
into a fully-featured telescope controller
4. Voice response system to confirm actions, announce status changes, etc.
5. Pass-through COM port support allows non-ASCOM applications to share
Gemini with any number of ASCOM applications
6. Full complement of Gemini catalogs, plus some new ones, allow the
creation of custom databases to be used from Gemini
7. Observation Log viewer
8. POTH is no longer needed to connect multiple clients to Gemini

Folks, if you have some ideas on how the driver should work, what
functions to add, or what you'd like to see fixed from the current
driver -- join the beta test. You'll be able to talk directly to the
developers, and even enter your ideas into a tracking system for
features and issues for future versions.

To participate, we would ask that you be:

1. An experienced Gemini user
2. A user of the existing Gemini ASCOM driver
3. Use ASCOM-based applications in your regular observing/imaging sessions
4. Not be afraid to install/reinstall software on your computer
5. Have the opportunity to test the new driver frequently in he next few
weeks
6. Be willing to report in detail any issues you find

We'll extend the beta-test to more users once the initial shake-out is
completed. We would ask that you submit the following information to
aid us in tester selection:

1. Computer Interface (using USB to Serial adapter or built in Serial
ports for mount connection)
2. Computer Operating system (32/64 bit?)
3. Location: Northern or Southern hemisphere/country.
4. Mount type, G8,G11,Titan, MI-250,other custom and Gemini version
5. Other ASCOM controlled equipment(focus, Rotators, domes,etc.
6. Programs that you be going to be testing, ASCOM and NON-ASCOM. Such
as MaximDL, TheSky6, CCDSoft,ASP,

GCC,TheSKYX
7. Contact Email and your name(for use off group by moderators), and to
invite you to join the group.

To do so please send the above information to:
tom@... <mailto:tom%40arizonaskys.com>
<mailto:Tom%40arizonaskys.com>
Please use this as the subject of your email:
"Gemini Telescope Driver Beta request" without the quotes to help
insure it gets through the spam filters, and promptly be seen.

Thank you all for your help from the New Gemini.net driver development
team.
For the Team members
Thank You in advance.

Tom Hilton

The new Gemini Telescope ASCOM driver is ready for an initial
beta-test. We would like to invite a few experienced users to help us
test the driver and its exciting new features.

To participate, we would ask that you be:

1. An experienced Gemini user
2. A user of the existing Gemini ASCOM driver
3. Use ASCOM-based applications in your regular observing/imaging sessions
4. Not be afraid to install/reinstall software on your computer
5. Have the opportunity to test the new driver frequently in he next few
weeks
6. Be willing to report in detail any issues you find

We'll extend the beta-test to more users once the initial shake-out is
completed. We would ask that you submit the following information to
aid us in tester selection:

1. Computer Interface (using USB to Serial adapter or built in Serial
ports for mount connection)
2. Computer Operating system (32/64 bit?)
3. Location: Northern or Southern hemisphere/country.
4. Mount type, G8,G11,Titan, MI-250,other custom and Gemini version
5. Other ASCOM controlled equipment(focus, Rotators, domes,etc.
6. Programs that you be going to be testing, ASCOM and NON-ASCOM. Such
as MaximDL, TheSky6, CCDSoft,ASP,GCC,TheSKYX
7. Contact Email and your name(for use off group by moderators), and to
invite you to join the group.

To do so please send the above information to:
tom@... <mailto:Tom%40arizonaskys.com>
Please use this as the subject of your email:
"Gemini Telescope Driver Beta request"  without the quotes to help
insure it gets through the spam filters, and promptly be seen.

Thank you all for your help from the New Gemini.net driver development
team.
For the Team members
Thank You in advance.

Tom Hilton

Thanks Jim and Linda. I'm happy to report that I spoke with Keith on the phone
last week and ordered the cables.
Thanks everyone for their help and advice.
JB

On Sep 27, 2009, at 20:56, "actx03" <powell-jr@...> wrote:

Hi JB, I wanted to second Loren's recommendation to get Keith's Right Angle
cables. I purchased mine back in 2006, if memory serves, and they have worked
great. In fact, since I have yet to upgrade my mount to the new configuration, I
also use his ALT/AZ knobs as well. Great products and service from first-rate
people. My MI250 carries a Robin Casady Triad bar witha TGAD on the outside,
with a TMB130SS, a TV127is in the middle, and a Stellarvue 102 doublet using a
Televue 0.8x reducer on the outside. We have 2 ST2K CCDs with one AO-8 and an
ST402 for guiding. It allows a very close image scale for shooting everything
from about 45 degrees through the meridian flip and down to about 35 degrees in
the NW, with one scope gathering Lum. data and the other the RGB while the ST402
guides non-stop. Given our light pollution it is the only choice for now. The
MI250 never breaks a sweat and tracks perfectly for 20 minute shots in
narrowband. This setup is in an
  XL-3 POD that also works great. Clear Skies.
Jim and Linda

--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, loren <lbanbury@...> wrote:
>
> JB - Keith is likely out for the new moon weekend. I have his right
> angle cables and love them on my mi250 Gemini. I actually had him make
> me a special on that came off clocked 90 out from normal on the
> connector for some clearance reasons (I wanted the cable to dress
> parallel to the side of the mount so i wouldn't have to worry about it
> bending). His work is outstanding! Be patient and I am sure he will get
> back to you soon.
> Loren Banbury
> MI250 refurb # 1 and extremely happy with it. Both Larry and Keith go
> above and beyond in their support and quality. I just wish other
> businesses would use them as their model.
>







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi JB, I wanted to second Loren's recommendation to get Keith's Right Angle
cables.  I purchased mine back in 2006, if memory serves, and they have worked
great.  In fact, since I have yet to upgrade my mount to the new configuration,
I also use his ALT/AZ knobs as well.  Great products and service from first-rate
people.  My MI250 carries a Robin Casady Triad bar witha TGAD on the outside,
with a TMB130SS, a TV127is in the middle, and a Stellarvue 102 doublet using a
Televue 0.8x reducer on the outside.  We have 2 ST2K CCDs with one AO-8 and an
ST402 for guiding.  It allows a very close image scale for shooting everything
from about 45 degrees through the meridian flip and down to about 35 degrees in
the NW, with one scope gathering Lum. data and the other the RGB while the ST402
guides non-stop.  Given our light pollution it is the only choice for now.  The
MI250 never breaks a sweat and tracks perfectly for 20 minute shots in
narrowband.  This setup is in an XL-3 POD that also works great.  Clear Skies.
Jim and Linda

--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, loren <lbanbury@...> wrote:
>
> JB - Keith is likely out for the new moon weekend. I have his right
> angle cables and love them on my mi250 Gemini.  I actually had him make
> me a special on that came off clocked 90 out from normal on the
> connector for some clearance reasons (I wanted the cable to dress
> parallel to the  side of the mount so  i wouldn't have to worry about it
> bending). His work is outstanding!  Be patient and I am sure he will get
> back to you soon.
> Loren Banbury
> MI250 refurb # 1 and extremely happy with it. Both Larry and Keith go
> above and beyond in their support and quality. I just wish other
> businesses would use them as their model.
>

Yep - thanks Loren - I figured he was probably away or something like that, so
no worries.
Funnily enough, it was the photo of your mount on Larry's website that made me
ask!
I'm hopefully getting my mount back in a week or so; I'm quite excited and have
been busy running CAT6 cable and power out to a "permanent" setup so I'm able to
run remotely from inside my house through the winter months - now completed! 
Next on the task list is a small structure to protect the scope a little better
than the current cover...although it is designed to be out 365 days a year, it's
not as good as something a bit more solid.
Thanks again and clear skies.
JB

--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, loren <lbanbury@...> wrote:
>
> JB - Keith is likely out for the new moon weekend. I have his right
> angle cables and love them on my mi250 Gemini.  I actually had him make
> me a special on that came off clocked 90 out from normal on the
> connector for some clearance reasons (I wanted the cable to dress
> parallel to the  side of the mount so  i wouldn't have to worry about it
> bending). His work is outstanding!  Be patient and I am sure he will get
> back to you soon.
> Loren Banbury
> MI250 refurb # 1 and extremely happy with it. Both Larry and Keith go
> above and beyond in their support and quality. I just wish other
> businesses would use them as their model.
>

JB - Keith is likely out for the new moon weekend. I have his right
angle cables and love them on my mi250 Gemini.  I actually had him make
me a special on that came off clocked 90 out from normal on the
connector for some clearance reasons (I wanted the cable to dress
parallel to the  side of the mount so  i wouldn't have to worry about it
bending). His work is outstanding!  Be patient and I am sure he will get
back to you soon.
Loren Banbury
MI250 refurb # 1 and extremely happy with it. Both Larry and Keith go
above and beyond in their support and quality. I just wish other
businesses would use them as their model.

Congratulations Paul!  Mine is currently with Larry - and I'm looking forward to
getting it back. Although I don't have a skyshed quite as grand to house it!
On your photo's, I think I see right angled cables connecting the GEMINI to the
motors - is that right? If so - could you let me know where you got them from?
I've tried contacting Keith Myers (per Larry) a couple of days ago but so far no
response.  Perhaps he's away, but wondering if there's more than one source!
Cheers and clear skies.
JB



________________________________
From: PAUL <paul@...>
To: mi-250@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 4:34:19 PM
Subject: [mi250] just back from the shop


Hi all,

My 'City Skyshed' is host to my MI-250 again! Larry really had to go through it
with a fine tooth comb...and sander and paintbrush for that matter! It contains
new bearings all around, new RA gear, and a clean bill of health with full
warranty. I have posted photos of it under Good As New Refurb album at:
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/mi- 250/photos/ album/177965635/ pic/list

clear skies,

Paul







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi all,

     My 'City Skyshed' is host to my MI-250 again! Larry really had to go through
it with a fine tooth comb...and sander and paintbrush for that matter! It
contains new bearings all around, new RA gear, and a clean bill of health with
full warranty. I have posted photos of it under Good As New Refurb album at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mi-250/photos/album/177965635/pic/list

clear skies,

Paul

If the TVC is set to high, you'll see quick jumps on your guide error plots. The
higher the TVC is set, the larger the jumps. Turn down the TVC until you get no
jumps on the error plot. Turn it back up one count, if still no jumps, leave it
there, if you start seeing small jumps, turn the TVC back down one unit. The
final value had better be low (a few counts), or its time to look at the gear
mesh.

Pempro has a routine to assess backlash, but I just use the guiding to set TVC.
There will be changes as you move around the sky, dependent on your DEC balance
(or unbalance as as is the actual state)

Robert

--- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "hanford.scott" <hanisford.scott@...> wrote:
>
>  Thanks for the responce. I do have and use PemPro and I agree it is a
powerful tool. I am currently using PHD guiding but I will try using moderate
agressiveness with that, and I think my tvc is currently set to 5 so I will try
reducing it. I was getting some double star images so I think I also need to
find the right dec balance bias too.  Thanks again,
>                                 Scott                                --- In
mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "mrw6728" <wallsmax@> wrote:
> >
> > Get a copy of PEMPRO, and spend the time needed to get it properly set-up,
and delivering good PEC runs to the mount for starters, then set your guide
cycle to 2 or 3 seconds, after a clean guide cal go with mid level agressiveness
(I use MaximDL w/ RA set at 6-7, DEC 7 or 8, or one tick higher w/ the guide
rate scaled UP from the cal). I vaguely remember the TVC to be set very low,
maybe 1 or 2 (or 3).
> >
> > Robert
> >
> > at --- In mi-250@yahoogroups.com, "hanford.scott" <hanford.scott@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I am new to this group and to being a MI250 owner. I was wondering if
anyone has suggestions about the tvc setting, balance biasing, and autoguiding
aggressiveness. I have had issues in the past with all of these factors when set
wrong causing rubber banding back, and forth causing double star images with
other GEMs.
> > >
> >
>