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

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

iOptron CEM70 compatibility status

  • Posts: 11
  • Thank you received: 1
Guys,

Thanks for the great great work that INDI lib is: it's very impressive to see as much hardware of all kinds supported on so many Linux flavors.

I'd like to buy an iOptron CEM70, can you please tell me if the goto and sync functionalities work in KStars / Eko? As an added bonus, if the sequence functionality works, too that would be smashing!

Thanks a lot in advance & Regards,

Alien
2 years 1 month ago #80925

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All iOptron mounts work fine with INDI.
2 years 1 month ago #80941

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Hi Alien,

I use a CEM70 (the basic model) and it is great! Even better than other mounts I've use(d) (Gem28, Gem45, iEQ45) because of the home sensors. I home the mount every time when I set up a session so the mount knows where it is. Never had I have an issue with 'pointing to Australia', which does sometimes happen when I use the Gem28.
Although that is my doing I guess, because after a single sync it is good to go as well.

From a mechanical point of view, the mount is excellent.
I've made a few small modifications that increase the joy of use a lot, such as: light-weight CW bar (saves ~1 kg), flattened the mounting surface on the bottom, soldered in a USB cable, modified the mounting (to the tripod) screws so the inside doesn't get marred and best of all: a small tool to quick-screw the base mounting screws.
I can make pictures for anyone interested.

Cheers!
Bart
2 years 1 month ago #80952

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Edit:
Double post because of a forum error after submission, sorry.
Last edit: 2 years 1 month ago by Bart.
2 years 1 month ago #80953

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Bart,

Thanks a lot for this sweet feedback. I agree for pictures, should you have time to take some someday. :-)

Regards
2 years 1 month ago #80964

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>>> All iOptron mounts work fine with INDI.


Good to read, thanks! Quoting the driver page: "The mount must be aligned first before establishing connection with INDI".

Does that mean that the star alignment must be done on the handset before using KStars / Ekos? If so, the sync functionality from KStars is not so useful, I guess, right?

Cheers, men!
Last edit: 2 years 1 month ago by Alien.
2 years 1 month ago #80965

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I've never done a star alignment in my life, and the mount has always worked perfectly :)
Lately I've been having small issues with guiding, but those are completely unrelated to INDI/kstars/etc.
2 years 4 weeks ago #80969

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Sweet, Paolo! Just to be sure: you're used to doing polar align, right?
2 years 4 weeks ago #80970

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Yes, I do PA every time, since I setup and tear down every session :( ! Most of the time I do it with ipolar though. I find ipolar (way) faster and more precise than Ekos' PA routine. But that is just my preference :)
2 years 4 weeks ago #80976

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Thanks Paolo, this is so kind of you to provide me with such useful info. :-)
2 years 3 weeks ago #80988

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It's an old hex key thinned down, with a grippy surface, that could also be simply heat-shrink tube.
 
Here is my setup.
The scope is a 190 mm Maksutov Newton.
You can see a black (adjustable) ring above the CW's, this is for really quick setting up. I don't need to balance anymore.
The usb is soldered in, so no connection issues anymore.
You can make 'tool free' screws of the two screws in the back, for tightening the Azimuth adjustment.
Last edit: 2 years 3 weeks ago by Bart.
2 years 3 weeks ago #80992
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Bart,

Nice pictures!

Sorry for the noob question, but : what does CW stand for, please? A way not to be forced to balance again and again? Can you please elaborate?
2 years 3 weeks ago #80995

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