I have been using an AZGTi in EQ mode successfully with EKOS for a couple of years, most recently with AZ/EQ firmware 3.39 used only in EQ mode. I just recently bought a new AZGTi with SkyMax 127 combination for AZ visual ‘grab and go’. The AZGTi came loaded with firmware v3.36 (for left hand side AZ use) and I stumbled across this issue that the auxiliary encoders remain engaged even if apparently switched off in SynScan Pro. I updated to the latest v3.39 (still left hand) which changed nothing. The impact of the auxiliary encoders seems to be due to their rather rough granularity, and inaccurate setting up, so that for instance the AZ home position of ‘level, pointing north’ is precisely some arc minutes away in both directions.
I plan to change firmware to the right hand side AZ/EQ v3.39 next, and will report here any differences in the auxiliary encoders operation.

Read More...