Josch,

Thanks for the information.
I hope that COAA will work with the MT2 motors as its no fun having a goto
scope that is only a few times sidereal speed! I will check with COAA to
get it from the horses mouth.

It seems that I will have to end up getting everything - the motors, goto
system and encoders. the encoders will probably be the last thing I get as
I can get postions straight out of Guide.
I am looking at the Celestron encoders for their GP clone the CG5. It looks
like they will be just under AUD$1000 including the module (about $650 US),
but I may be able to get them for less.

I would like to use the encoders with my No frills dobsonian as well.

Whichever way I look - start saving!

What cable did you use to hook Guide up to the COAA system/encoders or does
that come with?

Cheers and good Guiding

James

PS Its a good time to think about this as, like Belgium, we are having the
worst run of cloudy nights here ever! I have had about 10 nights clear
since Nov 1st....durn it.


At 13:17 13/01/00 -0800, you wrote:

>Dear James,
>
>I do have both the encoders and the COAA device on my GP-mount. The
>encoders are fine, but the mounting which I bought from JMI is not the
>best. I has some backlash. Since I have the COAA controller (i have
>been there last Eastern time and saw it working) it is much better. It
>works really very well, but you will need a computer to run it (a 486
>is enough). I think it also does not run with the new motors (MT2), but
>it works fine with the old (MT1) one's. I have used it for CCD
>beginners work and have up to now used the build in catalogs (which are
>extendable). The combination with Guide I tried only once and it worked
>very well. Hence, I believe if it is the money you want to spare I
>would go for the COAA controller, otherwise for the SS2000 because this
>one is much faster. The COAA only runs at the max speed of the old
>motors which is about a few degrees per minute (and not per sec).
>Hope that helps to make up your mind.
>
>Best regards from cloudy Belgium.
>
>Josch

"An elephant : a mouse built to government specifications"