Are Hand Controllers for Losers?

[@foxglovemead]

Why the hand controller? The intelligence is within the HC and not the mount! If your mount is connected with ASCOM/EQMOD, it also controls the mount (Meridian flips etc.) and corrects the mount e.g. with PHD2. The problem with PC control occurs when the PC sleeps/crashes or you close the App. The (Synscan) mount just continues until it catches the tripod. With the HC, it recognizes and retains control, and flips the mount, so there are no surprises. The HC also gets its power from the mount. If it loses power then the HC is reset and the mount stops. Why mounts do not have the intelligence to at least offer a "stop everything" if it reaches the horizon option is beyond me. Simon

[@DylanODonnell]

this ☝🏽

[@brendandudley2913]

Just to play devil's advocate, I work around this by using a Linux server (an RPi is a good choice) that runs off the same power as the mount. If my server loses power I can reasonably assume my mount has too. I've got a service configured to ensure my software is always running. I still use the HC for stuff, though. Like software-assisted polar alignment as Dylan pointed out.

[@ferenc-x7p]

The clouds at my location wouldn't let me image more than 3-4 hrs maximum where I live (it's more like 2-3hrs on average) , so my mount doesn't even get the chance to Meridian flip, unless I start very near the Meridian. I also don't allow Meridian flip unattended. I either say up late or wake up early or the flip happens early in my session.

[@jweebs1986]

My least favorite thing about the hand controller is searching through lists of objects one at a time. “Oh, you want to point at a star whose name doesn’t start with A? Hope the clouds don’t roll in before you scroll to it.”

[@pacostiro]

:))) exactly!

[@DylanODonnell]

Omg right

[@davidjames4915]

And the mount aligning routine that pops out star names that you don't recognize while not even telling you what constellation they're in. "Sure, try Alphard, I guess, hopefully it's obvious."

[@gy9326]

@@davidjames4915 and then it’s a 20th magnitude star and impossible to tell from its neighbours. Oh how I don’t miss my hand controller.

[@tcaut]

No one calls me an idiot! - Except Dylan

[@DylanODonnell]

Ahh thx idiot !

[@tcaut]

@@DylanODonnell Welcome Mate!

[@guyyanez6949]

My son once asked: "Dad, why does your hand controller look like an early eighties calculator display?". My answer: "Son, the manufacturer thinks you will never use that thing anyway"

[@kristhompson8112]

I think my Nxtstar+ has a cold cathode Nixie tube display , wish I had one of my late Dad's calculator they were so cool.

[@andrewkemp70]

The HC is a beginner’s best friend, especially that polar align feature for us goobs in the Southern Hemisphere. Beginners ain’t losers 😎

[@BosqueRico]

Great video!! I recently took over the EQ8 Pro but haven't used it yet. So when I was researching about it, your channel was searched. I look forward to future videos. Thank you.

[@iandobbin8068]

So, if my garage door opens, I've done something wrong? Totally agree with lack of tactile feedback with buttons. Great video.

[@RaysAstrophotography]

I love hand controllers, makes me feel powerful. Of course, I really don’t need one if I plate solve!

[@derekderek2570]

Dylan makes a good point... you can't plate solve to planets... for some unknown reason.

[@ancientcolors]

@@derekderek2570 The AsiAir can

[@davidolszak6318]

@@ancientcolors ASIair is why my new mount's HC never made it out of the box. The AAP got plugged into that port instead.

[@Magy21453]

The last time i was this early the sky was clear

[@erinjones3148]

One note about the hand controller momentarily not responding- It looks like a heavy handed button debounce on the input. Basically, the switches have a period after being released where they can bounce back and make contact again, sending false signals. Engineers work around that by having a wait timer where, after being released, it doesn't accept any input for a (in this case large) fraction of a second. That means that quickly double tapping the button will keep it from responding. I'm not a Skywatcher engineer so I can't speak with certainty, but that sure is what this looks like and my Atlas mount behaves the same way.

[@ferenc-x7p]

I think I used it once. My USB plug died on my mount (EQ6Rpro )and I bought an ASCOM cable , which - guess what - plugs into the hand controller port, so the hand controller had to go. On the other hand, when I tried the hand controller , I hade NO clue whatsoever what stars and where it was picking, and given the limited view of the sky I have, I need to be looking at the Stellarium on the PC if it picks the right star for star alignment, which happens to be at my field of view and not behind my neighbor's house. I happened to know what stars are usually in my FOV when I start imaging, but the hand controller doesn't know about my neighbor's house and trees so I would have to keep scrolling through and matching the star in my view if it's in view, or randomly picking and hoping that it's not behind anything. That's too much waste of time for me, when I can just polar align, pick my target, plate solve and start imaging. Also to be noted, asking for the current time and date and my coordinates gets old very fast. I wonder if they have ever heard of 1.5V button batteries, like in computer motherboards and $2 watches, which would preserve the time and date and my coordinates I entered previously. "Futuristic!"

[@DJRonnieG]

I was so happy when I first learned that I could use a gamepad to control my mount. General Tip: Sometimes you have to click the "refresh" button if you plug the controller in after starting EQ MOD. Anyway, I usually don't *need* to use the gamepad but it can be helpful, such as during polar alignment with my polemaster.

[@GarnettLeary]

I’m surprised an Audiostar joke didn’t go into this video. If Meade had narrated with Samuel Jackson it would have been epic. “You’re looking at the Moon MF’r!” Lol

[@johnybaby2]

Thanks this got my attention as I was thinking of swapping my cable plugged into my handset for a cable straight into the mount. I use a Mac with Ekos and Synscan. With this combo if you have the hand controller plugged in then you have to enter the standard setup stuff and do the first star alignment before it will let you connect with the computer. Where as if you cut out the controller you can let the Mac enter co-ordinates, time etc and go straight to plate solve. I like the handset there for emergency situations, plus my computer is indoors. Thanks for the handset polar alignment tip, I am so going to check that out.

[@ajdaniels]

Using my Evolution Alt-AZ mount for solar imaging und selecting the "Just point it to bright thing in the sky" alignment method, I must ask: What is this poler alignment you speak of? Do I point it to that one pole on the balcony beforehand? Or do I need to find a Pole and they must set up up the telescope for me?

[@Yanthungbemo]

Basically you have to put up a pole in front of your scope before you start shooting and do a ritual pole dance and pray to the astrophotography gods to bless you with clear skies and good data. Jokes aside, I use an Alt-Az mount too.

[@ajdaniels]

@@Yanthungbemo Ah so that's why the skies haven't been clear lately. I've been forgetting the ritual pole dance! Thank you! I'll try next time.

[@AstroDenny]

I rarely use my Synscan these days but the game pad is something I started using about a year ago and it is pretty handy- Not something I use all the time, but when you need it, it's nice! Well worth the price of the $15 bluetooth game controller.

[@stim3on]

Had that problem with the buttons not working myself. So frustrating, especially when you're out on a cold night and your fingers start hurting from smashing the button in constantly... What helped in my case was opening up the controller and giving the buttons and their contact pads a good wipe down with rubbing alcohol.

[@JulienDompierre]

What I hate with hand controller is the LCD display that freezes around -15C. iOptron hand controllers have internal heater and are guaranteed to work up to -20C. Meade hand controllers with red display are more cold resistant.

[@DylanODonnell]

I think that’s a design fault for the designer of your country. 😆

[@davidjames4915]

@@DylanODonnell It surprises me to no end that my fellow countryman Trevor doesn't whinge about this, but then he's on the Niagara Peninsula where it seldom gets super cold so maybe it doesn't happen to him much. And the thing is, it doesn't just freeze the LCD display; past -20 it won't even reliably pass signals to the mount when in PC Direct mode. For awhile I tried pre-warming it inside and then wrapping it in insulation after getting things set up but General Winter always wins. In the end I built myself an EQ-Dir cable and that was the end of that problem and the beginning of the HC being consigned to the storage box.

[@kostasastro]

As a guy that started with an HEQ5-Pro Syntrek, i used a TTL-USB cable when the time came for astrophotography to connect my mount with the PC, so yeah i never used a hand controller and never will. And now that i upgraded to an EQ6-R the controller went straight to the storage box.

[@mikeisss79]

Now all you need to do is a video on how to control your mount with the Powerglove. Or if you're familiar with Fallout, maybe the special edition Pip Boy would work.

[@michael.a.covington]

Concerning polar alignment with the hand controller: I like Celestron's ASPA, with which I get reproducibility of about 4'. iPolar or drift alignment is reproducible to about 2'. Drift alignment takes a long time. I have not had as much luck with iOptron's "polar iterate align" method, which seems to be designed only to get you within a degree or so of the pole so you can drift-align (but I could be misunderstanding something about it).

[@BLUMTNS]

My band controller is still in the shrink wrap and still in the styrofoam mount packaging of the AZEQ6 purchased 4 years ago. Plate solving is like having a chauffeur driven telescope. Just another issue taken care of so you can focus on getting correct exposure and such.

[@tobbler0ne]

The worst thing about handcontrollers is that as soon as you get under 0 degrees Celsius the display is as responsive as an elderly sloth.. At -15 its barely usable.. Dont know if newer generations of handcontroller are better in that regard but thats my experience atleast

[@davidolszak6318]

Nope, that problem is inherent to LCDs. You can strap a hand warmer to it though; it helps, but not as much as replacing the hand controller with a real computer.

[@GalaxyArtMedia]

You need maybe to use the hand controller more often so the buttons will be less rigid. i like to feel the buttons, especially when i capture planets, an hand controller with touchscreen could be an upgrade maybe

[@frankbraker]

Fantastic video - I wasn't aware about the polar alignment feature! If I only had read the manual!

[@luisrivera-lopez3648]

Dylan my name is Luis and I live in Florida, I like your videos because they are so valuable and I have you on my reference library. Take care! Clear skies.

[@jasonaaronwilson0]

Celestron person here. When I'm trying to center a star, if press the left button, the only thing I know is that the telescope will not rotate clockwise to bring the stuff on the left side into the center. It will go up, or down, or some random ass shit. Also Celestron Starsense will never work with just the HC, I have to use the cell phone app. Also it's not clear to me why it uses wifi anyways when bluetooth could surely suffice and would require less BS to connect.

[@VincentGroenewold]

Yes. ;) I've actually seen one back when I started in 2015, seems to reside somewhere on the attic these days. I connect everything via ethernet, connection on the outside of my home and always super stable and fast.

[@AstroEscape]

Dylan, get gaffer tape instead of that blue stuff. It'll completely hide the lights and not leave any residue. Power glove & SynScan tutorial please.....

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Cool video Dylan, I hated the hand controller because the star alignment would drive me batty and scrolling through lists of stars isn't fun either, but if they would update them to something more modern I wouldn't be opposed to using one.

[@AstroQuest1]

I still use it occasionally when I do remote stuff or when I have not used the computer in a very long time and nothing works right because I did not check everything during the daylight. I have done that Polar alignment with the hand controller it works great, best I have ever obtained. You are right, for some reason they don't publicize it! - Cheers

[@PilotPhteven]

I run both my rigs through the ZWO ASIAIR. 1 is directly connected the asiair, the other setup runs through the handcontroller to the asiair (it doesn't have a direct port). So, I still use the hand controller a little bit, but only for the initial setup and the connection, and then I use plate solving for the targets. And.. that's about it. Plate solving just makes things so easy, and so lazy. Especially when doing multiple nights of a target, it's great that you can just aim at the exact right thing again.

[@Astrobloke]

Dylan you was so right. My hand controller was meaningless and it died!

[@martynh5410]

Never used the hand controller on my Celestron Nexstar Evo 8. Scope works fine with the iPhone App from Celestron (SkyPortal) or from their PC software (CPWI).

[@DavesAstrophotography]

The short length of the springy cable on the hand control is my pet hate, feel like i'm excessively pulling on my mount with. Keep meaning to get an extension, even though I have it on a celestron aux splitter which adds 30cm

[@astronorthwet636]

I only use mine for when I want to align my finder scope to the telescope. Why do I need a finder scope? Because for some reason my plate solving sucks at finding alignment stars…times out. And also some objects that are not in APT are on my hand control. And there some mount functionality things like slew speed, light brightness, etc that I use.

[@ftclausen]

I have a Sky-Watcher HEQ5 with, seemingly, the exact same type of hand controller. And it *also* has issues with one of the buttons sometimes not responding - it’s always the same one and I think the same one as on your controller. I always assumed I was doing something dumb and it was some kind of safety but maybe it not working properly is a simpler explanation. I’m at the start of my imaging journey and not tried actually controlling the mount from computer. I’ll try this next as a way to get around the unreliable button (and maybe look at getting it fixed somehow)

[@DylanODonnell]

Interesting

[@jaedinthompson1845]

Well, I just got my mount and the polar alignment feature is cool when you're latitude is too low to see over houses. It's pretty much the only way I can manage 1-2 minute unguided subs when I'm sat in the middle of the Caribbean suburbs

[@setnes]

Gamepads work with INDI as well. I sometimes use a little bluetooth gamepad that looks like a Super NES controller. My actual hand controller is in a "open in an emergency" box... floating around with a extra cables, a bunch of hex wrenches, and... yeah... an eyepiece. Who is the loser now? :)

[@jamesbasile6978]

I haven't used my hand controller for Deep Sky Imaging since I got my EQ Direct cable, but I do use it for planetary. You can, however, plate solve for planets if you have planetarium software set up on your computer, you can select your desired planet and import the RA/Dec into your imaging software (I use NINA) and use plate solving that way. You can also get the RA/Dec of the planet for that day elsewhere and input it manually. This should get the planet in your field of view, and then you can center as necessary. I also use the gamepad, and its super handy especially since the hand controller port is used when connecting my Atlas EQ to my ASCOM computer.

[@JethroXP]

Yes. My hand controller's only purpose is to act as a USB pass through so my laptop can control the mount. I also setup an Xbox controller in CPWI to control the mount, but since discovering plate solving in N.I.N.A my Xbox controller has collected almost as much dust as my eyepieces.

[@jackchesnut1956]

I have a Celestron Evolution 8. I prefer the hand controller to polar align and move the scope around.

[@eugennaiman1195]

I bloody hate the hand controller and I was so happy once I got the EQMOD cable. I think the most annoying thing about the SynScan controller was the need to use the arrows on each side of the 0 button to scroll down the menus. Why the heck would you do that when you have 4 big arrow keys at the top? Then the 2 line display, then the need to memorize (write down) numbers for Deep Sky Objects and stars just to be able to go directly to them without scrolling through counterless other objects (scrolling down to Sirius anyone??). And I am pretty sure there are other issues as well. I think the hand controller is long due for an update - right now it looks like something from the 80's. Really glad to not have it on my sight anymore :)

[@DylanODonnell]

Agree haha worst UX ever right?

[@eugennaiman1195]

@@DylanODonnell Indeed

[@VincentGroenewold]

Indeed, this is because the manufacturers can get away with it, people keep buying it. That's why we still have serial ports, cigarette connectors and stuff, I'm amazed my mount doesn't have a huge printer port somewhere.

[@captbuscemi]

0:20 No, the funniest thing in the world is when someone on an Astro forum buys a new piece of gear and in announcing it to the world will reflexively say “Oh sorry about the clouds everyone 😅!” Soooo funny, every single time, cos all jokes get funnier with repetition.

[@DylanODonnell]

Lol yup, again!

[@gy9326]

When it gets really cold the lcd screens just freezes such that every time you press a button it takes about 10 seconds for the text to change. I don’t miss my hand controller.

[@DylanODonnell]

That’s insane

[@Astrolavista]

A few years back I tested an Astro FI with an Android device and it was pure misery, so I too feel hand controllers still have a place whatever floats peoples boat. Occasionally I pop a cylinder shaped object containing glass into my telescope and look through it which is a bit weird but hey.

[@TheAngryAstronomer]

Haven't used my hand controller in so long that I've only just gotten round to replacing it after it bricked from plugging it into someone else's mount when I was fixing it. Probs a little under a year later. Any slewing I need to do has been done with a knock off USB NES controller.

[@lachezarkrastev7123]

Once you connect the mount to your computer via EQMOD you forget the hand controller completely. The hand controller experience was so frustrating for me.

[@angryBOT]

Could you please create a study, where you examine a possible correlation between fax machine and hand controller users? My thesis is, that there is a clear overlap. And the conclusion could be some kind of "mental inconsistency". Maybe a lack of beer? I volunteer for the beer study and am able to provide finest beverages from Germany ^^

[@michael.a.covington]

Celestron hand controller annoyances: (1) A lot of things are under "Utility" -- apparently the things that were added after a certain date; I can never remember what is a "Utility" and what isn't. (2) Instead of displaying "Boötes" there's some kind of gibberish, I don't remember what. Presumably they had trouble with "ö" which is not necessary in Latin in the first place -- "Bootes" is perfect Latin.

[@NebuloCity]

Lol, glad to see I’m not the only user of blue tape (in my case painter tape) to cover up those pesky lights on gear. Nice Power Glove!

[@jeremytaylor2058]

Totally agree about the awful UX, navigation, buttons, etc of hand controllers. Ridiculous on my Meade that I NEED to have the hand controller even when driving the mount from a PC because the mount is dumb without it. And while it is cool to be able to drive the mount from an app (a) YES they need to get WAY more reliable and (b) a mobile phone isn't the ideal interface for use when you are not looking at it because your eye is looking through an eyepiece - that is when you want something that you can feel your way around, and a controller is the right tool for the job... but they are ALL implemented so awfully! I like the game controller idea though, will have to give it a go...

[@dougaltolan3017]

Plot twist: Hand controllers ARE computers.

[@StarlancerAstro]

I use my CEM70 a bit to slew and iOptron has a bit better UI but once I'm aligned (which now I use an iPolar) it's all plate solve baby!

[@pdc023]

I've had my CGEM for about ten years now. To my knowledge, the only way to connect the PC to the mount is through the hand controller (via Serial communication, not USB). Or am I missing something? I do use the PC for controlling the mount and guiding once I have aligned the telescope using the hand controller.

[@spamcan9208]

lol USB is serial, it's in the name: Universal Serial Bus 😂 I'm joking around though, I know what you mean. You're referring to one of those chunky plugs that has a screw on each side. Jeez, that was outdated even back then!

[@pdc023]

@@spamcan9208 RS-232C. Most people born before the year 1985 would know what I'm referring to. As a career IT person now retired, I spent the better part of my career dealing with the vagaries of coaxing two devices of disparate make, function and temperament to communicate with one another at data rates as blisteringly (not) fast as 150 bits per second. ;) And the saga continues. The new CGX mount with its integrated cable management feature has provided a USB 2 hub for convenience when most high-end astro cameras now operate at USB 3.0 or 3.1. Celestron, always one step behind.

[@davidjames4915]

You can buy or build an EQ-Dir cable: eq-mod.sourceforge.net/eqdirect2.htm I bought an FTDI USB cable for the computer end to convert USB comms to serial and a basic serial connector for the mount end off eBay, maybe $20 total.

[@pdc023]

@@davidjames4915 Yes, I believe you're referring to a USB to Serial converter cable. I've been using one since I bought the mount. My comment was only to the fact that the only way to connect the serial cable to the mount is through the hand controller. Celestron makes no mention of being able to connect serial communications through any of the RJ ports on the mount directly (Hand Control, Auto Guide, Aux). I believe the CGEM-II mount now has USB communication, but from what I can tell, it is still routed through the hand controller. I've ordered a CGX mount. The manual for the mount says that you can connect USB directly to the mount, but that this port is not intended for ASCOM control, only for their dedicated control software (StarSense, Sky Portal?) and for firmware upgrades. I see some posts that there are software workarounds for this limitation available. Celestron still says that for ASCOM standard control, the USB cable must still be routed through the hand controller. I guess I'll work this all out once the new mount arrives. Currently the vendor is listing mid-late August before their next shipment will be in.

[@jezrougan]

When I'm out at a remote location, I have used my hand controller to order me a pizza but just don't ask for item 99 on the menu as you get deep fried eye peaces and the glass is way over cooked....

[@GuybrushThriftweed]

I use both my HC and tablet/phone but I prefer the handset for making final adjustments more than tapping on a screen.

[@DylanODonnell]

Exactly

[@BrianH1313]

Nice Dylan. Ooo, was that the Power Glove?

[@DylanODonnell]

The one and only! (I'd like to hook that up to a mount for the meme)

[@davidolszak6318]

When I got my last mount (EQ6-R Pro), I never even connected the hand controller. I have no idea how it works, but imagine it works like the one from my previous mount (NexStar) because it looks exactly the same, like it came out of the same factory or something...

[@ferenc-x7p]

It works like a dummy TV remote control, but just imagine, before you can change the channel or turn on the TV, you must first always put in the time and date and your coordinates..

[@davidolszak6318]

@@ferenc-x7p I just lets the phone do that automagically

[@scottbadger4107]

C's All Star polar alignment's been workign great for me, but I wonder why not combine the the initial 3-star alignment with the polar alignment? I.e. instead of using the hand controller to center each of the 3 stars, center them with the altitude/azimuth knobs. So, rather than calibrating the software to a rough PA, then syncing it to a PA correction, wouldn't you be doing a polar alignment that requires no corrective calculations by the software? I assume this would already be done if possible, so should at least learn something from the reason why it's not.

[@BBROPHOTO]

Bro, the whole lunar / planetary thing became real for me the other day. I’ve purely done imaging for a few years now, got myself a nice newtonian... anyway, wanted to do some visual and show the GF the moon and a few things.. FAK MAN. Having to adjust things with the PC was a massive faff! Really should have plugged the hand controller in 🙃

[@gregsuskin7366]

Worst thing about my StarSense Handcontroler...it's nearly impossible to read. Even with brightness and contrast adjustment. I find myself shining a flashlight at it. So wrong.

[@michael.a.covington]

Very good point about buttons!

[@redabdab]

1:46 I didn't even know you could polar align with the HC! I always use the iphone app and the polar scope (ok, don't laugh). Did you say you do the star alignment BEFORE polar aligning? Hmm.. I definitely need to read the manual then!! :-|

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeh it’s AMAZING

[@redabdab]

@@DylanODonnell So I think you must be meaning 8.8 in the synscan manual where it says 'display polar alignment error' But what do I do with those numbers to get the mount polar aligned? Do I have to enter them somewhere? Would you be able to explain this? Thanks

[@dedskin1]

Wait , i can send the mount to a star say VEGA , and all i need to do is use altitude and azimuth controls on the mount head for the polar alignment and center on Vega , provided that i set a correct longitude in the software , i will be polar aligned .No need to even look trough the polar alignment scope . Did i get that correct ?

[@fazergazer]

The game controller tip is awesome Dylan

[@jamesdougan8789]

g`day dylan .. agreed the standard hand controllers are pretty bad for the price you pay for them i think the celestron one was first made in the early 1980`s (by looks and feel) and its still the same design but made even cheaper now they didnt even fit a USB port until 2015 the wifi on my evo mount never worked properly lots of drop outs(i used it about 4 times gave up. the crappy hand controller was better to use the wifi was a gimmick to sell mounts that never worked right )and the mount would go crazy every now and then (it would spin around like a possessed dalek going crazy all that was missing was the sound of its voice) or the hand controller would not work because of cold.. the update software is so bad i am afraid to update the firmware as in the past i updated it and it screwed up the mount (it said it was a different mount and had error codes come up. i had to redo the firmware about 20 times and reinstalled the updater on my pc just to make it work again i thought the mount was bricked for 2 days.. lots of stress won't try that again .....celestron was no help at all only advice i got was from here www.nexstarsite.com/OddsEndsEvolution.htm .....sorry about my mounts life story if you made it this far..... ill go away now lol ... as always great video dylan cheers james D

[@WhiteWulfe]

*snerks* Oh gawds, you snuck in a Pocket Operator, that's awesome! I don't really have a view on hand controllers. I suspect I'd eventually want one, but since my initial setup will be a Star Guider Pro, a part of me wonders how useful such would actually be in the first place...

[@EODHammer]

I've never used the controller on my EQ6-R. Not even sure how.

[@pamelawhitfield4570]

Recently dusted mine off (literally) to start some solar imaging...... quite clunky but functional

[@flanerpete2040]

Use PS Align and SynScan Pro apps on my 12 Mini with the EQ6-R Pro.

[@clungebucket23]

I only use my HC for star alignment on my Ioptron CEM40 as this isnt featured in the commander software on my pc.... Otherwise I could do everything without it from with my office.

[@jasonnewton1998]

Can't do any of the advanced stuff without the HC there to set the preference or mode, backlash and PEC or programming PEC wave. Possible in theory to do this over serial cables, just not always done. Wish the eqmod gamepad controller wasn't specific to those mounts; I really don't understand why it has to be unless it speaks raw rs232 protocol rather than ascom... I'll have an azel syste eventually on game controller; I did it before with moog pan tilts and xbox2 controller.

[@DylanODonnell]

I got ascom pad working fine with the Celestron cgx but yes.. would be cool to use eqmod with other mounts too.

[@DSOImager]

What's a hand controller? Is that something you use to drive your Tesla pickup?

[@Ganymede3310]

Dylan is buying mounts second hand a bad idea cuz in turkey our celestron dealer sells everything 2x the price like advanched vx mount is 1500 usd and ım currently looking for cgem dx mount do u know what to look for when cheesing 2. Hand mount ?

[@steveamurray59]

When will they make Voice Control ?

[@liveinthesunshine3018]

I am about to build a roll off roof observatory. Am thinking about automating it. Need to spend some google time reading up (ASCOM etc). Any tips on where to start? Gonna buy a sliding gate motor set up so need to work out how to integrate / automate into the imaging process if poss. Thanks. PS I leave the hand controller plugged in cos it looks cool - now that is a true loser :)

[@jmsaguas77]

I do not understand the problem with hand controllers. :-\ I worked with a 10'' LX200, it had a great hand controller. Back then in 1998, we did not have a laptop to work with it. So, there was only the hand controller. :-\ In the summer we had to travel quite a lot with the LX200, to make astronomy sessions for the general public, where people looked through the telescope. :-) But back then we only had the controller, and it beats having to manually aim the telescope to the object. ;-) Especially when you have 30 or more people waiting to peek through the telescope. ehehehehe! :-) I do not remember having problems with the controller of the Meade LX200, it worked perfectly for more than 7 years. The only problems that we had were with the azimuth motor, and that was probably due to people sometimes grabbing and stopping the motor, in spite of our warnings not to grab the telescope. :-) Cheers! :-)

[@TaCtiCaL323]

The first time I set up my EQ6-R, I used it to lower the brightness in the polar scope. Haven't used it since... I'm not Amish.

[@ferenc-x7p]

Wait until you hear this: You can change the brightness of the polar scope in EQMOD so you may have over-used your hand controller!

[@TaCtiCaL323]

@@ferenc-x7p 👀

[@qx3V45p]

The Losmandy G11-T hand controller friggen nice! Used it for the moon.... once...

[@LearnToStargaze]

My down button on SynScan is intermittent as well!

[@sirmeowcelot]

Thank you Mr. O'Donnell for another contribution to education.

[@s.m8766]

What, you can polar align on any star with the hand controller?? How?

[@LearnToStargaze]

What’s a computer? (ASIair users)

[@daniberkvens8167]

My Synscan handcontroller also has this lag/bad response to the down button lol. I thought I was the only loser around here :)

[@DylanODonnell]

2nd one in the comments ! That’s make 3 of us.

[@CE4JDM]

@@DylanODonnell Mine too, has this problem. I have the new SynScan V5.

[@bloodstone2000]

I had no idea you could use an actual Xbox or Playstation game controller! Thanks Dylan. This was a kickAzz video!🤘🏻

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeh man. Gold standard buttons really :)

[@bloodstone2000]

@@DylanODonnell it's a no-brainer with the tactile feel function too. PlayStation Controller : Not just for need for speed anymore. haha

[@corinlewis3073]

Dyan, I use both, my hand controller and my computer to control my IOptrion CEM 26 mount, just saying 😉😁

[@rickpaul9858]

You should see the Losmandy Gemini 2 hand controller. Way more useful and modern then those clunky hand controllers.

[@lilithgaither9603]

Now I'm wondering if I can use software voodoo to control my mount with the HOTAS I have. Of course I can, but should I? Has science gone too far?

[@TotallyFred]

For mobile setups alignment, they’re very... handy.

[@OlliesSpace]

Mine looks at me from the cardboard box on the bottom shelf. 🙄

[@lucasmaguire7625]

I thought I was going to have to whip out the ol handy for finding the moon because its not included in NINAs directory..... then I remembered Stellarium. Handys still in the closet, Sad handy.

[@JemCruz]

Me who just do rough SCP alignment: "You guys do precise alignment with controllers?"

[@DylanODonnell]

I do . The routine is actually excellent! Not sure why it isn’t the default step for everyone.. I have hour long subs to show it works fine for anyone’s needs!

[@VincentGroenewold]

@@DylanODonnell Because the UI is so bad, everyone needs to read a manual (noone does :) ). And the new PHD procedure is like 5 min, so no need.

[@ronstewtsaw]

I have gotten so frustrated with my 2-week-old Sky-Watcher hand controller that I have damaged it by pressing too hard. There are two up buttons, and two down buttons, and they are not interchangeable. First class human interface engineering. BAH!

[@oliversvlogs5638]

Dylan will Probably call me an idiot for still using an intervalometer.😂

[@darrellknight1697]

Thats like giving someone an old mobile phone and seeing how long they use it before chucking it in the bin.

[@jeremytaylor2058]

"Gampad" LOL

[@ohwell2790]

I am a looser as I only have a electric motor drive LX 70 mount and a electric focuser. When I use them have to be extra careful to not let my beer on the table get to warm. It is one or the other beer, controller, beer controller, beer, beer wins every time. Complicated I know but it is the 19th century already, right or not maybe not.

[@jasonkucerik9225]

I am so glad I'm not the only one with a glitchy down arrow on my SynScan!

[@DylanODonnell]

Lol really? Maybe it’s software but it feels like the button hey. The Celestron rubber ones sometimes caught in the housing too. The rubber buttons just suck.

[@sodakastronut]

@@DylanODonnell Same issue with my EQ6-R Pro. Only workaround is to change rate from default 3 to something else. Oddly , when in default 3, if you tap up key then quickly press the down it will work. Very disappointing to see you are having the same issue on a $5000+ mount. > :(

[@TANTALUM55]

Have the same problem with the down button (Synscan V5). If you press the lower edge of the down button it is more reliable.

[@jasonkucerik9225]

​@@DylanODonnell For real! I lean toward it being a software thing. I have found, kind of like SoDak said, pushing a different direction first seems to get around it. I haven't tried changing to a different rate, yet.

[@mycarolinaskies]

I have a box full of old Mac game controllers c2000.... hmmm.