AdvancedSettings-2022-1223

NOTE: With the exception of Connect Timeout, the options in this section apply ONLY when the driver has to initialize the mount. These settings are not set each time the driver connects. If the mount has already been initialized via the keypad, the driver, APCC, or another application.  If using APCC, it should always govern the initialization.

After the mount is first powered on it is in an non-initialized state. The driver knows the mount is in this state because the mount returns Right Ascension =0 and Declination = 90. The following options control what will be initialized by the driver:

Sync Mount Time at Initialization: If enabled, the PC's current time, date, and time zone will be set during the initialization process. The time is updated to within 1 second. If you desire to have the driver routinely check and keep the mount time and PC time synchronized, then also enable the option Keep Mount Time Synced to PC Time in the Other Options group box.

Set Longitude/Latitude: If checked the Longitude/Latitude of the Current Site will be sent to the mount.

Enable Mount Tracking on Unpark: By default after unparking the telescope ASCOM drivers are supposed to leave the mount in a non-tracking state. If this option is checked that behavior is overridden and tracking will commence automatically. NOTE: some client software overrides the ASCOM default and commences tracking immediately upon connection.

Set Slew Rate: If checked the slew rate value in the box will be set in the mount. If the control box is a GTOCP3/4 then a Custom rate can be set (1-1200 for all mounts except 3600GTO, which is 1-900). Note: before every slew the driver again sets the rate to this value in case it has been changed by the Astro-Physics Keypad or another application).

 

Set PulseGuide/Guide Rate: This value can now only be set to 1.00x,  which is the recommended value for autoguiding. Previously available slower rates (e.g., 0.5x, 0.25x) were primarily for manual guiding with a cross hair eyepiece, which no longer appies. If the ASCOM PulseGuide() function call is used by a client application this rate value is always sent preceding the PulseGuide command. This helps ensure that the move rate is always set to one of the guide rates and not a faster rate, which can happen if another application is changing the move rate.

Set PEM: If checked the selected PEM state is issued. Specifically you can force PEM to be enabled or disabled. If the option is not checked then the PEM state is not changed. By default PEM is off when the mount is initialized.

NOTE: If you have a GTOCP4 controller, the Set RA Backlash and Set Dec Backlash options will not be present.

Set RA Backlash: If checked sets the RA backlash value, which is in units of arc-seconds. The recommended value is 0.

Set Dec Backlash: If checked sets the Dec backlash value. The recommended value is 0.

NOTE: For best results when autoguiding, Astro-Physics recommends using a backlash setting of 0. Backlash compensation is most appropriate for manual guiding and for visual use.

Connect Timeout: The timeout in seconds after which the driver will report back to a client ASCOM application. Setting this to 0 will force the driver to keep trying to connect for an unlimited amount of time.

Astro-Physics AP V2 Driver v5.60.xx