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Scope & Focuser

The APT Settings dialog box is accessible from Tools tab or with Alt+S shortcut.
 
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The scope and focuser settings tab contains options related to telescope mount and focuser.
 
Scope & Focuser
1

Auto Connect Scope

1. Auto Connect Scope
 
When enabled on starting, APT will try to make connection to the last used telescope/mount.
 
2

Hide Meridian
Flip Clock

2. Hide Meridian
Flip Clock
 
When enabled the Meridian Flip clock will be visible only when there is active connection to telescope in Gear tab
 
3

Above Horizon

3.  Above Horizon
 
When enabled before any GoTo command, APT will make a check if the target coordinates are above horizon. If the object is below horizon you will be asked to confirm the move.
 
4

LX200 Mount

4. LX200 Mount
 
When enabled will force APT to use the LX200 communication protocol over the ASCOM connection.
 
5

Low Level Pause

5. Low Level Pause
 
Defines how many seconds to wait after every mount slew. Some mount drivers reports that the move is completed few seconds before the mount settles completely. This could affect the solving accuracy of PointCraft, SessionCraft and other features. The low level pause will hide this imperfection making the APT features to think that the slew takes a bit longer.
 
Leaving empty value or 0 will not apply any pause.
 
6

Fast Speed

6. Fast Speed
 
Defines the fast speed of telescope moving (degrees per second) when N/S/E/W buttons are used in the Gear tab. Leave empty to use the default speed. Note that some value may not be supported by the mount or by the driver.
 
7

Slow Speed

7. Slow Speed
 
Defines the slow speed of telescope moving (degrees per second) when N/S/E/W buttons are used in the Gear tab. Leave empty to use the default speed. Note that some value may not be supported by the mount or by the driver.
 
8

Scope Name

8. Scope Name
 
Defines the scope name. It can be used as part of the images files names and will be stored in the FITS header.
 
9

Mount  Tracking Watch-Dog

9. Mount  Tracking Watch-Dog
 
When enabled the will APT will monitor and notify for problem with the mount connection.
 
See the Telescope section in Gear Tab
 
10

Meade Fix

10. Meade Fix
 
Enable this option if the ASCOM driver for your Meade mount is not able to report if tracking is enabled or not.
 
11

Pause guiding

11. Pause guiding
 
When enabled the guiding will be stopped during any focuser move and will be resumed when the move is completed. It could be useful for systems with Off-Axis-Guider and enabled Make final inwards move option
 
12

Auto Connect Focuser

12.  Auto Connect Focuser
 
When enabled on starting, APT will try to make connection to the last used focuser.
 
13

Meade Focuser

13. Meade Focuser
 
When enabled will show the special section in the Gear tab for using Meade focuser. In this case you don’t need to make a connection using “Connect Focuser” button. Requires APT restart.
 
14

Arduino Focuser

14. Arduino Focuser
 
Enable this option if you are using an Arduino based focuser which has integrated humidity sensor. Requires APT restart.
 
15

Inwards move

15. Inwards move
 
When enabled, every focuser position change will be finished with a move in inwards direction in order to minimize the influence of the backlash or the mirror flopping. To achieve that if the move is outwards, APT makes a bigger move and after that gets back to the desired position from inwards direction. The amount of that move is defined by "Final inwards move steps".
 
16

Reverse moves

16. Reverse moves
 
When enabled the will send reversed Inward/Outward commands.
 
17

Inwards backlash

17. Inwards backlash
 
Defines now many position steps is the inwards backlash of the focuser that has to be compensated when focuser changes the move direction from outwards to inwards. 0 means no backlash.
 
18

Outwards Backlash

18. Outwards Backlash
 
Defines now many position steps is the outwards backlash of the focuser that has to be compensated when focuser changes the move direction inwards from to outwards. 0 means no backlash.
 
19

Internal Counter

19. Internal Counter
 
Enable this option if you want to hide the backlash compensation moves from the focuser position. In this case APT will use its own position counter and its value will be visible in the Gear tab. When is disabled position value will include the backlash moves.
 
20

Flop Correction

20. Flop Correction
 
When enabled the inward and/or outward backlash define what moves are needed to compensate the mirror flop of Schmidt-Cassegrain / Maksutov telescopes when focuser changes the move direction.
 
When inward backlash is entered, the flop correction will make same as Final inward move. If you have outward backlash entered the logic will make final outward move. In case your focuser has a backlash you will have to manage it in the focuser's driver because enabling flop correction will need use the backlash values entered in APT for that correction.
 
21

Emulate Positions

21. Emulate Positions
 
Enable this option if you have focuser that doesn't support positions. APT will emulate positions focuser.
 
22

Remember Position

22.  Remember Position
 
When enabled APT will remember the emulated position value between the session. It is useful for permanent setup.
 
23

Step emulation

23. Step emulation
 
Defines how many steps/pulses will correspond to one emulated focuser position.
 
24

Backlash Aid

24. Backlash Aid
 
Opens the Backlash Aid. It helps to measure the backlash of Crayford / Rack & Pinion focusers.