Hi, I am considering to buy ALTO - GIOTTO bundle from PrimaLuceLab and I wonder how it is controlled via SGP PRO? Currently I use Pegasus Astro Flatmaster and if I want to take a flat frames I need to place light panel at the top of the telescope and manually start next step in a sequence. How it works with ALTO? Does the sequence wait for ALTO movement? Do you have any experience ???
Rafal
Yes, it should work just fine. You’ll need to install this:
https://www.primalucelab.com/downloads/ALTO-software-package-1-3.zip
Thank you very much for quick reply. I have no doubts, that Giotto flat panel will work perfectly but the point is how ALTO arm will behave. Based on PLL description Alto and Giotto are controled separately. So I am looking for some proctical experience, that ALTO movement will be a part of a Flat Frame sequence. In other words I am interesting in to know will I need to activate ALTO manually just before taking a flat frames or ALTO will work absolutely without operator action?
Hello again, I contacted with PLL asking them the same question. The answer is:
“… Good morning Rafal, ALTO and GIOTTO are provided also with the ASCOM driver (CoverCalibrator) that allows any third party software supporting ASCOM to control ALTO and GIOTTO. Then the method used to take flats depends on the third party software and not to the ALTO + GIOTTO system. I may suggest you to write to SGP team so they can explain you how SGP may automate flats recording….”
It seems to me, that ALTO movement is not covered by SGP sequence and must be done manually. So probably just before taking flat frames, sequence will pause, than operator must activate ALTO placing light panel on place and than sequence can be restarted.
SGPro does indeed automate both the cover itself and then intensity of the panel within. In the newly released AutoFlats, tool, this is 100% automated.
https://help.sequencegeneratorpro.com/AutoFlats.html
Information on how to configure a flat frame panel in SGPro is here:
Hi, since a few month I am finally the happy owner of ALTO and GIOTTO set. Now I can share my real experience how it works in practice with SGP. So …all work perfectly and is automated
When the the telescope is covered by Flat Field Generator (close position) and I clik button to start the sequence, than I do not need to take any action as Ken said. ALTO takes action in auto mode and move Flat Field Generator in open position. ALTO works the same during Flat taking - all is in auto mode without the operator. Finaly, after sequence is finished ALTO move Flat Field Generator in close posiotion. Works perfectly !!!