Hello,
Since my computer fried two nights ago, I am facing a dilemma:
Should I go for a very small spec (cheap?!) laptop, just enough to hold SGP + PHD2 + SkyCharts, or for a larger spec (more expensive?!) computer that can do all of the above + PixInsight + Larger screen.
Ideas comments?
What are the minimum requirement ( CPU, RAM, HDD size, OS version, etc…) for SGP ?
Thanks and Clear Skies,
Olivier
Is the only computer you will own? - I have a NUC / Intel Stick computer at the mount and control them remotely via WiFi with either a PC, Mac or iPad, using Microsoft’s remote desktop software. If you thrift out all the fluff from a PC and run it lean and mean, it will cope with all the acquisition stuff. As you rightly point out, the processing side is more demanding and needs a good monitor too ( I don’t trust a laptop screen for accuracy)
I would advise against a netbook computer - their screen resolution are too small for some applications and their shared resources can mess up time-sensitive USB image downloads.
I had a so-so computer. SGP froze at regular intervals. I thought it was SGP. Nope, it was inadequate computer power. Since I am remote this was a big issue. Now I have a i5-2400 CPU @ 3.10GHz HP, 64 bit with 240GB solid state drive and 16 GB of RAM running Win10 Pro. Add to that a HD resolution screen and upgraded graphics card. No problems since upgrading. I am a newbie with SPG, so you might take this as overkill. I don’t.
Ed
SGP runs just fine on the Intel Compute Stick attached with velcro to the top of my scopes. All my cables rotate with the scope, with only power going up from the ground. I can run scope/camera/guider/computer all night on a 20 Ah battery.
I have both free plate solve programs (PS and ANSVR) including all the databases. I also run TheSkyX for various reasons. Absolutely no regrets going for the ultralight solution!
Also at $150/each they are so cheap I bought two of them!
This ultra-light solution looks really appealing, but I have just a couple of questions: how do you remotely control the stick on the field with no wi-fi around? Also storage may be an issue (??) as these seem to have only a couple of Gb available?
The WiFi in the NUC is quite strong, and you can set it up as an Adhoc network if you prefer, and then link in from another computer (with WiFi). The NUC also has a RJ45 ethernet port, which you could also use. The NUC is in my obsy.
In the case of the stick, which I use for portable use, its WiFi is weaker and the range is limited. If I want to use it away from home (and extend the range) in my setup I have a USB to ethernet adaptor and a tiny TPLink Wifi access point that runs off 5 volts (the same as the Stick) set up as an access point. I just log into that SSID and away I go. I’m publishing this in a new edition of a book - but if you PM me, I can share the chapter with you so long as you do not distribute it. The stick has 64GB of SSD - which is fine and I put a 128 GB micro SD card in too, for storing images.
Ditto with Buzz on both the storage and WiFi.
At home I have mesh wifi that connects my scope/compute stick to laptop, desktop, iPad and phone. In the field I can walk up to the scope with an iPad to control or use from my cabin with a laptop and small 5V-powered WiFi router.
I can image all night and write to the internal SSD, but I also bought a 128 GB micro-SD card that I use to clear space night-to-night on the SSD, and also for fast transfer to the laptop.
There’s only 2 GB of RAM in the compute stick, but I run Win 10, SGPro, TheSkyX, PHD2, etc on there with no trouble. Sometimes a little slow compared to a real laptop, but it sucks down only 0.6 amps while imaging, weighs less than a pound, and is under 5 inches long.
The best part is the elimination of cable spaghetti. Just short little USB cables up on the scope itself.
Here is my portable setup. The red box under the mount contains my USB hub, power supplies, focuser and dew heater modules. The stick can be just seen dangling under the right hand leg (above the lens cap ) and the little blue box is the wifi box, set up as an access point. It is fed by 12 V overall, so I have a good quality MeanWell 12-5V power supply in the red box. I control this remotely through the WiFi and if it is in range of an Internet link, sync the time using Dimension 4
The stick is running TheSkyX pro, SGP, PHD2 and a weather monitoring application. The Avalon (using Synscan) is set up remotely too, without using the handset, via the official ASCOM driver and a small application.
Here’s my imaging rig (Borg 125SD on a CGE Pro w a QSIwsg-8 and SX guider).
The whole thing is controlled by SGPro on the compute stick that is barely visible at the back end of the electronics cluster riding atop the scope (seen end on, only ½ an inch thick, weighs 2 ounces).
Attached to the stick are a focus controller (Optec FocusLynx), USB hub, dew heater controller, and 12v power distribution hub using Anderson PowerPoles. The electronics components are stuck to each other with velcro and ride on top of the scope so no cables to tangle in the mount. Nice short runs of USB and 12v cables to the focuser, cameras, etc.
12v power is supplied to the electronics module and a USB cable runs down from the hub to the mount via the plastic cable conduit in the lower foreground.
I run SGPro, TheSkyX, PHD2, and Optec FocusLynx software on Win 10 Pro on the stick with absolutely no problem. Plate solves take a few extra seconds compared to the old laptop, but the setup is dramatically simpler and more compact. Very reliable!
At home I power off a 12v power supply from the garage and tie into my mesh WiFi node in the garage. In the field I use a 20Ah LiFePO4 battery pack and a tiny WiFi access point (TP-Link N300 Nano, $25) identical to buzz’s.
Battery pack is lightweight and compact, very long-life, cost $124 from BatterySpace.com.
I’m also using an Intel Compute Stick (the M3) which is available on Amazon for under $350 (https://smile.amazon.com/Intel-Compute-Computer-processor-BOXSTK2m3W64CC/dp/B01AZC4IKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499044897&sr=8-1&keywords=Intel+M3+Compute+Stick). I run SGPro, SharpCap, all of my ASCOM driver appliances (focuser, mount, etc) and I’ve combined all of my cords into a small package that converts AC to 12V DC (Amazon.com). The compute stick plugs into any HDMI TV for viewing (spectacular high definition), and, when outdoors viewing, I use TeamViewer (a free computer sharing program) to view the screen on my MacBook Air or my Android phone using WiFi (when handy) or Bluetooth – both work well. I could not be happier with this setup. I have it all very compactly arranged on my Stellarvue 90 mm refractor and AVX mount/tripod. I got the idea for this and really good instruction from an episode on The Astroimaging Channel titled “Cable Management” (Cable Management for Astrophotography - YouTube).
Hi, Jumping on an old thread, has anyone tried / any views on using a Atom Quad Core Compute stick to run SGP and PHD2 with ASCOM mount, CCD camera and focuser drivers.
I am thinking of e.g.
Regards
Mike
Hi. I use the Intel M3 compute stick and it runs SGP, PHD2 and all of my other Windows 10 programs (processing software, etc) very nicely, and, sits on top of my homemade power supply which sits on top of my 90 mm refractor and Celestron AVX mount.
Jon
Yes, I’ve been using the quad-core atom compute stick successfully with the software you describe for about two years. It’s a little slow, but really not bad at all. And for the price, weight, and ridiculously low power draw, you can’t beat it!
Mr Buzz,
Did you build that red control box yourself?
Yes, it is just a box that houses all the power conversion, USB hubs and modules. It is pre-punched for XLR connectors so I have to do zero metalwork. The details are in the book. I since changed to a NUC as the Stick’s WiFi signal is quite weak.
