Re: COAA telescope controller opinions??

Sorry, Not at all familiar with the system. A quick info check at:
http://www.bbastrodesigns.com/cot/cot.html
shows a statement in the 'disadvantages' that says:
1. since operating system not realtime, small delays in motor commands
2. software and motor controller PID filters produce transient velocity errors
I believe both of these would prevent good autoguider use. But then again, this might not be the system you're referring to. Pretty much any simple dual axis controller can be modified to take autoguide signals through a relay box (I adapted a cheapo chinese eq-4 controller that I use on my vixen GP with very pleasing results) but with no goto capabilitly. An aligned finder and 'the sky' usually has me on target pretty quickly though.

I haven't used this system, but I looked at the site. It's only cheaper than the ss2k if you already have a pentium pc (with windows) to drive it.

As shown, I don't think it will support autoguiding since that requires an input port, like a hand controller port. For input they only mention a serial port to the pc.

sf

Judging by what I've read there, don't forget to add over $200 for a pair of vixen mt-1 drive motors, or subtract a suitable amount from the price of an ss2k unit if you already have the motors (new ones are included with the ss2k). I would say that if you had the optional dedicated hand guider, it may be very possible to adapt it to take autoguider relays, but it would depend on this 'hand box's electronic interface to the system.