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Posts Tagged 'primalucelab'
The remote-controlled eagle – PrimaLuceLab Eagle
September 5 2023, Bengt Lindqvist
A comprehensive, intuitive to use WiFi and remote-control unit, no matter where, how, or what you need to control. No other system offers such a wide range of configurations, regardless of whether it is for controlling a camera, focuser motor, automatic flatfield box, or even the rotator. Operate two imaging devices simultaneously? It’s happy to help. Various connection options are available depending on the Eagle model you choose. The entire power supply runs via the Eagle and can therefore also be controlled and regulated. Tilt angle and motion sensor, absolutely no problem. From the Eagle 5 version onwards, these functions are fully available to you, not to mention the Eye sensor, which permanently measures the quality of the sky in the direction that your telescope is pointing. Windows or IOS – sure thing! N.I.N.A. or SharpCap, but of course! Put simply: if your preferred software is Windows-compatible, then the Eagle also supports it, without restrictions. It’s an open platform for the end customer.
Special features of the Eagle LE
You’re not keen on a Sesto Senso 2 motor focuser, and would rather work with a device of your own choosing? Happy to oblige. You will be able to connect it to the Eagle. In addition, you can use any software you choose. There are no limits here. We’ve all been there before. The camera freezes and will not deliver an image, what now? Pull out the plug? But let’s do that digitally. You can switch the Eagle and/or USB ports on or off remotely which can be tremendously helpful in tricky situations.
Even CPU-intensive image processing can be carried out on the fly thanks to powerful processors and a large memory, piggybacked on the imaging device of course! A full-feature, controllable Windows computer that leaves nothing to be desired, apart from the external power supply. 12 volts are required (max. 16 amperes), no matter whether power supply, power bank, or battery, and probably also the only downside. GPS, inclinometer, or even a humidity sensor; for the correct choices, depending on your requirements and setup, the following function and overview list should be a huge help. Should you still be unsure, our consultants will be happy to help you by telephone or e-mail.
Eagle series features
Key features depending on the Eagle model
- WiFi – wireless connection
- Ethernet – wired control
- Remote On/Off – external access to turn the Eagle on and off
- Remote On/Off USB – External access to turn the USB ports on and off
- GPS sensor – location detection
- Eye sensor – to monitor sky quality
- Inclinometer
- Motion detector
- DARK mode– disables all LEDs on the Eagle
- Industrial grade SSD/RAM
- ECCO2– optional module to control dew heater temperature For automatic real-time monitoring, over and above the standard Eagle functions, equipped with a humidity sensor and an air pressure sensor.
The PrimaLuceLab experience
November 24 2022, Jan Ströher
PrimaLuceLab, the Italian manufacturer from Porcia, specialises in high-end astronomy accessories. Products includes the high-quality PLUS range of prism rails, support rings and clamps, together with adapters, guiding systems, radio telescopes and a variety of products for holistic astrophotography solutions. PrimaLuceLab’s aspiration is to make astrophotography uncomplicated and accessible for all – this aspiration is fully realised with their specially developed PLAY software and their EAGLE, ECCO, ARCO, GIOTTO and SESTO SENSO series of products. The aim is to create a complete package that functions as simply as possible and makes the technology behind astrophotography as convenient for all users as it can be: a PrimaLuceLab experience, so to say.
PrimaLuceLab EAGLE control unit
When combined with the PLAY software, this system comprising various PrimaLuceLab products offers a complete set-up for all telescope models, regardless of brand. The PLAY software is very clear, user-friendly, offers an all-in-one solution with full ASCOM compatibility and works providing you use at least an ESATTO micro focuser or the SESTO SENSO 2. Instead of various software applications, you have everything combined in one clear and simple solution – indeed the name PLAY suggests the simplicity of the application – which allows even beginners to engage in astrophotography in an uncomplicated (yes, playful) and yet immediately successful manner. All other PrimaLuceLab products can be controlled using this software.
The ESATTO micro focuser
Functionality and technology are continuously tested and further developed by PrimaLuceLab. Products are always checked in the in-house workshop before they are sent to the warehouse or prepared for shipment. I was able to see this for myself during a visit to the company in October 2022. There, the founder and president of PrimaLuceLab, Filippo Bradaschia, gave me a live demonstration of the PLAY software functionality using a complete set-up comprising a Sky Watcher AZ/EQ5 mount, a cooled QHY163 monochrome camera, PrimaLuceLab EAGLE/ARCO/SESTO SENSO products, together with a Sharpstar 80mm apochromatic refractor. I was impressed by the overview of the operation as well as the functionality! The software even replaces the mount’s hand-held control. Filippo Bradaschia compares this to buying an Apple©™product: PrimaLuceLab offers you a complete experience and ensures that the individual components are all compatible with one another: the PrimaLuceLab experience!
New, high-performance astrophotography computer, the EAGLE series
April 10 2018, Elias Erdnüß
With the brand-new models, EAGLE 2 and EAGLE 2 Pro, as well as with the upgraded EAGLE CORE, the innovative Italian company, PrimaLuceLab, is taking astrophotography into the 21st century.
Many astrophotographers use a laptop: to control the wide range of camera equipment, autoguiders and filter wheels and to save the shots you take, a portable computer is essential. All devices must be connected separately to the battery and be connected to each other properly. It takes times and you end up with cables all over the place. When using heater bands, you need ever more controls, and this creates even more cable chaos. This hardly bothers those who have their own small observatory: All the equipment can remain permanently and perfectly set up with ideal cable routes and cable ties, and everything is controlled via a PC that is installed in the observatory.
EAGLE 2 makes this comfort also available to astrophotographers without an observatory! The EAGLE 2 computers are full, high-performance Windows 10 computers on which you can install any software, just like a PC. Using USB connectors, cameras, mounts and autoguiders can be connected to the EAGLE 2, and it also features 12V outputs to supply the power for mounts, camera cooling systems and heating bands. The power supply of all the equipment operates like that via EAGLE 2 and can be set and controlled. A compact battery with just one single 12V direct current output is now all that’s needed! The EAGLE 2 is not just another device that takes up extra time every night to set up and for all the cables to be connected. It has many mechanical connection possibilities so it can be permanently connected to your equipment. The idea is to set up the optimum mechanical connection and perfect cabling once, and then carry it as a whole without stumbling or getting tangled up.
The greatest highlight of the entire system is, however, the Wifi capability of the EAGLE 2. From any terminal you want, whether it be your smartphone, tablet and even a Mac, you can control the EAGLE 2 remotely and wirelessly. On the terminal, you’ll see the familiar Windows 10 interface of the EAGLE 2 and can use it like any normal PC.
The pro version of the EAGLE 2 computer is fitted with more working memory, a more powerful processor and a larger hard drive. It is perfectly suited to more CPU-intensive image processing or other advanced application that go beyond simple telescope and camera control. The inexpensive small brother is the EAGLE CORE. There’s no Windows 10 running on this; instead, it has special software for controlling DSLR cameras and autoguiding equipment. So, the EAGLE CORE is the right choice for DSLR astrophotographers who want to use an autoguider without having to take an extra laptop with them.
If you’ve been thinking about buying a new laptop for astrophotography for a while, you really ought to consider the EAGLE 2 computer as an alternative. A permanently installed solution, no messy cables, no problems with power supply and comfortable wireless remote control all speak for themselves!
EAGLE: The computer for astrophotography
September 12 2016, Stefan Taube
Why EAGLE?
Hardly any other sector of our hobby, astronomy, has experienced such a dynamic development over the last few years than astro photography. But this all comes at a price! If in the past one had to set up a Dobsonian telescope, search the eyepiece bag for the correct focal length and probably also a colour filter, the mobile astronomer of today travels with an “observatory to go”: Equatorial mount with heavy counterweights, optics, camera, guiding telescope, guiding camera, laptop and large powerpack. Is there no easier way? The EAGLE control unit makes this possible. It is a computer that is tightly connected to the tube, and it controls mount, camera and guiding camera, centrally supplies electric current, and saves images. You can operate EAGLE wirelessly via WIFI with an input unit of your choice.
No messy or torn cables
All power and data lines to the mount and peripheral equipment run centrally from EAGLE. This allows the use of short cables and to leave these cables partially connected for a quicker setup. Since the EAGLE computer performs the same tracking movements as the mount, no cables can be wound up or torn off by the mount. You can quite confidently allow your astro photographical equipment to run for hours without supervision. The only cable you need to keep an eye on is the electric power supply cable for the EAGLE. Talking of power supply: Due to the power management of the EAGLE, you only need a smaller Powertank, or you can take photos over an even longer period of time.
EAGLE generates its own WIFI
With the associated app you can use all the programs you need, wirelessly and conveniently from your garden chair. Popular software like PHD2 Guiding are pre-installed. Since the EAGLE runs under Win 10 Enterprise, you can also install other programs. The advantage of EAGLE is the fact that you can control your system with any WIFI-compatible computer and any operating system: no matter whether you use a laptop, tablet or smartphone, and no matter whether you use Windows, Android or Apple. In the field, the WIFI range is approximately 25 metres.
EAGLE saves your photos
You can have the camera images directly transferred to your tablet, laptop or smartphone via WIFI. Since you obviously take a lot of photos which need to be saved without losses, the EAGLE is equipped with an SSD memory card. Saving to a USB stick is also possible. However, there is no possibility to edit any of the photos in EAGLE. The computing power has been designed for low current consumption, which is why EAGLE also works without ventilation.
EAGLE is a fixed part of the system
The EAGLE computer is no additional accessory that you have to carry around. The small, but very stable box can stay mounted to your tube. The best way of installation probably is the installation between the tube and the guide scope rings. However, you can also mount the EAGLE box on the same prism rail that you use to fasten the telescope on the mount. This is recommended if you do not use a guiding tube. On our EAGLE product page you can see examples for this.
There is nothing you can’t do without the EAGLE control unit. However, anyone who is actively involved in astro photography on a regular basis and now and again likes to travel to good star gazing locations or telescope meetings, will quickly appreciate the EAGLE: no cable problems, no computer crash, a stable power supply, a compact system.
There is also a more powerful version available, which has been designed for large mounts and observatories: EAGLE Observatory.