Staff Assigned: Adam Robichaud Yet Another TheSkyX Question

Hello,
I've recently purchased Aluma 8300 Camera w/ Self-Guiding Filter Wheel Pro Package and I'm trying to use it with TSX.
I read the forums and I've purchased Maxim DL Pro also to use Aluma with TSX - it seems it is the only way right now.
Although camera works, I couldn't find a way to use OAG and Filter Wheel with TSX.

I need a bit guidance.
Thanks in advance.

 

Thanks Doug. I've also started testing ASCOM Camera driver.
Any timeframe for FW Support or native TSX? Right now, as a Paramount MX+ owner, current status is pretty much useless for me until required software released. I have to set aside my new camera.

 

"Staying tuned" is a very broad time frame. I was not trying to figure out a far-from-ideal workaround. To be more specific; I moved from Mac to PC to run Maxim after I read the forums. Also spent additional 500$ for Pro version to integrate it for TSX. There was no information about FW8G being tightly coupled with Maxim.
From Aluma product description "Aluma is designed to operate either via USB 2.0 or WiFi 802.11 b/g/n. Designed from the ground-up to support operation on any modern computing platform, Aluma is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. Fully-documented and supported drivers are available for all platforms, including ASCOM drivers. The Aluma camera interface specification is fully documented, supporting the development of fully custom interfaces. ... Aluma also supports third-party applications through ASCOM and native drivers".

Aluma advertised as like that for a year. Isn't it a false advertisement than? How can anybody use Aluma with a Mac or with third-party software or with ASCOM drivers?
I couldn't find any documentation about drivers/software support are not being ready before my purchase.
May anybody from DL be more specific about the time frame? Days, weeks, months, years?

 

Sorry for the extra "s". I've edited my post to be more accurate.
My intension was not to offend anybody. Don't get me wrong, Aluma and FW8G is an incredible piece of hardware. Very well designed and built. That's why I decided to buy it.
You released a new camera line without proper software support at the release date, that's a strategic decision that you took and I'm not arguing on that. But, using "present tense" for features that not exists yet on your web site and relevant documentation is misleading and frustrating. That's what I'm trying to say. DL is a reputable company, not a random Chinese manufacturer. When I read something on your site/documentation, I believe it without further research. This is a direct feedback from a customer, take it or leave it.

That said; are there any chance you may share the Windows SDK with me? I'm not sure Software Bisque will prioritize this. I'll implement features that I need on my spare times.

 

Thank you Doug!

 

I've completed initial version of Aluma X2 driver for TheSkyX. I open-sourced the driver if anybody interested. You can find the link to the repo below.
There are many missing features like error handling etc. I hope, I'll complete them in my spare times.

https://github.com/semiheskin/AlumaX2

 

I have just seen the posts from Semith and the responses from Doug from Defraction Limited relating to issues concerning the Aluma 8300 Camera and FW package. I wish to lend my support to everything Semith has said. In our case, I am a long standing champion of both the SBIG hardware and the SkyX Bisque software. I initially recommended the SBIG STT camera as I have one and when this was discontinued suggested the Aluma 8300 camera presuming that its launch and operation would continue in the professional SBIG tradition. How wrong we were.
Candidly, we have been embarrassed by our recommendation. For an established outfit to launch a camera in the market without tried and tested operating software is unprofessional. Our friends frustration, daily international calls to your support person and short term software "work-arounds" makes us wish we had never made the recommendation in the first place. All this aggravated by the fact that there are issues with any interface with SkyX Software, the latter of which was never an issue in the past with SBIG cameras.
You have lost me as a customer.
Richard (Tasmania, Australia).

 

Craig,
First we had incorrectly assumed that you represented both Software Bisque and Diffraction Limited as you appear on both Forums.
You will note from my post of the 23rd June, that I do not own an Aluma Camera and that a colleague of mine does.
Second, the criticism relates specifically to the launch and sale of the Aluma 8300 Camera and FW package and its operating Firmware. In short Craig, it did not work out of the box as advertised.
To conclude, I am informed that the Aluma 8300 camera is finally working after months of frustration with the Firmware being manipulated by Diffraction over the Internet. There is therefore nothing further to resolve.
I trust that is now clear.
My own SBIG Cameras of which I own two are both exceptional instruments and driven directly by the superb SkyX Operating System.

 

Craig, Thank you for your response. The package in question was for MC. I have cooled down now and happy to move on.

Regards

Richard

 

Hey Semih. I was reading through the forums to find out how to get my new Aluma 694 w filter wheel to work with the SkyX. I downloaded your x2 but I’m not sure what to do with it from there. Any help would be very much appreciated! It’s kinda silly that you spend over $6000 and it doesn’t even work! At least for me anyway.