EQ6, EQmac, Planetarium Software

[vanwonky]

Hi All, Just posting here for reference in case anyone also tries this. I recently bought a second hand EQ6 mount err.. just because! To get it running off the Mac laptop with Stellarium in this case I needed the Mac equivalent of EQmod (http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/). Luckily another Dave but much more clever than this one has been creating this here (http://hulse.id.au/eqmac/).

Like the PC version you need an EQdir based adapter to connect the EQ6 (serial) mount to the USB on the Mac. Two options here apart from making your own- Shoestring Astronomy (http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/products_eq.htm) or HitecASTRO (http://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/hitecastro-eqdir-adapter.html). I bought the Shoestring one as it was almost half the price and available locally from Bintel (http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tripods/Mount-Accessories/Shoestring-USB2-br--EQ6-Interface/775/productview.aspx).

You will also need drivers for the Shoestring Adapter from here (http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm).

EQMac is starting to look like a pretty sexy bit of software as it continues in development! The PC equivalent is an ugly duckling by comparison.

So far I have only had it running indoors and have not tested it at any length (which actually might take me a while to do) but if anybody else has success with it maybe a post here would be good.
Cheers
Dave

[Astroman]

Does look good, hope it works as well as it looks. Is there a night vision mode?

[vanwonky]

Good question and as far as I can see it does not at the moment at least.

[Astroman]

That was one of the things I like about EQMOD, it's easily viewed under a dark sky without ruining your night vision too much.. I hope they do do it, it's about time the other side had a similar control over the mount.

[OzDave]

Hi, I'm the author of EQMac. I noted your request for a night vision mode. This is something I could easily add, but have not done so yet because I don't really use the software in a way that I worry about my night vision. SInce I just use it for imaging, I tend to set it up and then go inside while the equipment just its job for a few hours.

So I'm wondering if adding a night vision mode would be a "must have" feature for non-imagers? Or maybe even imagers...

Given that it is relatively easy to do, I'll try to add it in the next release due out in early January.

Regards,
David

[vanwonky]

Thanks for that Dave. I agree that whilst imaging that a night vision mode is not so important. Maybe if your out at a dark site and your chums are just doing visual then your screen could bother them if you can't face it away for some reason.

Cheers
Dave

[Andy01]

I could use some help here please.

I'm struggling to make eqmac work with stellarium on my EQ6 from my MacBook. It's plugged into the base of the synscan hand controller via a shoestring serial/USB adaptor on PC direct mode.

Phd seems to work ok, eq mac is moving the mount and the map function seems to be working. But stellarium says my refractor is connected but it won't move or slew the scope when you select a star in the crosshairs and press command>1 as suggested in the instructions. The scope appears on the stellarium screen as 'Saxon' on an orange recticle.

Am I missing something? I have 4mb ram in a 13" MacBook 2.17 - 2008 edition. Seems to be adequate.

Is there an order these apps need to be loaded to all talk together happily?

or better still is there a mac/eq6/eqmac/phd/nebulosity/stellarium workflow 101 for dummies primer available anywhere?

Your advice and suggestions much appreciated.

Cheers
Andy

[Andy01]

Progress Report: Updated to the latest version of EQMac and viola, Stellarium works a treat! Now just need to figure out the settings for PHD. It's still saying "calibration failed, star didn't move enough".

Does anyone have any suggestions to speed this up?

Meanwhile, patience grasshopper, you'll get there....