EQMOD connection to NEQ6

[Marios (Marios)]

Hi Guys

I want to move away from my SynScan hand controller and use eqmod instead. My question is how do I physically connect from the mount to my laptop. There are two cable that are supplied with the hand controller one is a serial to RJ45 and the other is a serial to RJ-11. I know that you can connect the RJ-11 to your laptop with a usb to serial converter.
However I don't wish to have the controller as a go between, can I use the RJ-11 directly from the mount to my computer and use steleruim in conjunction with EQMOD to drive the mount?

The reason I ask is because the hand controller is also supplied power via the RJ-45 serial cable. I'm concerned that I might send power directly to the laptop using the RJ-11 in its place?.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

You need one of these:

http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tr...oductview.aspx

The mount needs serial TTL - not plain serial. This adaptor has usb on one end to plug into the laptop and a DB9 on the other that plugs directly into the EQ6 with a USB to Serial TTL converter built into the USB end of the cable.

Regards
Peter

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

By far the simplest solution is to get an EQDIR cable. http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tr...oductview.aspx

You can use the PC-Direct function in the Synscan hand controller, you will need the firmware update cable that came with the mount, and attach that between the Handcontroller and a USB/Serial cable into the laptop or into a serial port.

Plenty of info on the eqmod yahoogroup or from the eqmod website.

http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/EQMOD/info

http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/

Don't try and connect the PC cable directly to the mount, you could damage your mount.

[pluto (Hugh)]

Originally Posted by Marios

However I don't wish to have the controller as a go between

Why not?
I use a usb-serial cable with the supplied firmware update cable plugged into the hand controller and set to PC-Driect mode. Then I use EQMOD and Stellarium and it works perfectly

[Marios (Marios)]

Thanks Peter & Andrew for the advise I knew there had to be hoop to jump through.

The cable on the bintel site seems short to run down to my laptop.
Can I extend it further another DB9 serial cable in your experience.?

[Marios (Marios)]

Originally Posted by pluto

Why not?
I use a usb-serial cable with the supplied firmware update cable plugged into the hand controller and set to PC-Driect mode. Then I use EQMOD and Stellarium and it works perfectly

Seems redundant to keep the hand controller in place when you have effectively replaced it with software. I want to eliminate as many points of failure, plus those RJ clips break over time.

[rogerco (Roger)]

You can go up to five metres with a straight USB cable. There are USB extenders but I haven't tried them.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

I used to run a 5m active USB extension lead without any problems.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Marios

Thanks Peter & Andrew for the advise I knew there had to be hoop to jump through.

The cable on the bintel site seems short to run down to my laptop.
Can I extend it further another DB9 serial cable in your experience.?

I haven't tried extending the serial TTL side - I know straight serial can be extended but not sure about TTL. I plug the usb end into a powered hub at the mount then run a 3m USB lead from the hub to my laptop.

[Marios (Marios)]

Originally Posted by rogerco

You can go up to five metres with a straight USB cable. There are USB extenders but I haven't tried them.

Thank you all my questions are answered.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Don't forget - when you go with the EQ direct setup without the hand controller you will not be able to slew the mount while looking through the finder unless you also get something like a wireless gamepad to use with EQMOD.

[Marios (Marios)]

Originally Posted by peter_4059

Don't forget - when you go with the EQ direct setup without the hand controller you will not be able to slew the mount while looking through the finder unless you also get something like a wireless gamepad to use with EQMOD.

You're are correct there maybe some merit in keeping the hand controller in play just for the initial star aliments.

[rogerco (Roger)]

The gamepad is easy to setup and has the advantage that it isn't tethered by cable. The only problem I had was that the wireless dongle took up one of the limited USB ports on the laptop. But this can be overcome with a USB hub.

The advantage of the gamepad is that it has lots more buttons so for instance it you have motorised ASCOM compliant focusing you can put the focus control on the gamepad as well.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

I agree - there are a lot of positives about using a gamepad - just wanted Marios to be aware there was a bit more to spend if he goes down the EQ direct route without the HC.

[Marios (Marios)]

Originally Posted by peter_4059

I agree - there are a lot of positives about using a gamepad - just wanted Marios to be aware there was a bit more to spend if he goes down the EQ direct route without the HC.

I say hang the expense, just came across the Bluetooth version here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EQTooth-Bl...item3cc2c457e8

[Marios (Marios)]

Originally Posted by rogerco

The gamepad is easy to setup and has the advantage that it isn't tethered by cable. The only problem I had was that the wireless dongle took up one of the limited USB ports on the laptop. But this can be overcome with a USB hub.

The advantage of the gamepad is that it has lots more buttons so for instance it you have motorised ASCOM compliant focusing you can put the focus control on the gamepad as well.

Hi Thank you for the suggestion is there a particular model of controller, I should be looking for?

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

I've been using a Logitech cordless Rumblepad 2 but I don't think this model is available any more. Looks like the F710 is the new model.

You could check out the yahoo group to see what they are recommending these days but suspect most controllers that are pc compatible will work.

http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/reqindex.html

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

You can find them on ebay and gumtree cheap enough. I got a saitek p9000 gamepad which works great. Got it for $15 so you dont need to spend lots to get a good pad.

[rogerco (Roger)]

Yes likewise the Logitech F710, seems to be well made and Logitech is a well known brand.

[Marios (Marios)]

Thank you everyone, you have all been very helpful.