HEQ5 Pro... Looking to upgrade

[WingnutR32]

So my HEQ5 Pro mount, works perfectly. However, I have been having issues with EQMOD and the HEQ5 Pro, which has been making me insane and ruining the fun of the hobby, so I am looking to upgrade my mount in order to reignite my enthusiasm.

I would like to be able to control the new mount via the computer (like EQMOD) and am considering the new SkyWatcher AZ-EQ6-GT.

Would this be a nice upgrade for me? I do not want to spend more than $2500 - $3000 on a new mount as I am far from professional and just a hobbyist. The main thing is to be able to control it from the computer as I have a permanent backyard observatory.

[brian nordstrom]

:) Hi Sam sorry to hear your troubles , yes thats the last thing you need after wiating for a clear night and setting up only to have frustration :sadeyes: .
Yes the new AZ/EQ6 sounds like a great mount but be aware its new and might have bugs as well .
I would also look at the Ioptron IEQ45 , I have had mine now for a year and its great and the latest software upgrade is superb, so good and easy to use .
The IEQ45's have been around a while now and get good reviews , I love mine , I am set up and running at our dark sky nights up here in under 1/2 the time the SW , Celestron and Meade owners every time , great mount and software .( oh yes the IEQ45 has 130mm Ra and 115mm Dec gears , where the az/eq6 only has 92mm , like celestrons CGEM , more accurate tracking )
Zero bugs ,, touch wood ;) .
Give this a thought .
Brian.

[Peter.M]

What is the problem with your eqmod connection? I think upgrading because eqmod isn't working to another mount that will be using the same eqmod connection is a bit extreme. I use eqmod with my heq5 as a portable setup so there should be no reason yyour permenant setup wouldnt work

[2stroke]

Has a bigger payload then the heq5 also belt drive for less error. Seem like a perfect mount from the reviews and what people have being saying about it. I wouldn't make use of the a/z daul scope function but if you did it would be a big plus. Lol can see a few cheap used eq6's flooding the market soon with this out. The only problem is the price is starting to get into g11 territory and for imaging on would go for one of them :) Though for what your after its the best option since you want to use eqmod :)

[WingnutR32]

Cheers for the reply guys.

Never even considered the IEQ45, so will have a look. How does this go connecting to the computer for computer control?

Peter, EQMOD continuously times out over and over, so my connection forever fails. I have minimised and isolated absolutely everything from no USB Hub, new pc, three different EQMOD cables (shoestring, hitecastro and custom made), powered from 12v and 240v, checked all earthing and added earthing straps, I also ran the entire setup without any peripherals attached (no QHY9, no autoguider, no telescope - just the mount). Still had time out issues, so I am just fed up with it not working after troubleshooting so much of it..

If there is another mount out there that doesn't require EQMOD but has a similar connection to the PC, I am all ears (apart from the PME/PMX scenario :-P)

Edit: Posted whilst I was typing my post, Jay..

The G11 is still a fair few more $$ than the AZEQ6GT... So its a big step up in price which I simply will not do whilst saving for a house.

[2stroke]

Well just any mount can be pc controlled lol so that leaves things wide open :) G11 w00ties

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Sam the IEQ45 is easy just plug the mount into your computer via the supplied RS232 cable , or buy a RS232-USB adaptor if your computer does not have a RS232 port .
Down load ASCOM and away you go , its all in the mounts manual ( which is 40 well written pages ) along with Ioptrons help web page , and they are very helpful .
Brian.

[brian nordstrom]

:)I forgot to mention this Sam , they say the IEQ45 can carry 45 lbs , 20kg which puts it smack bang between the HEQ5 and EQ6 , I would say this is the upper capacity :thumbsup: , but mine holds my Tak Mewlon 210 at about 12kg all up with finder/diagonal/eyepieces and camera with ease , very sturdy and quiet .
Brian.

[WingnutR32]

Ahh okay, so just learnt something extra here... Only having ever used a NexStar AltAz mount and the HEQ5Pro, I thought that PC connections were done to an application like EQMOD for Starry Night to then connect to as an extra.

So EQMOD is just an app for SynScan devices only as it provides an ASCOM interface for these.

So, the IEQ45 for example, has its own supplied ASCOM driver that will allow me to directly connect Starry Night to. How does this go compared to EQMOD, as I am used to using a gamepad and the mosaic functions. Also, how does syncing to stars go for alignment, as I would normally go to the EQMOD alignment screen after click 'Sync' in Starry Night?

[brian nordstrom]

:question: You might be on to something here Sam , Ioptron worked with Starry night , Voyager , the SkyX and others when they devoloped the IEQ45's software , I would say for their ICube and new IEQ30 mounts as well .
On the 'Sync to target' option , thats all I use , its as accurate as a 2 star allignment and takes about 30 seconds , and its away . Great feature on the Ioptron mounts anyway .:thumbsup:
Brian.

[brian nordstrom]

:question: Sam have you seen Cam's thread in Beginners EQ Discussions yet ? he is having trouble using his game pad on his HEQ5 as well , have a look if you have not seen it yet .
Brian.

[Peter.M]

I had problems with my heq5 and eqmod with my qhy9, as soon as the qhy9 was plugged in it would lose the eqmod connection ( this was with a shoestring usb cable). However mine would work if i didnt plug the camera in.

[brian nordstrom]

:) Sounds like the same sort of softwareproblem ,joe ,does nbot recognise is best friendis in trouble :confused2: help Peter.
:thanx:

.
Brian.

[Peter.M]

I was in the process of sorting it out when i bought a mount hub pro and since the purchase it hasn't happened again. I don't know if that is the issue here though because I could control the mount indefinitely without the camera plugged in.

[2stroke]

Sounds like a usb power issue if you used a usb hub and it solved it. Had issues with the dsi drawing to much juice on the acer notebook with everything plugged in, lol its making a sparky noise with the dsi, 1100d and eqdirect cable all plugged in at once. Though with my case its the 1100d disconnecting and the the dsi and eqdirect cable just keep doing there jobs.

[WingnutR32]

2:30am Jay... I hope you are outside looking up rather than just not sleeping well...

Thanks for the insights all, I am taking a very close look at the iEQ45 and the AZEQ6GT. I really like EQMOD and would like to be able to continue to use it, but apparently, mounts are a very tuff decision being the backbone of any good setup.

[RobC]

Sounds like a software or cable problem to me. I have no problems connecting to and controlling my HEQ5 Pro with EQMOD. Buying a new mount is rather an expensive solution.

Some directions :

1. Ensure you are using an EQDIRECT cable which bypasses the sysscan hand controller. One end of this cable plugs directly into the RJ socket on the HEQ5P and the other end into the usb port on your computer.
2. You need to install a special software driver that facilitates an Rs232 connection over the USB port connected to the HEQ5P. ( The HEQ5 is an Rs232 device and not a USB device ). If you haven't installed this driver it will continually time out.
3. Use the EQMOD toolbox to test the computer HEQ5 connection. Click on driver set up and in the properties set the com port directly rather than auto detect. Port auto detection software can sometimes hang the port causing continual time outs.
4. You can also try upping the windows priority in the properties setting.

In my opinion I think the HEQ5 PRo is a very good mount and it would be a shame not to get it working correctly. I regularly do 5 to 10 minute exposures with perfectly round stars. On top of this I have it carrying a a 13Kg payload balanced with 12 kg of weights.

Regards

Rob

[WingnutR32]

Thanks for your information, Rob. I have covered off all of these steps already.

The timeouts appear to be more interference related for the tripod legs. So am just working on cable routing and shielding now.

[DarthWombat]

G'day Sam...

I live in Canberra and I'm a happy HEQ5-Pro / EQMOD user: first via RS232 and handset, then via bluetooth & TTL. I will be around in the Nation's Capital this coming weekend if you'd like to catch up. We could try some diagnostics using bits of my setup.

PM me if you're interested.

Alex.

P.S.: Happy New Year to all for tonight.

[WingnutR32]

Cheers for the offer, Alex.

I think I have narrowed the problem down to interference on the USB cable running to the mount. I will have to see if I can find some shielded USB cabling or some 3M Shielding Tape.