ASCOM/EQMOD advice needed

[spacezebra]

Greetings all

Im thinking of ditching my hand controller and going ASCOM/EQMOD to control my EQ6 - welcome advice from those that have gone through the pain of this process - to ask what is the best way to go about all the downloads etc. I have found the website - just need to know:

What will I need - extra cables etc...
What are the pitfalls etc....
Should I just stick to the hand controller?


Cheers Petra d.

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Petra,

I dont even plug my hand controller in anymore. I use a EQDirect cable for my HEQ5 Pro, which plugs straight in to the mount and into the USB port on my PC. Fire up Stellarium scope which autofires the EQMOD and off I go. Easy peasy.

For any fine control or repositioning, I use a PC based XBOX type controller which connects via EQMod as well and I use the joysticks to move the scope around. I then simply sync using CTRL-3 on the object in Stellarium and go a-wandering.

Without this sexy cable, you will need a USB/Serial adaptor, to plug into the EQ6 which I assume has a serial port on it. I used to connect via a USB/serial and the supplied serial/RJ11 telephone port on the handset prior to the dedicated cable, and I had to put the handset into PC direct mode for the EQ mod to work. Others may be able to verify what paraphernalia you will need to connect the PC to the scope as I am not 100% on what / how the EQ6 plugs in. I know you can buy a EQDirect for EQ6 from Bintel like my Eqdirect cable for HEQ5 should be around $40-$50 I think?

With the handset still plugged in, you can obviously still use the arrow keys to move the scope and even the goto functions still work, ultimately I ditched all this for simplicity as I simply now point and click in Stellarium, wait for it to slew, fine tune with the XBOX controller, sync and then from then on, simply use the mouse only from then on.

Cheers

Chris

[Screwdriverone]

Here is the cable Petra,

http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tripods/Mount-Accessories/Shoestring-USB2-br--EQ6-Interface/775/productview.aspx

$62, sorry....:sadeyes:

Cheers

Chris

[RobF]

If you always have your laptop nearby Petra, then I'd argue its the only way to go - so civilised to be able to sync and check where you are on the lappy.

When kids visit, they also think its pretty cool steering by game-controller :)

[Astroman]

EQMOD all the way if you plan on using it in an observatory, it's also handy in the field if you have AC power available for the laptop. There are so many different things to try also.. EQtour, EQMosaic, custom tracking rates for comets and asteroids etc... Once you sort out the alignments etc.. you will have a ball.. I used it on an EQ6 and now a HEQ5pro both are easy to use and I love slewing around with the gamepad... The Gamepad you can get cheap ones about the place and many gamepads are supported... I got mine for $15 off gumtree..

Good luck with your decision, it's not something to be afraid of, there is plenty of help here and on the yahoogroup if you run into trouble.

[sheeny]

G'day Petra,

I've just rebuilt eqmod on my new lappy.

You will need bto download and install ASCOM, then eqascom. You may also want eqtour and eqmosaic but they aren't necessary if you plan to do all control from stellarium or CDC.

I use a USB eqdir cable, a Logitech rumblepad game controller and CDC.

I haven't used my hand controller since installing eqmod. Its particularly good in an obs as you can progressively refine the pointing by adding alignment points in different part of the sky.

I see there are now eqtooth Bluetooth connectors available instead of a cable.

The eqmod instructions are good to follow.

Eqmod will also eliminate the need for gpusb for guiding.

Al.

[spacezebra]

Greeting Chris, Andrew, Rob and Al.

Thank you all so very much! What a wealth of expertise :thumbsup:. If you think of anything else in the interim, please let me know.

Ill work through your comments/advice - and no doubt have a few more questions.

Again, many thanks.

[spacezebra]

Hi guys.

Can I assume then that the TSA will be done via eqmod?

Cheers Petra d.

[chrisshillito]

Yes, Goto Alignment is all part of EQMOD and can be managed via planetarium software by simply going to stars of your choice, centering them in the eyepiece and then synching. EQMOD isn't restricted to a three star alignment model, it does N-point alignment (add as many alignment points as you like). New points can be added anytime allowing you to improve your model as you observe.

I have recorded some youtube video tutorials (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBB117AE85EB6BF04) on all things EQMOD that you may find useful.

Chris.

[Screwdriverone]

Those tutorials are fantastic Chris,

I have gone through a few and learned a great deal already. Thanks for providing that link, it is being permanently saved for future reference.

Excellent work, thanks!

Chris

[jjjnettie]

:) Thanks for putting the question forward Petra.
I'm keen to try EQMOD as well.

[pluto]

Thank you Chris, those tutorials are very helpful. They cleared up all of my confusion regarding EQMOD when I started using it and I would recommend watching them as a first step for anyone contemplating the change.

[spacezebra]

Thanks Chris and Chris for all your advice and tutorials. I have a few things to get done this week and then I can EQMOD.

Actually, I am looking forward to this changeover, with so many IISers - with such a high level of expertise in the forum, I cant go wrong.

Thank you all so much:thumbsup:

Cheers Petra d.

[spacezebra]

Hey JJJ

Cool, I've got my hands full this weekend, but early next week - all good to go. Cable is on order - full steam ahead.



Cheers Petra d.

[Tandum]

I got weird looks at this years Astrofest cos I showed up with an eq8 and no hand controller :thumbsup:

[Astroman]

Paperweights should be left at home :)

[spacezebra]

Thanks all, could not wait till after the weekend. Special thanks to Rally!

146021

Now must read that manual.

Cheers Petra d.

[spacezebra]

Looking for a Step by Step to work through alignment.

Cheers Petra d.

[Forgey]

Petra I use alignmaster http://www.alignmaster.de/. You can use it free for 30 days then u have to buy it. Think its about $15 but its well worth it

[RobF]

Do you mean building a pointing model Petra (syncing on stars for N-star alignment) or polar alignment (currently no routine built into EQMOD I'm aware of directly)?

[spacezebra]

Thanks Paula, still getting my head around EQMOD - Ill check it out though.

Rob - I've got south nailed (mount marks) - then I do a three alignment via the handcontroller, would like to know how I can do that via EQMOD?

Cheers Petra d.

[sheeny]

You're not limited to 3 points with EQMOD, Petra. You can use as many points as you like.:)

Al.

[spacezebra]

Hi Al

I understand the "unlimited stars" but - I suppose how can you tell when the alignment is "successful". With the Handcontroller - after three stars you are told that the alignment is a success or failure - (ready to go or start again)? So I assume with multiple stars you are tweaking as you go - creating a wider map "so to speak". Is that a correct assumption?

I have not actually got out side with it yet to have a real play with the software (at the moment the mount is inside due to constant cloud and rain :-( ). But I do have computer and mount talking. Hope you can clarify (I'm supposed to be finishing an writing an application ;-( ).

Cheers Petra d.

[spacezebra]

Okay - I found the 'syc' section in the manual.

Any tips re alignment.

Cheers Petra d.

[pluto]

Hi Petra, watch Chris's video on sync alignment it has everything you need to know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1rVx8_17dc&list=TLTdDo_X4tlPY

Because I'm usually imaging one target for a few hours at a time I try too sync on 3 bright stars so that my target is in the middle of the triangle. This works for me and I find it way more accurate than the hand controller ever was.

[spacezebra]

Thanks Hugh :thumbsup: Lots of vids to get through.

Cheers Petra d.

[sheeny]

Pretty much, yes. If you have sync'ed stars wide apart across both hemispheres the alignment should be pretty good, but you can continue to refine the alignment by adding more points.

Al.

[RobF]

Something I find very helpful in EQMOD is the graphical display of the pointing model. So everytime you enter a Sync point, you see the real co-ordinates and the modelled point plotted side by side. If the 2 coloured circles aren't close, or sync points close together have errors going in different directions, that's a pretty good guide that one point may be plain wrong (outlier). You also have the test listing with absolute errors.

I'll often lose the plot and accidentally sync on a wrong star - it sticks out like a sore thumb.

Much more helpful than, "alignment failed". The downside is it will pretty well number crunch anything, so have to look out for "garbage in, garbage out".