PC Based Direct Motor control for EQ6

[netwolf]

Found somve very interesting links.
Modify the EQ6 Handcontroller and use new software to control from PC.
http://www.freewebs.com/eq6mod

And now for the much better news or those without the hand controller make this circuit and controll the motors without the hand controller.
http://www.freewebs.com/eq6mod/eqdirect.htm

The bad news is the Software is still being developed to make this fully functional as a replacement goto.



Regards
Netwolf.

[Astroman]

Yes with future releases, they hope to have GPS function on it so you can connect your GPS to it. I am waiting to see how they go with testing. Already have the direct method cable done :)

[iceman]

That's excellent! Means you only need to get the standard EQ6 without the synscan 3?

Or do you still need the synscan 3 for the port?

[ving]

i recon it would work for the heq5 too :)
sweet!
but am i reading this right? you dont need encoders?

[netwolf]

Mike one method that they have software working for requires the goto handcontroller and requires you to modify the goto handcontroller.

The second method does not require the goto handcontroller but the software is being developed at present. So hopefully when this is done we can just by the standard EQ6, make the circuit in my second link and make the mount goto using a computer. One thing I am not sure of is weather this has been created for the older EQ6 motors or the new motors.

Further if they develop the circuit further perhasp in the future one could use any handcontroller even a DSC like the Argonavis to make this unit goto. Basically this would require the circuit to convert a standard protocol say like the LX200 (used by the handcontroller or DSc of your choice) to the protocol used by the EQ6 port on the mount.

If think the future is bright because it seems the protocol for the mounts port is known or being slowly found out. As we come to know more about it we can get more choice. Perhaps even use an Autorstar hand controller to make the mount goto. There is also now a new controller plus motors on the market from china called GotoStar (has a large LCD Display). The key is working out the protocol neded to communicate with the mount directly and creating translators.

Regards

[GUIDESTAR]

They already have the ASCOM driver for eq6mod:

http://www.freewebs.com/eq6mod/eqascom.htm

[netwolf]

Awesome, I thought this was only for the goto hand pad mod, but it seem i was wrong and It will work with the direct mod also. Still to confirm if it will work with the older motors and/or the newer ones. An EQ6 is going to be in my new year resolution i think.. Just wonder if my 10" GSO will be ok on it or weather I should get the shorter Skywatcher 10" OTA. Eventually I want to get a used C8 or C9.25.

Regards

[garymck]

you need the new non goto "Syntrek" version of the mount. The only difference between it and the goto is the handcontroller. The older eq-6's do not have compatibility with this new program. It appears that "Syntrek" heq-5's may also be able to use it. There are some heavyweights involved in developing tyhe program now and it is looking to be a real goer. If you look at the developers website the software specs are simply stunning.
http://www.freewebs.com/eq6mod/
cheers
gary

[GUIDESTAR]

Wow! Shoestring Astronomy recently announced at the EQ6 Yahoo groups that they will be manufacturing the same circuit you mentioned and offer it to those who doesnt do electronics. I saw the picture of the product on this page ..

http://www.freewebs.com/eq6mod/eqdirect.htm

[netwolf]

Looks like this modification is gathering some momentum, due to some serious developers getting behind it.