guiding cable

[Harpspitfire]

hi, can someone tell what 'specific' cables i need for guiding?- im getting a hard time finding a simple answer- my set up is the celestron ASGT mount- i have a serial plug for it where the other end goes into the handcontrol (need a different plug for auto guider port?)- i have the neximage webcam for guiding thats uses a USB input, finally ill be using PHD guiding which is downloaded along with the ascom from the nexstar site-- all im confused about is the exact cabling needed and if i have the correct equipment- thx for any info- john

[ballaratdragons]

John,

I asked exactly the same question only about 2 weeks ago and no-one was able to direct me to cables in Australia. So I researched and came up with the correct cabling.

The cable from the Toucam to the computer is just a USB cable, but to go from the computer to the mount you need 2 specific cables from Shoestring Astronomy in USA. One has an interface built in, and the other connects from the interface to the mount. So far I have not found anyone in Australia that sells these cables, so you will have to order from Shoestring, which is fortunate for you as you are in the USA.

They have 2 versions.

1. USB connection. Interface plugs straight into the USB port. Part GPUSB plus Guide Port flat cable (you choose the length).

2. Parallel Port double adaptor. Plugs into the Parallel port on a PC or Lappy, but has provision for another parallel connection. Part GPINT-PT plus Guide Port flat cable (you choose the length)

You can find them here: http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/products_gp.htm

Hope all that makes sense :thumbsup:

[Ambermile]

You could try www.astronomiser.co.uk (http://www.astronomiser.co.uk) you know?

Arthur

[Harpspitfire]

yes and no-actually the problem i think is me understanding the interface set-up terminology, i think ill just have to email either shoestring or astronomizer, tell em what i have and send me what i need-- im curious though- reading over threads i came across this post at guidedog- the thread never was replied too but it seems this works for the person- since i have this cable here for my handcontroller- im going to give it a shot before i order anything and see what happens--anyone ever do it this way?- heres the thread

***Hey I just wanted to chime in that I tried Guidedog for the first time the night before last with my AS series mount using a normal telescope/computer interface cable to the hand controller. This works so well I really see no point to bothering with an autoguider port relay box.

Is there an advantage to building an interface box for the autoguider port over just using the RS232 interface in the hand controller?***

[Ambermile]

Only that you don't have to disconnect the RS232 to guide and then reconnect to goto if you have different cables.

I'd say email andy at astronomiser and ask him - he will tell you what you will or won't need.

Arthur

[acropolite]

The shoestring adapters have electrical isolation inbuilt to prevent any chance of electrical damage to the serial port of either device. Whether it's warranted or not I'm unsure of.

[Harpspitfire]

ok, thx for all the info--im just going to test what i have now before i spend any $$$--ive been using the handcontrol and serial hooked to my comp for some time- i havent had any electrial damage- other then that thread i posted- i also found this on the nexstar website with compatible programs- its says PHD can be used both ways-- so ill just give the serial/comp- to RJ11/handcontrol a run through and see what happens- ill post if it works or not- john

Description: This software allows use of a web cam for autoguiding via the RS-232 port on the bottom of the hand control or can also use an optional hardware interface to the auto guide port on models that have this port.

[Harpspitfire]

finally assembled my Frankenquide set-up here, and ummm, 'IT' GUIDES!!- LMAO- i bent every rule there is but did it MY way- LOL, i didnt even 3 star polar align. i just set the mount down and aimed at polaris- fed M43 into the handcontrol and i was WAY off- so i loosened the stuff and put M43 in the EP, then went to M41 and recentered that too- stuck in the webcam, stretched the crap out of eveything and got 3 stars in it, opened PHD, i didnt even set the lat/long- i was at 00-00-00 for each- LOL, then pushed a bunch of buttons and PHD calibrated N-S-E-W even backlash stuff- what got me is i got the green light and it said CALIBRATED!!- so i pushed the dummy guide button and went in to change my underwear-LOL, came back out a 1/2 hour later and that star was still sitting in that X!- so i gotta get this 66mm guidescope mounted on the 6"SCT now- so im gonna get me a couple rolls of duck tape tomorrow- mise well do it right huh?- LOL, funny thing, i didnt even list the right scope in PHD or use the right cable or even the guide port!- i just stuck a phone plug in the handcontroller- LOL- so all i ended up spending was $4bucks for a brand spankin new phone plug!!! i cant believe i wasnt polar aligned, wrong info fed into just about everything and still kept that star DEAD CENTER with a neximage webcam!- you know, sometimes i dont where these dealers have their brains at- if ONE came up with a simple 'USB' webcam that had 1 SECOND exposure-cripe, theyd make a fortune on it