Computer controlled EQ6

[GSL]

I am hoping eventually to use my computer to control my EQ6 Pro. I am not technical and very non-computer savy. I note that there is a RS 232 cable available to connect the mount and the computer using a serial port, but my computer is new (HP DV5- 1009TX) and as far as I can tell, does not seem to have one.

Is anyone aware of any other cables that I can get to connect them, or have any advice that is not too technical? Thanks very much.

[Babalyon 5]

Mmmm.....google for Shoestring Astronomy. Buy an EQDIR and a serial cable(AU$75). Buy yourself a reputable USB to Serial Adapter. Google EQMOD and download it. Google ASCOM and download it. Install this hardware and software. Away you go. Do you have Starry Night or some planetarium software to do your pointing? If not try Cartes du Ceil(can never spell it),which is free, or Stellarium and Stellarium Scope. Stellarium is free, Stellarium Scope may require a donation to the author.
Not quite that simple, but if you have a good desktop PC, you should be right.(Im not a fan of laptops, I think they lack b**ls where its required[no offence to anyone who uses a laptop successfully for imaging]):D

[Merlin66]

You'll need a Keyspan USB to Serial adaptor, a suitable length of the connecting cable ( I think its an RJ11) and a software program to run on your computer.
CdC is a great freeware program which will do the job.

[garin]

I also use Cartes Du Ceil and a USB to serial converter.
You will also need to download the ascom driver and I think the Unified Celestron drivers, this provides the interface between CdC and the scope. CdC talks to the Ascom driver and the driver tells the scope what to do.
You can download these from http://ascom-standards.org/

When configuring the Ascom driver you set the telescope type to Nextstar 5i.

One trick is that when you plug in your USB to serial adaptor, go into device manager and check to see what serial port number it has configured itself for so you can set the correct port in the ascom configuration, if you use the same usb port each time you shouldn't need to change anything each time you use it.

[garin]

The PC cable description is in appendix B of the synscan manual.

I did find these people on the web (uk) that sell made up cables
http://www.axio35.dsl.pipex.com/astrodev/Synta%20cables.htm
I have not used these people before so can't vouch for them.

BTW GSL, what version of the Synscan are you using?
The reason I ask is that the same cable can be used to upload new firmware into the Synscan in V3.

[Tandum]

GSL, forget about computer control if your a computer idiot.

Use the handset, it's easy and works just fine.

[TrevorW]

EQ6 Computer control really isn't that hard and has been covered before in threads

Basic Steps are:

a) Install Ascom platform (will be set for Com 1 9600 baud etc) and EQMod drivers (free)
b) Install Stellarium Scope (free)
c) Install Stellarium (free)
d) Purchase a good USB to serial cable ($30-50) and install driver (Set USB Port to Com1 through Windows device manager)
e) Connect extra cable you get to handset RJ11 connector and then plug DP9 serial connector into the USB to serial cable plug USB end into USB port on the computer. (handset still stays connected to the mount)
e) Make sure you have lastest Synscan version installed.
f) Set handset to PC Direct mode through the Utility function
g) Pick a star in Stellarium press CTRL 1 and scope should slew to star.

Cheers

[garin]

Trevor, are you using the V3,23 firmware and PC direct with no problems?

I have tried it and it seemed to be ok but the EQMOD forum members seemed to indicate that it was a bit flaky.

[TrevorW]

V3.23 yes

EQmod seems to work Ok

Cheers

[ozstockman]

if your computer has bluetooth built in you can buy bluetooth to serial adapter. It will cost you 3 times more than USB to serial adapter but you'll be able to control your scope wirelesly.