Finally, Just Setup Wireless EQMOD

[Matty P]

I recieved all the parts this week to control the mount wirelessly through EQMOD. I copied Mike's (ozstockman) setup which uses a serial to bluetooth adapter to control the mount. Setup was really easy and Mike's tutorial was a real help. Thanks Mike. :)

EQMOD is a must for any EQ6/5 owner looking to get more out of their mount. I really liked the idea of contolling the mount through the computer wirelessly so it wasn't hard decision for me. ;)

I'm really looking forward to first light with the new setup. :D

:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

Top work matty..

:) I've got a few bits and bobs coming for the same project myself... :)

[Matty P]

That's good to hear Alex. I'm still getting used to not having a HC to control the mount. I love it though. :)

I also recieved my order from ADM today. :D

:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

I got a big box 'o' adm goodies last week!! :) was a special time. :D

What did you get?

[Matty P]

I ordered the EQ6 to Losmandy saddle plate, a losmandy dovetail plate for my C8 and a camera bracket so I can attach the camera and lens to the OTA for some widefields.

I ran into a little glich because the radius block didn't fit the previous mounting holes on the OTA. Got in contact with Anthony and he is sending me a new set of radius blocks. :)

It been a great week so far. With all the orders arriving. :D

[AlexN]

Haha.. Funny that...

I already had the Losmandy saddle, just hadn't installed it yet because I didnt have the funds to buy all my dovetails I needed at the same time..

Last week I got radius blocks and a D plate for my C11, MDS bar (which I note you already have! :)) an a D plate for my M102 and a custom made 7" MDS bar for on top of the Megrez 102, MDS adapters for my ADM rings so I can swap the WO66SD between the 102 and the c11 for guiding duties..

Quite the box of ADM goodies hit my front door (damn postage from USA!! :D)

Good to hear you're having a good time with plenty of new astro-toys arriving! :)

[pmrid]

Hi Matt,
reviving this old thread: I'm doing the EQMOD thing with my EQ6 and a GSO RC, guiding with an off-axis using aa QHY5 straight into the mount. And tomorrow, I plan on buying a gamepad to do the wireless thing as well.

I noticed in your reply a reference to a setup tutorial but haven't been able to traqck it down. I wonder if by chance you either have a copy or still remember where you found it.

Peter

[peter_4059]

Matty,

If you are missing the handcontroller and want one for EQMOD get a wireless Logitech rumble pad II. These work seamlessly with EQMOD.

Peter

[Matty P]

Hi there Peter,

Here is the thread for setting up wireless EQMOD on your EQ6. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=390375&postcount=7

This setup has worked flawlessly since I have been using it and it makes life easier with one less cable to worry about. :)



Thanks for advice Peter. I'm currently using a wired playstation controller for EQMOD. However, a wireless controller does sound like a nice addition.

:thumbsup:

[pmrid]

Many thanks Matt. I've just ordered one of those AirCable dongles from the States. As you say, one fewer cable is always an improvement.
Peter

[pvelez]

They certainly look sexy - but also a bit exy. Is there an Aussie equivalent?

Pete

[Visionoz]

The Saitek wireless gamepad works just as well - I am using one with the home-brewed EQDIR; got the gamepad from Harvey Norman, cost only $59

Cheers
Bill

[pmrid]

None that I saw on a quick whip 'round the usual suspects. The thing cost US$120 or so and postage added another US$40 so, it's n ot cheap. But it looks likely to work seamlessly and at the end of the day, that's what I want.
Peter

[pmrid]

Hi Bill, I got as heck of a surprise when I popped into Dick Smith's today (having exhaiusted other local options) and found a Logitec Gamepad Rumbler II for about the same money. I kinda thought they would be a lot dearer from them. But, well, pleasant surprises.
I've plugged her in and it operates perfectly so far.

Peter

[Visionoz]

Yes Peter

It does sometimes seem strange that the prices can be much less than one expects - but then Logitech has a strong market share here in Oz so Uncle Dick must have had a good buy price based on his buying power too - when I read the EQMOD specs initially and in the forums they were mentioning only about the Rumble Pad II, I thought that was the best one to get and when I saw the Saitek one in HN I was thinking it was the RP II but lo and behold the Saitek looks and works like it too! So what the heck, it's just a shot I needed to try and it worked a treat :)

Cheers
Bill

[leinad]

To keep this thread all things wireless and remotely guided, has anyone been able to use a wireless hub, so imaging cams, guide cams , etc, anything else USB can be used via wireless connectivity??

I was looking at one of these
http://www.iogear.com/product/GUWH104KIT/

Curious as to whether USB imaging devices and video, file, etc can successfully can have enough bandwidth to the PC using a wireless powered hub?

[Visionoz]

Daniel

May or may not be what it's cracked up to supposedly perform at - though this was reviewed in 2007 (that's millenium in computer terms!) - read here (http://computershopper.com/networking/reviews/iogear-wireless-usb-hub-and-adapter)

Cheers
Bill

[leinad]

Ant other proven alternatives out there? Doesnt appear to be any articles by imagers out there talking about wireless usb hubs ?

[ozstockman]

leinad,

the model of IOGEAR usb hub you mentioned above has a lower speed comparing to the new one that I mentioned here
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=39428&highlight=wireless+hub

I tested my hub with QHY8 and QHY5 cameras and it worked when the hub was close to PC. However I wasn't happy with the quality of video. You can see details of that test if you check the link above. There is also info about some software which can do the same things as wireless hubs but over ethernet.

The only idea to go completely wireless that I have got is to invest in the fastest umpc or small factor case pc. The first one can cost a lot(AU$1.5-2k) while you can find small factor pc for $400. You can stick it to your mount somewhere connect all cameras and the mount to it and them using remote desktop you can control any program or hardware connected to it from a remote desktop pc. It should work well through 802.11g wireless strong link but it will be much better over 802.11n wireless or Gigabit wired.

I tested this idea as well with ASUS nova p20 PC which is very small. It went well but for the reason I couldn't remember I decided to use the PC as a media centre :-)

I also have a small UMPC Sony VGP-U50 (http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/sony-vaio-vgn-u50/1707-3121_7-30979271.html) .It's so small that it can be attached to the side of EQ6 Pro mount head. This runs Win XP Pro and it would work very good if it wasn't old model. It's just too slow and has only one USB port so I cannot use both QHY8 and QHY5 at the same time. Also there is no bluetooth just wireless.
However new models of UMPCs have bluetooth and wireless g bult in, they are much faster and can have up to 3 usb ports.

cheers,

Mike