Anyone tried a USB Direct Interface Cable for EQ6?

[peter_4059]

Has anyone got any experience with a USB Direct Interface Cable for EQ6 (EQMOD)? It looks like an alternative to the EQDIR at a similar price and avoids the need for a USB/Serial adaptor.

Looks good in theory.

http://www.xagyl.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=66&products_id=230&osCsid=a0f890f7615f52a745525058ee60 98ad

[AlexN]

I've not used one, but that looks like a goer..

I think however that you'll find it still has a USB/Serial adapter built in, its just also got the correct wires crossed on the serial connector to be usable with the EQ6..

[troypiggo]

I just made one for my HEQ5PRO. Seems to work fine so far.

[peter_4059]

How did you make it Troy? What parts are required?

[troypiggo]

I bought the TTL-232R-WE cable here that has a USB plug on one end with built-in serial adapter (http://apple.clickandbuild.com/cnb/shop/ftdichip?op=catalogue-products-null&prodCategoryID=47&title=Cables%3A+TTL-232R+and+variants). The other end of the cable is bare wires that I connected to a RJ45 ethernet plug as per the EQDIRECT-USB instructions at the EQMOD site (http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/prerequisites.html#interface). I connected this into my mount's SynScan controller port. I'm not sure what ports the EQ6 has on it.

[peter_4059]

Thanks - do you know if it works through a USB hub?

[troypiggo]

Haven't tried that, sorry.

[peter_4059]

Did you get it from the UK or locally? The UK online store wants to charge 20 pounds freight for an 11 pound cable!

[troypiggo]

Got it from the link I gave you. Not cheap, but cheaper than the adapter options from Shoestring etc.

[Aster]

Starstuff of Ringwood Vic. seem to have the same sort of cable

Alexander

[peter_4059]

That's the one. Also found a supplier in Melbourne that sells the cable for about $50 without the DB9 plug if you are prepared to do some soldering.

[peter_4059]

If anyone else is looking to make their own here is a local supplier of the cable


http://www.dontronics-shop.com/ftdi-usb-to-serial-ttl-level-5v-converter-cable.html

[peter_4059]

The cable arrived today - I can report it works through a USB hub and has chosen the next COM port number (COM5) which is the one after my Belkin USB-serial adaptor (COM4) so I'm claiming success.

Thanks for the help with this Troy.

[troypiggo]

Sweet. So, wireless gamepad next... :)

[peter_4059]

yes - just posted on that - do you have one? If so which one, does it work ok etc?

[troypiggo]

I have the Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/gaming/pc_gaming/gamepads/devices/287&cl=US,EN), which is the one shown on the EQASCOM (http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/eqaindex.html) page of EQMOD site. After searching around several local stores and not having any luck finding one, I bought it online from Megabuy (http://www.shopbot.com.au/default.asp?kw=logitech+cordless+ru mblepad+2&position=search). It works.

[peter_4059]

Thanks Troy. I'm assuming it's the PC version (not PS). Do you need to go through any calibration process?

Peter

[troypiggo]

Yes, PC version. Calibration only when you first install it. It's a calibration between Windows and the gamepad, not EQMOD. Have to check, but pretty sure PC gamepads I've had in the past you can access that calibration dialog box any time through the Windows control panel and/or the gamepad driver/software.

Once it's installed and you open an application using EQASCOM/ASCOM etc and the EQMOD window appears (http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/eqascom.png), you can set the gamepad buttons to do whatever functions you like. Haven't played too much with this side of things yet, but all appears pretty intuitive and I'm sure you'll find it easy to do. You can see this gamepad button settings window in this screenshot (http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/gampadconfig.png) on the EQASCOM page (http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/eqaindex.html).

One thing. If you use the Logitech Rumblepad above, pretty sure you have to install the drivers off the CD that comes with it before you plug it in for the first time. And when installing the software, there was a long period during the installation that I thought my computer had frozen. Don't worry, it's just a long install process. Let it runs its course and it will "unfreeze".

[peter_4059]

Thanks - think I'm off to DSE tomorrow morning ;)

[troypiggo]

Check before you go. I went to Indooroopilly Shopping Town, Tandy, Dick Smith, Electronics Boutique, Myer, Harvey Norman, even Target and KMart and none of them carried PC wireless gamepads of any type, let alone that particular one I wanted. That's why I bought online.

[AlexN]

yep... a game pad is the go... I bought the corded logitech one, and have since wished I shelled out the extra money for cordless... the less cords the better...

[RobF]

Hmmm. You guys have me interested now. Just wondering how you soldered the USB/TTL cable to RJ45? Presumeably a cat5 cable which you chopped the end off to get access to the wires (and save buying crimping tool etc to connect the RJ45?).

Ta,
Robert

[peter_4059]

Hi Rob,

The EQ6 has a DB9 connector so soldering is quite simple (only 3 wires to connect to the 9 pin connector) For HEQ5 and the RJ45 connection you can do as you suggest or use a crimping tool (I bought one as RJ11, 12 and 45 are common astro connectors). Troy has an HEQ5 - not sure how he went about making the connection?

In terms of EQMOD - I'm not looking back!

I'm also in Brisbane and happy to crimp a plug for you if you decide to go that way.

[RobF]

Thanks for offer re crimping Peter. I've only just ordered a USB/TTL cable, so still early days. Funny how they put DB9 on the EQ6s and RJ45 on HEQ5s.

Other thing I'm wondering about is if it would be ok to put the USB end into my unpowered usb hub that currently runs 450D, shoestring USB and webcam for guiding. Expected I'd just have to try it and see - just a bit tidier every cable you save running all the way back to the PC. Extra length of some cat 5 soldered on to the usb/ttl could be handy if USB hub doesn't work.

EQMOD certainly sounds intriguing, and appeals to the tinkerer in me!....

[troypiggo]

Hi Rob. You don't chop/solder the cable for the RJ45 connection. You can buy one with bare wire ends already. I have a crimping tool and RJ45 plugs already for computer stuff. If you like, I can help you with it. I'm in Brisbane.

[peter_4059]

Rob,

I've tried the cable through my powered USB HUB and it works fine. Not sure about unpowered hub but I assume it depends on the length of cables and how much current each usb device is drawing.

What shoestring device are you using? If it is the GPUSB you can guide direct through the EQMOD cable so won't need to use a GPUSB.

Peter

[RobF]

Thanks again Troy and Peter for the info. I'll definitely give a yell if I get into strife.

I should have said its a GPUSB, so will have to play with EQMOD pulse guiding etc when the time comes......!

[bmitchell82]

to my understanding of eqmod, you can do away with all the gpusb and all the other crud.

i use the wireless logitech rumble pad, and it works a absolute treat. almost a plug and play event. using PHD i can route guide movements back though the serial cable. if it can move the mount normally, it should be able to control it for guiding.

currently i use the serial to usb connection 35 bucks from a local computer shop

mount --> hand controller ---> rj12/serial cable (supplied)---> serial -->usb--->PC.

i can get rid of the hand controller compleately if i wish but i leave it on so i can jump out into hand controller mode for those nights where things just don't work :D

[StevenA]

I bought a cable for mine at Bintel but got the wrong one. I got the USB cable which connects the handset to the computer instead of the mount to the computer. Actually it was there fault as they gave me the wrong one, but I would have needed it anyway to download the newer firmware. I will be going back to buy the correct cable soon I hope. Oh well. At leats I can buy these things as my soldering skills have a lot to be desired,. I am completely inept at it. LOL.

[RobF]

D'oh!.....now I've EQMOD going, but handset refuses to talk to the mount (no link to M.C. error). Found out the hard way at Cambroon last night. :(

Oh well, I'd planned to go 98% EQMOD anyway, just didn't expect the doors behind me to close. I've tried a couple of cables - will have to try refreshing the handset firmware next when I get access to a serial port. Hope I haven't done anything to the mount. EQMOD seems fine - trouble is I can only work 20% of it at the moment....
Wasn't going to rush into a gamepad, but better get that sorted now I s'pose. Does seem good, even though a bit cryptic in the interface here and there.

[peter_4059]

If you are usine EQmod through the handset you need to place the handset in pc direct mode - I assume this then means the handset doesn't function. I guess this is why people end up with a gamepad. Mine is working great!

[RobF]

No - using USB/TTL cable with serial interface built in, so don't need the handset. EQMOD seems happy, but HS on its own not happy any more. Must be jealous!.....;)

[peter_4059]

Now I'm with you - I came to the same conclusion pretty quick. You still need a hand controller while you are peering through the finder - get a game pad - it's a lot more flexible than the synscan handpaddle.

Peter