Can anyone help - what cable is required for EQMOD when using EQDIR?

[Prickly]

Hi,

Im planning on changing across to using EQMOD software but would like some assistance to know about which cable to use.

If I buy the EQDIR adaptor as I understand it I need to buy a serial cable and a serial to USB converter (as my laptop is USB). In another post it states that the serial to USB converter is the "dicey" part and that some are "good" and others "bad".

Naturally I dont want to cause any damage. Is there a readily available serial to USB converter that works and can be recommended? eg. Dick smith or similar? I'd be quite happy to go down this route if I knew of a readily available adapter that would work.

I did see there was a 5v cable that goes from the mount to the laptop directly but the end of the TTL 232R cable had a "pitch header socket" and I had no idea how to attach this to the laptop USB.

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

(link to the cable I presume might be being used by some people)

Appreciate any help that anyone can give.

Cheers
David

[peter_4059]

go with the dontronics cable - you won't regret it. Instructions on the pinout are on the eqmod website. I'll find a link and send it to you.

If you don't want to make your own you can buy one already modified here http://www.starstuff.com.au/

Here's the pinout:

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/sO1SS2rV8izgctb5dGSYK1sX1GTstw7TNsq YEr87S4oL7_KnuDcF3Sk9H0rjy6_1MEReGZ 5lhqMtWhdQMjIwLtch4cA-8UzJQQ/Hardware%20Tinkerers/Cable%20Solutions/DYI%20%20EQMOD%20Direct%20Cable.pdf

[danielsun]

The most reliable and compatable serial to USB would have to be this

http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/usb_describe.html
I had a few issues with other types but none with the keyspan.

Gary from wildcard Maker of the brilliant Argo Navis device sells these.
I use this for my EQ DIR for EQ MOD connection and no problems at all.:thumbsup:

Cheers Daniel.

[troypiggo]

Not sure what mount you have, but just be aware that it's different depending on your mount. The one linked by Daniel above is for an EQ6 and has USB at one end for the PC, and DB9 at the other end to connect to the mount.

My HEQ5Pro one has the USB too, but the mount connection is a RJ45 type connection.

Just make sure before you buy a ready made one.

[Prickly]

Hi Troy,

Thanks - yes I should have mentioned I have an Eq6. Many thanks Daniel and Peter.

Peter - the cable looks very tempting and is probably pretty easy to solder but Im not really good with electronics. Unless anyone can think of a longer/?cheaper alternative I think I'll go with an Eqdir the wildcard cable and a connecting serial cable to provide some extra length (the wildcard cable looks pretty short).

To be fair although the wildcard gear is a bit expensive its total quality and backed up by brilliant service by Gary. Its a tempting proposition nonetheless.

Cheers
David

[Prickly]

More I think about it the better value the wildcard unit looks. I dont need to get a USB serial adapter and the cable plus the reliability factor. I think I'll go that route.

Thanks again for all your help everyone.

Cheers
David

[peter_4059]

David,

I'm not sure if you understood what the dontronics cable did so I thought I should clarify - it takes the place of the usb/serial and the EQDIR unit. All the electronics are contained within the USB plug. You simply plug one end into the USB port and the other end into the mount where the hand controller would normally plug in.

You can get the dontronics cable and change the plug on one end to suit your mount or get the already-modified unit from starstuff. This is a lot simpler than messing around with two adaptors in my opinion (and experience). I'd be surprised if the USB/serial+EQDIR option works out cheaper than buying the USB/serial TTL cable.

Peter

[Prickly]

Hi Peter,

Ive got some leave at the moment and was hoping to get going quickly and test things out and enjoy.

The scopestuff type cable certainly is the all in one solution. When I first read your post I didnt realise they were local as I hadnt heard of them. I thought scopestuff was a US company and didnt read the contact site details which I now see is Melbourne.

In the end I bought a EqDIR + serial-USB combined cable both of which should arrive tomorrow. What I had meant was that rather than a serial port and serial to USB adapter the combined cable is an improvement over 2 components plus wildcard are very reliable.

At least the serial cable can combine with an old serial cable too I have which should allow a fair degree of cable length (I gather the length of USB cables can be a bit more limited without boosters etc).

Really appreciate all the responses above. Although some of this may be scattered though old posts I didnt find it easy to find the local solutions through google and the EQDIR sites. I think this post may be of help to others.

Cheers
David