Where is the SynScan RS232 Menu Option

[RobC]

I purchased a HEQ5-PRO mount about 3.5 years ago with the SynScan Hand Controller and firmware Ver 3.20 . When I attempted to connect this to my laptop, a week ago, I discovered the RS-232 Menu Option did not exist under the Utility Menu.

This morning I updated the firmware to Ver 3.27 and still could not find the "RS-232" menu option. I did notice that there is a "PC Direct Mode" and was wondering if this is the renamed "RS-232" menu item. I selected "PC Direct Mode" then ran the Skywatcher "DetectPcToSynScanConnection.exe" on my laptop and it told me that the syscan wasn't in RS-232 mode.

Can somebody please tell me how to invoke "RS-232". I have the RS232 cable plugged into the RJ11 plug on the bottom of the handheld controller.

Thanks

Rob

[Shark Bait]

Hi Rob,

When I have hooked my laptop up to my SynScan GoTo Dob the RS-232 connection has been successful, as long as I used the correct port and the scope was already aligned. I have not had to visit any special areas of the menu to get the scope to follow instructions sent from the laptop.

Have you tried one of the other ports?

[RobC]

Hi Sharkbait,

Thanks

The port setting was correct but I had invoked "PC Direct Mode" from the SynScan menu. After reading your response I then exited the "PC Direct Mode" and tried again and it detected the SynScan controller.

Now I have to get the guiding software running. I downloaded a copy of "PHD Guiding" that uses ASCOM drivers for the HEQ5. This is still timing out.

Any suggestions on guiding software or procedures will be greatly appreciated.

Rob

[Tandum]

I'm pretty sure pc-direct allows eq-mod to control the mount without using the eq-mod dongle. Once you have control via eq-mod, phd can use it to pulse guide. Of course you can connect the sky etc to eq-mod as well.

[RobC]

I am only new to all this. What is eqmod dongle ?

Also I will check out Sky.

Regards

Rob

[Tandum]

Oh right and welcome to iis. EQMOD (http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/) is a community ascom driver for eq5/6 mounts. The dongle replaces the handset so you have a direct link from your pc to the mount. I think selecting pc-direct bypasses the handset and makes it act like a dongle. Bintel sell the dongles (https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=8435). eqmod is also a hub so multiple programs like the sky, stary night, phd etc can control and talk to the mount at the same time. So eqmod turns your pc into the handset.

You will need ascom (http://ascom-standards.org/) installed before eqmod. There is an article (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-581-0-0-1-0.html) on this site showing how to do it using free planetarium software. This guide is 12 months old so the software versions will have changed. Just use the latest I would think.

I'm pretty sure that DetectPcToSynScanConnection program is to check for a connection to the handset before you flash it with new firmware. It does not confirm a connection to the mount, just the handset. ie: it will work with the handset unplugged from the mount. That's why there is a dc in socket on the handset.

[Shark Bait]

I use an early version of Celestron's TheSky Level 1 to identify the objects and then use the NexStar Oberver List software that was included with TheSky to control the scope. Starry Night Enthusiast v6.3 is also used to find objects but unlike the pro and pro plus editions it will not 'drive' a GoTo scope.

I know my software setup is basic, but it does the job as far as visual viewing is concerned. It is rare that I bother to hook up my laptop to the SynScan handset, but when I do it is very accurate.

There are much better software packages around and I will be interested to read the other replies for when I decide to improve my setup.

[RobC]

:) Thanks for the advice I am starting to get an understanding. This is my understanding.

1. The Celestron NexStar software does not require any special settings on the SynScan contoller. Just plug the RS232 cable in. This makes sense as Celestron and Skywatcher are owned by the same corporation.
2. The ASMOD drivers require the SynScan Contoller to be set to "PC Direct Mode" before connecting. ASCOM recommends that a dongle is the peferred approach and "PC Direct Mode" should only be a temporary approach
3. Using the ASMOD drivers the SysScan Contoller can be completely removed and replaced with a "dongle". The dongle apparently squares up the TTL voltage levels on the serial RS232 interface.

I was a bit confused by the dongle reference. In the past decades, a dongle was a security device plugged into a RS232 port to stop illegal use of copied software.

Thanks and Kind Regards

Rob

[Tandum]

Sorry, a dongle can be a security device but can also be an interface device.

I've never used nexstar software and don't know if it will drive an eq5 or not. I thought nexstar mounts were Alt/Az mounts not eq. Years ago I remember using celestron drivers to connect to an eq5. I don't remember if they were ascom celestron drivers (http://ascom-standards.org/Downloads/ScopeDrivers.htm) or not. That was a long time before eqmod which is really to good not to use.

[RobC]

Tandum,

I noticed that you are an experienced EQMOD user. I could do with a bit of help in getting EQMOD configured and running properly on my laptop. If it is OK I will send you a private message ( when I can figure how to do it ) to make personal contact.

I spent hours yesterday trying to get EQMOD to talk to my HEQ5-Pro. Eventually upped the wondows priority for EQMOD and then it made the connection. I was suprised this had to be done. Expected EQMOD to cache the serial input.

Rob

[bmitchell82]

Just a small thing with the Hand paddle, I think its best practice to keep it there as when you just have the direct connection, if your PC crashes your mount stops and looses its positioning. AKA you have to start again!

If you have the hand paddle although it just passes the data though, it still keeps a connection alive with the mount and hence if your PC crashes its just a matter of restart reconnect and your off on the same path as before!

I've used EQMod and the hand paddle since 2009 without issue.

[RobC]

I was wondering why EQMOD suggested bypassing the hand paddle in one of their training videos. There was no reason given. EQMOD is crashing my laptop in Auto Port select.

BTW. I was on your website yesterday. Quite impressive.

Thanks for the advice

[bmitchell82]

Thanks for your comments regarding my web site.

The reason why they suggest running direct is that they cannot garentee the correct operation of the hand paddle. Bit like I have said i have never had issues.

On the note of your pc crashing. I have used a Dell pc that would continually kick the eq mod connection. I never found out why but it doesn't happen on my eeepc apart from when auto update is allowed to run at about 3am it blue screens. Fixed that by setting it to update during the day.

[Tandum]

This software (http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed)may be able to tell you what's crashing your pc.
It can't be eqmod, only kernel mode software can blue screen windows.

[Barrykgerdes]

I keep hearing about users with the synscan controller wanting to use EQMOD. I can't see the point.

I have a HEQ5 Pro operational on the bench and use it only to test external software etc from the RS232 port and the PCdirect port and while EQMOD is fun to play with it does not do anything I can't do with the hand controller.

EQMOD in its basic form is only a PCbased hand controller and it has less facilities than the synscan controller.

Admittedly if you add all the sub programs it does some nice things and will access more functions from some of the planerarium programs but you will need to learn about ASCOM and EQMOD first. This is because the synscan only has a subset of the Celestron Nexstar protocol accessable from the RS232 port.

A later update to the synscan firmware may add access to some more features from the PC.

Barry

[bmitchell82]

Barry, the eqmod software is all but a driver with a GUI. It's not ment to replace the synscan, but it opens the mount to far more than synta have in there already. To put simply if you want all features for AP then you need to couple it with a maximal or similar software with ascom doing what its ment to do.

[Tandum]

Barry, I also ran my eq mounts by handset alone for a long time but in post 3 Rob was trying to get phd talking to the mount. eqmod is the cheapest way to make that happen.

[RobC]

Barry,


I understand your point of view. Unforunately I have an old rugby injury to my neck which means I have to be cautious about the way I twist my neck. Hence being able to use a laptop for setup and display is helpful to me and my enjoyment of astronomy.

Also I am a software developer by trade and I am interested in writing code for telescope control and image analysis

As you noted only four command codes have been published into the public domain for the EQ mounts. They may or may not publish their full command set, but it is a bit redundant now, if they do or don't,as EQMOD and ASCOM exist.

Additionally it appears that , the computer hardware technology in the current mounts is somewhat dated when compared to that available in the smart phones and tablets. I wouldn't be suprised if mounts are released in the near future with updated computer technology using smart phone or tablet replacements for the hand controller all running ASCOM.

Regards

Rob