Problems connecting scope to Mac with cable

[04Stefan07]

I have been trying so many times to hook my scope to my PC.

I am using Stellarium, USB to Serial cable and Serial to the handcontroller of my 130SLT and a Macbook Air.

No idea if the cable is not working, I tried connecting it to my Windows machine and it did not work.

Both machines detect a cable plugged into the computer but cannot establish the connection which is where it fails.

Can anyone help me if they have successfully connected to a Mac also can someone recommend me good cables and where I can buy them because one of them may not be working (I think it might be the serial to hand controller one).

Thanks!!

[mozzie]

hi stefan,
mate i had the same problem couple of years ago trying to connect.i use macbook pro to meade telescope..i used meade 507 to serial and the serial to what meade were using to computer and it never connected (mac) but would connect to windows so i use this for autostar update...your problem seems to be getting to mac i found using what ever the manufacturer recommend to come out of telescope to serial then a keyspan to usb(mac) and iv'e never had problem connecting.other cables i had sounded like your troubles but keyspan is perfect i found this out on web sites with other mac users no ascom platforms very easy..

[04Stefan07]

thanks for the tips. where can i grab one of these keyspan cables from?

[mozzie]

i bought mine from macfixit but i just had a quick look and couldn't find them there..just google search keyspan..there good for macs and windows too!!!

[gary]

Hi Stefan,

Gary Kopff here from Wildcard Innovations in Sydney.

The Keyspan USB Serial Adapter (http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/usb_describe.html) is the one we recommend for use with our own Argo Navis
computer and for that reason we hold stock of them here in Sydney and
supply them at near cost as a service for our customers.

More than happy to supply one to you should you still be looking. Drop me a line.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[gary]

One diagnostic that is extremely useful is to simply open the system console
and look for log items related to the adapter.

Mac OS X is based on UNIX and at some point it will instantiate a serial device
in the /dev directory which is the device the planetarium application will need to open
and read and write to.

Also look for log messages in the console such as a failed open on a serial device
from the planetarium program.

Check that the name of device that the OS instantiated for the adapter is the same device
expected by the planetarium. For example, you may need to do a chmod and change permissions
on the device or add a symbolic link.

[04Stefan07]

Thank you! I have successfully got my hands on one of the cables and will try it out again once I get it.

Thanks again!

[Nikolas]

bit pricey for shipping though? $25 for a small cable is excessive and I've noticed this a lot with small items.

[gary]

Hi Nikolas,

As mentioned, we stock these as a service to our own customers who typically
purchase them as one component of an entire telescope pointing system and the
online shipping rate reflects this.

Drop us a line for a quote on a shipping rate for any cables that considerably is
below the online rate, which assumes you are buying an entire system.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[PeterM]

Gary is not the the only one who recommends the Keyspan. It is the only one that Software Bisque (ie Sky X software) also recommend. I bought one from Gary and frankly after using several others the Keyspan is the one I now rely on.

[mozzie]

i went through a head ache peter while trying to connect my meade to my mac and the keyspan is the only one i would recommend after buying other types...see you again at astro fest!!!!!!!

[04Stefan07]

Success! The cable came today, plugged it all in and it is responding! One problem though, I keep getting a Slew Limit warning on my HC.

I have not properly aligned the scope (which may be the cause) at all as I am only trying to test the connection between the cable and computer.

Anyone get this error before?

[mozzie]

excellent!!!! some times there simple fixes..