Can someone remind me....EQ6 connection to The SKy 6

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Ok I've looked for the thread but can't find it. What setup in Sky 6 and what cable pinning do I use to link the Sky 6 to an EQ6?

[Tandum (Robin)]

It been a while but I think this is it.

http://www.cyanogen.com/help/maximdl..._Telescope.htm

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Thanks Robin, that's going to come in handy when imaging. But there was a thread (can't find it) posted some time ago about linking EQ6 to The Sky 6 via a Celestron option in The Sky.

I'm also interested in finding the serial to RJ11/12 plut to connect the laptop to the EQ6. I have a Meade one but I'll bet it wouldn't work with the EQ6.

Cheers

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

I use a Keyspan USB>serial adaptor on the laptop. Then a 10mtr serial extension to the mount. The final coonection the the Synscan controller is a 9 pin serial to the RJ11 plug ( I think I built it from a piece of network cable) - Standard RS232 pin connections
Select Celestron 5/8 in The Sky and off you go!

[Tandum (Robin)]

http://www.astrosky.co.uk/images/gen...11_pinout2.jpg

I think that's the pin outs and I'm pretty sure you can go TheSky->TPoint->Ascom->EQ6 as well.

[Bolts_Tweed (Mark)]

Gday Paul

I dont know if i'm off track here but heres what i do.

I connect my EQ6 via the data port at ythe base of the synscan handset using the cable that is supplied with the mount to update the firmware. I just have a serial extension lead I mdade from the end of the update cable to the desktop. I used to use a USB to Serial Adapter when i used my laptop.

Then in the SKY6 I use Telescope API under the set up tab and under Settings I set it to EQMOD ASCOM EQ5/6. Prior to loading EQMOD I used Nextstar GPS (or Nextstar non GPS - I forget - try both) and that would work however I had asome problems if I was connected via the sky 6 and I went to the telescope and manually slewed it wouldnt stop slewing - thats why I cahnged to EQMOD. Also obviously set the moubnt handset to PCDriect under the Utilities menu.

If this doesnt answer what your question is - yell out - It works well when you get it going.

Mark

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

For direct connection via the synscan controller, you don't use PCdirect settings. The handcontroller still works for me and will control slewing etc.
When (I'm sure you will) you set up for EQMOD through the synscan controller ( not the recommended method, but it does work) then you must use the utility menu to set PCDirect and then the handcontroller must NOT be used or it will interfere with the communications.
Hopes this helps.

[Bolts_Tweed (Mark)]

Yep thats was what i was trying to say in garbled jibber

No EDMOD = No PC Direct
EQMOD = PC Direct

Sry paul O/T now

This worries me but:

then the handcontroller must NOT be used

(Not doubting you for a minute just giving experience of it and wondering if i'm doing something wrong)

I do it nightly and it works great. it depends how well the goto is performing . If I do a meridian flip and the object isnt in the FOV of the CCD (pretty small) I slew to a bright star near the object using the planetarium s/ware in the control room, walk into the observatory and postion the star in the finder scope using the hand controller and go back to the control room and centre the star on the CCD using EQMOD and sync the SKY 6 to it. No prblems with communications. the problems I had previously was using the nexstar connection without EQMOD.

If I cant use the hand controller I would have to disconnect the SKY from the mount , do the adjustment and centreing then reconnect after ive centred the object - seems counterintuitive? But then again there is probably an easier way that I am missing.

Again - not doubting - just seeing if there is abetter option than what I'm doing.

Mark

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

When using EQMOD through the Synscan handcontroller, believe me pressing buttons on it will screw things up!
The usual solution under EQMOD is to program a gamepad and use that at the telescope to give slewing and positioning. The wireless Logitech gamepad is the flavour of the month. I use a Logitech wireless number keypad. Feels better in my hand ( more like the ol' Lx200 brick)

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Thanks fellas.

I don't actually have an EQ6, but I've been asked a few times how to do it. It's good to know that the only cable needed (apart from serial to USB) is the firmware update cable. I remembered that it was a Celestron selection in setup, but the cable that was being used last time wasn't the correct cable. Should be np now hopefully. No one that's asked me is using the EQmod but I'll keep this thread bookmarked for when someone does.

Maybe one day I'll buy myself on of these EQ6s and see what everyone is raving about

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Guys/ Gals,
I've just been corrected!
The latest version of the Synscan, V3.25 does allow the handcontroller buttons to be used while in PCDIRECT mode.....
I also note that the EQMOD developers do NOT recommend using the handcontroller while EQMOD is driving the mount.
Sorry for the confusion!

[Bolts_Tweed (Mark)]

Thx merlin

I was scratchin my head but with insufficient experience I wouldnt disagree

That was probably why my first attempts using the Nexstar connection (prior to EQMOD) used to go off with a mind of their own. it was caused by me pushuing the keypad and had nothing to do with the scope selection in teh sky. I will try a useful experiment next time im at the obs and connect without EQMOD and try the new version with the nextstar connection

Mark