computer scope control which one

[jinxsta]

Hi all just setup my new heq5 pro mount with synscan and looking to get computer control into the setup and wanted to know which programs other heq5 pro owners are using.
I'm running vista so will need to be able to get it all to play nice with each other have been looking at starry night pro and star atlas pro but would like to see what others have had good experiance with.

[asterisk (Geoff)]

Hi Daniel

I find SkyTools to be a good all-round program. It includes a planning and logging function, allows you to create observing lists for any time of the year, and has a reasonable star chart ability.

The only down side is that there is a new version being beta-tested now and this promises to be even better than version 2 (the current version). I would be inclined to wait for the new release, but if you are after a program now then astroplanner is also fairly good.

http://www.skyhound.com/skytools.html

http://www.ilangainc.com/astroplanner/

Cheers

[renormalised (Carl)]

I was going to suggest Astroplanner....there's a new version of this (V 2.0) coming at soon, as well. So it would be prudent to leave it for a week or so till the next version comes out.

[jinxsta]

Thanks for the replies I'm looking into them now still trying to come to terms with the new mount and the new synscan firmware is a little buggy for me sometimes it works a treat and sometimes its a real dog.But I like the real world thoughts of guys that use equipment they reconmend as the advertising hype can be over the top. If any body eles want to throw there hat into the ring and suggest anything else feel free to let me know and thanks again.

[westsiderailway]

HI there,

I have just got my mount (HEQ5) to move via my laptop.

It's a great feeling to get something you wanted to do done.

Downloaded the Ascom program and ordered a usb-serial converter, then found out that it needed a driver (winxpS3)... all thou Vista( home desktop) installed it's own driver as i upgraded the firmware on my HC for the HEQ5 so i know the converter works.

Found a driver for it, and like i said just moveded my mount with my laptop...

Pity it's too cloudy outside as i don't start work untill 1300 tomorrow, bugger

[g__day (Matthew)]

I use the Sky6 Professional Edition - but the freeware Cartes Du Ceil was excellent and almost as good.

I PC control nearly all my scopes' movements and all camera control and focuser controls. Its a blessing for in Winter I do most my run inside where its lovely and warm. To achieve this simply LAN connect a PC near the scope to those inside and running the freeware VNC (virtual network client).

[jinxsta]

Thanks guys nice informative posts.
I had cdc run my heq5 mount once with the ascom platform and eqmod driver with vista but the next night nothing couldn't connect.
ended up spending 2 days installing uninstalling tring to get connection in the end I bit the bullet and tossed vista of the lappy after much finding of drivers and put winxp on and what a difference cdc and ascom with eqmod drivers went on and worked first go and it has been fun learning scope controls.Just got a cheap game pad and now moving the mount with it wwhiirrrrrrr wwhiiirrrrrrr thanks again guys will look into some more software.