New EQ6 Pro- what next?

DJDD · #1 19-11-2008, 03:29 PM

hello,

Since I will take possession of a new EQ6 Pro/ED80 this week (?) and the weather will be terrible in Melbourne I thought I woudl get everything ready to go for the next good night.

My setup will be:
- SkyWatcher EQ6 Pro
- SkyWatcher ED80 Pro
- Orion Short Tube 80 Guidescope (mounted on top or side-by-side)
- Meade DSI as guide camera
- Nikon D80 for imaging

As I have only read posts on IIS I am not sure of exactly what is needed to connect and get running.

I have a few questions that members may be able to answer.

1. SYNSCAN-
Should I upgrade the Synscan firmware immediately to 3.23?

2. SYNSCAN-
Do I need to go through each previous version of Synscan firmware first?

3. GUIDING-
buy a small laptop and install PHD Guiding and get the whole kit talking to each other

4. DSLR FOCUS-
Get DSLR Focus, that works in a limited way with Nikon
Or get ImagePlus that also works with Nikon in a limited way. More costly, though

5. DSS-
install/update Deep Sky Stacker on my other PC
(or go for IRIS? or ImagePlus (see Point 4 about focus assistance)

6. Cables-
I cannot remember what I have with the Meade DSI but assume it is a serial connection. Should be ok with an older laptop, although could get USB/Serial adapters.

7. T-adapter, etc.

8. Anything else I might need before the weekend?

very excited...

thanks for any replies.

DJDD

TrevorW · #2 19-11-2008, 04:44 PM

1. yes
2. No
3. yes
4. get rid of the Nikon buy a Canon
5. yes
6. yes
7. yes
8. don't expect miracles and have fun

Zuts · #3 19-11-2008, 04:55 PM

Hi,

(1) The Meade DSI is USB not serial.

(2) One thing you should definately get is a shutter release so you can go more than 30 second exposures.

(3) How are you planning on guiding. Yes, the meade DSI will work with PhD via a USB cable but how will you talk to the mount. You need an ST4 interface which is best supplied by Shoestring, i.e GPUSB.

Cheers
Paul

DJDD · #4 19-11-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zuts

Hi,

(1) The Meade DSI is USB not serial.

(2) One thing you should definately get is a shutter release so you can go more than 30 second exposures.

(3) How are you planning on guiding. Yes, the meade DSI will work with PhD via a USB cable but how will you talk to the mount. You need an ST4 interface which is best supplied by Shoestring, i.e GPUSB.

Cheers
Paul

Thanks, paul. You gave me heaps of info a while ago and I finally got around to buying equipment!

1. USB? good. have not looked at the DSI since I bought it from someone here ages ago.

2. yep, have a shutter release cable.

3. ah. don't have one of those... I thought it might be a simple matter of a CAT5 cable or serial cable.

Do you know where can I pick up one of the GPUSB interfaces in Melbourne? or is there another option?

I cannot face delays!?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorW

4. get rid of the Nikon buy a Canon

Thanks for the reply, Trevor.
Looks like I have most things covered, except for talking to the mount...

looking forward to it!

cheers,
DJDD

DJDD · #5 19-11-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJDD

1. USB? good. have not looked at the DSI since I bought it from someone here ages ago.

hey, it was you, Paul, from whom I bought the DSI!

Merlin66 (Ken) · #6 19-11-2008, 06:05 PM

You can get a Shoestring adaptor shipped directly from them in a day or so. Doug will, I'm sure be able to sort it out, and the connecting cables.
Drop him an email.

Zuts · #7 19-11-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJDD

hey, it was you, Paul, from whom I bought the DSI!

I just sold my GPUSB. I dont think they can be purchased from anyone except Shoestring. You could put a wanted add in IIS specifying Melbourne then if someone has one you could go and pick it up.

Cheers
Paul

DJDD · #8 19-11-2008, 06:29 PM

Thanks, Merlin66 and Zuts.

Would the:
"RS232 cable for connecting GOTO telescopes to a PC"
from York Optical

http://yorkoptical.com.au/ProductMen...%2cProductName

do the trick in place of the GPUSB?

cheers,
DJDD

Zuts · #9 19-11-2008, 06:46 PM

I dont beleive so. I think this is just to flash the firmware. PhD requires the GPUSB.

Cheers
Paul

DJDD · #10 19-11-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zuts

I dont beleive so. I think this is just to flash the firmware. PhD requires the GPUSB.

Cheers
Paul

thanks, Paul.
pity no one sells them in Australia (i.e. a dealer).
especially since it seems (almost) essential if you do not have something like the Orion StarShoot autoguider.

cheers,
DJDD

madwayne (Wayne) · #11 19-11-2008, 09:29 PM

DJDD

Have you tried Bintel? I was in there about 6 or 8 weeks ago (Sydney shop) and they had some of the Shoestring gear in stock. I use EQDIR (from Shoestring) and a serial USB adaptor to get my EQ6 to communicate with my laptop.

Good luck with it all.

Wayne

PS - Paul (zuts) great to see you back on IIS mate. I hope all is well for you after your ill health and you are making a speedy recovery.

DJDD · #12 19-11-2008, 10:15 PM

I will call Bintel in Melbourne (and Sydney) tomorrow.
I need to go and pick up the orion ST 80, anyway.

thanks for the tip, madwayne.

Zuts · #13 19-11-2008, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madwayne

DJDD

PS - Paul (zuts) great to see you back on IIS mate. I hope all is well for you after your ill health and you are making a speedy recovery.

Thanks Wayne

I am feeling better these days and am planning on being back at work early next year. I havnt taken a picture for months and am looking forward to getting one when this weather clears.

Cheers
Paul

Ian Robinson · #14 19-11-2008, 11:08 PM

Clear still skies , or a few nice bottles of wine if those clouds stay put.

DJDD · #15 25-11-2008, 04:06 PM

All the bits arrived today. EQ6Pro Mount, tripod and ED80 telescope.

I had forgotten how heavy the EQ6Pro is!

Now i have to find Nikon Capture.
I think it came with the D80 but I am not sure.
Would anyone out there with a D80 know if it comes supplied with the camera or not? if not, where I can get it?

cheers,
DJDD