For anyone with an EQ6 they run or want to run using ASCOM/EQMOD but wanting to be rid of cable clutter with serial cables and USB/serial adapters and all that palaver: there is good news. There have been a couple of threads in IIS in the past 6 months or so talking about serial cable replacement dongles that can be used in conjunction with the Shoestring Astronomy EQDIR device to replace the handset and also long serial cables running all over the place. I bought a couple of them and had trouble with both of them: trouble mainly in establishing a bluetooth connection between the laptop and the mount. Others, I know, have got this working for them but for whatever reason, I struggled in vain.
BUT. I have found a brilliant answer. It is a device called a BluEQ that is two devices in one. It is a full replacement for the EQDIR as well as the Bluetooth serial replacement device - about US300 worth already. It does not require any external power or have any internal batteries. It takes its power from the mount, like the SynScan hand controller does. And it just works. I had it up and running within seconds of putting a bluetooth dongle in my laptop (didn't have a built-in) and changing the EQMOD config to the new Com port and away it went, happily slewing and go-toing to beat the band.
It cost me US$149 plus postage from the maker, Ken Foland. He is an IIS member and I'm sure he'd be very happy to hear from you if you wanted to order one.
Get onto this - it is a terrific little bit of kit.
Peter
Hi Peter, any linky to more info on the product? I'd like to read up on this.
I tried Google but...for once it failed!
No links. The guy is a disabled vet who makes these at home to keep his head on straight. I found reference to the BluEQ accidentally when trolling through CN a few months back and managed to track him down through their PM system. But he is in IIS so you'll sure find him under the 'Community" Tag line above and just send him a PM. He's a darn nice fellow and really keen to help.
Peter
Thanks so much Peter, for the kind words. You are very generous. I'm glad the BluEQ has fixed the problems you were having. I must say though, it was divine inspiration that gave me this idea, and the ability to see it to fruition. In every case so far, where an astronomer has need of a wireless connection to their mount, the BluEQ has far exceeded my expectations. As the maker of the BluEQ, I hope to be able to provide this satisfaction to as many astronomers as physically possible.
Thanks Again,
Ken Foland
