New mac setup

kon1966 (Kon) · #1 02-03-2012, 07:46 PM

I want to setup my macbookpro 2011 to work in the same way my windows does. Basically I have heq5 pro with synscan, Meade DSI II, celestron neximage. All the software works in windows but I want to try it with my mac. My mac only has 2 usb ports and have bought a usb hub. The only software/hardware that has worked successfully was Nebulosity 3 with my meade DSI II. PHD mac version did not pickup my celestron cam.

The connecting cables I used in windows is GPUSB and belkin USB to serial converter.

Can anyone help me with a mac setup for guiding, controlling, and planetarium software which uses usb ports.

Regards
Kon

dugnsuz (Doug) · #2 02-03-2012, 08:21 PM

The MacBook is an Intel mac isn't it?
Can you run all the necessary programs using VM Ware Fusion/Parallels or Bootcamp in a Windows environment?

Obviously you would require a Windows OS and one of the above programs.

So, basically what I'm saying is...turn your beautiful Mac into a PC!!!

Doug

kon1966 (Kon) · #3 02-03-2012, 08:35 PM

Hi Doug, have bootcamp with Win 7 64bit and asus laptop but I want to try the mac. My mac is intel based so I want to give the mac a go at astrophotography/guiding and controlling a heq5 pro. Finding it a tad difficult to find all the software or software which will work with my setup, though nebulosity is fine and mac phd has limited camera support.

Anyhow, whoever has successfully setup mac to do what I need, pls let me know.

regards
Kon

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #4 02-03-2012, 08:36 PM

Kon - As Doug says, use VMware's Fusion4. Install it, give it a largish partition and install Windows as normal within the virtual partition. Then run your PHD app within that while still inside the Mac OS. I run this setup on my late 2011 MacBook Air and it's fantastic. I then run the full version of SkySafari for Mac along side - and all at the same time. A thread was running here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=59189

kon1966 (Kon) · #5 02-03-2012, 08:57 PM

Yep, know about fusion/bootcamp etc as I run bootcamp. But I just want to use my mac with no windows. looks like skysafari plus is the way to go as on the website you can control my mount which is SkyWatcher mounts with SynScan controller.

Do you know of any autoguiding software to use as PHD mac does not have generic webcam support.

Regards
Kon

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #6 02-03-2012, 09:55 PM

Bootcamp? Hmm..

PHD is the only reason, apart from MaximDL 5 that I run Windows at all. I blame CCD Labs for not providing 'Nix drivers for my QHY5 and QHY9. You won'y be able to avoid it, but at least running fusion you can run decent Mac software and PHD/Win concurrently. I run SkySafari and SkyFi to run my Takahashi Temma2 system just beautifully.

kon1966 (Kon) · #7 02-03-2012, 10:28 PM

Yeah you are right about autoguiding with PHD. I would either need to wait until PHD adds more cameras or if I can find a cheap DSI I to use as a guide camera. I still have the windows platform to fall back to so I will keep researching.

regards
Kon

kon1966 (Kon) · #8 03-03-2012, 03:42 PM

Bought Skysafari pro for my mac and was trying to use a old belkin f5u109 usb to serial converter with a standard cable which plugged into the middle port of my synscan but skysafari would not talk to the mount. Also tried PC direct mode but the same.

What model usb to serial converter do I need to buy to get it working on my macbook pro and which drivers do I need to get it all working.

Regards
Kon

Poita (Peter) · #9 03-03-2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Bootcamp? Hmm..

PHD is the only reason, apart from MaximDL 5 that I run Windows at all. I blame CCD Labs for not providing 'Nix drivers for my QHY5 and QHY9. You won'y be able to avoid it, but at least running fusion you can run decent Mac software and PHD/Win concurrently. I run SkySafari and SkyFi to run my Takahashi Temma2 system just beautifully.

I gave up on qhy in the end and their craptacular support, I bought a lodestar 2nd hand and it works so well I shifted to using OAG as well. Was well worth the investment.

As for the neximage, you can use the osx toucam driver to get it working under osx.

lacad01 (Adam) · #10 03-03-2012, 04:51 PM

I recently purchased one of these off eBay but haven't tried it out yet. The native Mac drivers are provided as a download from their website. Delivery took about a week.

kon1966 (Kon) · #11 03-03-2012, 05:50 PM

Hi Guys, have downloaded driver for neximage but how do you install the driver on macbook pro 2011 intel based.

Sorry not a mac expert yet only a noob.

regards
Kon

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #12 03-03-2012, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poita

I bought a lodestar 2nd hand and it works so well I shifted to using OAG as well. Was well worth the investment.

Hmmm... thought... food...

kon1966 (Kon) · #13 04-03-2012, 02:12 PM

Hi All, progress so far..
1. Skysafari pro with mac compatible usb to serial adapter works like a charm and slews till the cows come home hooray.
2.Nebulosity 3 connected to Meade DSI II hooray.

Need advice on the following..
Mac software for guiding like phd and software for GPUSB. Also webcam to use for guiding as I do not want to buy a DSI I to use with PHD.

Advice greatly appreciated.

Regards
Kon