Stellarium to control EQ6 mount

TrevorW · #1 31-08-2008, 12:55 PM

Could someone please advise the steps needed to get an EQ6 controlled by this program.

I've tried but no success just doesn't seem to want to connect to the mount

I did put the mount in RS232 mode

Cheers

AlexN · #2 31-08-2008, 01:41 PM

does stellarium use ASCOM? if so, make sure you're using the Celestron Nexstar 5i/8i driver, and that you have selected the correct COM port. Also make sure its rate is set to 9600Baud.

TrevorW · #3 31-08-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexN

does stellarium use ASCOM? if so, make sure you're using the Celestron Nexstar 5i/8i driver, and that you have selected the correct COM port. Also make sure its rate is set to 9600Baud.

Ascom provide a driver the EQ6 (apparently the driver for the moded EQ6 works) as well as the Celestron Drivers

The Com port is 1

baud rate set Ok

Chippy (Nick) · #4 02-09-2008, 10:12 PM

I believe you may need Stellariumscope. Take a look here:
http://www.bytearts.com/stellarium/

Nick.

mrsnipey · #5 03-09-2008, 05:42 PM

Chippy is right. I just got my EQ6 going with Stellarium scope.

AdrianF (Adrian) · #6 03-09-2008, 07:49 PM

I thought I gave you the steps to get Stellarium going.

Adrian

AdrianF (Adrian) · #7 03-09-2008, 07:50 PM

Install ASCOM drivers from http://ascom-standards.org/

Install EQMOD install files from http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/

Install Stellarium from http://www:stellarium.org V0.9.0 (V 0.10.0 doesnt work yet as far as I can tell)

Install Stellarium Scope from http://www.bytearts.com/stellarium/

Connect your EQ6 to a serial port on your PC/Laptop turn on EQ6 and put into PC Direct Mode and then run Stellarium Scope, you can set Stellarium scope to start Stellarium everytime you start Scope (convenience?) In EQMOD, that should load up with Stellarium Scope, Unpark the scope. In Stellarium select object you want to look at and then press CTRL 1 together, Scope should then ask if you wish to sync or slew select slew and providing everything is OK your scope should slew to the object and if your scope is aligned should track the object.

Adrian

rider · #8 22-09-2008, 11:23 AM

ok, this is the first time I've tried to do this, and dont want to make a mistake. I've downloaded the below programs and installed them.

cable wise, do you plug into the mount or the synscan controller? (eq5pro)

rider

AlexN · #9 22-09-2008, 11:24 AM

plug the serial end of the cable into your PC and the end that looks like a phone plug into the hand controller.

oggie doggie · #10 22-09-2008, 03:29 PM

The opening post asked about EQ6.
Am I correct in assuming that the same applies to HEQ5pro. I believe HEQ5pro and EQ6 have the same software.

Babalyon 5 · #11 22-09-2008, 03:36 PM

I think it does. Why don't you check out Stellarium, and EQMOD. You can also use Cartes Du Ceil(LOL, I can never spell it!) which is another free planetarium to control your mount from. Also maybe Hello, Northern Sky(LOL, dunno if this is applicable for Southerners like us, but think it is).

Catostylus (David) · #12 22-09-2008, 04:18 PM

Has anybody any experience using kstars to control a telescope?

I have the Linux version of stellarium but it looks as though the stellarium scope plugin may be Windows only.

rider · #13 24-09-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdrianF

Install ASCOM drivers from http://ascom-standards.org/

Install EQMOD install files from http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/

Install Stellarium from http://www:stellarium.org V0.9.0 (V 0.10.0 doesnt work yet as far as I can tell)

Install Stellarium Scope from http://www.bytearts.com/stellarium/

Connect your EQ6 to a serial port on your PC/Laptop turn on EQ6 and put into PC Direct Mode and then run Stellarium Scope, you can set Stellarium scope to start Stellarium everytime you start Scope (convenience?) In EQMOD, that should load up with Stellarium Scope, Unpark the scope. In Stellarium select object you want to look at and then press CTRL 1 together, Scope should then ask if you wish to sync or slew select slew and providing everything is OK your scope should slew to the object and if your scope is aligned should track the object.

Adrian

I'm trying to get a little ascer aspire notepad to control a skywatcher eq5pro. cabling is a usb/serial adapter which talks to the synscan controler satisfactorally.

Ive loaded all of the above, and followed the instructions.... synscan controller is in pc direct mode, Stellarium-scope says the scope is connected, & the stellarium config.ini is updated.
the scope simulator box says the scope is un-parked

I do the cnrl/1 trick and the prompt box asks me if I wish to slew (yes I do),

but no action from the scope..
edit1

the eqmod I was using was a beta, I have now replaced it, but now when it is started I get the a box stating the following.

"component MSWINSCK.ocx or one of its dependencies is not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid"

whats this mean? any ideas to get the scope running?
rider

rider · #14 25-09-2008, 09:46 AM

I must have been tired last night, this morning I search the net and found that my version of xp doesnt include 2 .ocx files needed to run the ascom driver.
I loaded them in and everyhing works!

If you have the same problems, download and add the various required .ocx files to windows/system (or system32) until the warning boxes are all gone.

there are a large number of sites providing these files, but be careful, this type of file has been targeted by virus generating lowlife, so scan it before you use it.

rider

TrevorW · #15 25-09-2008, 08:00 PM

OK I got it all installed and working on the desktop PC figured out the additional cable supplied runs from the PC to handcontroller, however can I also run 2 planeterium softwear packages which use the Ascom platform on the same PC then chose which one I want to use on the night.

Cheers

Chippy (Nick) · #16 26-09-2008, 03:17 AM

I haven't actually done it, but I'm confident the answer is YES.

keppar (Graham) · #17 26-09-2008, 04:55 PM

Getting there. how do you put the mount into rs232 mode?
What buttons is that on in the EQ6 skyscan controller

keppar (Graham) · #18 26-09-2008, 04:57 PM

Oh and by the way I am running Vista is that a problem

rider · #19 27-09-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keppar

Getting there. how do you put the mount into rs232 mode?
What buttons is that on in the EQ6 skyscan controller

when you have done an alignment, go into the utilities menu (of the controller) and select PC direct mode.

(I'm a couple of steps ahead of you, Ive got mine moving the scope ok, but it doesnt send it to the correct star. - I think that you may have to park the scope prior to going to pc direct mode, and then un-park it with Stellarium-scope. Last night mine was continually out by about the distance and angle between the postion my scope was in when I switched to PC direct, and the park position.

does anyone know if my assumption is correct?

rider

keppar (Graham) · #20 27-09-2008, 05:30 PM

My skyscan on ultilities does not have p/c control on it only GPS/PEC training/pae/show imformation am I doing anything wrong?