EQMOD and EQ3 Pro Synscan mount -- help needed, please!

[Lee_P]

Hi all,

I'm trying to get EQMOD to work with my EQ3 Pro Synscan mount, but am having a tough time. I've bought the EQ3 cable (http://www.modernastronomy.com/mounts.htm#HiTecAstroEQDir) and have it plugged into my mount and PC. But the PC doesn't seem to be able to get the driver; can anyone point me in the right direction to download it? Perhaps related, but EQMOD can't find the right com port.

Also, I've been trying to follow the QuickStart Guide (http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/docs/EQASCOM_QuickStart.pdf) but can't get past page 2! I try to follow the instructions in Point 3, but "EQASCOM" isn't an option in the dropdown menu. I only have "eqmod.exe" and "eqmod_sim.exe".

I suspect I've done something fundamentally wrong, but am not sure what!

Oh, and another thing... When I load EQMOD it says it's "EQMOD HEQ5/6 V1.271". Does it matter that my mount is different?

Thanks for reading this far! Any help is hugely appreciated.

  - Lee

[Tinker1947]

Have you got ASCOM running..????

[Lee_P]

I think so! At least, I'm looking at a window now called "ASCOM Setup".

I've managed (somehow) to get my PC to recognise the USB connection. In Device Manager it's called "Prolific USB-to Serial Comm Port (COM3)", but in ASCOM Setup it still doesn't recognise any ports.

[Lee_P]

Well I'm not sure what I did, but it seems to be communicating with the mount now! That counts as a victory for tonight!