EQMOD

[brrttpaul]

Hi guys, I tried downloading eqmod the other night and think I went wrong somewhere. I am running windows 8 and have a HEQ5 mount and a skywatcher 150. When I downloaded it I had to download something else first and then the eqmod. I think I may have downloaded the wrong one because when i started it up and installed it, it just kept flashing on the screen for two seconds then going off repeatedly in the end I had to uninstall it. Anyone have any ideas where I am going wrong or put the link up to the correct one I should be downloading?cheers

Paul

[Cornelius Varley]

If you don't have the mount connected up to your pc EQMOD won't run (just flashes on screen then stops) . 

[Tinker1947]

EQMod is not a stand alone program it needs Ascom and either CdC or Stellarium to be running at the same time,,,,that will stop it flashing......

[Cornelius Varley]

EQMod is not a stand alone program it needs Ascom and either CdC or Stellarium to be running at the same time,,,,that will stop it flashing......

That is incorrect. EQMOD is trying to connect to a Synscan mount. If the mount is not connected to the pc EQMOD will close and keep restarting .  

[brrttpaul]

If you don't have the mount connected up to your pc EQMOD won't run (just flashes on screen then stops) . 

that was the problem then, time for another DOH i think lol cheers

[brrttpaul]

would I need an RJ11 to DB9 lead to plug from the computer to the handset? I had a load of bits and bobs with it but not that particular lead. I got a male to female usb extesion lead and then and also a white lead usb male one end the other end is  square like the ones for plugging into printers, not like the telephone type see through ones. Not sure what I need

[Lonestar70]

Hi Paul,

For EQMOD to work you must also have the ASCOM platform installed... this was probably the other item you had to download first.

You then need an EQDIR lead for your mount: -

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/hitecastro-eqdir-adapter.html

Make sure you pick the HEQ5 version... and also download the Windows 8 drivers from the same link, also the driver installation info.

One end plugs into a usb port on your PC/Laptop... the other end plugs into the mount in place of the handset.

You don't use, or need, the HEQ5 handset... all control is from the EQMOD user interface and/or the planetarium software on the PC/Laptop.

You will also need a planetarium software, either Cartes du Ciel

http://sourceforge.net/projects/skychart/

or Stellarium +Stellarium scope...

http://stellarium.org/en_GB

http://stellariumscope.software.informer.com/

all are free downloads on the web.

This is then used to select a Star/Planet/DSO for alignment or goto.

Once you have the planetarium software installed you can just open it and select your telescope... this will then open EQMOD for you.

The most important thing is to make sure that both Planetarium and EQMOD both have identical Location and time settings.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

Best regards.

Sandy.

[brrttpaul]

Thanks very much for that, so the handset is obsolete then? I have downloaded the ascom platform. O was also told about  Cart du Ciel so will try that.

Thanks very much for your help