Daddystu

It`s a hot clear night tonight so I fired up the mount and laptop. I went straight for Arcturus and got some pretty weird pointing, so I re parked in EQMOD and de-clutched to return to home position. Slewed to Arcturus and it was almost pointing at it It is now that I realise that having a game pad to move the scope is highly desirable. ( I`ll look into that a bit later)

In CdC I did sync and went for a star in the plough, that was a bit off so I re synced and went almost overhead to Vega, it was in the finder. I did a sync, and aimed at M15, now it was in the eyepiece but a bit to the side. Re sync and aimed for M31, this time it was centered nicely in the eyepiece.

This is so good, I should have got round to it years ago! I just need to get more familiar with CdC, which I can do when it is cloudy.

Yes its a great mount and software combination. I'm glad you're up and running. Since i've started using EQMod with my HEQ5 I dont think i've ever had a goto out of the FOV. Admittedly on my ED80. The big bonus comes when you've a permanent set-up. A tiny adjustment in the polar alignment on consecutive nights maybe all thats required. Go-to alignment is saved so I can get imaging within 10 minutes

Thanks for all the info so far. I did read that it was not best to put the handset into PCdirect mode but I think that is how I did it before in the past.

I was hoping that my existing USB to serial lead would be fine to use or do I really need to get the HitecAstro EQDIR adapter?

I will give it a try at connecting tonight anyway.

You need the adaptor. It regulates the electrical impulses to a format that the mount can understand. However, the handset can also do this too.

Hi Chris. I had the same flashing when opening up EQAscom_run independent of CDC. It was however the same issue re the COM port which is solved as you say by setting it in the toolbox.

Thats quite normal. Try connecting through CDC telescope settings panel with the mount connected and powered on.

Ok. Download Ascom V6 service pack 2 from here http://ascom-standar...loads/Index.htm then install it. Next download EQAscom from here http://sourceforge.n...s/eq-mod/files/ and install that too. Next up download and install CDC from here http://www.ap-i.net/...art/en/download . Be sure to enter your precise location data in both EQAscom/EQmod and CDC. Once that's done all you need is a cable such as this one from FLO http://www.firstligh...ir-adapter.html and the prolific USB-serial driver (free download). Then plug the USB end into your laptop and the other into the handbox port on your mount. Power on your mount. Open up CDC and click telescope settings (open up EQAScom if it doesn't pop up automatically). Select EQ5/EQ6 and off you go If it cannot find your mount then you'll have to go into your device manager and find out to which COM port your mount is assigned then just enter that number into your settings.

I saved up all my dinner money at school along with my bus money and managed to get a 70mm Tasco refractor. Was it bad? Yes. It was wobbly and the eyepieces were awful with a pinhole diameter. It was better than nothing though and it was eventually surpassed by 10x50 binoculars a few months later on my 8th birthday.

Hi all. I'm just returning to my favourite hobby after a few years (and a bit of procreation!) Really glad I found this site.