BrendanC

Mount > cable > HS > Skywatcher serial-USB cable (this one: https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/skywatcher-synscan-usb-to-serial-converter-cable.html) > PC

Btw FLO responded and said the exact same thing you did - I should just be able to plug in the Lynx cable and connect with the Synscan app. It's still not working, after trying it with two separate laptops and five USB ports between them.

I either have a duff cable, or there's something seriously wrong with the mount.

Hi again Peter, 

Good to know it's good as a guidescope, even better if it would fit into the findershoe.

@stash_old I don't belong to a club unfortunately. I did for a while but they weren't much use. The handset seems to flash ok, says 100% done, then emits a high-pitched tone when I power up again (nearly had a heart attack first time, thought I'd bricked the unit). I can still flash it back to its 'normal' mode thank goodness.

@bottletopburly It's this one: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq6-or-neq6-syntrek-pro-mounts.html

Thank you so very much for all your help. I can see that you've taken a lot of time here and I really do appreciate it.

I'm going to have another go from square one: try the handset with PC Direct and my Skywatcher cable; then try flashing it for the relay; then try the Lynx cable; then try the cable with EQMOD. Meanwhile Skywatcher are looking into why I might be having problems flashing the handset, and FLO have my email about the cable, so I'll also see what they say.

At least now I'm much more certain of some things, whereas before the combinatorial explosion was killing me.

In the meantime, I can still do my thing but with the handset for initial alignment, which isn't really a huge issue. It just feels like a step backward. But, I can actually use the mount, which is great.

Again, thank you for all your help here.

Thanks Peter. So you're saying that the mounting ring would work? And is the other finder essentially the same as the 9x50? As per my last post?

Just want to be clear - when you say direct connection has worked, are you also saying, direct connection has worked *and you've been using the Synscan Windows app*?

Because my situation is that yes, I can use the handset from my laptop, as I've just been doing now, having plugged it into my laptop using the Skywatcher USB cable. So, I use the handset to set up the date, time and alignment, then I continue with APT for everything else. Whereas, previously, I could use the Windows app for setup instead, and then continue with APT.

But I cannot use the Windows app without flashing the firmware to relay mode. I couldn't for my v4 handset, until Skywatcher said I needed to flash the firmware to relay mode. Then it worked immediately. Same with v3 handset, except the firmware change doesn't work, which is why I'm back to using the handset.

Again, just for clarity, I'm referring to the 'Firmware: SynScan Relay V3, Version 3.1' here: http://skywatcher.com/download/software/synscan-v3-hand-controller-firmware/ - in which it says it is for 'controlling the telescope mount with the application "SynScan Pro for Windows".' This is the only reason I keep coming back to the firmware. I totally accept what you're saying about how you've got it to work, I'm just explaining why I've been doing it this way.

It seems you're way ahead of me regarding how the synscan functions so it would be good to know how you've got this to work. If you're definitely saying that I shouldn't have to flash the firmware to be able to run the Windows synscan app, it would be fantastic. If you have any pointers that would be great, for example what settings should I have on the handset for it to work (I tried PC Direct mode, that didn't work either).

Regarding the cable, let's see what FLO say. I'm also going to check the COM ports again and see what happens.

Thanks for all the help, really appreciate it.

OK, so two findings:

Would this enable the larger guider scope to be fitted: https://uk.telescope.com/Orion-Guide-Scope-Ring-Mounting-Bar/p/109859.uts

Is this essentially the same as the 9x50 guider scope but complete with adapter: https://uk.telescope.com/Orion-Mini-50mm-Guide-Scope/p/109903.uts

Leave everything set up oustide but take the camera inside?

No offence taken, thanks for the feedback!

To go through your points:

1. I'm certain there was a need to flash the handset on the NEQ6. I had by this time sold the old AZ mount and handset, but kept the old cable. There is no other way to use the app, other via a Wifi  dongle (which I don't want to use because my laptop's wifi ain't great - I prefer cables to wifi for this kind of app where even a short break can result in have to go outside to re-establish a connection). I've tried using PC Direct which someone advised, and which also didn't work, but on advice originally from Skywatcher support, the only way to use the app on Windows, Android or iPhone is to flash the synscan handset to act as a relay.

2. I have a degree in IT, have worked in tech comms for over 25 years, have coded, and have built my own computers in the past so I'm pretty tech-savvy! My aversion to EQMOD is as I said previously: dreadful website, incomprehensible interface, meaningless acronyms everywhere, and it's just another mountain to climb, which I frankly don't want to. That's one of the two things I've noticed about astro tech in particular: documentation, integration and comms are not great.  On the other hand, the number two thing I've noticed is that software developers offer superb support.

3. Looks like I have a faulty cable then maybe? I tried several times to get the app to connect with the NEQ6 via the cable, it just didn't work. I've emailed the manufacturer support to ask about this. I'm going to spend more time with it though because you have a point about the COM port, maybe I just need to take a closer look at everything that's being registered.

Rest of points - agreed! Especially about the pain bit. I still wish the handset relay firmware had just worked, I could have been up and running very nicely by now. Skywatcher have since responded but only to apologise for being extremely slow (I guess understandably given the current situation).

Apologies btw for my exasperated tone! But I'm exasperated, and it shows.

Indeedy! 

I don't mind paying for example for the first guidescope I mentioned because it's all included. Even if the eventual cost of the 9x50 solution is the same, I will forever resent having to pay 29 quid for an adapter. I just don't want to do it on principle!

Ah yes, so that's the one I found, and could not quite believe they're charging £29 for it! So, I could get a 9x50 finder scope for £39, which is great, but then shell out another £29 just to connect the camera. Hmmmm...

There absolutely must be a way to connect the first finder scope I listed in the title of this thread. It's not just that one, loads of finder scopes seem to have those fittings.

I realised Wifi wouldn't work anyway because I use an ethernet powerline connection from the laptop, because the laptop's wifi is a bit dodgy, so that basically means I can't use the Synscan app any more.

I understand that EQMOD has benefits, but I'm a big fan of using what works, and keeping it as simple as possible. I've been through the EQMOD stuff before - dreadful website, incomprehensible interface, meaningless acronyms everywhere. It's just yet another mountain I'm not prepared to climb. So, I'm going to stick with the handset for now, only using it for alignment and then continuing with the laptop for slewing and imaging. One day I might take a deep breath and try using the cable again, but not for a while.

Would it be possible please to link to the adapter that you use to attach the camera to the scope?

Fab, thank you so much for your help, really appreciate it.

Interesting. I'm tempted, but I still don't see how a camera would fit to that finderguider? I have the smaller 6x30 model and there's no way I can see that I could attach a camera to it. Thanks for your help here btw.

Update: it still didn't work.

So, if I did decide to go with that model, how would I have both a finder and a guidescope? And how would I fit a camera to that model, because it just looks like a finder scope to me, not a guide scope? So many questions...!

Thanks. I was considering the wifi approach but my laptop's wifi is a bit dodgy (to control it from the house I use a powerline adapter). That's why I figured I'd go with a cable because it should just 'work'!

Looks like I'm going to have to go the EQMOD route. I'm sure there's lots to be said for this, it's just so very disappointing that I can't just crack on with a method that worked so well for me before.

Why oh why oh why is this always so difficult?

Why do things never just work?

A little story: about two years ago I got a trusty little Skywatcher 130P AZ Goto Synscan. After getting the hang of using the handset, I decided I wanted to hook it up to my laptop so that I could use planetarium software and camera control software alongside it too. So, after a lot of frustration with different cables and ASCOM drivers not working, I finally hit on a solution: use the Synscan Windows App, and flash the Sysncan handset so that it acted as a relay (not PC Direct). It worked! And very reliably too.

I recently upgraded to an NEQ6 and a key part of my strategy in doing so was to simply flash the handset again, and carry on as before. But no. The handset emitted an alarming constant tone every time I flashed it. I was able to flash it back as before and can use the handset, but Skywatcher support is useless and I was never able to get this to work.

So, after some consultation on forums, it seemed this was a good solution: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq6-or-neq6-syntrek-pro-mounts.html. I thought I'd be able just to plug it in, and then use the app.

I just tried it. It doesn't work. Fire up the Synscan app, it says 'Unable to Connect'. Fire up APT, try using the ASCOM drivers, same result.

I am so fed up! It's been such a long, steep learning curve. Every time, it's two steps forward, one step back.

So, it looks like I'm going to have to abandon the nice, familiar, easy, simple, dependable way I had of working before, and learn something new. I'd rather be doing astronomy, frankly.

So is it really the case that, to use this cable, I have to install EQMOD?

If so, how then do I carry out initial alignment eg two-star or three-star alignment, if I can't use the Synscan handset or app?

Can anyone help? Please?

Thanks, Brendan

Thanks. I had considered that model but I'd like to go a bit longer on the focal length. 

I'm going to get this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/KKmoon-Finderscope-Astronomical-Telescope-Guidescope/dp/B07PZK2W3Z

How do I fit it to this: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-130p-ds-ota.html

By which I (probably) mean: what bracket would I need to buy? Some sort of dovetail?

Thanks, Brendan

Thanks. I figured it wasn't a real problem. Just oddddddddddd. 

1 hour ago, alacant said:

Before you buy a guide telescope,  try with your 130. Attach the camera and see how many stars are visible with a 2 second exposure. I've a feeling you're gonna need something more sensitive.

Cheers

I think you could be right. But, if that's the case, why does PHD2 recognise the camera? It's advertised as being suitable. I'd just like to know if anyone else has used it for this, and with what degree of success. Perfectly prepared to be told it's unsuitable, but it would just be such a pity not to use it if in some way it could work. But yes, you're right, that's probably the best test: see what I can see through the actual scope first.

I did! As per previous post. 

It would just be good to know if anyone actually has experience of using this camera for guiding. Theoretically it should work. 

Thanks for this, I don't seem able to access the Google Sheet.

I just gave the calculator a go and it looks like I'll be fine with pretty much any focal length above around 80mm.

So, this is good. But it would be great if someone else actually had experience of using this camera with a guidescope. I've looked and can only find a couple of mentions of using it for this, none of which actually yielded answers. I guess that's a kind of answer though (ie 'no'), but it just seems that, given I already have this camera, and I never use it, and it's recognised by PHD2, then if I could use it, I would like to!