Rustang

I've not tried sidereal in EQASCOM as I've been setting on the handset while trying to get the st4 way sorted. How do you do it with EQASCOM? The fact I can move the mount now with eqascom probably means I don't need to test it now though!

No luck with the new ST4 cable so what ever the issue is we may never know. So it seems I'm going to have to go even further into the deep end then and lose my comfort blanket, the handset! I have downloaded APT to take on what the hand controller did and will just have to try it and see. In the photo below, can anyone see anything I need to add or change. And any other settings extra I need to know? I will be honest, I've spent so much brain power on this that I'm getting lazy at looking anything else up right now! I will do though. PHD2 also now gives me the option to choose my mount now EQASCOM is sorted.

Hi guys, Steve - yes it was in sidereal so RA was slowly moving round but no extra movement in anyway when any of the directions pressed the way you stated to try. The txt does appear at the bottom, I believe it reads the same as the picture you posted before.

Thanks mate, I will look into that 👍

I've had a quick go, did what you said Steve and still no movement what so ever, however having ago in EQASCOM today I can move all directions now by using the manual controls on that interface so that's somehow working!! When the new ST4 cable arrives I will try that later.

Ok mate, if I get time to do that today will try that, cheers.

Please don't be the mount, that's me done if it is! 😭 What did you put in the search bar so I can try and look through the same info!?

It's incredibly frustrating to not know what is at fault and I'm concerned I'm not going to figure it out, but I will try the new ST4 cable tomorrow. The fact it doesn't move in RA in EQASCOM is also strange as it moves in DEC. Worse case I will stick to 2min subs and bin off the auto guiding as I'm comfortable with that but I would also really like to improve my images. I'm also not looking forward to the possibility of still having issues if this ever got sorted. This has been such a headache and I've not even begun the nights of possible issues, from what I've been reading this is very likely and I honestly don't think I've got the patience after this but I will try and remain positive.

Sorry my bad, I wasn't clear. While using the ST4 I was only using the handset, so just the handset and ST4. It was only once I somehow set up EQASOM did I then for just an hour or so today did plug in the different cable into the handset and put in PC mode to try that way. Everything you tried I followed exactly from what I can see, again just the handset, the ST4 and PHD2 so yes it's confusing to actually know what's wrong. I'm based in Hertfordshire and it would be awesome if someone was local to help but Steve you have been awesome mate and couldn't appreciate your time enough, if I was local to you I would buy you a pint or two 👍

Is there a prize for the longest thread for 'I don't know what I'm doing'!? Or 'it's all going wrong!'?

I was getting fed up with the ST4 way even though I still really won't to do it that way to start with. My EqDir cable seems to be out of date, something to with the USB software or something says the computer, went out of date in 2012!!!!?, the lead time on a new one is crazy from FLO and it's another £35 I don't really want to spend. I followed a guide online of going into the bottom of the handset but putting handset into PC mode. I've put in the mount details etc and appear to have set up EQASCOM, I can actually do something!! I can move the mount that way in DEC, I can see it move but when I try in RA it doesn't move something else wrong there as well.

Yeah moves fine in sidereal. I some how managed to sort out eqascom and can move the mount via that but it appears only in the Dec! 🤔 A new ST4 is on its way so let's start a process of elimination! I don't know how to tell if it's the camera but if it is I'm not going to be happy as I only recently brought that off here!!!

Mount on and connected to PHD2, cover off, sidereal OFF, manual controls pressed, wait 5 secs and continued, did this said amount of times, sadly no movement still ☹️, I'm off to buy badminton racket!

Good idea re taking covers off to see, I will give that ago, nice one! 👍 P. S you wonna hear our cats when it's food time, a very demanding meow!! 😁

The ST4 cable came with the guide camera, I would say it should be fine but you never know. It's all getting really demoralizing.

Yeah changed to 5000 So try the manual controls with the mount turned on, no sidereal!? If that's the case then no sounds heard that way either!

Just trying this again now and sadly there appears to be no change in sound what so ever. There is a sort of tick tocking sound but this is permanent and doesn't change when pressing any of the direction buttons. Ive hit a wall big time!

Ok thanks Steve, I will give it all another go over the weekend, fingers crossed!!

Thanks mate, thanks for sticking by me with this, really appreciate it 👍

Yes all of that was fine but it was when i was trying manually the see if PHD2 is sending corrections to the mount and the mount responding, I'm not sure it is. The mount connects via "on mount" but how do you check this is definitely sending corrections during the day before i waste lots of evening!? I went through what you said to do earlier and i still cant here any change in the motors when pressing the manual control buttons!

I was tryng that out but I'm still having issues with PHD2 doing the manual movements so thought sod it i will just try going straight from the mount to the computer and still having no luck, I'm honestly pulling my hair out, I hate that its just so much computer based stuff I hardly know about just to get the dam thing set up!

Ive got no issues with the camera its the mount that's causing me issues, well getting it connect is the problem!!!

Sadly this is continuing to be a head ache and I'm going round and round on the info given and the software and getting know where. I'm really doing my best but from what I've been reading online, others have had issues with the same mount etc. So, I've downloaded Ascom - do I need to do/enter anything in this!? I have Eq mod, same question do I need to do anything with this? I still don't know if I have managed to download the correct mount driver, the only one I found was in the below image 'skywatcher synscan mount controller' I'm wondering if this driver means I have to plug the cable into the bottom of the hand controller? But where's the driver so the computer can read straight to the mount!? I gave the ST4 cable way of doing it another go but I still don't think PHD2 is sending controls to the mount because I still don't think I have it connected properly. In one of the pictures below you can see there's still not an HEQ5 option in the mount connection drop down, I believe the skywatcher telescope option is the above mentioned driver. It's honestly driving me crazy, me and technology don't get on because I find it incredibly frustrating. So currently I have the mount connected where the controller used to be then into the laptop, no ST4. Also after doing some more reading, there's alot going on about computer ports, following instructions I checked my ports but I'm getting what's in the image below and not the equipment listed, what does 'phased out....' message mean!?

One thing has to be said, it definitely makes for a cool looking setup!! 😎 I promise not to make it "all the gear but no idea!!" 😊