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Showing results for tags 'eqmod'.
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Hi All I have been using my 'best' laptop with Windows 8.1 to control an EQ5 Pro mount via a USB/Serial converter with a lead directly to the hand controller set to PC Direct Mode. On the same laptop I have installed PHD2 for guiding and BackyardEOS for image capture and a gampepad for ease of 'tweaking' the telescope pointing. I have also installed Cartes du Ciel (CdC) to find and slew to targets. This system has worked flawlessly (other than 'idiot induced' problems) for a number of months now. I was lucky enough to be given another, slightly older, laptop to use so I thought the 'be
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I’ve just bought a Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro. I’m trying to drive it from Stellarium using EQMOD but I’m running into a problem I haven’t the experience to solve. This is my set up: Windows 7 Laptop > 10m active USB 3.0 cable > 4 port powered Atolla USB 3.0 hub > Lynx Astro EQMOD cable > Mount (plugged directly into hand control socket) When I first connected the mount to the laptop (a 2015 Dell Inspiron) Windows 7 searched for a serial/USB driver and installed it on COM 8 (according to Device Manager). In Stellarium I created a profile for the mount but it wouldn’t -
For a long time now I have been using the Prolific driver installer v10518 from the HitecAstro site on my windows 7 computer. Recently I have been getting a lot of overnight crashes and lost a lot of imaging time. An analysis of last night's crash pointed to the Prolific driver. MS today offered me a new driver V3.6.81.357 to replace v3.3.5.122. First signs are that it works... well I can move the mount. My question to the group is in 2 parts:- 1) Is this new driver reliable? 2) Is this now the time to find a new more reliable EQDIR interface and if so what recommendations can you offer. T
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I am at a complete loss to understand why eqmod was not syncing on CdC last night. I have had a look at this video, I had the star centred on the screen [3m33s], I pressed sync on CdC, I got the dialog box [3m39s], I clicked 'yes' and NOTHING happened: the white circle stayed where it was, no sync points were added to EQMOD, zilch! I can get round most problems, but this really one stymies my GOTOs and, therefore, my imaging process. I have been unable to find anything in the EQMOD documentation that deals with such an error and a search on here has turned up no help (but that always
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Hi All Has anybody else had this problem? I use a single, ageing laptop (HP620 8Gb RAM) running Windows 7 Pro 64bit to control my imaging setup using the following software; Cartes du Ciel and EQMOD to control EQ5 Pro mount via EQDIRECT cable connected via powered USB Hub BackyardEOS to capture images from Canon 450D via same USB powered hub PHD2 for guiding using GP-CAM 130C and EQMOD pulse guiding What confuses me is that some evenings everything works absolutely fine. Another evening, using exactly the same hardware, software and even connections (ie I always plug the
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I’ve been having issues with platesolving using Platesolve2 and my Ioptron IEQ30PRO Mount, I’m connecting using the Ioptron Commander Ascom driver. I’m using Maxim DL5 to locate and image via the Planetarium section. When the Maxim platesolving fails, especially when I’ve just started in a new location, I need to use Platesolve2, which is installed as an add on. Unfortunately I can never sync once it’s finished platesolving as the telescope disconnects at some point in the process. I only use the above setup at Star parties. At home I have an observatory with Eqmod running an eq6. I don’t
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Setting up all the software on my win10 laptop and getting things to talk to one another is a nightmare. I'm starting a new thread, so I can post all the problems I am having, one at a time, so issues don't get confused. This will also hopefully help anyone coming to similar situations later, as the problems and answers will not be interlaced. First issue: APT does not detect ZWO camera. I have got the camera (ZWO) drivers installed and sharpcap can see it and will connect to it properly. However, when I try to connect the camera in APT, the only CCD options it gives me are SBIG
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Hi guys, I been googling a lot and was not able to find a solution how to connect EQMOD to the Mount via SW Wifi Dongle... it looks like EQMOD needs COM Port to be used.... I do remember there was some kind of "Virtual Com port bridge to Wifi"app back in Win98 days... But I cannot find anything similar for Win10. I want to test EQMOD auto-guiding via WIFI, - I know, it's not reliable, but I want to try as I have Skywatcher wifi dongle and my USB to Serial (RS-232) Converter Cable is wayyyy too short to keep my PC (and me) in warm. I am able to connect with SynScan
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Dear All! Please read everything!!! I have a big DEC backlash on my EQ3 mount near to 8000ms, and the pulse guide correction is slow and the 2000ms doesnt enough to correct this issue. So I decided to correct it with this great EQMOD project to add some new code in the backlash correction The plan was to use the slew direction to correct the backlash! WARNING!!!! this code works like the slew controls so its minimally override the DEC coordinates. Installation from zip file: 1. install AQESCOM - final version\EQASCOM_V200j_Setup.exe 2. Copy files from final version\comm -
Dear fellow stargazers... I'm helping a friend with a tracking issue using Eqmod. He has used EQAscom for a number of years with his Celestron CG-5 no problem. Having moved over to the new fancy Skywatcher EQ6-R mount (I'm not jelous... not one bit), he now has a problem with EQAscom. Having chosen PC-Drect mode on the hand-controller, EQAscom connects to the mount and slews perfectly, however when using Stellarium Scope and slewing to an object, the mount does not then continue to track the target (even after pressing the siderial rate button on EQAscom). We have checked EQAscoms 'defaul
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Hi, After 6 months of waiting for the new deep-sky camera to reach my observatory,I discovered I have a real problem. All this time, the system was used only several times, with the purpose to make some deep-sky images using a planetary camera (an ASI 174 mono - see the topic HERE ). Using the set-up for this kind of images, the usual way to acquire images was altered. At some point I discovered that is more easy and reliable to make a synchronization from TheSky6 and not from MaximDL, as usual. This is the history. Yesterday night and the night before, after installing my new
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Hello All Im using a eq6 and I'm having all sorts of problems with my guiding. I used to be without guider to get 2 minutes easily but now I'm struggling to get good shots whatever I choose. So first of all EQMOD what do people use for the RA settings for the autoguider in EQMOD? I have fiddled about with every one of them but no real improvement. What do others use? In PHD2 I have done the settings for my guide camera which is a asi120mm and the focal length of the scope is done along with the sensor size. On the PHD I've moved just about everything and nothing se -
Hi all, Before turning to AZ-EQ6 GT mount, I tried to upgrade my previous Losmandy G11 mount to autoguiding by use of a SBIG Relay Box connecting the PC to the mount through an ST4 cable. I didn't intend to transform it into a goto system -it remained manual- just wanted to realize an autoguided system, and I succeded for short exposures up to two-three minutes, but I wasn't able to scale up, hence I turned to the SkyWatcher. My Losmandy dates back to the end of 1990's, but never showed backlash and worm-gear play like the brand new AZ-EQ6 GT did. I was quite deluded by that, and I still
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I was showing a friend today all the brilliant things that eqmod can do for my EQ6 mount and he is totally sold. However, he has a celestron Advance GT GEM mount and eqmod won't work with these mounts. He uses Celestron's Nexremote software with stellariumScope but there's no wizzy options such as disabling meridian flip or specifying mount limits etc. Does anyone know of a Celestron compatible alternative that can work in a similar way as EQMod?
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EQMOD with EQ5 Pro - Declination Backlash Handling
morayskies posted a topic in Discussions - Mounts
Hi All I have recently started using EQMOD to control my EQ5 Pro mount. When I use the mount with the SynScan Hand Controller I have noticed the usual backlash in the Declination axis when reversing the direction from north to south or vice versa. In the SynScan Setup/Backlash/Declination menu option, I find that setting this to 0deg 0' 50" (ie 50 arcseconds) compensates for the backlash when using the hand controller. My questions are these; When using EQMOD and the PC Direct mode setting on the hand controller, is this Declination Backlash compensation still applied? (I suspect -
Hello all Can I ask what is the current thinking and methods on the following things. There seems to be some really old YouTube videos of how to control your mount and control your camera but I would like to hear what is the latest wisdom on the following: Eq6 Mount Control? Stellarium? Eqmod? Handset? Bluetooth? Canon camera exposure control. Aptool? Intervalometer? Laptop? iOS app??? Is that even possibile? I have a Eq6 pro but I would love to know what the most current way of doing these things are. It's mainly for imaging. Bring me me up to date plea
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Well the lynx cable came yesterday for my EQ6 PRO from FLO,well packaged in a bubble wrap bag and comparing with my previous eqdirect cable, build wise much better, more professional looking , thicker round cable, metal D-sub with long thumb screws, moulded usb plug, £34 ok not cheap but about the norm for an EQdirect cable , quick check eqmod found straight off ,uses the fdti chip set so didn`t matter what usb port i used, still said com11, would recommend .
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Hello all I wanted to ask those that already use EQMOD what are the main benefits of using it. I have a eq6 and I currently use synscan BUT I have just loaded up cart du ciel with EQMOD and moved my mount for the first time. Lovely! What do people think of it? Does it help with imaging? Can it help with better alignment? I'm particularly interested in this. If some of you out there use it please give me a list of things that you use it for where it outshines synscan. Gerry
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They say it never rains, but it pours. Certainly seems to be the case with my NEQ6 recently. When I set up the mount last night, I found the "Dec Lock Lever" (#16 on the attached diagram) has completely seized. Cannot shift it in either direction, despite attacking it with as much force/pressure as I felt comfortable doing, considering it is just a piece of plastic and breaking it would not improve the situation any. Had it out again today in the cold light of day, but to no avail. So my first question would be: has anyone else had this problem and (possibly more importantly) found a
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Hi, has anyone ever tried to use EQMOD DIRECT with an EQ8 mount under the control of CDC but with POTH used to connect the telescope and Dome together under the control of CDC slews. It all works but I cannot get EQMOD to display the correct tracking rate. It always seems to choose Sidereal even if I select the Sun or Moon. I feel sure its something I am doing but not found it after 6 months. I have even tried it in simulation mode and it still does not reflect the correct tracking rate for the Sun and Moon. -
Hi, What a time I am having with this EQ8, shame it's not a good one. I used the handset to perform the 2 star alignment, then went through the polar alignment routine on 2 different stars, about 3 times each. I got the polar alignment pretty close by using my Atik camera on the PC monitor. The mount continued to track well with the handset, I parked, turned off. Connected EQMOD cable, powered up, unparked, resync'ed encoders and then went to find Capella to sync on to start building my points list in EQMOD. Well once I got to Capella and the Sidereal rate was on, the stars were zipping past
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I have worked up a script to make it easier to use Stellarium with EQMOD. At the moment, issuing a commands to EQMOD from Stellarium requires one to press the CTRL key and a number key, specifically CTRL-1 to slew to the selected target, CTRL-3 to Sync to the current target and CTRL-5 to cancel the slew. I find this rather inconvenient when working in the dark, on a small notebook keypad and with gloves on. It is believed that in forthcoming versions of Stellarium (e.g. v0.12.x) it will be possible to re-map the telescope control keys. Even so, I'd prefer to use my wireless game pad for the
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Hi guys Anyone out there got an EQ5, AstroEQ and EQMOD and successfully guiding? The EQ5 is important here (not an HEQ5 or higher), because you'll have the dual axis motor kit and be ASCOM pulse guiding and not ST4 guiding. If so, it would be good to exchange notes so that I can hopefully get mine going. Might save me an awful lot of time experimenting and ultimately failing! Thanks
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In the category of medium nuisance, but have had some issues with EQMOD losing its communication to the mount on several occasions and wondered if this is expected or if I have a particular issue. I'm using and HEQ5 Pro mount wired directly to a HitechAstro EQDIR. Having three USB Ports on my laptop the EQDIR share a single USB controller/port with the game pad sensor, my other two ports are connected directly to image and guide cams. All cables and connections look good (checked with multimeter for continuity/resistance), are routed away from power, connectors are taped up and I've been
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I seem to be struggling getting the co-ordinates right in EQMOD Mine are N 53.XXXX,E -2.XXXX Do I enter it as -2 and select E or do i enter it as 02 or just 2 and select W??When i select a target in CDC it either points in the opposite direction or at the floor I've tried all manner of variations,none of which seem to work? Any help much appreciated
