Connecting telescope to computer

[montezuma110]

I have just got a serial to USB adapter and have spent the last few days trying to get my skywatcher 127 az Goto scope connected to my mac book. Firstly I tried to update the firmware, in a windows partition. The installer says it cannot connect to the telescope.

Secondly I was hunting for some drivers on the Internet, I cannot find them anywhere. I read somewhere that celestron drivers will work, is this true?

Any suggestions for a possible solution really appreciated

Thanks

[Shibby]

Hi... The installer for what? What software are you using? Check for the serial adapter in device manager to see if it is working properly. This will also tell you which com port the device is emulating.

[montezuma110]

Ah yes sorry, the installer for the handset firmware.

Is it quite a complicated process getting the telescope to work with a computer, or should it be almost plug and play?

[Spikey]

Are you just wanting to update the firmware of the handset?

[montezuma110]

I want to use it for controlling the scope on something like stellarium and eventually try and set up a guiding system.

The only reason I want to try and update firmware is so I know if my cables are working, I'm guessing you don't need drivers to update firmware?

[Spikey]

I would imagine that you need drivers to drive the serial to USB adapter. Prolific seems to be the most popular type of adapter, you could try their drivers.

Are you using Windows in a virtual machine?

[montezuma110]

Just installed the drivers for the adapter, still no Joy.

Yes I am running it in a vm, going to try on mac osx now. Can you get telescope drivers for mac?

[Spikey]

Not drivers as such as it's controlling the mount. I think you should have some success with the Mac version of Stellarium.

[Spikey]

Some good info here; Telescope Control plug-in - Stellarium Wiki

[montezuma110]

Got the right driver I think, it was the one recommended on stelarium wiki. The port is being recognised, but haven't managed to get the telescope working with it yet.

Thanks for your help, I think I am getting closer to getting it working

[Spikey]

You can't be far off now, keep trying

[mgirdwood]

Hi,

I have just done the same with my Macbook and Stellarium. There is a very good post one of the forums that i eventually found,try this one http://stargazerslounge.com/beginners-help-advice/117787-using-stellarium-control-your-mount-mac-solution.html but the peice of info that i was completely missing was the USB port name. as soon as i had that in the config window it worked a treat.

cant get my win7 macine to work but as long as the mac keeps going then i am fine for the moment.

hope it helps

[Tinker1947]

A step in the right direction, good luck.

[montezuma110]

Thanks mgirdwood, seems to have done the trick. Now working perfectly.