What do I need to guide this set up

[spacetrace]

Hello all.

I'm thinking of having a go at guiding. I have an eq5- if I was to add the skywatchers goto upgrade and guidescope / guide cam etc what would I need additional. I've seen that you can use eqmod to replace the need for the handset and control from pc. Any help would be most welcome

[Cornelius Varley]

Apart from what you have mentioned you will need some guiding software PHD

Peter

[spacetrace]

Do you need anything like eqdir thingy ?

[Cornelius Varley]

If you replace the handset with an EQdir module you can autoguide the mount through EQmod (pulse guiding). That way you only have one control cable going to the mount.

Peter

[spacetrace]

Hello Again,

I thought I had this sorted, then I went and read some more, which has left me confused again. If I have the EQ5 upgrade with synscan version 3 can I connect direct through the handset and still have the same capabilities as if I by passed the hand controller. I have read that linking to the mount via the handset places some limitations, but not sure if this is true for the version 3 something to do with "pc direct mode" I am also confused what actual bit I need as I cant see from the images where a seriel port would connect, this makes sense when connecting to an EQ6 as that has a serial port for the hand controller. Is is this cable that I would need, and by using this cable would I not need an EQDIR unit?

http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/Astro-Accessories-Imagers-Shoestring.asp?p=0_10_5_0_5_66

Thanks again

[chrisshillito]

That shoestring product is an EQDirect interface and is the usb eqivalent of their RS232 based EQDIR product.

If you prefer the RS232 EQDIR route then shoestring also make a cable to connect the EQDIR to the mount. With the USB version this isn't needed.

Chris.

[David JM]

Apart from what you have mentioned you will need some guiding software PHD

Peter

The link turns up a 404, is there another one?

[Cornelius Varley]

http://www.stark-labs.com/

Peter

[David JM]

That works, thanks.