Connecting EQ3 Pro to EQMOD

[ZiHao]

Hello all,

In what ways could my mount to be connected to eqmod on the laptop? I have a serial port that came with the mount or should I get a cable like this here https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq5-pro-heq5-syntrek-pro-az-eq5-gt-az-eq6-gt-and-eq8-mounts.html

Thanks and clear skies.

[Cornelius Varley]

Either way will work but if you use the supplied serial data cable to connect the handset to the laptop you will also need a usb to serial adapter unless your laptop has a serial port. The Lynx Astro eqdir cable dispenses with the handset and connects the laptop to the mount directly.

[ZiHao]

Thanks for your reply but do I still need some kind of a converter in between the two serial ports or can they just be connected straight away?

 

[Cornelius Varley]

If your laptop has a 9 pin serial port then you can connect the serial data cable straight into it, the other end of the cable (RJ12) plugs into the RJ12 socket on the base of the handset. If not, then you need a usb-serial adapter.

[Forunke]

I built my own EQDirect cable following this guide:

 

If you know how to solder this is a super easy way to connect the mount.

You can directly plug the RJ45 plug of this cable into the mount and don't have to use the handcontroller at all.

[Cornelius Varley]

12 minutes ago, Forunke said:

You can directly plug the Ethernet cable into the mount and don't have to use the handcontroller at all.

Your advice is a bit ambiguous . Plugging an ethernet cable into the mount won't work.

[Forunke]

17 minutes ago, Cornelius Varley said:

Your advice is a bit ambiguous . Plugging an ethernet cable into the mount won't work.

Oh... Ooohhh... I should do at least some google image search...

Terribly sorry. I was assuming the EQ3 Pro had the same ports as the EQ5.

 

In that case a simply USB to serial adapter and the included serial to rj12 would probably be the easiest method.

Maybe the EQDirect cable could work if you swap the ethernet jack to an ethernet port though... but that's just guessing

 

Edit:

Isn't the Handcontroller connected through a ethernet cable to the box on the tripod? In that case a EQDirect cable should do the job.

Hard to find a decent sized picture...

[Cornelius Varley]

Calling the EQDir cable an "ethernet" cable is misleading, it isn't . Yes, the handset to mount cable is a cat5 cable but in your previous post you suggested connecting an ethernet cable between the mount and laptop.

[Forunke]

Ok, true... I'll edit that.