Unable to connect EQ5 to my laptop.....

[mikebez56]

Hi Help....im sure i have done everything correct and when in stellarium it wont connect to the Heq5 mount......firstly im not sure mine is an heq5 but only a eq5 with a synscan v4 (dont know if there is a difference.) Ive used ascom and used the correct drivers and tookcare with my comms port...i have the correct serial to usb adapter....im lost....when i try to connect...i initially hear a clicking from the stepper motor on the miu nt then it stops,,,,,,any help please....i also cant connect my synscan to update firmware althoygh it doesnt need it,,,,,

[StevieDvd]

The weak link sounds like the cable then.

To update the handset you need the usb/serial connected and hold the 0 & 8 keys then put the 1v power lead in.  Then check the com port has been assigned and use that to read the handset version from the update app ( no need to do an update).

If that does not work it won't work to connect to the mount either.

PS the HEQ5 should have a big HEQ5  on the side near it's base 🙂

[Budgie1]

You say you've got the correct serial to USB adaptor, what make is it?

I had a cheaper serial to USB and that didn't connect to the V3 EQ5 handset, I managed to get a SkyWatcher Synscan adaptor and that connected with no problems and allowed firmware updates to the handset.

Another option, if you're going to control the mount from a laptop, is the EQDIR cable. This replaces the handset so everything is controlled via the ASCOM drivers and whatever software you're using on the laptop. 

[mikebez56]

2 hours ago, StevieDvd said:

The weak link sounds like the cable then.

To update the handset you need the usb/serial connected and hold the 0 & 8 keys then put the 1v power lead in.  Then check the com port has been assigned and use that to read the handset version from the update app ( no need to do an update).

If that does not work it won't work to connect to the mount either.

PS the HEQ5 should have a big HEQ5  on the side near it's base 🙂

This is the suggestion for the handheld with a power supply on it. My power supply is on a different power box...ill have another go though....

There is no HEQ5 on the mount

[Budgie1]

That's the EQ5 Pro GoTo mount, the HEQ5 is larger.

There should be a power connection on the hand controller, where the cable goes into the base of unit.

[malc-c]

16 hours ago, mikebez56 said:

Hi Help....im sure i have done everything correct and when in stellarium it wont connect to the Heq5 mount......firstly im not sure mine is an heq5 but only a eq5 with a synscan v4 (dont know if there is a difference.) Ive used ascom and used the correct drivers and tookcare with my comms port...i have the correct serial to usb adapter....im lost....when i try to connect...i initially hear a clicking from the stepper motor on the miu nt then it stops,,,,,,any help please....i also cant connect my synscan to update firmware althoygh it doesnt need it,,,,,

 

OK so are you are using an EQDIR cable to connect the PC to the mount, or are you using a PC-Direct cable connected to the handset and then setting the handset into PC-DIRECT mode?  - Personally if you are looking at controlling the telescope from a PC then I would suggest using an EQDIR cable (from FLO or RVO) for around £30 and connect it directly to the mount inplace of the handset.  You can then use EQMOD or GS Server as the interface between your chosen planetarium application.

An update is only needed if it includes a fix for a particular issue you are experiencing and relates to your particular mount, otherwise there is no need to update firmware just for the sake of it. 

[mikebez56]

2 hours ago, malc-c said:

 

OK so are you are using an EQDIR cable to connect the PC to the mount, or are you using a PC-Direct cable connected to the handset and then setting the handset into PC-DIRECT mode?  - Personally if you are looking at controlling the telescope from a PC then I would suggest using an EQDIR cable (from FLO or RVO) for around £30 and connect it directly to the mount inplace of the handset.  You can then use EQMOD or GS Server as the interface between your chosen planetarium application.

An update is only needed if it includes a fix for a particular issue you are experiencing and relates to your particular mount, otherwise there is no need to update firmware just for the sake of it. 

Ok so just to reitterate....the handset will be defunct...but i need a specific cable to connect the autoguiding port on the black box  on the box as in the picture using a eqdir cable????? the cable in the other picture can i use that instead on the eqdir cable????

[Jamgood]

If you use an EQDIR Cable, you don't need to use the Autoguider ST4 port/cable, unless you're not connecting the guide camera to your PC. The EQDIR cable will cover the guiding by what is called Pulse Guiding. A much more stable connection between the computer and mount.

The EQDIR cable connects the computer to the Hand Controller port and handles all connections from then on.

Reading what you've written, I'm a little confused though?

Do you have a guide camera and scope? If not, forget the Autoguider port.

Are you trying to connect the mount to the PC via the Autoguider port? If so, this is incorrect. The cable you currently plugs in to the bottom on the handset.

[StevieDvd]

The eqmod cable would plug into the handset port on the controller box - attached to the tripod leg.

You may get the cable you have working if connected to the handset (which needs to be in PC Direct mode). We tend to advise a direct eqmod cable as this tends to be more reliable and less connecting cables - we leave the handset in the drawer.

Use the Utility Func\PC Direct Mode to enter - the display should say "PC Direct Mode\Press Esc to exit"

Edited March 10, 2021 by StevieDvd
added menu option

[mikebez56]

2 minutes ago, Jamgood said:

If you use an EQDIR Cable, you don't need to use the Autoguider ST4 port/cable, unless you're not connecting the guide camera to your PC. The EQDIR cable will cover the guiding by what is called Pulse Guiding. A much more stable connection between the computer and mount.

The EQDIR cable connects the computer to the Hand Controller port and handles all connections from then on.

Reading what you've written, I'm a little confused though?

Do you have a guide camera and scope? If not, forget the Autoguider port.

Are you trying to connect the mount to the PC via the Autoguider port? If so, this is incorrect. The cable you currently plugs in to the bottom on the handset.

Ok...so the autoguider is for something else......another day....

presently i have coinnected the bottome of the handcontraoller to the computer via ascom and stellarioum using the cable as shown above....when i ltry connect to heq5 ascom in steallium is says connecting but never does....do you think it is woryh connecting using the cable yiou have mentuioned ...i thought it would do the same job as the one i have??

[mikebez56]

2 minutes ago, StevieDvd said:

The eqmod cable would plug into the handset port on the controller box - attached to the tripod leg.

You may get the cable you have working if connected to the handset (which needs to be in PC Direct mode). We tend to advise a direct eqmod cable as this tends to be more reliable and less connecting cables - we leave the handset in the drawer,

Ok....so buyt   eqmod cable....disconnect handset.....connect eqmod cable to where the handset was connected and try that??????

[StevieDvd]

Just now, mikebez56 said:

Ok....so buyt   eqmod cable....disconnect handset.....connect eqmod cable to where the handset was connected and try that??????

Yes - if the PC Direct option I edited in my response does not work for you.

 

[mikebez56]

1 minute ago, StevieDvd said:

Yes - if the PC Direct option I edited in my response does not work for you.

 

so if i were to try the pc direct....turn this on on handset....connect the cable i to the hand set  adn hand set to controller

[mikebez56]

Thnakls everyone...ill let you know how i get on...ive ordered the eqmod cable

[Jamgood]

The EQDIR cable makes life easier as it removes the handset out of the set up but it depends on your intended workflow. PC Control is great but it's another learning curve to get over.

The cable that you have does the same thing but you effectively have to disable the handset by setting it to PC Direct.

Have you used the mount with just the handset, star aligning and taking a few photos, etc? Does it work?

 

[mikebez56]

Just now, Jamgood said:

The EQDIR cable makes life easier as it removes the handset out of the set up but it depends on your intended workflow. PC Control is great but it's another learning curve to get over.

The cable that you have does the same thing but you effectively have to disable the handset by setting it to PC Direct.

Have you used the mount with just the handset, star aligning and taking a few photos, etc? Does it work?

 

the handset moves the mount manually and i can  control my dslr with apt....

i havent set anything up yet...just wanted to try to connect using stellarium or apt...but cant....i havnt polar aligned or anything like that....i was taking advantage of the back weather

[Jamgood]

I think you're trying to run before you can walk. 

If I were you, I'd get outside on the next clear night and start with the basics. Learn to polar align your mount first and foremost. Use the handset to star align and get a feel of things. Get focus and take a few images and see how things work.

If you have an android phone, there's an app called SynscanInit 2.1 that gives you all the info you need to put into the handset when setting up. Also a handy little Polar view which shows you where Polaris needs to be in your polar scope for alignment.

Getting the basics down will help you when you go to the computer control.

 

[malc-c]

The simple way to connect the PC to the mount is to use an EQDIR cable.  This has a USB plug at one end that connects to the computer, with the other end of the cable terminated with a connector that is identical to the one fitted on the handset.  Remove the handset and pack it away somewhere safe as you don't need it.  Plug the EQDIR cable into the socket where the handset is normally plugged in, and into the USB port on the computer.  On the computer you need to have the ASCOM platform installed along with EQMOD.  Both are available from the web.  You will also need to install the driver for the EQDIR cable, which will either be  based on an FTDI or Prolific chipset (hopefully FTDI).   That's it.  You can test the connection by opening up EQASCOM and the TOOLBOX, and configure the connection and test the movement of the mount.

When connecting a mount to a PC via the EQDIR cable method you don't need the ST4 autoguide cable.  Software such as PHD2 will control the mount via EQMOD - so one less cable to be concerned about.

Ascom Website

EQMOD website

[mikebez56]

On 11/03/2021 at 11:28, malc-c said:

The simple way to connect the PC to the mount is to use an EQDIR cable.  This has a USB plug at one end that connects to the computer, with the other end of the cable terminated with a connector that is identical to the one fitted on the handset.  Remove the handset and pack it away somewhere safe as you don't need it.  Plug the EQDIR cable into the socket where the handset is normally plugged in, and into the USB port on the computer.  On the computer you need to have the ASCOM platform installed along with EQMOD.  Both are available from the web.  You will also need to install the driver for the EQDIR cable, which will either be  based on an FTDI or Prolific chipset (hopefully FTDI).   That's it.  You can test the connection by opening up EQASCOM and the TOOLBOX, and configure the connection and test the movement of the mount.

When connecting a mount to a PC via the EQDIR cable method you don't need the ST4 autoguide cable.  Software such as PHD2 will control the mount via EQMOD - so one less cable to be concerned about.

Ascom Website

EQMOD website

thnaks

 

On 10/03/2021 at 16:38, Jamgood said:

I think you're trying to run before you can walk. 

If I were you, I'd get outside on the next clear night and start with the basics. Learn to polar align your mount first and foremost. Use the handset to star align and get a feel of things. Get focus and take a few images and see how things work.

If you have an android phone, there's an app called SynscanInit 2.1 that gives you all the info you need to put into the handset when setting up. Also a handy little Polar view which shows you where Polaris needs to be in your polar scope for alignment.

Getting the basics down will help you when you go to the computer control.

 

yewim awaiting the eqdir cable....

[mikebez56]

Hi....Well whilst awaiting the eqdir cable...i tried the PCdirect mode and it connected straight away. As i hadnt set up the system at all when i used the eqmod nsew MOVERS the motors made a noise but there qas no movement...iimagine this is to be expected...thnaks everyone

[StevieDvd]

37 minutes ago, mikebez56 said:

Hi....Well whilst awaiting the eqdir cable...i tried the PCdirect mode and it connected straight away. As i hadnt set up the system at all when i used the eqmod nsew MOVERS the motors made a noise but there qas no movement...iimagine this is to be expected...thnaks everyone

Good to hear, now connect it directly to the mount and try again. Once you start photography the handset will likely be put away in a draw.

[mikebez56]

5 hours ago, StevieDvd said:

Good to hear, now connect it directly to the mount and try again. Once you start photography the handset will likely be put away in a draw.

when the cablearrives i will try to connect directly

[Cosmic Geoff]

There is a very useful thread on the Cloudynights site.

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/684154-setup-for-skywatcher-eq6-r-pro-with-synscan-v5-controller-and-usb-ports/

This highlights the difference between the V5 Synscan handset which has a USB port and the older ones which don't, and also points out that some of the latest Synscan mounts also have a USB port.  They say that much of the well-meant advice online refers to the V4 handset and older mounts.

It seems that if you have the USB port(s) you can connect to a laptop using the standard A-B USB2 cable that nearly all computer users will have in their cable drawer, and not have to bother with USB to serial or special EQDIR cables.

I have the V5 handset as a result of upgrading a manual mount, which is why I am interested.  I did not try connecting it to a PC or laptop till recently, as so far I have found Synscan to be a pain, compared with the Nexstar alt-az system.

Addendum: I have confirmed that it is possible to control the V5 handset & mount via a USB A-B cable.  If you power everything up and then connect the cable, the handset appears in the Control Panel of Windows 7 as a USB-serial device. Initially no driver was indicated. After a struggle I installed the ASCOM platform and the Skywatcher handset driver (and .NET).  After turning the laptop off and on, a Prolific driver for a USB-serial device, port COM6, showed up in the Control Panel, and I was then able to start a connection in Stellarium and control the mount.

Edited March 26, 2021 by Cosmic Geoff
Successful connection via USB cable.