Guiding - HEQ5 Pro

[robmichael81]

Can anyone help to point me in the direction of an idiots guide to guiding. I  havent used my set up for over 5 years now and just getting back into it. Ihave a zwo guide camera, an ST-4 cable, PHD2.

Just need some advice on ST-4 or ASCOM/EQMOD and how to set things up.

 

TiA

 

Rob

[AstroMuni]

Have you had a read of PHD2 website as that clearly explains the connectivity to PHD2 and ST4 port? https://openphdguiding.org/

Ref EQMOD on ASCOM that could be used to control your mount for all other purposes.

[malc-c]

If you can give us some idea of  what you are after it might help.  Don't want to sound patronizing as some points you may already know so I could be telling you how to suck eggs !

Basically, most people use EQMOD and an EQDIR cable between the PC and mount.

• Install the ASCOM platform on the PC
• Install EQMOD on the PC
• Install a planetarium applications such as Cartes du Ciel on the PC
• Install PHD2 on the PC
• Install your Imaging software  of  your choice on the PC
• Power up the mount and set up EQMOD - If you have a GPS dongle your location can be easily added
• Launch the planetarium software and enter the same location details (some can import from EQMOD)
• Launch PHD2 and create a profile based on the camera and guidescope details
• Select a target via the planetarium software and slew the scope to target
• Run the calibration process in PHD2.  If successful the guiding will commence.  Let guiding stabilise for a few minutes
• Start imaging ! 

On subsequent imaging session you can omit the first five steps

Hope that helps without it being patronising...  not my intention