Stellarium operated goto mounts

[Parus major 24]

Ah, officially I'm an idiot.

I've went back and tried the steps again but can't seem to find where to get the drivers from. The first post says the list is on the left but I think the page might have had a redesign since.

Just in case I'm attempting to use a HitecAstro EQDIR and an EQ6 on XP.

Thanks again!

[RogerTheDodger 157]

Here is the driver http://www.hitecastro.co.uk/support/eqdir/PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v10518.zip

[Parus major 24]

Spikey, Carastro and RogerTheDodger, you all have my heartfelt thanks and gratitude. thanks for all the help. Thanks to you kind people I'm in business!

[RogerTheDodger 157]

Glad to be of help

[Spikey 1,588]

Good to know your in business !

Prolific (which is the chipset in the device) have updated versions (1.3) of the drivers of their site here

I've read that some people suffer comms issues with the EQDIR USB interface, may be the latest drivers might help ?

Edited May 19, 2011 by Spikey

[carastro 4,945]

Great to hear you are up and running and that has helped me a little as I have saved RogertheDodger's link to the Hitecastro driver should I need it.

Does any-one know if I can use EQMod with stellarium but still using the handset? Using the RS232 to connect.

I don't want to dispense with the handset completely at least at this stage (guess I'm like a baby with it's dummy, still clinging on to it).

I like stellarium, but there are a couple of features in EQMod like a spiral search and sync functions that would be handy.

i.e. if the object is not quite centred, I want to centre it and Stellarium thinks it is in the right place when sometimes it is not.

Or do I just need to sync on the handset and then stellarium will sync as well?

Otherwise can you sync on Stellarium (standing alone) and if so how?

Carole

Edited May 19, 2011 by carastro

[Spikey 1,588]

Carole - I've never tried to do this but I think you need to put the handset as the first part of the chain, then the EQDIR module connects from the handset to the mount.

The handset 'I think' has to be in PC direct mode. I use CdC so I'm afraid I'm not sure about Stellarium.

Edited May 19, 2011 by Spikey

[RogerTheDodger 157]

Carole, I use EQDIR without any handset, I use a gamepad for this instead and while at the scope I can re-position, use spiral search and sync all from the gamepad.

I have moved to Cartes du Ciel from Stellerium for scope control as it is has some better features and interfaces with ASCOM directly - I can't remember if I ever got the sync to work from the gamepad rather than the keyboard in Stellerium.

[chrisshillito 281]

I think you need to put the handset as the first part of the chain, then the EQDIR module connects from the handset to the mount. The handset 'I think' has to be in PC direct mode.

No don't do that. When using the EQDIR the handset is removed completely (PC->EQDIR->mount). Alternatively you can operate without an EQDIR by placing the handset into PC-Direct mode(PC->handset->Mount). Please see the EQMOD Project website for details.

Chris.

[chrisshillito 281]

I can't remember if I ever got the sync to work from the gamepad rather than the keyboard in Stellerium.

Syncs can be indeed performed form the gampad - however, you need to double tap the button (this is intentional to prevent accidental syncs). Because of this I would recommend assigning a wav file to the sync function so you get confirmation when sync has been actioned

Chris.

[RogerTheDodger 157]

Yeah Chris, that's what I do in CdC (and I use the voice wavs for fun ) I just couldn't remember it working in Stellerium.

[chrisshillito 281]

For the gamepad sync EQASCOM just remembers the coordinates of the last goto it received and when it sees the sync button pressed it syncs to that position. So when synching via the gamepad the planetarium isn't actually involved in the sync mechanism - therefore it shouldn't really matter which planetarium your using.

Yes the voice wavs are rather fun - I thought they were just a gimmick when I first added them to EQASCOM but now I wouldn't operate without them (and its nice to have someone to talk to !)

Chris.

Edited May 19, 2011 by chrisshillito

[RogerTheDodger 157]

It could do with one of those sultry female voices like in the sci-fi films

[Spikey 1,588]

Of course silly me !

Thanks to Chris for coming to the rescue, now I can see where I have given you some incorrect advice. Next time I'll just mention something I have actually tried and got to work !

[carastro 4,945]

Had a reply from Stellarium (forum) and looked at the EQMod site today.

Looks like Stellarium WILL work with EQMod but you have to have Stellariumscope (which must be another version), and it also looks like you can use the hand set and an RS232 cable to laptop instead of using the EQdir thingy.

Stellarium (Forum mderator) says that Stellarium does not have sync function on it's own.

Carole

[RogerTheDodger 157]

Hi Carole, Stelleriumscope is an intermediatery (if that isn't a real word it should be) program that makes Stellerium and EQMOD talk to each other - it does work and I have used it. Both Stellerium and CdC use EQMOD for sync functions, and it works rather well.

Any problem getting to to work just shout

[chrisshillito 281]

Stellariumscope is required because stellarium itself does not support ASCOM (stellarium is multi-platform, ASCOM is windows only). Fortunately Stellarium does provide its own proprietary "generic" telescope interface and Stellariumscope (a totally separate program) acts as a kind of router - converting messages and functions between Stellariums interface on one side, and ASCOM on the other.

Folks may be surprised to learn that Stellarium doesn't actually provide an explicit sync function - it can only command telescope gotos. For stellariumscope we came up with a workaround whereby stellariumscope appears to stellarium as three separate telescope connections. One telescope connection is used for gotos, the other two are simply used as triggers to initiate ASCOM sync and Halt functions. So when you preset Ctrl3 to sync EQASCOM stellarium actually thinks it is commanding telescope3 to do a goto - only stellarimscope and EQASCOM know that a sync has actually been preformed.

CDC provides full ASCOM support and so can issue syncs to EQASCOM directly.

Chris.

[todd8137 999]

hi all i have a few probs with stell and my meade ds2090 frac i do the easy 2 star align ect ,then plug the cables in click on a star and its miles of traget before a plug the cables in .do i first put the scope back in the home position /park it any one no ? i only use stellarium and not tis other thing

Edited August 2, 2011 by todd8137

[whatablanker 181]

Hi All

I am new to this so here goes.

I am having major problems getting my Synscan EQ5 G/T mount to work with Stellarium. I have followed the advice given but It will not work. When I try to configure Stell scope it keeps saying "No celestron mount connected" or words to that effect. The instructions I got with the mount say that I need to chose celestron nexstar in the third party software but no mater what I do I just can't get it to work. If I had any I would be pulling my hair out.

Can anyone help please?

Dave

[Cornelius Varley 2,354]

Rather than use the stellarium scope addon, use Stellarium's own mount driver and select the Synscan V3 handset option.

Peter

[red dwalf 426]

Hi Dave, have you checked the com ports on your computer ?, can't remember which one you need but you might need to change it to one of the other selections it gives you.

[whatablanker 181]

Thanks guys I am using com3 and have used com6 and 7 I have used 2 different com port/usb adapters but still no luck. I have tried using the synscan v3 choice and the nexstar as it says in the synscan instructions but they don't work. I have just connected it via my com1 port and yipi it worked straight away.

now the only problem is my laptop hasn't got a com port on it and it doesn't seem to work with the com port/usb adapter. Any ideas on that one?

[whatablanker 181]

Yippee have sorted the issue with the adapter silly me just needed to close the config window down. Isn't it funny how it's the silly little thing that throw you. I just need to try it on my laptop watch this space and roll on Friday CLEAR SKIES AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[todd8137 999]

the meade oto frac i have is the biggest hassle i have ever had

[whatablanker 181]

Have now sorted it out on the laptop and it is all ready to go all I need are clear skies and not to be at work on lates and nights. COME ON FRIDAY!!!!!