ProfMMC
sage
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 289
Loc: London UK
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I have a GPUSB for guding.
I have now suceeded in connecting the PC to the mount via my serial port and the lead that connects to the handcontroller (selected as per instruction in EQASCOM a celeston mount - which is wierd!)
MaxIm DL hooked up fine I could slew to a target get the mount position etc. I was using the mini-plantariam program built into MaxImDL. All in I was very happy.
I see that for another £50 I can ditch the handcontroller and buy EQDIR. I would like to know what I could do with that - that I can't do with my current configuration.
Anyone got some examples?
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Orion Optics UK 350mm F4.7 Dob (dismantled)
Celestron 8SE f10 Meade 5000ED 127mm ETX125 OTA f15
Revelation ED 80mm f6.8 Meade 5000ED 80mm f6
WO ZS66mm f5.9 WO ZS70mm f6
EQ6 Pro CG5
DSI I + II Shoestring GPUSB EQMOD
Edited by ProfMMC (09/28/09 05:38 AM)
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4570
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Quote:
I have a GPUSB for guding.
I have now suceeded in connecting the PC to the mount via my serial port and the lead that connects to the handcontroller (selected as per instruction in EQASCOM a celeston mount - which is wierd!)
MaxIm DL hooked up fine I could slew to a target get the mount position etc. I was using the mini-plantariam program built into MaxImDL. All in I was very happy.
I see that for another £50 I can ditch the handcontroller and buy EQDIR. I would like to know what I could do with that - that I can't do with my current configuration.
Anyone got some examples?
Best bet? Have a look through the EQMOD Wiki.
You do know that if you have an upgradeable SynScan HC and a recent firmware build, you don't need the EQDIR module, don't you? You can use PC Direct mode to run EQMOD through the HC via the normal serial cable you attach to its base.
As for the Wiki... http://www.welshdragoncomputing.ca/eqmod/doku.php
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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ccs_hello
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/04
Posts: 3298
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There are $$ commercial modules (e.g., EQDIR and friends) or cheaper DIY modules. It's just a PC serial port (or USB-serial port) to TTL level RS232 cable.
Clear Skies!
ccs_hello
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ProfMMC
sage
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 289
Loc: London UK
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I will look at the Wiki.
I have the upgradeable SynScan Hand Controller - I know I managed to upgrade the firmware yesterday.
So yes I should be able to use PC direct mode - I will try.
One reason I like mixing computers and telescopes is that you can fiddle during the day, and when it is cloudy.
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Orion Optics UK 350mm F4.7 Dob (dismantled)
Celestron 8SE f10 Meade 5000ED 127mm ETX125 OTA f15
Revelation ED 80mm f6.8 Meade 5000ED 80mm f6
WO ZS66mm f5.9 WO ZS70mm f6
EQ6 Pro CG5
DSI I + II Shoestring GPUSB EQMOD
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Pierre Stromberg
super member
Reged: 02/07/08
Posts: 184
Loc: Woodinville, WA
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The thing I like about EQDIR is that I don't have to fetch my hand controller and it cuts down on the wire clutter.
P
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------------
1978 orange tube Celestron C8
1990's Celestron C90
Astro-Tech AT66
Atlas EQG with EQMOD
Nikon D50
Homepage: Explore the outer limits of human belief
http://www.paranormalamerika.blogspot.com
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neptun2
sage
Reged: 03/04/07
Posts: 277
Loc: Bulgaria
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I confirm that with latest firmware synscan works very good with eqmod using pc direct mode. Eqmod itself has many useful functions including good autoguide support if you don't have gpusb or other st4 compatible guider.
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Skywatcher Explorer 200P 8" f5 newtonian reflector
HEQ5 Pro Synscan Equatorial mount
Nikon Action 12x50 , Nikon D5000
Nagler type 6 11mm , Pentax XW 7mm , Televue 2x barlow 1.25"
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Skylook123
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/30/05
Posts: 4781
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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If I were to use it for most purposes, I'd rather do the PC Direct Mode since the Rumblepad2 I'm using is too clumsy at the eyepiece. However, when I do the satellite tracking, the EQDir/Rumblepad is the only configuration that works. Different guns for different game.
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Jim
A Bad Night With A Telescope
Beats A Good Night Doing Anything Else
Tectron 18" Truss Dob/Sky Commander DSCs, "Derrick"
Meade 10" LX-5 SCT/Atlas-G "Ol' Blue Eye"
Orion 90mm refractor,
Meade 10" Starfinder Newt/JMI NGCMax DSCs,
Celestron 10x50 Ultima Pro
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ProfMMC
sage
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 289
Loc: London UK
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Ok managed to get PC Direct Mode to work with Stellarium. Only problem is my only PC with a serial port is a bit old and a tad too slow. So I am going to have to get a USB to serial lead and use a newer PC.
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Orion Optics UK 350mm F4.7 Dob (dismantled)
Celestron 8SE f10 Meade 5000ED 127mm ETX125 OTA f15
Revelation ED 80mm f6.8 Meade 5000ED 80mm f6
WO ZS66mm f5.9 WO ZS70mm f6
EQ6 Pro CG5
DSI I + II Shoestring GPUSB EQMOD
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SKYGZR
journeyman
Reged: 08/14/09
Posts: 8
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How does one connect the SynScan to do this PC Direct mode exactly? Are there instructions somewhere? What type of cable/hook ups are needed?
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"My GOD, It's Full of Stars!"
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ProfMMC
sage
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 289
Loc: London UK
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You should have got a cable with the mount that has a serial connector on one end and a phone type connector on the other. My older PC has a serial port my new one does not so I am going to buy a convertor today.
There is section in the manual that describes how to update the the software - connect up as per those instructions - but just igore the rest of the instructions (unless you want to update).
Switch the mount on. Keep hitting enter until you get to align yes or no. Hit no. Then go to Utilities -> PC Direct Mode. If PC Direct Mode is not there you do need to update the software - I just googled SynScan update and found the untility and the update file - it was really easy.
You are then connected. I the started Stellarium Scope, connceted to the scope EQMOD ASCOM EQ5/6 then Stellarium was launced automatically.
I was able to select a target in Stellarium, and slew to it hit ctrl 1 (it took a couple of seconds for the scope to start moving - which at first made me think it was not working as I kept hitting the slew command resulting in Stellarium getting confused).
It was cloudy not I have not tried an alignment yet - but I did try a dummy alignment. I cound not find a sync command in Stellarium so you have to use the 2nd alignement method described in the manual.
EQMOD is arwsome!
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Orion Optics UK 350mm F4.7 Dob (dismantled)
Celestron 8SE f10 Meade 5000ED 127mm ETX125 OTA f15
Revelation ED 80mm f6.8 Meade 5000ED 80mm f6
WO ZS66mm f5.9 WO ZS70mm f6
EQ6 Pro CG5
DSI I + II Shoestring GPUSB EQMOD
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cdndob
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/28/06
Posts: 657
Loc: The Great White North
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What's the benefit of using PC Direct Mode? Does it disable the hand controller?
I just hook up to the hand controller and use the ascom drivers without ever using the PC Direct Mode.
Steve
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ProfMMC
sage
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 289
Loc: London UK
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Indeed that was pretty much my original question.
I think the answer is that:
1) Without PC Direct mode you can only talk to the mount using a set of highlevel functions implemented by SynScan.
2) With PC direct mode you have access to lower level functions and so can in theory do more.
I would still like a good actual example of something you can do with 2) but not 1).
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Orion Optics UK 350mm F4.7 Dob (dismantled)
Celestron 8SE f10 Meade 5000ED 127mm ETX125 OTA f15
Revelation ED 80mm f6.8 Meade 5000ED 80mm f6
WO ZS66mm f5.9 WO ZS70mm f6
EQ6 Pro CG5
DSI I + II Shoestring GPUSB EQMOD
Edited by ProfMMC (09/29/09 09:50 AM)
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cdndob
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/28/06
Posts: 657
Loc: The Great White North
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I'll check into this next time I'm out but its been working fine without PC direct mode so far.
Steve
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ProfMMC
sage
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 289
Loc: London UK
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Yes, my understanding is that it is not a question of problem with working but what power you have over the mount.
PC direct give you the capability to control the mount at a much lower level - send commands direct to the motors, read the senors etc.
Non PC direct will enable to control the mount using already defined high level commands that the controls turns into lower level actions on the motors etc.
My guess is that PC direct can allow EQMOD to do more amazing things with your mount - but what?
more accurate alignment - better guiding better PEC etc but that is just me guessing.
--------------------
Orion Optics UK 350mm F4.7 Dob (dismantled)
Celestron 8SE f10 Meade 5000ED 127mm ETX125 OTA f15
Revelation ED 80mm f6.8 Meade 5000ED 80mm f6
WO ZS66mm f5.9 WO ZS70mm f6
EQ6 Pro CG5
DSI I + II Shoestring GPUSB EQMOD
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neptun2
sage
Reged: 03/04/07
Posts: 277
Loc: Bulgaria
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First about stellarium - when you use stellarium scope ctrl+1 is slew and ctrl+2 is sync so it is not true that stellarium and stellarium scope do not support sync. Eqmod is also ascom driver but it is low level driver.This allow direct control over motors of the mount. In turn this allow variable speed PEC, precise autoguiding, better (more accurate) alignment with more then 3 stars, polar alignment help procedure (requires polar scope). Maybe i am missing something but these are the most important functions. Practically you replace your hand controller with pc and the eqmod driver. This gives you much more resources and allows your mount to do things that skywatcher did not implement in their hand controller and firmware. One example is the autoguiding. If you do not use eqmod and pc direct mode but use the celestron ascom driver for example you tell to the hand controller how much to move the mount and it tells it to the motors which is slower and not so effective method. Using eqmod and pc direct mode you can directly command the motors which is more effective.
--------------------
Skywatcher Explorer 200P 8" f5 newtonian reflector
HEQ5 Pro Synscan Equatorial mount
Nikon Action 12x50 , Nikon D5000
Nagler type 6 11mm , Pentax XW 7mm , Televue 2x barlow 1.25"
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ProfMMC
sage
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 289
Loc: London UK
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Thanks for the Stellarium tip - I could not see that in the help pages!
And your detailed explanation - as I suspected. I shall be switching to PC direct mode - one step at a time. Alignment next. I guess before long I will can sell the GPUSB!
--------------------
Orion Optics UK 350mm F4.7 Dob (dismantled)
Celestron 8SE f10 Meade 5000ED 127mm ETX125 OTA f15
Revelation ED 80mm f6.8 Meade 5000ED 80mm f6
WO ZS66mm f5.9 WO ZS70mm f6
EQ6 Pro CG5
DSI I + II Shoestring GPUSB EQMOD
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neptun2
sage
Reged: 03/04/07
Posts: 277
Loc: Bulgaria
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Also about the usb to serial adapters - it is sometimes hit and miss with them. Some work fine with eqmod and some not. In their yahoo group there is database with working and not working adapters. If you have laptop it is better idea to get pcmcia or express card (depends on your laptop) with rs232. The price is similar and compatibility - much better.
--------------------
Skywatcher Explorer 200P 8" f5 newtonian reflector
HEQ5 Pro Synscan Equatorial mount
Nikon Action 12x50 , Nikon D5000
Nagler type 6 11mm , Pentax XW 7mm , Televue 2x barlow 1.25"
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4570
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Quote:
Ok managed to get PC Direct Mode to work with Stellarium. Only problem is my only PC with a serial port is a bit old and a tad too slow. So I am going to have to get a USB to serial lead and use a newer PC.
Here are some, but, again, go read the Wiki.
Much improved go-to alignment system.
Polar alignment utility.
Use of wireless gamepad.
Superior PEC recording/analysis system.
Genuine sync function.
Pulse guide interface.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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cdndob
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/28/06
Posts: 657
Loc: The Great White North
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Quote:
Using eqmod and pc direct mode you can directly command the motors which is more effective.
My understanding is (reading from the EQMOD pages) that the EQDIR interface is required for direct motor control. They claim the hand controller interface still introduces undetermined delays in the control of the mounts motors. Is this not still correct?
Steve
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neptun2
sage
Reged: 03/04/07
Posts: 277
Loc: Bulgaria
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I suppose that using pc direct mode the hand controller is just simple level converter just like eqdir but in fact this can not be confirmed because pc direct mode is skywatcher's firmware feature so only they know what exactly is doing the hand controller in this mode. Maybe there is some latencies compared with eqdir but comparing pc direct mode with celestron's ascom driver for example latencies are reduced using pc direct mode. As far as i know users are successfully using pc direct mode + eqmod for pulse guiding with good success so i think that it is good at least to try it. Here is the official info from eqmod site about pc direct mode:
The initial releases of PC-Direct mode had problems, particuarly with regard to loss of tracking, however these appear to have been addressed with the release of SynScan Version 3.24. This said PC-Direct mode is an undocumented feature of the Synscan handcontroller and the EQMOD developers have no knowledge of how it works or of its limitations. We cannot therefore make any guarentees as to its operation with EQMOD which was designed only for direct connection to the mount. Whilst PC-Direct mode offers a means for users to try out the EQMOD applications we would advise that for extened use one of the options below is adopted, particularly if the mount is to be left unattended.
Edit:
And here is part of the changelog of synscan 3.21 describing eqmod:
"PC Direct Mode" added. It allolws the PC to communicate directly with the motor controller via RS-232C connection. The RS-232C port of the PC should be configed as 9600bps, 1 start bit, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity check and no flow control. Activate "PC Direct Mode" under "Utility\PC Direct Mode>". Press the "ESC" key to exit.
So the idea of skywatcher is pc direct mode to allow eqmod to directly control motors. Of course we can't be sure how well they did it but after 3.21 there is 4 versions of firmware and at least 3 of them include fixes for pc direct mode as far as i remember. Version 3.25 does not include fixes for pc direct mode so at least for me this means that pc direct mode is working fine now and gives good results in combination with eqmod.
--------------------
Skywatcher Explorer 200P 8" f5 newtonian reflector
HEQ5 Pro Synscan Equatorial mount
Nikon Action 12x50 , Nikon D5000
Nagler type 6 11mm , Pentax XW 7mm , Televue 2x barlow 1.25"
Edited by neptun2 (09/29/09 01:43 PM)
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