You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar

Speciality Forums >> Astronomy Software & Computers Previous   Index   Next   Threaded

Pages: 1 BigC Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/29/10 Loc: SE Indiana Direct computer control of scope ?       #5548463 - 12/01/12 09:26 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Search didn't find me anything so here is the question: Are there any computer programs and interfaces(if needed) that would directly control the motors of various goto scopes and that do not need a working han controller ? I know hand controllers can fail and that in the case of donated and estate sales the controllers are sometimes seperated or lost.Usually the price of a repacement controller from the original company costs more than I want to spend. Post Extras:       Bill-in-BC member Reged: 09/28/11 Loc: British Columbia Re: Direct computer control of scope ? [Re: BigC]       #5548599 - 12/01/12 11:14 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   MaxIm DL allows telescope control from the keyboard, but you need to do your initial alignment using a hand controller. After perfoming a sync on a couple of stars using the hand controller, you can then use MaxIm DL for all your GOTO. (I'm using an LX200 Meade.) Post Extras:       groz Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/14/07 Loc: Duncan, BC Re: Direct computer control of scope ? [Re: Bill-in-BC]       #5549052 - 12/01/12 04:28 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Cant say about the others, but, the EQ6 / HEQ5 / EQ3 series, based on the synscan controller, can all be operated directly from a pc, without the hand controller, buy simply purchasing a serial converter for them, commonly called the 'eqmod' type stuff. It's just an rs-232 -> 3Vttl converter. Shoestring astronomy sells the inexpensive eqdir module that does the trick, there are other variants out there. Post Extras:       A. Viegas sage Reged: 03/05/12 Loc: New York City/ CT Re: Direct computer control of scope ? [Re: groz]       #5549189 - 12/01/12 06:23 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Celestron has software called nexRemote, this usually comes with a new telescope or mount. The new CPC line of telescopes have a "pc" port that you connect to a standard rs232 type cable and in turn, using the nexRemote software you can control the telescope without a hand control. However, used hand controls can be bought on EBay for $50 so that is usually a better option... Al Post Extras:       JAT Observatory NOT a Wimp Reged: 02/20/05 Loc: In the Primordial Soup Re: Direct computer control of scope ? [Re: A. Viegas]       #5549860 - 12/02/12 06:55 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It is more a function of the scope not the software. If the brains are in the scope most scopes will allow total control from a computer without need for the controller. If however the brains are in the controller, you'll need the controller. Post Extras:       rmollise Postmaster Reged: 07/06/07 Re: Direct computer control of scope ? [Re: BigC]       #5549996 - 12/02/12 09:23 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Search didn't find me anything so here is the question: Are there any computer programs and interfaces(if needed) that would directly control the motors of various goto scopes and that do not need a working han controller ? I know hand controllers can fail and that in the case of donated and estate sales the controllers are sometimes seperated or lost.Usually the price of a repacement controller from the original company costs more than I want to spend. Two thus far: NexRemote (Celestron scopes). EQMOD (SynScan scopes--Orion, SkyWatcher, etc.)... Post Extras:       *skyguy* Pooh-Bah Reged: 12/31/08 Loc: Western New York Re: Direct computer control of scope ? [Re: rmollise]       #5550120 - 12/02/12 10:47 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Quote: Search didn't find me anything so here is the question: Are there any computer programs and interfaces(if needed) that would directly control the motors of various goto scopes and that do not need a working han controller ? I know hand controllers can fail and that in the case of donated and estate sales the controllers are sometimes seperated or lost.Usually the price of a repacement controller from the original company costs more than I want to spend. Two thus far: NexRemote (Celestron scopes). EQMOD (SynScan scopes--Orion, SkyWatcher, etc.)... If you have a Meade LX200 "Classic" scope without the handcontroller ... you can purchase the $30 "LX200 Keypad Simulator" dongle to initialize the scope and then use any planetarium program that has the LX200 drive protocol to control the scope: http://www.dv-fansler.com/dvf%20Technologies/lx200_keypad_sim.htm Jim Post Extras:       Charlie B scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 03/22/08 Loc: Sterling, Virginia Re: Direct computer control of scope ? [Re: rmollise]       #5550169 - 12/02/12 11:25 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Two thus far: NexRemote (Celestron scopes). EQMOD (SynScan scopes--Orion, SkyWatcher, etc.)... There is also Gemini for the Losmandy G8, G11 and Titan, HGM 200 and MI250. It also will support other "custom" mounts, but I don't know much about that feature. Regards, Charlie B Post Extras:       BigC Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/29/10 Loc: SE Indiana Re: Direct computer control of scope ? [Re: A. Viegas]       #5550406 - 12/02/12 02:07 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Celestron has software called nexRemote, this usually comes with a new telescope or mount. The new CPC line of telescopes have a "pc" port that you connect to a standard rs232 type cable and in turn, using the nexRemote software you can control the telescope without a hand control. However, used hand controls can be bought on EBay for $50 so that is usually a better option... Al OK,I am seeing that used hand controller may be the better and simpler solution. Post Extras:       Pages: 1

Previous   Index   Next   Threaded

Extra information 4 registered and 7 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator:  Bowmoreman, richard7  Print Thread Forum Permissions       You cannot start new topics       You cannot reply to topics       HTML is disabled       UBBCode is enabled Thread views: 739 Jump to *Announcements and News* -----   Cloudy Nights Announcements   Discussion of CN Articles, Reviews, and Reports   Celestial Events*General Astronomy* -----   Beginners Forum   General Observing and Astronomy   Outreach   Light Pollution*Equipment Discussions* -----   ATM, Optics and DIY Forum   Binoculars   Binoviewers   Cats & Casses   Classic Telescopes   Equipment   Eyepieces   Mounts   Observatories   Reflectors   Refractors    Video and Electronically Assisted Astronomy*Astrophotography and Sketching* -----   Beginning and Intermediate Imaging   Film Astrophotography   DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing   CCD Imaging & Processing   Solar System Imaging & Processing   Sketching   Astro Imaging/Sketching Contest *Observing* -----   NEO   Planetary and Solar System Observing   Lunar Observing   Deep Sky Observing   Double Star Observing   Solar   Variable Star Observing and Radio Astronomy*Telescope Specific Forums* -----   Celestron NexStar    NexStar GPS / CPC Telescopes   Questar Forum   Meade ACF/RCX / LX / GPS    Meade ETX*Speciality Forums* -----   Arizona Science and Astronomy Expo   NEAF (Northeast Astronomy Forum) and NEAIC (Northeast Astro Imaging Conference)   AstroArt   Astronomy Clubs and Star Parties   Astronomy Software & Computers   AstroWebsites   Science! Astronomy & Space Exploration, and Others   Space Rocks   Stellar Media*Swap and Shop* -----   Shop and Swap Audio Components*CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements* -----   Vendor and Group Announcements*International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Forums are now closed.* -----   IYA Archive Info

CN Forums Home