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EQ6-R Pro PC Connection

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#26 f300v10

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Posted 20 January 2019 - 11:30 AM

Dave,

 

Keep in mind I use my EQ6-R purely for imaging, so for the most part I only try and point to one or two targets per session.  EQMOD on the PC connects directly to the mount via the USB2EQ5 cable I purchased from Shoestring here: http://www.store.sho...products_eq.htm



#27 cloudswimmer

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Posted 21 January 2019 - 02:04 PM

 (oh and don't look at the Sun!... remember, don't look at the Sun!). waytogo.gif

Lol .. roger that on the sun. I was looking at Takahashi Epsilons this morning and notice they put a 'don't look at the sun' sticker even on them .. and it struck me that you would think people who are spending 5k plus on an OTA would know better .. been then I saw a 'seemingly' intelligent guy arguing for a flat earth on youtube today and thought to myself "ok its probably good they put those warning stickers on even serious instruments these days" lol


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#28 Megiddo

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Posted 23 January 2019 - 08:58 AM

Dave,

 

Keep in mind I use my EQ6-R purely for imaging, so for the most part I only try and point to one or two targets per session.  EQMOD on the PC connects directly to the mount via the USB2EQ5 cable I purchased from Shoestring here: http://www.store.sho...products_eq.htm

Yeah, same here.   Almost 100% imaging.   I plan on going the StellarMate route fairly soon this year (I have to spread out my purchases, helps my better half live with my hobby).

 

I still connect my mount via USB PC to my handset.   I have a USB to RS232 Adapter which seems to work fine (except for the odd issue with Synscan vs PHD2).

 

I do see the USB2EQ5 Interface Cable from Shoestring, but it's that voltage issue I was concerned about that the handset is supposed to take care of.     That Shoestring cable doesn't seem to have anything to manage the voltage.

 

How are you powering the mount without the handset?   Is there yet another cable to convert to supplied version?  crazy.gif    Forget that silly question.   I've had my cables wrapped together for so long, I thought the power cord was coming out of the handset.   I just noticed, it's not.


Edited by Megiddo, 23 January 2019 - 11:41 AM.


#29 Eric Seavey

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Posted 25 January 2019 - 01:39 AM

Check this out: http://eq-mod.source...t/eqdirect2.htm

I put together an USB cable in about 10 minutes.  Works well.



#30 dilipsharan

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Posted 16 February 2019 - 05:01 PM

Hi I have just bought an EQ6-R Pro and connected via a USB A (Laptop) to USB-B (Synscan V5 Controller). It works fine with Cartes Du Ciel, Stellarium and PHD2. But throws a wobbly when trying to connect using EQASCOM. 

 

I get an Error message for "EQMOD HEQ5/6 V2.00q" saying "Connect Error: Timeout". Both before and after this message I tried connecting via Cartes Du Ciel and it works just fine. I went into setup and added the port which was COM5 but of no avail. Any suggestions? 

 

By the way the article by John at https://www.atm-work...pc-connect.html keeps on timing out for some reason. It gives the message "This site can’t be reached www.atm-workshop.com took too long to respond." Just my day!!! 



#31 rkinnett

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Posted 16 February 2019 - 09:12 PM

I just started working with my new (to me) EQ6-R and wanted to report some successes I've had with various PC connection options.  I'm running a v5 SynScan HC with firmware version 4.39.04.  Scope-side computer is a minisforum SBC dual booting Win 10 and Ubuntu Mate.  I don't know yet if I'll run the mount entirely via EQMOD like many other CNers, or if I would rather keep the HC involved and use that for initial alignment.  I wanted to keep both options open.

 

1) PC direct to mount via HC port on the mount and this $15 USB to TTL serial RJ45 cable.  Works with EQMOD driver in both Windows and Ubuntu (indi).  No clunky DB9 serial adapters needed.

 

2) PC to HC serial port via a $7 FTDI cable and a $1 RJ12 connector which I hand-crimped to it.  I think this is the same as what Eric Seavey described, and it's also exactly equivalent to Shoestring's $43 usb2eq5 cable.  Both Windows and Ubuntu Mate handled the FTDI driver automatically.

 

3) PC to HC USB-2B port works well with SkyWatcher ASCOM driver in Windows.  Windows was initially unable to identify a driver for the USB-to-serial chipset built into the v5 HC, but this was fixed easily in device manager by selecting "Search automatically for updated driver", without needing to manually download and install the chipset driver.  No luck yet in linux.. may need to manually compile and install the chipset driver.

 

I did not use the "PC Direct" utility on the HC for any of these configurations.

 

@dilipsharan, in my understanding, if you're connecting PC to HC then you should use the SkyWatcher ASCOM driver, not EQMOD.  Use EQMOD if you're bypassing the HC by connecting directly to the mount.



#32 dilipsharan

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Posted 17 February 2019 - 03:35 PM

I just started working with my new (to me) EQ6-R and wanted to report some successes I've had with various PC connection options.  I'm running a v5 SynScan HC with firmware version 4.39.04.  Scope-side computer is a minisforum SBC dual booting Win 10 and Ubuntu Mate.  I don't know yet if I'll run the mount entirely via EQMOD like many other CNers, or if I would rather keep the HC involved and use that for initial alignment.  I wanted to keep both options open.

 

1) PC direct to mount via HC port on the mount and this $15 USB to TTL serial RJ45 cable.  Works with EQMOD driver in both Windows and Ubuntu (indi).  No clunky DB9 serial adapters needed.

 

2) PC to HC serial port via a $7 FTDI cable and a $1 RJ12 connector which I hand-crimped to it.  I think this is the same as what Eric Seavey described, and it's also exactly equivalent to Shoestring's $43 usb2eq5 cable.  Both Windows and Ubuntu Mate handled the FTDI driver automatically.

 

3) PC to HC USB-2B port works well with SkyWatcher ASCOM driver in Windows.  Windows was initially unable to identify a driver for the USB-to-serial chipset built into the v5 HC, but this was fixed easily in device manager by selecting "Search automatically for updated driver", without needing to manually download and install the chipset driver.  No luck yet in linux.. may need to manually compile and install the chipset driver.

 

I did not use the "PC Direct" utility on the HC for any of these configurations.

 

@dilipsharan, in my understanding, if you're connecting PC to HC then you should use the SkyWatcher ASCOM driver, not EQMOD.  Use EQMOD if you're bypassing the HC by connecting directly to the mount.

Hi Ryan, Thank you for replying. I take your point. And as I mentioned yes I can bypass EQMOD and connect Cartes Du Ciel to the EQ6-R using the Skywatcher ASCOM Driver. But this is not the point. I want to use the other functionality that EQMOD offers. 



#33 dilipsharan

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Posted 18 February 2019 - 04:50 AM

Austin, (and others),

 

   I'll add a couple of notes. 

  1. You have the brand new hardware Version 5 SynScan Hand Control. They have added a USB connection and an internal USB to RS232 converter. You need to only cable up using USB to connect now. However, internally, it is still an RS232 interface. When you connect and hear the USB connection chime on the PC, look in the Device manager under COM and LPT ports to see which COM port was just connected. Use that COM port number (like COM5) in any program you plan to use for control. After connecting using the USB port on the Hand Control, just proceed as if you just made a Serial RS232 connection. (See tutorial Link below.)
     
  2. When using APT to drive the mount, you MUST NOT put the hand control into PC Direct Mode. Leave it in normal operational mode. PC Direct Mode is ONLY used when you are using EQMOD through the hand control. It will prevent connections when using any other ASCOM connection and driver.

 

   You may want to read through the tutorial I wrote earlier this year. It will provide a lot of background information and should help you get your new mount (Congratulation!!) connected and running under PC control.

 

https://www.atm-work...pc-connect.html

 

 

John

Hi John, 

 

I seem to be timing out when trying to access the link you have provided for your tutorial at https://www.atm-work...pc-connect.html

Any chance you could provide an alternate copy direct to me? 

 

I have just bought an EQ6-R with a SynScan V5 controller and am struggling to get EQASCOM working. It does not seem to be able to access the COM port even though I can command the mount from Cartes Du Ciel, PHD2, APT, Stellarium and even EQMOD Poth Hub when using the SkyWatcher Driver. 

 

Regards,

 

Dilip Sharan

dilip.sh@gmail.com 

 

Regards,

 

Dilip Sharan



#34 nimitz69

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Posted 18 February 2019 - 12:12 PM

Make sure. In the ‘devices’ menu of your.  PC that you have the right Comm. port selected.  When I first setup to use CuC it has comm 5 as the default and my PC was using comm 6 ....

 

 

 

BTW, that tutorial is awesome.....  had it. Up on my iPad while working the programs on my PC & had everything connected and working on one pass through ...


Edited by nimitz69, 18 February 2019 - 12:14 PM.


#35 godber

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Posted 22 February 2019 - 09:11 AM

I did finally manage to get some decent images last Monday ... here was my first pass at a stacked image:

 

https://www.astrobin.../full/390498/0/

 

I wish I hadn't lost my shoestring cable ... I wanted to try that next.  But working through the hand controller worked well enough ... in as much as I can tell :)

 

Thanks for all the help folks.



#36 Phishin_phool

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Posted 09 June 2020 - 08:14 PM

NIt sure if people still respond to this but now there is a synscan wireless dongle that allows syncscan pro app to be used (ios,android, pc). If using this method to connect to pc am IO limited to only the app or how do I get this to work with phd2, stellarium etc. 

Also how doe sadding a guide camera affect everything.



#37 Skatesin85

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Posted 30 June 2020 - 03:08 PM

Austin, (and others),

I'll add a couple of notes.

  • You have the brand new hardware Version 5 SynScan Hand Control. They have added a USB connection and an internal USB to RS232 converter. You need to only cable up using USB to connect now. However, internally, it is still an RS232 interface. When you connect and hear the USB connection chime on the PC, look in the Device manager under COM and LPT ports to see which COM port was just connected. Use that COM port number (like COM5) in any program you plan to use for control. After connecting using the USB port on the Hand Control, just proceed as if you just made a Serial RS232 connection. (See tutorial Link below.)
  • When using APT to drive the mount, you MUST NOT put the hand control into PC Direct Mode. Leave it in normal operational mode. PC Direct Mode is ONLY used when you are using EQMOD through the hand control. It will prevent connections when using any other ASCOM connection and driver.

You may want to read through the tutorial I wrote earlier this year. It will provide a lot of background information and should help you get your new mount (Congratulation!!) connected and running under PC control.

https://www.atm-work...pc-connect.html


John


That tutorial is deep and well written. But confused me lol as a beginner I'm going, wait what cables do i need, what type of adapter..and so on. The new one with using USB should simply be, buy a USB a/b cable. Download ascom platform, download any other ascom drivers for equipmunk you are using. Download eqmod. Start eqmod toolbox, Make sure ports match up. Input in eqmod setup
Timeout: 2000
Retry:2
Baud:115200
Port:see above dont be silly

Input your site info, home for most of us, most of the time. Watch a youtube vid or two on how to connect to the scope to use stellarium (or preferred program) and guide camera on phd2. Wah la!!! Controlling within 1 morning practicing. Now that i understand it, it's not too bad ****. Anyone need a new Pegasus eqdirect cable? 40 bucks wasted. When a 10 dollar USB did the trick. (I ordered the eqdir cable as the mount was on its way.)

#38 Verde

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Posted 07 July 2020 - 08:20 PM

NIt sure if people still respond to this but now there is a synscan wireless dongle that allows syncscan pro app to be used (ios,android, pc). If using this method to connect to pc am IO limited to only the app or how do I get this to work with phd2, stellarium etc. 

Also how doe sadding a guide camera affect everything.

I haven't used it yet because I literally just got my EQ6R pro yesterday (yay!) but it appears the dongle will allow ASCOM control of the mount.

 

See the downloads here:

http://skywatcher.co...e/ascom-driver/



#39 mohamedalaa

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Posted 08 June 2021 - 01:21 PM

Hello, I have a question, how to connect the hand control with ascom. When I do “pc director mode” here it works with ascom, but when I don't run this option pc director..... it doesn't work with ascom it tells me in ascom connect error port not available  ...?  What is the solution please?



#40 mohamedalaa

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Posted 09 June 2021 - 11:31 AM

I need help please is there anyone here right old post



#41 RoscoeD

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Posted 05 March 2022 - 03:19 AM

So I was following this thread and the first picture just didn't look right, so I took this picture of my mount, delivered in Jan 22.  Interestingly enough, it has a USB port (which is not mentioned in the downloaded manual but is mentioned in the paper copy that came with the mount).  Said manual says: USB: It provides a USB-to-Serial connection for controlling the mount.  
 
Apparently the latest shipping design allows one to connect to it directly and no longer requires the hand controller for computer control.
Mount USB Port

 

 


Edited by RoscoeD, 05 March 2022 - 03:23 AM.


#42 Phil Sherman

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Posted 05 March 2022 - 04:01 PM

 

So I was following this thread and the first picture just didn't look right, so I took this picture of my mount, delivered in Jan 22.  Interestingly enough, it has a USB port (which is not mentioned in the downloaded manual but is mentioned in the paper copy that came with the mount).  Said manual says: USB: It provides a USB-to-Serial connection for controlling the mount.  
 
Apparently the latest shipping design allows one to connect to it directly and no longer requires the hand controller for computer control.
 

 

 

 

You will require the Prolific USB to serial adapter drivers. Make sure you download them from Skywatcher's web site.

 

There have been some issues with non-functioning Prolific chips on the mount control board. If you can't connect to the mount, try setting the hand controller in "PC Direct" mode and connect the USB cable there instead. You'll need to change the speed of the port from 115,200 (mount) to 9600 (hand controller). If the hand controller works and the mount doesn't, then you'll need to contact Skywatcher to get a replacement mount motor controller board. A last resort is to get a USB to serial cable with the RJ connector that plugs into the mount's hand controller port.

 

You'll also need to install EQASCOM (aka EQMOD) as the mount driver that allows ASCOM to communicate with the mount.


Edited by Phil Sherman, 05 March 2022 - 04:18 PM.


#43 Phishin_phool

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Posted 09 March 2022 - 06:41 AM

You will require the Prolific USB to serial adapter drivers. Make sure you download them from Skywatcher's web site.

 

There have been some issues with non-functioning Prolific chips on the mount control board. If you can't connect to the mount, try setting the hand controller in "PC Direct" mode and connect the USB cable there instead. You'll need to change the speed of the port from 115,200 (mount) to 9600 (hand controller). If the hand controller works and the mount doesn't, then you'll need to contact Skywatcher to get a replacement mount motor controller board. A last resort is to get a USB to serial cable with the RJ connector that plugs into the mount's hand controller port.

 

You'll also need to install EQASCOM (aka EQMOD) as the mount driver that allows ASCOM to communicate with the mount.

Good point about changing port speed , I had that issue when I first set mine up - took me a bit of looking to in the interwebs to find an answer. I did not need to download any prolific drivers however. Just EQMOD and then the configuration issue with speed



#44 Victory Pete

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Posted 06 September 2022 - 12:31 PM

You will require the Prolific USB to serial adapter drivers. Make sure you download them from Skywatcher's web site.

 

There have been some issues with non-functioning Prolific chips on the mount control board. If you can't connect to the mount, try setting the hand controller in "PC Direct" mode and connect the USB cable there instead. You'll need to change the speed of the port from 115,200 (mount) to 9600 (hand controller). If the hand controller works and the mount doesn't, then you'll need to contact Skywatcher to get a replacement mount motor controller board. A last resort is to get a USB to serial cable with the RJ connector that plugs into the mount's hand controller port.

 

You'll also need to install EQASCOM (aka EQMOD) as the mount driver that allows ASCOM to communicate with the mount.

 

I am trying to get my new EQ6-R to connect to NINA via a Primalucelab Eagle LE computer. Under Device Manager it shows a "Prolific something or other COM4". It doesn't recognize it and the GSS that came with a download I did won't connect; it says: "Something or other Serial Failed COM1". I see the Baud is set to 9600, should it be 115200?

Thanks for the help

VP


Edited by Victory Pete, 06 September 2022 - 12:32 PM.


#45 Phil Sherman

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Posted 06 September 2022 - 01:56 PM

Many threads have stated that the mount and hand controller require different serial speeds when using a USB cable. 9600 works well with the hand controller while the mount should require 115200.



#46 Victory Pete

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Posted 06 September 2022 - 02:14 PM

Many threads have stated that the mount and hand controller require different serial speeds when using a USB cable. 9600 works well with the hand controller while the mount should require 115200.

Yes, thanks, after changing the baud to 115200 I still have no luck. I do realize it probably has to stay at this setting to continue.



#47 jdupton

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Posted 06 September 2022 - 02:27 PM

Pete, 

 

I am trying to get my new EQ6-R to connect to NINA via a Primalucelab Eagle LE computer. Under Device Manager it shows a "Prolific something or other COM4". It doesn't recognize it and the GSS that came with a download I did won't connect; it says: "Something or other Serial Failed COM1". I see the Baud is set to 9600, should it be 115200?

Thanks for the help

   Make sure you are selecting COM4 in the GSS server. The error you saw seems to indicate it tried to talk to COM1 and failed. It needs to be told to talk to COM4 which is what the Device Manager said it detected the Prolific chip for the mount. (Also be aware that the Prolific chip set can change ports on you between sessions. One day it may show up as COM1 and the next time you boot the PC, it may show up as COM4 or something different. If you see the error message from GSS again, double check that it is trying to talk to the same port that Windows assigned for the mount.) (PS: This is why many would have preferred that SkyWatcher use an FTDI chip instead of Prolific in the mount. FTDI chips will always be assigned the same port number.)

 

Many threads have stated that the mount and hand controller require different serial speeds when using a USB cable. 9600 works well with the hand controller while the mount should require 115200.

   As Phil stated, when going direct from a PC (or the Primalucelab Eagle LE) to the mount via USB, you set the Baud Rate to 115200. 

 

Yes, thanks, after changing the baud to 115200 I still have no luck. I do realize it probably has to stay at this setting to continue.

   First make sure that the Prolific device driver is installed. There have been complaints about the one Windows installs by default. If you haven't done so yet, you may want to go to the SkyWatcher Website download area and get the Prolific driver they have tested and recommend be used. Try that one if it is not the same as you are currently using.

 

   Just for completeness, here is a diagram I made up a while back that outlines all the ways to connect an EQ6-R-Pro mount to a PC.

 

EQ6R_Connections.png

 

   Hopefully something here helps...

 

 

John


Edited by jdupton, 06 September 2022 - 02:32 PM.


#48 Victory Pete

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Posted 06 September 2022 - 03:47 PM

Pete, 

 

   Make sure you are selecting COM4 in the GSS server. The error you saw seems to indicate it tried to talk to COM1 and failed. It needs to be told to talk to COM4 which is what the Device Manager said it detected the Prolific chip for the mount. (Also be aware that the Prolific chip set can change ports on you between sessions. One day it may show up as COM1 and the next time you boot the PC, it may show up as COM4 or something different. If you see the error message from GSS again, double check that it is trying to talk to the same port that Windows assigned for the mount.) (PS: This is why many would have preferred that SkyWatcher use an FTDI chip instead of Prolific in the mount. FTDI chips will always be assigned the same port number.)

 

   As Phil stated, when going direct from a PC (or the Primalucelab Eagle LE) to the mount via USB, you set the Baud Rate to 115200. 

 

   First make sure that the Prolific device driver is installed. There have been complaints about the one Windows installs by default. If you haven't done so yet, you may want to go to the SkyWatcher Website download area and get the Prolific driver they have tested and recommend be used. Try that one if it is not the same as you are currently using.

 

   Just for completeness, here is a diagram I made up a while back that outlines all the ways to connect an EQ6-R-Pro mount to a PC.

 

attachicon.gifEQ6R_Connections.png

 

   Hopefully something here helps...

 

 

John

Hi John,

Thanks for your detailed response. I am trying for #1. I am not sure what software I already have, i may have it all already. Also, some came already installed in the Eagle. I am afraid of downloading too may programs and taking up storage space in this already small computer.


Edited by Victory Pete, 06 September 2022 - 04:20 PM.


#49 Victory Pete

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Posted 06 September 2022 - 04:21 PM

I just verified I have all 3 programs needed for option #1. I have them all on my screen as shortcuts. Baud rate is set to 115200 at the current Prolific Driver


Edited by Victory Pete, 06 September 2022 - 04:23 PM.


#50 jdupton

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Posted 06 September 2022 - 04:52 PM

Pete,

 

I just verified I have all 3 programs needed for option #1. I have them all on my screen as shortcuts. Baud rate is set to 115200 at the current Prolific Driver

   The chart I posted above is just all the different ways you can run an EQ6-R-Pro from a PC. Method #1 is the simplest. All of the others are possible depending on what you might need that is out of the ordinary. (For example, not all EQ6-R-Pro mounts have the USB connector on the mount. The early ones lacked that nifty feature.)

 

   If by programs, you mean the ASCOM drivers (GSS or EQMOD or SynScan App) then you will simply choose the one your want to use. You make that choice when you connect the the mount and use the ASCOM Chooser program. If you have all three of those ASCOM drivers installed, each will show up in the ASCOM chooser dialog and you simply choose the one you want to use. Only one will be used to control the mount in any given session.

 

   Each of the ASCOM driver programs will have a Setup dialog where you must enter the COM port number that corresponds to what you see in the Windows Device Manager. You do not need to try to force a particular COM port number for use (although you can force a number if you have really good reasons to do so).

 

   So, when you power up the PC and connect the USB cable, the Windows Device Manager will show you which COM ports are found. If you have the Device Manager up already when you plug the USB cable into the mount, a new port will show up. That is the one that is the mount. Then connect your software (like PHD2 Guiding or Stellarium) to the mount and select ASCOM as the connection method. That will bring up the ASCOM driver Chooser where you select whether you want to use the GSS, EQMOD, or SynScan App driver to control the mount. After selecting the driver, and doing an OK, the chooser will then ask you to set up the properties for the mount. That will then bring up the Setup Dialog for whichever ASCOM driver your chose. It will then need to have the COM port set to be the same as what Device Manager showed you.

 

   After having done this once, the connection to the mount will happen without going back into the Chooser each time. It will use your last choice of GSS / EQMOD / SynScan to reconnect on subsequent sessions. (You can still go back into the Chooser in the future if you want to change to a different ASCOM driver if you want. There is generally no need to flit back and forth once you find any one of the drivers works fine with your mount and the programs that want to control it -- programs like guiding, planetarium / sky maps, image capture and sequencing, etc.)

 

 

John


Edited by jdupton, 06 September 2022 - 04:55 PM.

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