9 replies to this topic

[sandconp]

I bought a Skywatcher GTI that I would like to use with NINA.  I was told by Skywatcher that I need to download the SynScan Pro App and the ASCOM Driver.  I am able to connect to the mount once I bring up the Synscan Pro App and leave it up in the background then bring up NINA and select the ASCOM Synscan App Driver.  I have done all of this testing indoors to make sure I can connect my Windows 11 laptop to the mount.

 

I have heard that another way to do this is to use EQMOD which is suppose to be more reliable.  I have nothing to compare it to since I haven't been outside to test this new mount to see if Synscan works.

 

I want to do this the correct and most reliable way so I looking for some feedback.

 

I was also told that I needed to buy a EQMOD cable which plugs into the RJ45 hand control port.  I did not understand that because the mount came with a USB2 cable and it works just fine when I connect it to my laptop.  Both cables work with the Synscan Pro App.

 

 

[The0s]

GSS (Green Swamp Server) is a good alternative to the Synscan app. I use it with my GTi and it's generally pretty reliable - definitely more than Synscan. Can't comment on the EQMOD cable - I've only ever used it with a normal USB cable.

Edited by The0s, 17 June 2025 - 01:13 AM.

[prookyon]

+1 for the GSS - that is the modern way of controlling Skywatcher mounts. Tried both the SynScan Pro App and EQMOD before - no way I would go back to them.

 

You don't need any special cable, just use the USB. The advice regarding hand controllers and special cables comes from people who have only used much older Skywatcher products where it was a necessity.

[sandconp]

I decided to go with EQMOD for now but I will definitely take a look at GSS in the future.  I definitely will not go back to the SynScan Pro app.  I did not like how it started up and it was very flakey.

 

Thanks to all who responded.

[PirateMike]

You can learn more than you probably ever wanted to know about EQMod here... https://www.youtube.com/@chrisshillito

[dghent]

I have stopped recommending EQMOD as it requires further configuration beyond the usual basics for a mount driver after it has been installed. We outline these required configurations in the nina documentation. But GSS works just as well and doesn’t really require any specific alterations beyond the basics therefore gives people less grief down the road

[Sunsparc]

Ditch SynScan, go for Green Swamp Server. It's easier to set up than EQMOD and works flawlessly.

It shows up as GS Sky Telescope in NINA under Mount. Clicking Connect will automatically launch GSS and connect to the mount.

[sandconp]

I have stopped recommending EQMOD as it requires further configuration beyond the usual basics for a mount driver after it has been installed. We outline these required configurations in the nina documentation. But GSS works just as well and doesn’t really require any specific alterations beyond the basics therefore gives people less grief down the road

I recognize your name from the NINA support group and I respect your opinion. What page or chapter in the NINA documentation do you reference GSS?  I will go ahead and move towards implementing GSS instead of using EQMOD.

 

Thanks Dale.

[dghent]

The main beef I have with eqmod is that it has a rudimentary pointing model facility. The problem here is that it is on by default and continuously builds its model by incorporating any post-platesolve syncs that a host application throws at it at any time. With people often setting and tearing down, swapping or changing the characteristics of the load they put on the mount and the positioning of counter-weights and so on, the model begins to accumulate error. Given enough time, the error will accumulate to the point where accurate pointing can no longer happen. This results in an inability to point the telescope within Nina’s configured pointing error tolerance no matter how many attempts are made. The fix is to turn this modeling off so that it doesn’t get in the way of things as it really isn’t required anyway. Doing that and configuring other aspects of eqmod are outlined in the Troubleshooting section of the Nina documentation, which is also the top result when doing a Google search for “nina eqmod”: https://nighttime-im...shooting/eqmod/

GSS has thus far not done anything to require any additional guidance in Nina’s own documentation over its own.

Edited by dghent, 18 June 2025 - 06:11 AM.

[sandconp]

GSS works great so that's what I went with.