Following on from the weekend - and problems running through the menu options of the hand controller which arent the most logical in places and the recommendation from Mark... I now have a series of questions before going further....
My new laptop (arrived Friday after we'd left) is running Windows 8. Will the OS be a problem?
Is it possible to use tha iPad to control with this method? (I realise IOS isnt listed - but is there an alternative that can work?)
With the thought of trailing cables being a pain.... is this one a decent option? (No mention of Win 8 either) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261248349147#ht_538wt_1160 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261248349147#ht_538wt_1160)
The intention will be to add a guide camera and guider. Best options? I was just advised to go for something with ST4 built in.
I'm not intending on buying the guiding part until I have learnt how to control and setup with confidence... but I do want to be sure I'm not buying into something that I need to replace because of incompatability problems.
What "planetarium" software is recommended? (Anything thats in paid for apps thats not in the free ones?
Win 8 should not be a problem. Don't worry about ST4 guide ports, use EQMOD, Laptop and either PC Direct mode on the handset or get an EQDIR type module so you don't need the handset at all. Get a gamepad and you can use that to drive the mount via EQMOD. There are about 40 EQMOD related videos on YouTube (Astronomy Shed is a good keyword) - look at them in order and you will know how it works.
Guidecamera will depend on budget, get a Lodestar, I would if I had the money. I have a QHY5 which does the job. The new versions (mono) are good, sensitive and very small! Guidescope - you can convert a finderscope (fl 190mm or therabouts) easily or buy one already done. Ideally you want a guidescope focal length relatively close (1/4ish) to that of the imaging scope. This affects the accuracy of the guiding, but also depends on the relative number of pixels per inch on the guide camera and imaging camera CCDs. An off axis guider (not for the faint hearted!) with a QHY5 guiding my Canon 1000D give me an almost exact 1:1 ratio so 1 pixel guide error is only 1 pixel error on the image. If your ratio is 1:4 then 1 pixel guiding error is 4 pixels on the image = bigger stars, less detail.
People do use Ipad and all sorts but it's not mainstream so very little info.
Hope that's not overload :)
Duncan
Thanks Duncan... I did manage to get a reply from the guy on eBay (who is the designer of this blue tooth mod) and he has confirmed that windows 8 won't be a problem. I think I'd prefer this method rather than using a trailing USB cable. I will have a look at the videos though. Certainly the littlun like the idea of an Xbox controller!
My biggest headache on the guider is sorting something I can use on the 6SE and whatever else I buy for the HEQ5. (I am thinking on using both with the mount)... Or more to the point, how to attach it. My 6SE has nothing to clamp it to (apart from two holes 28mm apart)
Camera wise, is a QHY5 a better option than a modded web cam? Are you saying you don't need to use the mounts ST4 guide ports at all?
Les, I've used both a modded webcam and a QHY5 and the QHY5 is much much more sensitive and you will find many more suitable guide stars than a modified webcam.
Carole
Yes, you don not need to use an ST4 port, it's old tech (20+years) and works by interrupting the motor controller by crude switching. PHD Guiding will send commands to the mount to achieve variable rate guiding and it can do a lot more besides. Your Bluetooth mount connection will only save one USB connection, as a minimum you will still need to connect guide and imaging cameras. I also have a finder camera (modded webcam) and a digital focuser - they need three USB sockets, making 6 in all for my setup. You should get a powered USB hub, everybody has one fixed to the mount as then there is only one data cable off the mount.
Use double sided foam tape or velcro pads to fis thing to the OTA. A guiderfinder scope has to be bolted to the OTA either by having threaded holes somewhere or using tube rings.
Use SkyCharts/Cartes Du Ciel (free), not pretty as some but does what you need simply and reliably. Stellarium can do it but the telescope functions are an afterthought. BTW don't forget to install ASCOM 6 FIRST (from ASCOM.ORG) as EQMOD needs it to be there.
QuoteI did manage to get a reply from the guy on eBay (who is the designer of this blue tooth mod) and he has confirmed that windows 8 won't be a problem. I think I'd prefer this method rather than using a trailing USB cable. I will have a look at the videos though. Certainly the littlun like the idea of an Xbox controller!
Cameras, guide cameras and dew heaters will all require trailing cables.
The bluetooth thing does seem handy for mount control but I think you'll find that's all it's good for
OK.... I get the gist regarding one extra USB cable wont hurt, I guess my main thoughts were in respect of potential BlueTooth useage with an iPad.
So where is the cheapest place to get a USB EQMod from?
Quote from: Les R on Aug 06, 2013, 13:43:23
So where is the cheapest place to get a USB EQMod from?
Astronomiser - also camera modding and lots of other bits n bobs
http://astronomiser.co.uk/eqdir.htm (http://astronomiser.co.uk/eqdir.htm)
Not sure what Astronomiser charges, but Dion (astronomy shed) does them for about £27 Les.
Carole
Careful with Windoze 8
See astronomiser comments
Quote from: mickw on Aug 06, 2013, 14:37:20
Astronomiser - also camera modding and lots of other bits n bobs
http://astronomiser.co.uk/eqdir.htm (http://astronomiser.co.uk/eqdir.htm)
£5 postage is a killer! If only we had something very local to pop in and buy!
Quote from: Carole on Aug 06, 2013, 14:40:34
Not sure what Astronomiser charges, but Dion (astronomy shed) does them for about £27 Les.
Got a link for that Carole? I had a quick look and couldnt find anything.
Quote from: mickw on Aug 06, 2013, 15:19:05
Careful with Windoze 8
See astronomiser comments
Hmmm.... I will take a look. The Bluetooth guy gave assurances that things are fine with Win8!
QuoteGot a link for that Carole? I had a quick look and couldnt find anything.
Just PM him Les, he makes them up at home.
I have one of his - not that I use EQMod much and he doesn't put the box along the cable, like some of the other cables you can buy, I think he said he puts all the "works" in the plug end or something. Don't ask me what, I'm not good with this stuff, just so long as it does the job that's good enough for me.
:cheesy: :cheesy:
Carole
Quote from: Carole on Aug 06, 2013, 15:29:52
Just PM him Les, he makes them up at home.
Ouch! He wants £40! They are £27.95 at FLO
For imaging I would advise against using anything wireless. They have a nasty habit of dropping the connection just when you dont want it to.
For iPad/iPhone control for observing get one of these: http://www.southernstars.com/products/skyfi/
Quote from: Mike on Aug 06, 2013, 17:18:49For iPad/iPhone control for observing get one of these: http://www.southernstars.com/products/skyfi/
I like those Mike, but the price is a bit high, especially with the need to buy a laptop version as well.
I had a wireless game pad once and it worked on delayed action, very frustrating as the delayed action was VERY delayed and resulted in not being of any use at all.
If I ever use EQmod now I just use a mouse on an extension cable.
Carole
Haha.... Thomas really loved the thought of moving with an xbox controller pad.
Are they wired or wifi?
I use a wireless gamepad I got for £5.99 online, it's lasted 5 years so far and only three sets of AAAs. Means I can take it from the conservatory to the mount in the garden and still drive the scope and my focuser. Bliss. Plus it's cool getting EQMOD to say things like 'Rate 5' and 'Stop' without touching the laptop :)
i assume it needs to connect using one of these? I know my littlun had problems using a similar one with W7. (So probably even worse with W8)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC-Wireless-Gaming-USB-Receiver-Adapter-for-Microsoft-Xbox-360-Controller-Black-/290937609303
Ah..... It seems he's got it working in W8 - though it seems this one isn't according to the text within.
Don't have an Xbox so can't help :(
Something like this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-2-in-1-PS2-PC-Wireless-2-4GHz-Dual-Shock-Controller-Gamepad-/161046254005?pt=UK_Computing_Remote_Controls_Pointers&hash=item257f1ad1b5
Very like that. I would go for a leery colour, easier to find in the dark! I might get a spare...
Quote from: The Thing on Aug 06, 2013, 21:16:28
Very like that. I would go for a leery colour, easier to find in the dark! I might get a spare...
Sorted! :lol:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stars-Multi-sized-Xbox-PS3-PC-Controller-Sticker-Pack-Choice-of-24-Colours-/251277721603
OK so my eqdir arrived.
I installed the platform software, stellararium and the drivers but not working. When EQASCM_Run initiates, I get a brief glimpse, then it disappears (and flashes on screnn with mouse movement - then vanishes again.
Any ideas?
Use Task manager to kill all instances of EQ**** then start it again. usually works for me.
I had rebooted a couple of times.... but I had a look in TM and could find nothing running beginning with EQ to kill!
I just tried running again. It loads and visible for a fraction of a second, then disappears. It reappears after 5 senonds and the whole thing repeated.
I run the EQASCOM diagnostics and it all passes with flying colours.
"23:15:32.452 Diagnostics Congratulations, all 1046 function test"
It is EQASCOM_Run to kick it off isnt it?
Running the toolbox, it appears I havent asigned a port (and unable to). It wont auto detect!
But Windows is "finding" a device is being connected and disconnected If I plug in or remove the USB.
You need to look in Device Manager to see what COM port has been assigned. You must always use the same USB port for the eqdir as Windows will assign a new COM port. Search this forum for serial as I wrote a post explaining what to do.
Btw kill the EQMOD instance with the taskbar icon on the right. Join the Yahoo group as well!
Have you installed Carte Du Ciel yet Les, I don't think EQMOd stands alone? Provided EQmod is installed once you start up CdC then EQMod should appear, can't remember now whether I had to link the two up, but I remember when I had EQMod installed on it's own it just flashed up.
I also tried using Stellarium but that is a real PITA to link up as you have to use stellariumscope and delete an .ini file, and the person who tried to help me install that had to give up as neither of us could get it to work, so I use CdC now which works fine.
Carole
You don't need Carte du Ciel, you can use EQ-MOD fine on its own. However, it is better attached to a planetarium software of your choice.
Do what Duncan says and assign the port first or it will keep flicking on and off like that. Poor programming in my opinion.
Make sure the .NET framework is installed, IIRC it's installed with W7 but disabled so I assume it's the same with W8.
Find it in the Add/Remove bit in control panel - more info on Ascom or EQmod website
Quote from: The Thing on Aug 09, 2013, 07:39:22
You need to look in Device Manager to see what COM port has been assigned. You must always use the same USB port for the eqdir as Windows will assign a new COM port. Search this forum for serial as I wrote a post explaining what to do.
Btw kill the EQMOD instance with the taskbar icon on the right. Join the Yahoo group as well!
I found the post. I thought at first it didnt help (Im using Win 8 and the options youd shown are different), but I eventually had a play with compatability mode.
In control panel, I dont recall ports ever showing up, but after a bit of trial and error, I ran as Win7 and at last Ports showed up and I was able to assign Port 4 as shown to my newly installed (after uninstalling) driver.
So.... now to play!
Its no longer crashing and looks like its behaving. If I use the controls to move in any direction, I hear a tonal change like its gonna start driving, but doesn't move. I did try different rates, but makes no difference.
Quote from: mickw on Aug 09, 2013, 08:30:49
Make sure the .NET framework is installed, IIRC it's installed with W7 but disabled so I assume it's the same with W8.
Find it in the Add/Remove bit in control panel - more info on Ascom or EQmod website
I checked and cant find it in installed programs, so I went and looked as suggested. (Didnt find anything) But in the meantime, I powered down the mount and restarted. Started EQ and it reported communication eror. So I went back into tools and reasigned Port 4. Started it back up and bugger me, its now driving!
Lots to learn now!
I hate drivers!!
Carole
Quote from: Carole on Aug 09, 2013, 09:27:16
I hate drivers!!
Carole
TBH, it probably had installed itself properly before. I rather foolishly thought when it said "find port" it actually would do that! I was going to go through manually asigning each port and seeing what happened but thought that would be silly as its auto! How wrong was I..... But at least the advice above put me in the right direct and solve the mystery.
Quote from: Carole
I hate drivers!!
Agreed. They often show very little consideration to us cyclists.
The white vans in London are the worst.
Mark
:lol: :lol:
QuoteThey often show very little consideration to us cyclists.
What about UK cyclists?
:lol: