What a glorious clear night yesterday, only spoilt by the scope not working through EQMOD. I got a couple of errors, first the hand controller came up with the message "no link to m.c" and then EQMOD kept coming up with time out errors even though it was pointing to the correct com point. :boom:
Googling suggests bad connects which is obvious but odd as I've left this all connected for a week. I'll have a play today to see if I can fix it but I need a backup solution and remember some people have cables going direct to the mount, any recommendations or advice on what to steer clear off?
I did realise at 01:30 whilst in my warm bed that I did have a basic backup solution which would be to guide via the direct camera cable, but my dedication to the cause couldn't drag me out of bed.
It's a pain when you get rare clear skies and then your kit lets you down.
Handset without EQMod?
Carole
Handset?
The whole idea behind EQ-MOD is that you do away with the handset. Plug it directly into the handset port on the mount.
Did you see the mag -7.3 Iridium flare last night?
QuoteHandset?
The whole idea behind EQ-MOD is that you do away with the handset. Plug it directly into the handset port on the mount.
I was making a suggestion that on a clear night when things don't work there is always that option rather then wasting time on something that isn't working.
I use the handset for precisely that reason - less to go wrong, I think the handset is perfectly fine for the job and don't see why there is this mania for "doing away with it" unless you want to work remotely. I have an EQDir cable and have used EQMod but just couldn't see the point unless I was working from indoors, but since I rarely change objects during an evening I would rarely need to use it.
Carole
Ivor,
How are you using EQMOD?
When I first tried EQMOD ( a few years ago ) I used the serial lead that came with the mount (for flash upgrading the handset) and plugged it into the handset. I had lots of frustrations with this and gave up. I seem to remember the handset has to be switched into a special mode.
This time round I bought an EQDIR lead, which replaces the handset altogether. This worked much better for me. But I do miss the convenience of using the handset.
Mark
QuoteI use the handset for precisely that reason - less to go wrong, I think the handset is perfectly fine for the job and don't see why there is this mania for "doing away with it" unless you want to work remotely
Carole, I had exactly same reasoning as you regards hand controller but have on last few nights out used EQmod. The big benefits I can see are:
1. Really easy to align & sync scope. Basically turn scope on then use planetarium prog to slew to ANY star you want (you have 1.000's to choose from not just the ones in the handset) - Right click & SYNC - that's it... If you pick a star close to your object you want to image then just select DSO on planetarium prog again - Slew to it & there it is..
2. Moving around sky using laptop is VERY easy.
3. Guide through Pulseguide so less cables.
John
John - Exactly. You just pick any bright stars (you don't even have to know their names) and slew/sync on them to align. Dead easy.
My query was directed to Ivor not you Carole. He seems to be plugging the laptop into the handset somehow then using EQ-MOD instead of using an EQ-DIR cable. This is, as Duncan says, a recipe for disaster. Ivor if you don't have one get an EQ-DIR cable, they don't cost much and do away with the handset altogether.
QuoteMy query was directed to Ivor not you Carole.
OK Mike, thanks.
I agree it's easy to move around with EQMod, but still think it's just as easy with a handset.
I am sure I will use EQMod again at some point as sometimes the alignment stars are behind the blessed dome, but in general I can't be bothered, it's just more cables.
Carole
It's just one cable that replaces the handset and cable so in fact makes no difference.
Quote from: Mike on Sep 15, 2013, 12:44:31
It's just one cable that replaces the handset and cable so in fact makes no difference.
And it replaces a guide cable as well.
More cables to trail accross to the laptop and plug into the USB is what I meant. The handset cable stays neatly on the mount area.
I am going to have another session with EQMod at some point especially now I don't have to look through the finderscope any more (using the finderguider and PHD to view on screen). Using a wireless gamepad did not work for me as it was working on very delayed reaction and was a PITA. I'll try and see what it is you guys find so attractive about it.
Carole
Perhaps it would be good for you to get a demo from someone who uses it regularly to show off all of the features?
Quote from: Ivor on Sep 15, 2013, 08:56:19
What a glorious clear night yesterday, only spoilt by the scope not working through EQMOD. I got a couple of errors, first the hand controller came up with the message "no link to m.c" and then EQMOD kept coming up with time out errors even though it was pointing to the correct com point. :boom:
Googling suggests bad connects which is obvious but odd as I've left this all connected for a week. I'll have a play today to see if I can fix it but I need a backup solution and remember some people have cables going direct to the mount, any recommendations or advice on what to steer clear off?
I did realise at 01:30 whilst in my warm bed that I did have a basic backup solution which would be to guide via the direct camera cable, but my dedication to the cause couldn't drag me out of bed.
Hi Ivor,
I use EQMOD exclusively. I have a four port 10 metre USB hub velcroed to the side. Into this goes the 1000D, QHY5, Focuser and of course a HiTecAstro EQDIR module. The hub is powered, the mount is powered and the dew heater controller is powered. Thats 1 x USB and 3 X power cables to the mount. EQMOD COM port detection is unreliable, I always look in Device Mananger and have the hub marked so that the EQDIR cable always goes into the same USB port so I always get the came COM port assigned. (There are long threads on this on the forum).
I recently had to replace the EQDIR to mount cable which was giving intermittent disconnects usually after slewing. 99p for a LAN cable on ebay and 10mins with a soldering iron. I also find the mount power connector can be iffy. If the mount isn't powered the EQDIR will show a COM port in Windows but EQMOD won't connect to the mount.
Quote from: Carole on Sep 15, 2013, 12:54:47
More cables to trail accross to the laptop and plug into the USB is what I meant. The handset cable stays neatly on the mount area.
I am going to have another session with EQMod at some point especially now I don't have to look through the finderscope any more (using the finderguider and PHD to view on screen). Using a wireless gamepad did not work for me as it was working on very delayed reaction and was a PITA. I'll try and see what it is you guys find so attractive about it.
Carole
Hi Carole, I can give you a demo some time - you busy this afternoon? My mount is set up in the conservatory... PM for address.
BTW I use a £5.99 wireless gamepad and there is no lag at all, even from halfway down the garden!
Hi Dunc, Can you pls give me a link to your gamepad - thks, John
It was a special offer at Play.com about three years ago, there are plenty like it on ebay and amazon for about the same. 4AA batteries last a year or so as it auto powers off. Some of the double offers e.g. two for £18 would tempt me as I would have a spare...
QuoteHi Carole, I can give you a demo some time - you busy this afternoon? My mount is set up in the conservatory... PM for address.
That would have been great Duncan, but only just seen your message. Unless you don't think it's too late.
Otherwise I'll PM you and see if we can fix up another time.
Thanks
Carole
Wow you leave you computer for a few hours and look at the responses :)
Carole agree with you about sometimes simple is good and I should have thought of that but with the consumed of few winter warmers it might have impacted my ability to think of that. I personally like to use EQMOD for two main reasons, it removed the cable between the Lodestar and the mount which can break quite easily and the mount limit function which is great for leaving the camera to it for a night.
Up until now I've been using the cable that came with mount that Mark mentions it's not been a problem before but it looks like it's time for a replacement.
Duncan, I have a USB hub I'm planning to migrate to however I need to make a 12V to 5V plug before I can start using it, so as I'll have the soldering iron out I'll look at building a cable as well.
Is this a good reference for building it fora EQ6 Pro? http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/130721-usb-eqdir-for-under-4/ (http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/130721-usb-eqdir-for-under-4/)
Maybe this would be a good topic for the next imaging session?
Hi Ivor,
12v to 5V - easiest is to get a module off Ebay, around £7 usually. I use a PC power supply to give 12V and 5V feeds but have used a module as well as made my own (EOS battery replacement!).
Join http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/EQMOD and look in the Files section. There are several build it yourself options including Bluetooth! The simplest is to buy an FTDI USB-TTL cable and add a 9 pin DSUB plug. The one on the link will work with an EQ5 but not an EQ6 as one requires 3.3v and the other 5v outputs. Also its a Prolific chipset - not the best drivers, FTDI ones 'remember' the COM port assigned so you can plug them into any USB port.
Hope that helps.
Quote from: Carole on Sep 15, 2013, 16:30:18
QuoteHi Carole, I can give you a demo some time - you busy this afternoon? My mount is set up in the conservatory... PM for address.
That would have been great Duncan, but only just seen your message. Unless you don't think it's too late.
Otherwise I'll PM you and see if we can fix up another time.
I would also be interested if it's possible?
I've still a fair bit I need to understand and if I'm honest have no problem in conceding that unless you understand the settings within and what you are doing, it can be a mess and harder than a hand controller. But once you get to grips with it, the benefits are worth the pain and learning curve from what i can see.
It was yesterday afternoon Les. Maybe next Imaging night?
Quote from: The Thing on Sep 16, 2013, 18:20:54
It was yesterday afternoon Les. Maybe next Imaging night?
Ah ok... Trust me! lol
That's not until November is it?
Yep. Next imaging night is 5th November. Unless anyone is willing to volunteer to do one in October.
Quote from: Mike on Sep 16, 2013, 19:16:23
Yep. Next imaging night is 5th November. Unless anyone is willing to volunteer to do one in October.
5th November?.... Correct me if i'm wrong but that doesn't strike me as the best night of November for imaging.... :boom:
My mistake, the Imaging Session is on the 1st and the Observing is the 5th. New Moon is the 3rd so both dates are the closest Friday and Tuesday to this date.
A few fireworks won't matter for Observing and won't affect the view from High Elms.
For Imaging on the 1st it is far enough away that it shouldn't be a problem.
You mean Fri 1 Nov (not 3rd)
Thanks to Duncan's direction I have built and testing my new direct mount cable, surprisingly easy to make and saved myself at least £20. :D
As it was such a bright moon last night I played around with polar alignment in EQMOD, watch the youtube video but when it moved the mount to polar alignment point the little polaris circle on the circle was out by about and hour, Cassiopeia wasn't nearly as high in the sky as it thought. The computer is set to the correct time so I'm not sure what's going on, any suggestions?
BST GMT ?
I think EQMod assumes GMT
I wondered that but I thought EQMOD would place the Polaris position behind the actual position rather than ahead.
e.g. It was 23:00 BST the top star of Cassiopeia (Caph) was at 2:00 EQMOD put it at 01:00.
The only other explaination I can think of is EQMOD thinks the time on the laptop is GMT and has added a further hour , but I'm not sure how EQMOD makes that decision.
Can't help, sorry, I've never used this function except to see where Polaris is in relation to the reticle, though I more often have used Polarfinder. I used to centre Polaris on the cross hairs, then move it left or right thus establishing a base line, Polaris must be either at 9 or 3 o'clock at this point. Then I moved Polaris round the circle to the indicated position, all using the adjustment knobs.
Now I use AstroTortilla and PoleFocus (http://www.scopefocus.info/polar-alignment) the polarscope is redundant. Astrotortilla calculates the alignment error and then PoleFocus offsets the scope from a previously centered star using the alignment error figures, I just then have to re-center the star using knobs. Simples. PHd2 can provide confirmation of accuracy based on drift if you click on the Trendlines function in the Graph. Polar accuracy appears as an overlay.
Use the Kochab's clock method and then fine tune it afterwards.
Use both eyes, one to look up at Kochab (Beta Ursa Minor) and the other through the polarscope.
Then get Kochab, Polaris and the centre cross all lined up along an imaginary straight line through them all.
Alternatively click the Polaris button in EQ-MOD and it will show you were to put in the reticule.