Thank you for an excellent video which I followed to get my AZ GTi mount ASCOM controlled from Stellarium. I could not have done it without your excellent tutorial.
i was stuck for ages and this video was well explained and easy to follow. and what makes things easier is the fact it the same mount and scope im using :D again thankyou for putting this up answered alot of questions
Great video mate!! This has to be the best easy to follow guide for eqmod. I've Just got my serial port adapter for my neq6 pro mount to have ago for the first time tomorrow night. And I shall use this video to help me. 5* from me. Tom
superb thank you, might be worth mentioning - be sure the latest Stellarium is downloaded as ASCOM doesn't show up in the config window on previous versions. Took me a while to work that out.
+Thank you AstroPhotographer: I really like so very much your slow and step by step approach..to instructing...I write down in my Notebook all your important instructions step by step...I am now at 3:56...I will finish tomorrow AM and then cross my fingers...(:
Three years ago I found out how to copy n paste , I am a Neanderthal , who can now control his telescope via a computer thanks to THIS video. Like you said it’s a game changer. WOW 😁
Super clear video, thank you. Just a quick question, can I ask is it possible to connect via the USB port from the mount direct to PC, or did you use the RS232 serial to laptop cable?
Hi great video, I'm hoping this will work with my Skywatcher EQ3 Pro mount ? I've ordered the Skywatcher Telescopes Goto FTDi Mount Control Cable for HEQ5pro AZEQ5 AZEQ6 EQ6-R. The cable will connect from where the hand controller used to plug into the EQ3 Pro Sky-Watcher Motor Control Box into my laptop running Stellarium. Thanks again for the great video.
Thanks for the useful video. One problem I had is that of finding the port number for the connector lead which I got from First Light Optics for my HEQ5. On my Windows 10 laptop, not only is the Device Manager made hard to find, it no longer has a Ports option! Online searches suggested clicking on 'show hidden devices' and other more involved procedures, but in the end I just went through the port numbers in turn until it worked! Hopefully it will retain this port number whichever port I use. I miss not having the handset when centring an alignment star, but now I can choose an alignment star that I can view easily with the finder, rather than the one that the mount chooses (which could involve extreme contortion to view). Loosening the axis clamps and centring the star in the finder manually gets the star into the field of view of the camera on the main scope.
Device manager isn't hard to find, you can just hit WIN+X then M to bring it up. As to com ports being hidden, mine is right there on the main list (maybe it's a driver issue?)
A very well-organized video. Every step described is exactly what I experienced in downloading and setting up the software. Great set of instructions; well done. Perfect........until the last step at 10:44 when I held down CTRL and tapped "1". No response from the mount. (It's on, and connected to the laptop, confirmed by an audible sound.) Suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Scott I had the same problem, on Stellarium bottom bar click on Telescope icon click on configure and connect you Telescope that worked for me! found that in a other you tube video.
Followed your instructions and it worked :) I have an old SW EQ6 Heavy Duty (black) mount and the cable to the handcontrol "died", i.e. needs to be fixed so only solution was to take out an old laptop to handle the mount. The problem I have is that it does not find the objects I point to well enough. I am sure that the scope is polar aligned. Any ideas?
I'm more or less a beginner and have Stellarium as well as everything else you need on my computer, but I have to say that I've never been able to approach my selected object with any degree of accuracy. However, I don't have a direct view with the Pohlachse either Polaris and have to trust my eye like the compass. After correcting with the GamePad and tracking, they either dive down or up very smoothly. I always compensate for this by then setting a manual value in EQMOD on the Dec. Enter the axis (between +- 0.1 and 0.05 to run or compensate for this via Custom. What strikes me about your interface is that your Curson in Stellarium always seems to drive in a straight line, whereas with me it always follows an arc.
Hi and thanks for the video. I'm looking for the cable to work with my Celestron AVX mount. I see some on Amazon but they don't mention working with the Celestron mount. Do I have to be carful what I get? Not sure if they are all the same. Thanks so much. Pete
Great video. I was just wondering. My serial cable plugs into the hand controller and then to the usb on the computer. Is that ok or do i need the nine pin cable to usb and completely remove the hand controller? I have the orion atlas mount and it has a nine pin rs232 directly on the mount.
Great video - I have an eq3 pro mount and it just won't connect. Followed all the steps buy it just doesn't find anything! I have the HEQ5 ascom installed, any ideas? Thanks!
Question: @10:30 how did you get Stellarium to show your telescope reticule up in the sky like that near Polaris (me being in the Southern Hemisphere it would Sigma Octantis or even a star such as Acrux)? Looking towards the S in Stellarium my telescope reticule shows up in the ground when I look down. Is that because I shouldn't have put in my physical location information (lat, long and elevation) in the "Site Information" of EQMOD ASCOM Setup? Should I instead have put in the location of Sigma Octantis/Acrux/whatever my polar alignment star is here? Just a note: @7:14 if you are in the Southern Hemisphere you need to change Site Information > Pole Star HA to Sigma Octantis. And some hints: You may have to select "ASCOM Disconnect" before starting Stellarium. I found I received a connection error message when I didn't do this. Additionally, you will want to select "Load at startup" under Plugins > Telecope Control and restart Stellarium in order to be able to configure the telescope in Stellarium.
New user of an EQ6-R. So sorry for an obvious question. Using Stellarium and EQMod, assuming polar alignment is good and starting from "home position", is "star alignment" not necessary?
Hi Jim, I would do star alignment through EQMOD, you can do it with the hand controller but there isn't any point really if you can do it with EQMOD, or you could plate solve and skip star alignment altogether - I've just uploaded a new video on how to PlateSolve here: ua-cam.com/video/dpYXoYEKFpA/v-deo.html
Wow this is great. I have ordered my cable so looking forward to trying this out. Can I ask, did you still have to polar align (Sharpcap) and then slew to your target and then carry out guiding??
@@tobywan12 Once Polar Aligned you just select a star in Stellarium that you want to align with and slew over to it, then centre the Star in your frame.
I’ve been into astrophotography for just about a year. I sold my cgemll to get a EQ6R pro and I bought a asi 294 mc pro . I will be using Nina and what your using here . What liked is you go slow enough for me to follow what your doing . Not having to watch it a million times . Sadly for me most how to UA-camers go way to fast . Processing, laptop connect and programs to use need to be presented in a way that’s assuming the student has only a basic knowledge of computer skills. Thank you
Great video. There's lots of conflicting EQMOD setup videos out there, yours worked perfect for me. Can you explain how the scope knows where "Home" is for parking? Is it the location the mount is pointing when powered on?
Fantastic video. Helped me a lot. One question, I often stand at the viewfinder and find myself needing to tweak the object into the cross hairs. Seems you cant do this when you have the direct connection. Isnt that a bit awkward having to go back to the mouse? Thank again for the great video
Thanks Graham. The object will still need centering properly so I do this by adjusting the mount with the control pad in the EQMod software, which replaces the up down left right on the hand controller.
Your EQMOD controller should be running, but may be behind the Stellarium full screen display. F11 puts Stellarium into a window instead of full screen so that you can access the EQMOD control pad. You can also do alt-tab to run through your windows that are running in the background. Using a mouse is easier I think than using a hand controller.
Thanks for the reply, I am communicating with Chris Shillito of the EQMOD project. I have to find the "EQMOD.ini" file and delete it. I will do it once I find it. The file is likely corrupted, a problem that happens in Windows 10. I will let you know when it's fixed. Thanks again. Ben.
Hello, do you use the handset to connect to ascom or do you directly cpnnect to the mount? I'm having trouble maintaining tracking on my heq5 and trying to narrow down what could be causing it
Nice simple to follow video. By using EQMod and Stellarium do you still need to use PHD2 for guiding, or is it simply the case that once you select target in Stellarium it's job done and the mount tracks using Stellarium. I'm interested because I'm just starting my Astronomy adventures
Tracking is adversely affected by mechanical imperfections in the drive train of the telescope mount. You may see these referred to as periodic errors because they are cyclical with the turning of gears in the drive.. If you are doing long exposure astrophotography, an autoguider package like PH2 helps to correct these small errors without user input. But if you are just doing visual observations, an autoguider is not necessary.
@@darkwood777 Hi there. I'm just starting out and have a question. With this setup, would you do all the steps mentioned, slew to target and then run PHD2? I'm assuming PHD2 will then do it's own alignment and begin guiding corrections through ASCOM/EQMOD? Thanks a bunch!
Now getting EQMOD connected to mount, at first it slewed the mount but took 20-30 seconds to respond, now the mount wont slew at all despite EQMOD bening connected.
Nice video, it’s helped me a lot. Got stuck at 9.22 on the video. In Stellarium, I have the configuration screen with Telescope Control highlighted but when I try to press the Configure button nothing happens. Any idea what’s wrong? Many thanks.
Excellent tutorial and very clear. However I cannot connect my HEQ5 as I do not see ASCOM listed under add new telescope in Stellarium. Any ideas? I am using the latest version 0.20.4. Thanks.
Ok I got it to work. I had to re-install ASCOM and the mount can now slew to the targets. Thanks again for the excellent tutorial. Will try plate solving next.
thx for this wideo..my eq6r working now with pc..only last point in your video not working in my stellarium...ctrl and number 1...I must use ctrl and number 2...🙂✌️..but I dont know why 🤷😆
Hi and thanks for a great guide. I have one question if someone could help me out. I have a meade ETX105 and need to know what cable I should buy for the direct connection. My guess is its an RJ45 to USB just would like a confirmation before I jump in. The autostar controller display has ceased to function although the controller still works if I know the sequence of buttons to press but hopefully this guide will eliminate the controller altogether.
Hi Terry, not sure if you've already resolved this problem but giving your local astronomy dealer a call may be the best bet, I'm sure they'd be able to advise you as to what cable you'd need as there do seem to be quite a few different ones depending on mount.
@@AstroPhotos You still have to go through the alignment routine. Plate solving comes in handy for adjustments in framing the target. Stellarium is great for planning and getting you on the target. Appreciate your video! Cheers
I just got fooled by someone else's video. Their PC clock in the bottom said it was 9:51. I was like, I AM SO LATE GO IMAGING !. and then I watched yours and I was like 'it's 10:53 !!!!!!!!!!!' LOL......
Did you know that you can click on the telescope icon on the bottom toolbar in Stellarium. Select scope. And click on slew. You don't have to use the keys on the laptop. Lots easier at night.
Hi thanks for the admin tip for windows 10, so i use a b2 cable to connect my controller to my laptop so i driver set up under guiding ive selected ASCOM PulseGuiding (because im not using the ST4 cable). With my mount powered on, i click on ASCOM connect, but I'm still getting Connect Error: Timeout. Any ideas why I'm getting this?
I am literally at the last step in stellarium and at the bottom of the add new telescope box when I click ok nothing happens so it does not add scope Bit stuck everything else is installed and working Mount is EQ6r pro Thanks
i had to use the usb-b port on the hand controller, but after hours of not getting to work, found a blurb in a post that said you have to set hand controller to "direct pc" from utillities menu. then it worked!
Yes the hand controller port to my laptop by using this cable: www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq5-pro-heq5-syntrek-pro-az-eq5-gt-az-eq6-gt-and-eq8-mounts.html
Hi Luke, you can either use star alignment or plate solving. The latter of which I've just posted a new tutorial on... ua-cam.com/video/dpYXoYEKFpA/v-deo.html
I got a rookie question - Just confirming that after you download everything and double check it all works, you can go out in the field and use all the programs without a WiFi connection. Correct?
The EQASCOM PDF manual says I need to use StellariumScope as a passthrough to Stellarium, but I'm not sure if that is true after watching your video. The manual seems to not be fully up to date.
I can't get to a position more precisely without using a game pad because where the telescope is supposed to go. Virtually it isn't steered to the real sky. The stars that I fixed with synchronization can then be found again immediately.
I attempted connecting EQMOD to my HEQ5 by connecting a USB-B cable to the handset and then have that connected to the HEQ5 through the controller port but got a timeout error. Is it possible to connect via the handset or do I need a special cable for a direct connection?
@AstroPhotos every time I click Ascom Connect I keep getting that "Connect Error Timeout" and I have the mount turned on and hooked up with a rj cable to laptop
Thank you very much. If I understand correctly on the order of operations before taking a picture and a question: 1. Polar alignment using Sharpcap Pro 2. Connect mount to stellarium 3. How to star align using stellarium? Don't understand this process. 4. Image favorite DSO
Hmm, the "Configure" button is greyed out for me in the Stellarium Configuration/Plugins/Telescope Control? Also, it should be noted that one must navigate to the Telescope Control section of the Configuration window (yours went there automatically because you already had Load at startup checked)
I've also noticed greyed out options in Stellarium, but these don't seem to matter because the option is typically already predetermined from an options window inside EQASCOM.
-hello, eqmod doesn't recognize the port com1, which has been assigned by my pc, so the connection is always timedout. May you help me? I have a az gti powered by batteries. could be this the problem? Maybe it should be connected to the AC?
You probably have to experiment with different baud rates on the port. Usually the default is 9600, but you might need to change it to 115200 for example. also make sure the com port is the right one in case you have other hardware installed, like a wireless mouse.
Not really getting how this is a game-changer. So you click on M81 and the mount slews to it? Entering M81 in the hand controller does exactly the same thing. You probably would have appreciated the controller more if you had a gps module for it (no need to ever enter coordinates, date, or time). One question I have: do you need to keep that little toolbox window open in order to park the scope or make small adjustments? Is there not a provision for that in Stellarium?
I just personally find it so much easier without using the hand controller, and quicker to set up too. My setup method now is quite quick - place mount, polar align with sharp cap, slew to a bright star, focus, slew close to intended object, take a photo, plate solve, start imaging session. I personally leave the tool box open so I can use EQMOD when polar aligning and parking / unparking etc.
I ordered the cable from FLO Optics. www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq5-pro-heq5-syntrek-pro-az-eq5-gt-az-eq6-gt-and-eq8-mounts.html
Ok new problem, i can connect fine to EQMOD, via the EQASCOM toolbox, the problem i have now was when im in Sterallium and i connect my scope another version of the EQMOD pops up and says Error: Port not Found? Any ideas?
Thank you for an excellent video which I followed to get my AZ GTi mount ASCOM controlled from Stellarium. I could not have done it without your excellent tutorial.
Really good step by step tutorial.ideal for learner's to follow thank you Mick
Newcomer here. This walk though was very well done and got me up and running first time through. Thank you.
Excellent detailed and thoughtful presentation ... answered all my questions and you have the same set up as me which is a bonus 😃
Had trouble using eqmod and stellarium,found your video,and got it running ,thank you
i was stuck for ages and this video was well explained and easy to follow. and what makes things easier is the fact it the same mount and scope im using :D again thankyou for putting this up answered alot of questions
Glad you found it helpful Thomas!
This video is the most explicit one that I listen to so far 👍👍
Best walk through ever! I couldnt thank you enough!
Thanks ! Glad it helped.
Thank you for sharing! I just set up my EQ6-R with EQMOD and Stellarium with the help of your video and it's working great :)
Glad you found it helpful!
I have the same mount and got a Cable from Amazon and it is not working . What cable did you get?
Great step by step explanation. Now to get the mount pulse guiding with PHD2. Cheers mate!
Excellent tutorial on connecting EQMOD and Stellarium. Game changer? You said it! TY so much.
Hey Blane, glad you found it helpful!
Finally got my laptop controlling my scope! Thank you for this excellent video.
Brilliant! Worked like a charm.
Great walkthrough! Huge help for a beginner.
Thanks Richard. Glad you found it helpful.
Thanks for the walkthrough... useful to understand what ASCOM and EQMOD are related to oneanother, and what they are supposed to do with the telescope
Glad it was helpful!
Great video mate!! This has to be the best easy to follow guide for eqmod. I've Just got my serial port adapter for my neq6 pro mount to have ago for the first time tomorrow night. And I shall use this video to help me. 5* from me.
Tom
Thanks. Great to hear!
Thank you for this great tutorial.
Thank you for the tutorial. Some settings are slightly different in the latest version of Stellarium but it was easy enough to figure out. 👍
Glad it helped
AMAZING VIDEO ! It Helped me so so much ! Thx
Glad it helped Steph!
That’s a great tutorial, I’ve just subscribed to you,hope you add some more videos soon, cheers Tony 👍
Thank you for sharing, subbed im looking forward to connecting my mount ,thanks to this video
Thanks Nelson glad you found the video helpful.
Will definitely give this a try. Thanks
superb thank you, might be worth mentioning - be sure the latest Stellarium is downloaded as ASCOM doesn't show up in the config window on previous versions. Took me a while to work that out.
Good tip, thanks for the comment David.
what a great tutorial, many thanks.
Thanks Paul. Glad you found it helpful.
+Thank you AstroPhotographer: I really like so very much your slow and step by step approach..to instructing...I write down in my Notebook all your important instructions step by step...I am now at 3:56...I will finish tomorrow AM and then cross my fingers...(:
Awesome, got it working!
Great, glad it helped.
Thank you. 👍🏻
Thank you for your tutorial
You're welcome 😊
Really useful video... Thanks
Thanks Ric, glad it helped.
Three years ago I found out how to copy n paste , I am a Neanderthal , who can now control his telescope via a computer thanks to THIS video. Like you said it’s a game changer. WOW 😁
Thanks. Glad it helped.
Super clear video, thank you. Just a quick question, can I ask is it possible to connect via the USB port from the mount direct to PC, or did you use the RS232 serial to laptop cable?
Thank you! Clear Skies
Thank you too!
Thank for the video. What galaxy was that on your wallpaper?
Hi great video, I'm hoping this will work with my Skywatcher EQ3 Pro mount ? I've ordered the Skywatcher Telescopes Goto FTDi Mount Control Cable for HEQ5pro AZEQ5 AZEQ6 EQ6-R. The cable will connect from where the hand controller used to plug into the EQ3 Pro Sky-Watcher Motor Control Box into my laptop running Stellarium.
Thanks again for the great video.
Thanks for the useful video. One problem I had is that of finding the port number for the connector lead which I got from First Light Optics for my HEQ5. On my Windows 10 laptop, not only is the Device Manager made hard to find, it no longer has a Ports option! Online searches suggested clicking on 'show hidden devices' and other more involved procedures, but in the end I just went through the port numbers in turn until it worked! Hopefully it will retain this port number whichever port I use. I miss not having the handset when centring an alignment star, but now I can choose an alignment star that I can view easily with the finder, rather than the one that the mount chooses (which could involve extreme contortion to view). Loosening the axis clamps and centring the star in the finder manually gets the star into the field of view of the camera on the main scope.
Device manager isn't hard to find, you can just hit WIN+X then M to bring it up. As to com ports being hidden, mine is right there on the main list (maybe it's a driver issue?)
A very well-organized video. Every step described is exactly what I experienced in downloading and setting up the software. Great set of instructions; well done. Perfect........until the last step at 10:44 when I held down CTRL and tapped "1". No response from the mount. (It's on, and connected to the laptop, confirmed by an audible sound.) Suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Scott I had the same problem, on Stellarium bottom bar click on Telescope icon click on configure and connect you Telescope that worked for me! found that in a other you tube video.
Thanks, Chris. I'll try that.
Followed your instructions and it worked :)
I have an old SW EQ6 Heavy Duty (black) mount and the cable to the handcontrol "died", i.e. needs to be fixed so only solution was to take out an old laptop to handle the mount.
The problem I have is that it does not find the objects I point to well enough. I am sure that the scope is polar aligned.
Any ideas?
I'm more or less a beginner and have Stellarium as well as everything else you need on my computer, but I have to say that I've never been able to approach my selected object with any degree of accuracy. However, I don't have a direct view with the Pohlachse either Polaris and have to trust my eye like the compass. After correcting with the GamePad and tracking, they either dive down or up very smoothly. I always compensate for this by then setting a manual value in EQMOD on the Dec. Enter the axis (between +- 0.1 and 0.05 to run or compensate for this via Custom.
What strikes me about your interface is that your Curson in Stellarium always seems to drive in a straight line, whereas with me it always follows an arc.
Hi and thanks for the video. I'm looking for the cable to work with my Celestron AVX mount. I see some on Amazon but they don't mention working with the Celestron mount. Do I have to be carful what I get? Not sure if they are all the same. Thanks so much. Pete
Great video. I was just wondering. My serial cable plugs into the hand controller and then to the usb on the computer. Is that ok or do i need the nine pin cable to usb and completely remove the hand controller? I have the orion atlas mount and it has a nine pin rs232 directly on the mount.
thanks
Did you have to do polar align or do you point it roughly north, please tell. I see it was during daylight.
Great video - I have an eq3 pro mount and it just won't connect. Followed all the steps buy it just doesn't find anything! I have the HEQ5 ascom installed, any ideas? Thanks!
Question: @10:30 how did you get Stellarium to show your telescope reticule up in the sky like that near Polaris (me being in the Southern Hemisphere it would Sigma Octantis or even a star such as Acrux)? Looking towards the S in Stellarium my telescope reticule shows up in the ground when I look down. Is that because I shouldn't have put in my physical location information (lat, long and elevation) in the "Site Information" of EQMOD ASCOM Setup? Should I instead have put in the location of Sigma Octantis/Acrux/whatever my polar alignment star is here?
Just a note: @7:14 if you are in the Southern Hemisphere you need to change Site Information > Pole Star HA to Sigma Octantis.
And some hints: You may have to select "ASCOM Disconnect" before starting Stellarium. I found I received a connection error message when I didn't do this.
Additionally, you will want to select "Load at startup" under Plugins > Telecope Control and restart Stellarium in order to be able to configure the telescope in Stellarium.
New user of an EQ6-R. So sorry for an obvious question. Using Stellarium and EQMod, assuming polar alignment is good and starting from "home position", is "star alignment" not necessary?
All very well, but how do you do a 1 to 3 star goto alighment?
Awesome setup ! Thank you for sharing. Is star alignment done through EQMOD or do you use the hand controller at the beginning?
Hi Jim, I would do star alignment through EQMOD, you can do it with the hand controller but there isn't any point really if you can do it with EQMOD, or you could plate solve and skip star alignment altogether - I've just uploaded a new video on how to PlateSolve here: ua-cam.com/video/dpYXoYEKFpA/v-deo.html
What If Stellarium and handbox is Not point at same place first time one run eqmod, and ofc data is correct in and controller, how to fix that 😊
Wow this is great. I have ordered my cable so looking forward to trying this out. Can I ask, did you still have to polar align (Sharpcap) and then slew to your target and then carry out guiding??
Hey Toby, that's great. Yes still polar align with Sharpcap, and then a star alignment and slew to target with Stellarium, and then guide.
@@AstroPhotos thanks for that. Can I ask, how did you do the star alignment without the hand controller??
@@tobywan12 Once Polar Aligned you just select a star in Stellarium that you want to align with and slew over to it, then centre the Star in your frame.
What cable connects the mount to the PC? Been trying with PC direct from hand controller. Many thanks
I’ve been into astrophotography for just about a year. I sold my cgemll to get a EQ6R pro and I bought a asi 294 mc pro . I will be using Nina and what your using here . What liked is you go slow enough for me to follow what your doing . Not having to watch it a million times . Sadly for me most how to UA-camers go way to fast . Processing, laptop connect and programs to use need to be presented in a way that’s assuming the student has only a basic knowledge of computer skills. Thank you
Thanks very much, and glad you found the video helpful.
Can you also track satellites with this setup? It would be very nice for taking pictures of ISS
Great video. There's lots of conflicting EQMOD setup videos out there, yours worked perfect for me. Can you explain how the scope knows where "Home" is for parking? Is it the location the mount is pointing when powered on?
Thanks. Yes wherever the mount is pointing to is the home position.
yes it is ie weights down pointing at polaris in northern hemisphere unless a custome home used
It may interest you to know that you can define multiple parking positions and select these from a list.
Fantastic video. Helped me a lot. One question, I often stand at the viewfinder and find myself needing to tweak the object into the cross hairs. Seems you cant do this when you have the direct connection. Isnt that a bit awkward having to go back to the mouse? Thank again for the great video
Thanks Graham. The object will still need centering properly so I do this by adjusting the mount with the control pad in the EQMod software, which replaces the up down left right on the hand controller.
Your EQMOD controller should be running, but may be behind the Stellarium full screen display. F11 puts Stellarium into a window instead of full screen so that you can access the EQMOD control pad. You can also do alt-tab to run through your windows that are running in the background. Using a mouse is easier I think than using a hand controller.
You can also use a gamepad with either EQMOD or Green Swamp Server.
Do you still need to install the drivers for the mount?
Thanks for the reply, I am communicating with Chris Shillito of the EQMOD project. I have to find the "EQMOD.ini" file and delete it. I will do it once I find it. The file is likely corrupted, a problem that happens in Windows 10. I will let you know when it's fixed. Thanks again. Ben.
Do you have to align the mount so that stellarium knows where it’s currently pointing and slewing too accurately?
You can set Toolbox (or any app) to always run as administrator.
How do you do your star alighment? The HC ask to do a star alighment
Do you still need to run through the star alignment routine first, so that it knows where your scope is pointing ? Thanks
No but you can center targets (bright stars) and sync to refine the accuracy. Or plate solve
Hello, do you use the handset to connect to ascom or do you directly cpnnect to the mount?
I'm having trouble maintaining tracking on my heq5 and trying to narrow down what could
be causing it
Hi, directly to the mount. The hand controller isnt needed.
Nice simple to follow video. By using EQMod and Stellarium do you still need to use PHD2 for guiding, or is it simply the case that once you select target in Stellarium it's job done and the mount tracks using Stellarium. I'm interested because I'm just starting my Astronomy adventures
Yes the mount will track with Stellarium. PHD2 is for auto-guiding and longer exposures.
@@AstroPhotos ok ta!
Tracking is adversely affected by mechanical imperfections in the drive train of the telescope mount. You may see these referred to as periodic errors because they are cyclical with the turning of gears in the drive.. If you are doing long exposure astrophotography, an autoguider package like PH2 helps to correct these small errors without user input. But if you are just doing visual observations, an autoguider is not necessary.
@@darkwood777 Hi there. I'm just starting out and have a question. With this setup, would you do all the steps mentioned, slew to target and then run PHD2?
I'm assuming PHD2 will then do it's own alignment and begin guiding corrections through ASCOM/EQMOD? Thanks a bunch!
Hey, can ı use the technic for my eq3 pro syncan mount ??
Now getting EQMOD connected to mount, at first it slewed the mount but took 20-30 seconds to respond, now the mount wont slew at all despite EQMOD bening connected.
Eqmod is now working right. Just install Celestron focus motor and it's not working.
Nice video, it’s helped me a lot. Got stuck at 9.22 on the video. In Stellarium, I have the configuration screen with Telescope Control highlighted but when I try to press the Configure button nothing happens. Any idea what’s wrong? Many thanks.
I had this problem, but I closed/reopened Stellarium and then I was able to click 'configure'
can u connect by wifi instead of a cable?
Excellent tutorial and very clear. However I cannot connect my HEQ5 as I do not see ASCOM listed under add new telescope in Stellarium. Any ideas? I am using the latest version 0.20.4. Thanks.
Ok I got it to work. I had to re-install ASCOM and the mount can now slew to the targets. Thanks again for the excellent tutorial. Will try plate solving next.
thx for this wideo..my eq6r working now with pc..only last point in your video not working in my stellarium...ctrl and number 1...I must use ctrl and number 2...🙂✌️..but I dont know why 🤷😆
Hi and thanks for a great guide. I have one question if someone could help me out. I have a meade ETX105 and need to know what cable I should buy for the direct connection. My guess is its an RJ45 to USB just would like a confirmation before I jump in.
The autostar controller display has ceased to function although the controller still works if I know the sequence of buttons to press but hopefully this guide will eliminate the controller altogether.
Hi Terry, not sure if you've already resolved this problem but giving your local astronomy dealer a call may be the best bet, I'm sure they'd be able to advise you as to what cable you'd need as there do seem to be quite a few different ones depending on mount.
I use this one, but there are loads out there. www.amazon.com/dp/B07XVQCZBL
I loved this when I first setup, great talk through, I now Plate Solve so no longer link it to Stellarium.
I've heard of it and it does sound easier than having to go through much of the alignment routine.
@@AstroPhotos You still have to go through the alignment routine. Plate solving comes in handy for adjustments in framing the target. Stellarium is great for planning and getting you on the target. Appreciate your video! Cheers
How can I make this work on a iMac?
I just got fooled by someone else's video. Their PC clock in the bottom said it was 9:51. I was like, I AM SO LATE GO IMAGING !. and then I watched yours and I was like 'it's 10:53 !!!!!!!!!!!' LOL......
lol
Dose it need star alignment? If I do polar alignment will be enough?
Hi, with this method I think star alignment helps to get more accuracy but you can try plate solving as well.
Did you know that you can click on the telescope icon on the bottom toolbar in Stellarium. Select scope. And click on slew. You don't have to use the keys on the laptop. Lots easier at night.
Didn't know that, good stuff.
Hi, I have an AZ-EQ5 model, is it working with the same method?
Hi, yes it would.
Hi thanks for the admin tip for windows 10, so i use a b2 cable to connect my controller to my laptop so i driver set up under guiding ive selected ASCOM PulseGuiding (because im not using the ST4 cable). With my mount powered on, i click on ASCOM connect, but I'm still getting Connect Error: Timeout. Any ideas why I'm getting this?
Nevermind i forgot to put the controller into PC direct mode
I am literally at the last step in stellarium and at the bottom of the add new telescope box when I click ok nothing happens so it does not add scope
Bit stuck everything else is installed and working
Mount is EQ6r pro
Thanks
please
How did you connect the computer to the HQE5 mount , did you use the handcotroler port, or did you connect in another way?
and what is it ?
i had to use the usb-b port on the hand controller, but after hours of not getting to work, found a blurb in a post that said you have to set hand controller to "direct pc" from utillities menu. then it worked!
Yes the hand controller port to my laptop by using this cable: www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq5-pro-heq5-syntrek-pro-az-eq5-gt-az-eq6-gt-and-eq8-mounts.html
@@Tim_the_Astronurd get yourself one of these and remove the hand controller all together. www.amazon.com/dp/B07XVQCZBL
Ok so this is a great tutorial but what happens with star alignment is it not needed via eqmod and how/why?
Hi Luke, you can either use star alignment or plate solving. The latter of which I've just posted a new tutorial on... ua-cam.com/video/dpYXoYEKFpA/v-deo.html
I got a rookie question - Just confirming that after you download everything and double check it all works, you can go out in the field and use all the programs without a WiFi connection. Correct?
Correct!
Yes as Bas said that's correct!
The EQASCOM PDF manual says I need to use StellariumScope as a passthrough to Stellarium, but I'm not sure if that is true after watching your video. The manual seems to not be fully up to date.
thats no longer needed as intergrated in to stellarium now
Could this be used for constantly tracking objects like the ISS?
no
I can't get to a position more precisely without using a game pad because where the telescope is supposed to go. Virtually it isn't steered to the real sky. The stars that I fixed with synchronization can then be found again immediately.
I attempted connecting EQMOD to my HEQ5 by connecting a USB-B cable to the handset and then have that connected to the HEQ5 through the controller port but got a timeout error. Is it possible to connect via the handset or do I need a special cable for a direct connection?
I'm not sure about that, for me the purpose was to bypass the hand controller by connecting the mount directly to the laptop via an FTDI USB Cable.
yes, you have to set the hand controller to "direct to pc" in the utilities menu
@AstroPhotos every time I click Ascom Connect I keep getting that "Connect Error Timeout" and I have the mount turned on and hooked up with a rj cable to laptop
In the device hub telescope setup what kind of telescope do i pick since i have a eq35 but I only see eqmod ascom heq5/6
I checked in device manager under ports and it says com 3 but when i click on the binoculars it says com 16 then not found
Thank you very much. If I understand correctly on the order of operations before taking a picture and a question:
1. Polar alignment using Sharpcap Pro
2. Connect mount to stellarium
3. How to star align using stellarium? Don't understand this process.
4. Image favorite DSO
someone knows, how a smartphone could be used as a "Finderscope"?
What port did you plug into on the mount?
The handcontroller port on the mount.
Hmm, the "Configure" button is greyed out for me in the Stellarium Configuration/Plugins/Telescope Control?
Also, it should be noted that one must navigate to the Telescope Control section of the Configuration window (yours went there automatically because you already had Load at startup checked)
Thanks Katie.
I've also noticed greyed out options in Stellarium, but these don't seem to matter because the option is typically already predetermined from an options window inside EQASCOM.
-hello, eqmod doesn't recognize the port com1, which has been assigned by my pc, so the connection is always timedout.
May you help me?
I have a az gti powered by batteries.
could be this the problem? Maybe it should be connected to the AC?
You probably have to experiment with different baud rates on the port. Usually the default is 9600, but you might need to change it to 115200 for example. also make sure the com port is the right one in case you have other hardware installed, like a wireless mouse.
Not really getting how this is a game-changer. So you click on M81 and the mount slews to it? Entering M81 in the hand controller does exactly the same thing. You probably would have appreciated the controller more if you had a gps module for it (no need to ever enter coordinates, date, or time).
One question I have: do you need to keep that little toolbox window open in order to park the scope or make small adjustments? Is there not a provision for that in Stellarium?
I just personally find it so much easier without using the hand controller, and quicker to set up too. My setup method now is quite quick - place mount, polar align with sharp cap, slew to a bright star, focus, slew close to intended object, take a photo, plate solve, start imaging session. I personally leave the tool box open so I can use EQMOD when polar aligning and parking / unparking etc.
@@AstroPhotos Do you use PHD2 for guiding?
Where do I order the cable?
I ordered the cable from FLO Optics. www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq5-pro-heq5-syntrek-pro-az-eq5-gt-az-eq6-gt-and-eq8-mounts.html
Ok new problem, i can connect fine to EQMOD, via the EQASCOM toolbox, the problem i have now was when im in Sterallium and i connect my scope another version of the EQMOD pops up and says Error: Port not Found? Any ideas?
You need to run Eqmod setup not tool box , then use binoculars icon to find correct port
@@boaty1968 it's ok i got this sorted, thanks.
My configure in Plug-ins is greyed out.
Are you making this video in the bath with a tap running? LOL
Sooo only need good best polar aligniament and this tutorial to control telescop??
Hi Tenu, yes polar align first and then you can use this program to control your scope!
What cable are using from mount to computer?
eqdirect cable ,use one that says fdti chipset and your mount needs to be able to use ascom
@@boaty1968 tq this working.. Now i want polar align but my place cannot see thr polaris.. U have any idea?
@@benzuan5232 try darv
Don't need to do stars alignment?
Yes if not plate solving then you'd need to do a star alignment, but plate solving is so much better.
why is the ASCOM suite not all that you need - why EQ Mod is required? Other videos do not metioned EQMod
ASCOM is just the connection, EQMOD sends the directions that come from Stellarium across the connection.
@@tekn0lust Stellarium, sends the diections to my serial interface which is connected to my mount. I do not have EQMount installed.
When I get to Driver setup I get the error message 55 the file allready open. Can't do anything from there
Hi Bernard, I would try rebooting your computer and try again. Sounds like the application is open twice.