Connecting to the EQ8 mount via ASCOM / SynScan hand controller

[Terry Oneill]

Ok, so I realise this is a connection question and I've read the PHD2 manual and know that ASCOM is typically the way to connect rather than ST4, however, I'm not clear on using both ASCOM and the SynScan hand controller.

I have an EQ8 with the SynScan v4 controller with latest released firmware and I've just purchased an QHY5L-II camera for guiding. I'm not ready to switch from using the SynScan to EQMOD and Stellarium or Cartes de Ciel just yet though that's the ultimate aim and am looking for the correct way to connect the guide camera, the SynScan and the mount. The SynScan manual in section 9.1 says that after the SynScan hand controller is initialized, it can communicate with a computer via the RS-232C connection on its multi-purpose port. Connect the SynScan hand control and the serial port with the PC-Link cable (the RJ-12 to D-Sub 9 cable) which comes with the telescope mount. It can then be used with autoguider apps etc. This is not selecting PC Direct Mode on the controller. 

Can I use this configuration and select the Mount type as EQMOD HEQ5/6 ASCOM, or would it be better to use the Mount type as On-camera and have Aux Mount set to EQMOD HEQ5/6 ASCOM?

I'm just a little concerned that if I use this configuration with the SynScan hand controller and Mount type of EQMOD HEQ5/6 ASCOM, I'll get a split-brain situation with both EQMOD and the SynScan wanting to control the mount which would be bad...

Thanks for any assistance.

Regards,

Terry

[Andy Galasso]

Hi Terry,

I noticed it's been a couple days and you have not yet received a response to your question.  I suspect that may be because the question is mostly about EQ8 and EQMOD and less to do with PHD2.  Perhaps you could try posting in the EQMOD forum?  Or else maybe one of our EQMOD users can respond to you?

Andy

[Patrick Chevalley]

Terry,

If you not select "PC direct mode" and you do the initialization with the Synscan you cannot use Eqmod ASCOM driver but you must use the SkyWatcher SynScan ASCOM driver.

Install the driver from http://ascom-standards.org/Downloads/ScopeDrivers.htm , search for SkyWatcher SynScan Mount Controller (6.0.5999, June 2016).

Then in PHD2 you can select for Mount or Aux Mount: SkyWatcher Telescope (ASCOM)

Be sure to make a different profile in PHD2 for every case you want testing: Mount/Skywatcher,  Aux/Skywatcher, Mount/Eqmod, Aux/Eqmod
But as pulse guide is supported by both Skywatcher and Eqmod I suggest you go without On-Camera.

Patrick

[Terry Oneill]

Thanks Patrick,

I've downloaded the SynScan ASCOM driver and will give that a try - I thought you couldn't use both SynScan and EQMOD at the same time!

Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Terry