Thanks to you Martin I no longer get a "pain in the neck" trying to do star alignments. My twice surgically repaired cervical spine made looking through a Telrad literally a pain. Your very clear description of options made me look into computer control and am now plate solving and no more star alignments. BUT, with all the trees around my house, its like looking up from a well so no option to stay inside where its warm. I'm still traveling to my observing site but have plenty of battery heated clothing to stay warm!
Great stuff Tom. Isn’t plate solving the coolest thing?! Very glad to have helped you, and many thanks for going to the trouble of commenting. Clear Skies!
thanks Martin. I like your videos because you dont verbally rush the information, you speak clearly, and often simplify a technical subject, with some of the peripheral explanations . many of the other tutorials are like listening to a hyper geek on cocaine, too fast, and too much information. I also like Nico for the same reasons. anyway thanks and well done.
Great timing. I'm just about to head down this road. My HEQ5 arrives Monday. (I'm on a Mac so things will be a bit different, but Windows on a VM is always an option).
Great video. I went down the same journey in a relatively short time (two months) with helpful tutorials like yours. I would add another further option, using two computers. One near the mount and another indoor connected via remote control software such as Anydesk. Now you can adjust things while at the mount and then go back indoors to monitor the whole process. I leave my laptop outside connecting to the mount and cameras, which also means you don't need very long cables. By running Anydesk, a powerful and free software, I can control everything from my indoor desktop with no detectable lag as long as both computers are online. They don't even need to be in the same wifi network. It works on android and iOS, too. By monitoring my PHD2 via desktop I can be aware of any possible issues that may occur, such as clouds, rain, cable snagging, etc. You can even download and start processing images with completed sessions indoors while new sessions are running outdoors. I considered the option of using ASIair or similar devices, but I like the full function software on PC, especially NINA, and being able to mix different brands of cameras, ( I use both ZWO and QHY cameras). The only thing I may further upgrade is to use a mini PC for the outdoor computer to reduce the power consumption so the power bank does not drain so fast when I want to go to a remote dark site.
Excellent! Thank you. I’m just about to upgrade to an EQ6-R and this, along with your previous tutorials, has been extremely helpful. Looking forward to your plate solving tutorial.
First of all, heelo from Texas, and thank you for posting the video - you do a very good job explaining the basics. Four months ago when I started this hobby I would have been lost. After many hours of troubleshooting one problem after another, however, I can actually understand everything you are talking about. I wish I had found your channel four months ago. In any event, I have upgraded from the SkyGuider Pro to the EQ6r-Pro and after spending hours last night in sub-freezing weather trying to polar align then star align, I knew I needed a better solution. A different RUclips content provider that I follow had the perfect video on connecting up the EQMOD. I now have the EQMOD system working, connected with a USB cable (my version of the mount actually has the separate USB controller connection). However, my cable is only about 2 meters. I'm going to have to either buy a very long cable, continue to work in the cold, or get the ASIAIR unless you have a brighter idea. Regardless I look forward to your part 2, but I certainly understand that you cannot produce content if your weather is not cooperating. Wishing you clear skies my new friend.
Hi Steve, and thanks for your really positive comments. Much appreciated. A great upgrade to the EQ6-R Pro! It will serve you well. Controlling everything from inside was such a massive step forward for me... I started out using Stellarium Scope and EQMOD but then Stellarium was updated to include native control via EQMOD. So I then controlled everything from Stellarium and used the slew and sync functions to do my star alignment and find my targets. I have now gone a step further and use Sequence Generator Pro with ASTAP Plate Solving so I don't even need to Star Align any more! I just do a 'Solve and Sync' and that's it. Incredible precision for framing too, and I use a Manual Rotator so it even helps me rotate my imaging train to the planned angle which really helps when I do imaging over multiple nights. I now only use Stellarium for slewing to a bright star for focusing, and to keep an eye on how close I am to Meridian. I love how things evolve in this hobby, both in terms of equipment technology and in terms of my learning. Keeps it interesting. Take care with USB cable length. 5m is really the maximum for robust USB 2.0 operation and much less (3m is it?) for USB 3.0! I have used more than 5m for USB 2.0 in the past but it can lead to 'strange happenings' when you are not expecting them...I think the signal integrity is so compromised with excessive cable length that things like temperature change and/or moisture can be enough to tip it over the edge and cause trouble. Clear Skies to you too Steve!
Great video, I now have my mount controlled from stellarium. Now trying to get my head around plate solving, look forward to your video on this subject.
Hi Martin, I'm learning a lot through your videos, thank you. I'm just starting out with astrophotography and wanted to know if you advise newbies like me to move straight to the final stage (adding mount control to the laptop)? Or is there an advantage to move through the different stages?
Hi Tess. I’m delighted to hear that my videos are helping you. I strongly recommend learning one new thing at a time. That way you master one process or technique and then move on to another, and you avoid becoming overwhelmed by too many problems all happening at once. Slow and steady, one step at a time, will give you a much more enjoyable experience and you will end up having real solid expertise. So, for the mount control, start with mastering the mount handset and then move on to adding remote control from a PC/laptop.
Great video! My EQ6-R Pro arrives next week. As it's now January in the midwest (U.S.), I'm definitely not looking forward to standing outside for hours. Will likely move to a full remote setup 'very' soon. Thanks for the advice and guidance! Cheers
Thanks for this roundup of the steps and possibilities, and the quality cable recommendation. I jumped straight in at step 6 - ASIAIR Pro and HEQ5, controlled wirelessly from outdoors or indoors via phone or tablet. The best way to connect it to the HEQ5 is the same EQMOD cable. AAP is mounted on my telescope to minimize the number of cable snag opportunities. Step 7, drive AAP from Sky Safari is also possible.
Thanks for your comment. ASIAIR Pro looks pretty capable, but is not for me. I have invested a lot of time mastering Sequence Generator Pro and I love it. It integrates so many things including plate solving, guiding, camera control, focus control, frame & focus, mosaics, rotators, weather info, filter wheel control and more. And it means my computer and data are all indoors away from cold temperatures and dew attack. So many choices out there!!! Clear Skies.
You, Sir, are a true gift to the amateur astrophotography community - thank you for doing this. May I please ask if you can use a better microphone to increase the sound quality? It will be a lot easier for those of us not having English as our mother tongue to follow your otherwise splendid tutorials. Again, thank you.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment.... Would you believe it....I asked for a new (much better) microphone for Christmas and it has arrived!!! All future videos will have better sound quality!!!! :-) Clear Skies!
Hi Clive. Thanks for that. I prefer to have everything on the laptop, which has 2 monitors and makes a great ‘control centre’ in my dining room. Since I already have a USB cable running out from my laptop to my mount with a 4-port USB hub at the end of it (for camera and focus controller) I just plug the EQDIR cable into the hub. So many solutions out there!!!! Clear skies.
Hello Martin. I just want to give a big thank you. I purchased the same mount and you have been a big help. I love viewing outside, however, I live in mosquito and blackfly central and the more I can do indoors, the better. You talk about doing plate solving with ASTAP and I was wondering, I have a Polemaster that I use for polar alignment and it uses plate solving. Would I be correct to assume that since it does this for polar alignment that I do not need to do it again for guiding? I look forward to future videos from you.
Hi there. Thanks for your positive feedback. For guiding plate solving does not play a part. Guiding is just about keeping a chosen star (or, with the new multi star guiding, a set of stars) in the same place on your camera sensor. Plate solving is about finding out where in the sky you are pointing, and with what orientation. I am actually busy doing my next video which is all about plate solving so that may help. Clear Skies!
Thanks so much for the very informative video, this is great information you put out here. I was wondering if you happen to know if the last method you mentioned would work, directly from the mount to my ASI Air Pro (instead of a laptop) or would I need to go through the hand controller? BTW I'm using the Orion EQ-G which is their version of the HEQ5
Thanks Lou. I have not used an ASI Air Pro. I believe it is based on the Raspberry Pi. I suspect the software handles the interface directly without EQMOD. Whether you need to leave the hand controller connected and use PC Direct mode or can just use an EQDIR cable I’m not sure. I suggest you try both and see what happens. Sorry I can’t be more help on this one.
I recently started on the same journey as you. Your videos are very well structured and clear in explaining the subject at hand. Thanks a lot for sharing the knowledge you have built up on your journey! On the equipment page of your website I've noticed that you also have a device that allows to remotely control the focussing of a DSLR lens when connecting that DSLR lens to an astrocamera (I also have a 400 F5.6 Canon lens that I use for wild-life photography, esp. birds, so I have some kind of telescope that I can use for astrophotography). Is that home-made or can such devices be purchased? I'm not that into mechanics... Now I am getting familar with the mount and all the aspects to be able to do astrophotograpy using a DSLR, BackyardEOS and Stellarium but I'm planning to move to an astrocamera in due time. Thanks again for your great tutorials and keep up the good work!
Hi Bart, thanks for the great feedback. Much appreciated. Yes, I have put together a remote focus control for both my Newtonian (Sky-Watcher Quattro 8CF) and my wide field setup using a Canon 100-400 lens. Both of these use the HiTec Astro DCFocus controller connected to a Sky-watcher Autofocuser, but then I have created my own mechanical arrangement that is customised using steel plates, GT2 pulleys and belts, and in the wide field setup also some Arca Swiss plates and clamps. I have been asked about these setups by a few people now, so perhaps I should do a video for each one. What kit are you looking to control the focus of?
@@martinsastrophotography Hi Martin, thanks for the feedback. I think this would come in handy when connecting my Canon 400mm lens to an astrocamera. Using my Canon DSLR I can focus using BackyardEOS but that will not work in combination with an astrocamera. So being able to focus remotely would be an asset.
Hi Bart. It's a couple of weeks since we last communicated, but I thought you would like to know that I have just completed a new video all about my focus control setups. It will be released this coming Friday. Thank you for prompting me to make this video! I hope it's useful.....Clear Skies!
Thanks so much Martin. Very clear. It's been very difficult to get all the information needed by trawling the web. I saw some tutorials on connecting the laptop using nothing more than a USB a to USB B printer cable. I tried that actually and I couldn't get it to work because my USB ports were not listed as COM ports. Have you tried to do it this way Martin?
Thanks Martin, another excellent presentation. i have one question regarding guiding. i have successfully set up Sellarium to control my heq5 via the serial cable to the hand controller. Am using a zwo 120 mini for guiding and phd2. If i select in phd2 in the connect equipmet window, the EQMOD option for the mount, rather than the on camera, does this negate the need for a control cable between the guide camera and the auto guider port on the HEQ5.
Thanks Warren. Yes! I never connect anything to the guide port on my HEQ5. The guide camera has a usb connection to the PC and the connection to the HEQ5 from the PC is either the serial cable connected to the hand controller or an EQDIR cable connected to the socket on the mount that the hand controller normally plugs into (and the hand controller is then not used). Either way you can control the mount via EQMOD from Stellarium, SG Pro etc...
@@martinsastrophotography Thanks Martin. Thought as much, but was unsure. Haven't been able to capture anything for months here (middle of our wet season) so it been a good opportunity to just fine tune things. Your tutorials are excellent. Keep up the great work and clear sky's to you
Your videos are amazing. I have the HEQ5 Pro mount, with the ZWO ASIAir PRO. I would be using my Canon 5D Mk3 with Canon 100-400L. Just wondering how to I connect the ASI Pro to the HEQ5 for Auto Guiding. Could you direct me to a link or give just a simple diagram from which port to which port do I hook up. With my limited knowledge, and having just hoped into this field, do I connect any one of the USB ports of the ASIAir to the Auto Guider port on the Mount.
Hi Ramesh. Thanks! I have not used an ASIAir but I suspect any USB port is fine for connecting to the mount. I do not use the guide port as I use an EQDIR cable and Ascom.
Could you elaborate on this, as I'm about to switch to an NEQ6-Pro mount and still want to use my ASIair. The mount has an ST4 input, labelled "Auto Guider", and then the RS232 input, labelled "Hand Controller", which not surprisingly goes to the hand controller! Am I right in saying I just need an EQMOD cable to go from the (USB-out) ASIair to the (ST4-in) mount? Only reason why I'm unsure is the EQMOD cables I'm looking at don't seem to have quite the right input. The end that looks like it's ST4 appears to be more rectangular (like a network cable) than square (like an ST4 cable).
@@werdsmyth I was wondering the same thing but I think you may be able to use the RJ45 to USB , meaning you don't plug into the autoguider ST4. You plug into where the hand controller would go.
@@louboom5711 Yep. I've now got the NEQ6 and running it with an ASIair PRO. Cable goes from one of the USB outs on the ASIair and straight into the RS232 input on the mount. Totally bypasses the hand controller (I've actually sold the controller because it's redundant) and I can do all my guiding and tracking directly through ASIair. Works a dream.
Thanks! Star alignment is to enable you find objects in the sky. It is not necessary to enable long exposures...but polar alignment is. Star alignment should be done using the main imaging camera, not a separate camera. I hope this helps.
@@socialwebwiki ok. ‘Star tracking’ is known as ‘auto-guiding’. This is done using a stream of short exposure (1-3 seconds) shots from a separate camera (“guide camera”) mounted to your telescope somehow. It can look at the sky through its own telescope (“guide scope”) or through the main telescope by using a device with a small prism in it called an “off-axis guider”. The images from the guide camera are acquired by auto-guiding software such as the very popular PHD2 which does all the clever analysis to watch a selected star and send pointing corrections to the mount to try to keep that star in the same position in the guide camera’s image. Auto-guiding is not always essential but as you go to longer exposures and/or longer focal length telescopes it becomes necessary to get good images. I use a number of different setups for Astrophotography. One is an 800mm Newtonian telescope on a Skywatcher HEQ5 mount with the ZWO ASI 1600MM Pro imaging camera. With this I use an off-axis guider with a QHY5L-II guide camera. Another setup I use is a Canon 400mm lens with the ZWO ASI 1600MM Pro camera on the HEQ5 mount. With this I use a separate Skywatcher 9x50 guidescope with the QHY5L-II guide camera, mounted next to the Canon 400mn lens, on the same dovetail bar.
@@martinsastrophotography thank you so much. I have a Full Frame DSLR and a lot of video stuff but I have only a MAK 127 and not even a real mount. So i guess I will start very cheap and start learning and then buy something like a heq5. But the other mounts with motion are also 700 euro. Then I ask myself why not buy the heq5 directly.... so difficult :) But your videos help so much. I am an software guy and you showed all the tools. Thank you again.
Hello - thank you for a wonderful video . Unfortunately, I am very new to all of this , and even this basic video is above me . Can you please explain or point me to other videos you may have that address the following : 1. Connection types from mount to PC and from guide camera. I thought I should use the ST4 port , but they say it’s better to connect the camera to the PC and not the mount . 2. What connections are needed to use EQmod just for basic tracking ? ( not guiding ). thank you !
Sorry to hear it’s not suitable for you. I will try to answer your questions… Yes, it’s better not to use the ST4 port. My advice is to forget about guiding for now and learn one new thing at a time. Let’s start with some important questions so I can give you the right advice. What mount do you have? What type of PC do you have…Windows?
@@martinsastrophotography thank you for your reply . I have a SkyView pro from Orion . It didn’t have motors so I purchased an ASCOM dual axis stepper motor controller from AstroGadgets . A small company in Ukraine . I would like to use EqMod to do basic tracking . So I am not sure how to use eqmod s/w to do that and how exactly to hook the cables up . On my small StarAdventurer pro , I hook the guide scope to the mount via an ST4 , but I think I should not connect it that way for the larger scope and mount . They say to use USB because it’s better , but the ST4 is still used somehow . Sorry for the dumb questions. Please don’t feel obligated to answer . I’ll figure it out somehow . Thank you again
@@oq17 Really it’s no problem. My channel is there to help people. I have been on a long and sometimes frustrating journey and I created the channel to help people avoid some of that frustration. Ok, so you have an ASCOM dual axis motor controller. You didn’t answer my question about what PC you have, so I will assume it’s Windows 10 or 11. First you need to install the ASCOM Platform, latest version. Then you need to install EQASCOM (which gives you EQMOD!). If I recall correctly my video shows you how to do this. You will need to connect your stepper motor controller to the PC with the appropriate USB cable. (Later you will also connect your guide camera to the PC via a USB cable as well). Once you have done this, we need to talk about what software you want to use to control your session. There are lots of options, including Stellarium (free), NINA (free) and others. Let me know once you have done the two installations and sorted your usb cables, and what software you want to use, and we will talk next steps.
@@martinsastrophotography thank you Martin - you’re very kind Apologies - I have a windows 10 pc I’ll be back in touch once I complete your instructions above . Regards , Rob
@@oq17 Actually it’s this video you need to watch, starting 4 minutes 30 seconds from the start…. Skywatcher HEQ5 Remote Control Setup Tutorial ruclips.net/video/JU2CzIgIbnI/видео.html
What about a standard EQ5? Same? Plus, I'm all apple products from phone to laptop to mac mini (newest) plus an old additional macbook pro and an old iMac. I cannot bear to think of having to buy a windows machine. You mentioned something called "Alpaca"? Is this developed yet? Thanks.
Hi Mark. I’m afraid your questions relate to things I don’t have experience of, so some searching online is needed to find the answers you seek. I am wondering if an ASIAIR might be the best thing for you. Clear skies.
Hi Martin, An informative Tutorial. I have the EQ6R PRO with USB as part of the mount and HC + PoleMaster Camera fitted. I gather I need a USB Hub at the Mount for the Mount, QHY PoleMaster Camera and Canon EOS860D Camera. From the Hub into the house what is the maximum length USB cable can you use for reliable communication to the PC. Also I have EQMOD/ASCOM, Backyard EOS for the Canon DLSR and Stellarium installed and working to the mount. Can one do a 3 star alignment or platesolve with just this software on the PC with some configuration settings or is more software needed? Cheers Mike
Hi Mike. Quite a few questions in there! First, a USB 2.0 cable has a maximum length of 5 metres. I use an active one from deleyCon via Amazon (£9.99). USB 3.0 cables have to be much shorter (2m!). None of the software you listed does plate solving. I use ASTAP from within Sequence Generator Pro to do plate solving. If you plate solve you no longer need to do star alignment explicitly. Star alignment can be done with EQMOD and Stellarium using the Slew to target (Ctrl + 1) and Sync (Ctrl + 3) functions. Your sync points can be examined (and deleted if you wish) from within the EQMOD tool under the >>>> button.
@@martinsastrophotography Thanks for the reply... that's a short cable to get from scope to inside a shed or house. I have 20m into the garage and 40m into house. The only other solution is a laptop outside near scope and remote into it but would be better if I didn't need to do that... any suggestions?
@@mikebloodworth9258 Hi Mike. Yes, many will do that. Also, take a look at the ASIair Pro or similar to enable remote operation over WiFi. Alternatively look for a different location for your setup closer to your preferred control computer.
Hi again...i seem to0have two boxes for the mount one being a synscan 4 habdset....on the other control box there is a auto guiding port....i have been advised that i should connect directly to the mount using a eqdir cable as i cant get stellerium to function......
Hi. Not sure exactly what you are asking me Mike. The video shows a number of options, including with and without the hand controller involved. They all work and you can control from Stellarium either via an EQDIR cable plugged to the hand controller port instead of the hand controller, or via an rs232 cable plugged into the hand controller with an rs232 to USB adapter on the other end of the cable. Note that it is the stand-alone version of Stellarium you need to use, not the online version. Detailed instructions in the video. Any problems let me know and I will try to help.
Hi Again. ok seem to got the computing up and running....got side tracked with other issues im afraid. So i set my scope to move to a planet just to th etest...in doing so the lever on the side, there are two on my eq5 ( i think they are called clutches) crashed into the box containing the electrical connections....i managed to stop it but it got damaged.,....have i set this it wrong...the levers have a screw in the centre...i was wondering whether i can move the screw thus allowing when tightened the lever to be out of reach of the electrics box. Any ideas. I have photos
Hi Again...good news...be aware that i havnt set the sytrem up includoing polar alighment etc.....but i have manged to connect the mouint to stellarium.......using eqmod the NESW control doesnt move the mount but the you can here the motors.....and when you ask it to hime park agaoin the motors kick in......i imagine the lack of motion is becasue it doesnt know where it is....Thanks
The Guide scope is just a telescope. It is the camera mounted to the guide scope that will need a usb connection to the PHD2 guiding software. I hope this helps.
@@AstroRef68 Sorry, but your questions are not specific enough for me to provide a clear answer. I have explained how to connect the mount to the PC in the video.
@@martinsastrophotography I’m sorry for waiting your time I should not ask until I have my guiding camera on my hand Will from there I have to see myself what kind ports it have check the manual if I don’t understand it than I’ll ask you will more specifically Thanks so much
Hi Martin, I've answered my own question. You connect the camera to laptop and use Backyard EOS. Tested and working. I just need a long cable now. Thanks John.
@@bordersphotography-astroco2825 No worries. That’s right. The camera connection is then completely separate to the mount connection. I started out with Backyard EOS and it was excellent. Clear skies!
@@martinsastrophotography Thanks Martin, 5m cable arriving today and clear skies tonight, so I'll get some testing done all being well. Much appreciated John.
@@bordersphotography-astroco2825 I hope it works. I must have purchased at least a dozen 5m USB cables in the past….some work and some don’t. When you push USB by using long cables it can cause trouble if the cable is not of sufficient quality. However, it is sadly not always the case that a more expensive cable is a better quality cable….it might just be generating more profit for someone!!! Once you find a cable that works…I recommend you label it as ‘good’!
@@martinsastrophotography Hi Martin, it appears to work. I've just done some test shots of a building about 500m away. All good. The cable was "TanQY USB 3.0 Extension Cable 5m, USB 3.0 High Speed Extender Cord Type A Male to A Female for Playstation, Xbox, USB Flash Drive, Hard Drive, Card Reader,Scanner,Printer,Keyboard (Black-5M)" . Real test tonight, thanks again John.
Guiding is not the same as mount control. Please see my separate tutorial on guiding here: Autoguiding with PHD2 - Theory, Setup and Operation ruclips.net/video/k1PSfEz2hnU/видео.html
Thanks to you Martin I no longer get a "pain in the neck" trying to do star alignments. My twice surgically repaired cervical spine made looking through a Telrad literally a pain. Your very clear description of options made me look into computer control and am now plate solving and no more star alignments. BUT, with all the trees around my house, its like looking up from a well so no option to stay inside where its warm. I'm still traveling to my observing site but have plenty of battery heated clothing to stay warm!
Great stuff Tom. Isn’t plate solving the coolest thing?! Very glad to have helped you, and many thanks for going to the trouble of commenting. Clear Skies!
thanks Martin. I like your videos because you dont verbally rush the information, you speak clearly, and often simplify a technical subject, with some of the peripheral explanations . many of the other tutorials are like listening to a hyper geek on cocaine, too fast, and too much information. I also like Nico for the same reasons. anyway thanks and well done.
Thank you David. I really appreciate your positive feedback. Clear skies!
Great timing. I'm just about to head down this road. My HEQ5 arrives Monday. (I'm on a Mac so things will be a bit different, but Windows on a VM is always an option).
Great video. I went down the same journey in a relatively short time (two months) with helpful tutorials like yours. I would add another further option, using two computers. One near the mount and another indoor connected via remote control software such as Anydesk. Now you can adjust things while at the mount and then go back indoors to monitor the whole process. I leave my laptop outside connecting to the mount and cameras, which also means you don't need very long cables. By running Anydesk, a powerful and free software, I can control everything from my indoor desktop with no detectable lag as long as both computers are online. They don't even need to be in the same wifi network. It works on android and iOS, too. By monitoring my PHD2 via desktop I can be aware of any possible issues that may occur, such as clouds, rain, cable snagging, etc. You can even download and start processing images with completed sessions indoors while new sessions are running outdoors. I considered the option of using ASIair or similar devices, but I like the full function software on PC, especially NINA, and being able to mix different brands of cameras, ( I use both ZWO and QHY cameras). The only thing I may further upgrade is to use a mini PC for the outdoor computer to reduce the power consumption so the power bank does not drain so fast when I want to go to a remote dark site.
Thanks for that. It’s already very clear from the comments how many different setups there are out there!!!
Excellent! Thank you. I’m just about to upgrade to an EQ6-R and this, along with your previous tutorials, has been extremely helpful. Looking forward to your plate solving tutorial.
Great video! I can't wait for your tutorial on plate solving since I want to get out of the cold! Thanks!
Yeah it’s on the To Do List!!
@@martinsastrophotography Ditto ... looking forward to that one.
First of all, heelo from Texas, and thank you for posting the video - you do a very good job explaining the basics. Four months ago when I started this hobby I would have been lost. After many hours of troubleshooting one problem after another, however, I can actually understand everything you are talking about. I wish I had found your channel four months ago. In any event, I have upgraded from the SkyGuider Pro to the EQ6r-Pro and after spending hours last night in sub-freezing weather trying to polar align then star align, I knew I needed a better solution. A different RUclips content provider that I follow had the perfect video on connecting up the EQMOD. I now have the EQMOD system working, connected with a USB cable (my version of the mount actually has the separate USB controller connection). However, my cable is only about 2 meters. I'm going to have to either buy a very long cable, continue to work in the cold, or get the ASIAIR unless you have a brighter idea. Regardless I look forward to your part 2, but I certainly understand that you cannot produce content if your weather is not cooperating. Wishing you clear skies my new friend.
Hi Steve, and thanks for your really positive comments. Much appreciated. A great upgrade to the EQ6-R Pro! It will serve you well. Controlling everything from inside was such a massive step forward for me... I started out using Stellarium Scope and EQMOD but then Stellarium was updated to include native control via EQMOD. So I then controlled everything from Stellarium and used the slew and sync functions to do my star alignment and find my targets. I have now gone a step further and use Sequence Generator Pro with ASTAP Plate Solving so I don't even need to Star Align any more! I just do a 'Solve and Sync' and that's it. Incredible precision for framing too, and I use a Manual Rotator so it even helps me rotate my imaging train to the planned angle which really helps when I do imaging over multiple nights. I now only use Stellarium for slewing to a bright star for focusing, and to keep an eye on how close I am to Meridian. I love how things evolve in this hobby, both in terms of equipment technology and in terms of my learning. Keeps it interesting. Take care with USB cable length. 5m is really the maximum for robust USB 2.0 operation and much less (3m is it?) for USB 3.0! I have used more than 5m for USB 2.0 in the past but it can lead to 'strange happenings' when you are not expecting them...I think the signal integrity is so compromised with excessive cable length that things like temperature change and/or moisture can be enough to tip it over the edge and cause trouble. Clear Skies to you too Steve!
I've watched most of your videos. You have a great way of explaining things. I have learned a lot. Keep it up.
That’s great to hear Andrew. Thanks for the feedback. Clear Skies!
Thank you Martin for a very indepth presentation especially important to us Astrophoto Newbies
Glad you liked it!
Thank you very much for this work. Very instructive and organized. Each sentence straight to the point. Great.
Thank you for your positive feedback. Clear Skies!
Great video, I now have my mount controlled from stellarium. Now trying to get my head around plate solving, look forward to your video on this subject.
Thanks Martin. The plate solving video is a work in progress. Clear Skies!
Martin, nice informative video with nice clear graphics. Keep up the good work.
I'm just at the start of my astronomy & astrophotography journey.
Thanks for your positive feedback. Plenty more videos in the planning stage! Clear skies.
tHIS IS SOOOO GOOD....I HAVE SIMILAR EQUIP...THIS IS SUCH A LOGICAL APPROACH
Thank you Mike. Much appreciated comment.
Hi Martin, I'm learning a lot through your videos, thank you. I'm just starting out with astrophotography and wanted to know if you advise newbies like me to move straight to the final stage (adding mount control to the laptop)? Or is there an advantage to move through the different stages?
Hi Tess. I’m delighted to hear that my videos are helping you. I strongly recommend learning one new thing at a time. That way you master one process or technique and then move on to another, and you avoid becoming overwhelmed by too many problems all happening at once. Slow and steady, one step at a time, will give you a much more enjoyable experience and you will end up having real solid expertise. So, for the mount control, start with mastering the mount handset and then move on to adding remote control from a PC/laptop.
Great video! My EQ6-R Pro arrives next week. As it's now January in the midwest (U.S.), I'm definitely not looking forward to standing outside for hours. Will likely move to a full remote setup 'very' soon. Thanks for the advice and guidance! Cheers
Thanks David. Yes, all very much the same with the EQ6-R as with the HEQ5. Glad it was helpful...Have fun!!
Thanks for this roundup of the steps and possibilities, and the quality cable recommendation. I jumped straight in at step 6 - ASIAIR Pro and HEQ5, controlled wirelessly from outdoors or indoors via phone or tablet. The best way to connect it to the HEQ5 is the same EQMOD cable. AAP is mounted on my telescope to minimize the number of cable snag opportunities. Step 7, drive AAP from Sky Safari is also possible.
Thanks for your comment. ASIAIR Pro looks pretty capable, but is not for me. I have invested a lot of time mastering Sequence Generator Pro and I love it. It integrates so many things including plate solving, guiding, camera control, focus control, frame & focus, mosaics, rotators, weather info, filter wheel control and more. And it means my computer and data are all indoors away from cold temperatures and dew attack. So many choices out there!!! Clear Skies.
@@martinsastrophotography Thanks! SGP is Windows only, I'm a Mac user so never got started with SGP :-)
@@martinsastrophotography sounds like a whole set of video topics :-)
You, Sir, are a true gift to the amateur astrophotography community - thank you for doing this. May I please ask if you can use a better microphone to increase the sound quality? It will be a lot easier for those of us not having English as our mother tongue to follow your otherwise splendid tutorials.
Again, thank you.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment.... Would you believe it....I asked for a new (much better) microphone for Christmas and it has arrived!!! All future videos will have better sound quality!!!! :-) Clear Skies!
I gave up with eqmod, I use the skywatcher wifi module with the synscan app and sky safari on my phone, Works perfectly
Hi Clive. Thanks for that. I prefer to have everything on the laptop, which has 2 monitors and makes a great ‘control centre’ in my dining room. Since I already have a USB cable running out from my laptop to my mount with a 4-port USB hub at the end of it (for camera and focus controller) I just plug the EQDIR cable into the hub. So many solutions out there!!!! Clear skies.
Fantastic! Clear Skies Martin.
Thanks! You too.
11:30 This is exactly the information I needed. Thank you!
Hello Martin. I just want to give a big thank you. I purchased the same mount and you have been a big help. I love viewing outside, however, I live in mosquito and blackfly central and the more I can do indoors, the better. You talk about doing plate solving with ASTAP and I was wondering, I have a Polemaster that I use for polar alignment and it uses plate solving. Would I be correct to assume that since it does this for polar alignment that I do not need to do it again for guiding? I look forward to future videos from you.
Hi there. Thanks for your positive feedback. For guiding plate solving does not play a part. Guiding is just about keeping a chosen star (or, with the new multi star guiding, a set of stars) in the same place on your camera sensor. Plate solving is about finding out where in the sky you are pointing, and with what orientation. I am actually busy doing my next video which is all about plate solving so that may help. Clear Skies!
Thanks so much for the very informative video, this is great information you put out here. I was wondering if you happen to know if the last method you mentioned would work, directly from the mount to my ASI Air Pro (instead of a laptop) or would I need to go through the hand controller? BTW I'm using the Orion EQ-G which is their version of the HEQ5
Thanks Lou. I have not used an ASI Air Pro. I believe it is based on the Raspberry Pi. I suspect the software handles the interface directly without EQMOD. Whether you need to leave the hand controller connected and use PC Direct mode or can just use an EQDIR cable I’m not sure. I suggest you try both and see what happens. Sorry I can’t be more help on this one.
@@martinsastrophotography thanks bud, I’ll do just that.
I recently started on the same journey as you. Your videos are very well structured and clear in explaining the subject at hand. Thanks a lot for sharing the knowledge you have built up on your journey! On the equipment page of your website I've noticed that you also have a device that allows to remotely control the focussing of a DSLR lens when connecting that DSLR lens to an astrocamera (I also have a 400 F5.6 Canon lens that I use for wild-life photography, esp. birds, so I have some kind of telescope that I can use for astrophotography). Is that home-made or can such devices be purchased? I'm not that into mechanics... Now I am getting familar with the mount and all the aspects to be able to do astrophotograpy using a DSLR, BackyardEOS and Stellarium but I'm planning to move to an astrocamera in due time. Thanks again for your great tutorials and keep up the good work!
Hi Bart, thanks for the great feedback. Much appreciated. Yes, I have put together a remote focus control for both my Newtonian (Sky-Watcher Quattro 8CF) and my wide field setup using a Canon 100-400 lens. Both of these use the HiTec Astro DCFocus controller connected to a Sky-watcher Autofocuser, but then I have created my own mechanical arrangement that is customised using steel plates, GT2 pulleys and belts, and in the wide field setup also some Arca Swiss plates and clamps. I have been asked about these setups by a few people now, so perhaps I should do a video for each one. What kit are you looking to control the focus of?
@@martinsastrophotography Hi Martin, thanks for the feedback. I think this would come in handy when connecting my Canon 400mm lens to an astrocamera. Using my Canon DSLR I can focus using BackyardEOS but that will not work in combination with an astrocamera. So being able to focus remotely would be an asset.
@@bartbogaert1057 Understood. I need to complete the current video and will then look to do one on the focusing arrangement(s) I use.
Hi Bart. It's a couple of weeks since we last communicated, but I thought you would like to know that I have just completed a new video all about my focus control setups. It will be released this coming Friday. Thank you for prompting me to make this video! I hope it's useful.....Clear Skies!
Thanks so much Martin. Very clear. It's been very difficult to get all the information needed by trawling the web. I saw some tutorials on connecting the laptop using nothing more than a USB a to USB B printer cable. I tried that actually and I couldn't get it to work because my USB ports were not listed as COM ports. Have you tried to do it this way Martin?
Thanks Hugh. You can do that with the more recent iterations of these mounts, but the older ones require the EQDIR cable.
Great! Thank you very much for this nice helpful video.
Thanks for the feedback. I am glad it helped you.
Thanks Martin, another excellent presentation. i have one question regarding guiding. i have successfully set up Sellarium to control my heq5 via the serial cable to the hand controller. Am using a zwo 120 mini for guiding and phd2. If i select in phd2 in the connect equipmet window, the EQMOD option for the mount, rather than the on camera, does this negate the need for a control cable between the guide camera and the auto guider port on the HEQ5.
Thanks Warren. Yes! I never connect anything to the guide port on my HEQ5. The guide camera has a usb connection to the PC and the connection to the HEQ5 from the PC is either the serial cable connected to the hand controller or an EQDIR cable connected to the socket on the mount that the hand controller normally plugs into (and the hand controller is then not used). Either way you can control the mount via EQMOD from Stellarium, SG Pro etc...
@@martinsastrophotography Thanks Martin. Thought as much, but was unsure. Haven't been able to capture anything for months here (middle of our wet season) so it been a good opportunity to just fine tune things. Your tutorials are excellent. Keep up the great work and clear sky's to you
Your videos are amazing. I have the HEQ5 Pro mount, with the ZWO ASIAir PRO. I would be using my Canon 5D Mk3 with Canon 100-400L. Just wondering how to I connect the ASI Pro to the HEQ5 for Auto Guiding. Could you direct me to a link or give just a simple diagram from which port to which port do I hook up. With my limited knowledge, and having just hoped into this field, do I connect any one of the USB ports of the ASIAir to the Auto Guider port on the Mount.
Hi Ramesh. Thanks! I have not used an ASIAir but I suspect any USB port is fine for connecting to the mount. I do not use the guide port as I use an EQDIR cable and Ascom.
Very informative, I guess the mount still has to be polar aligned before you can go inside and use EQmod and Platesolving ?
That’s correct. Thanks for the comment. Clear Skies!
EQ Mod is great, especially with ASI Air and HEQ5, although you use a tablet instead of a laptop.
Could you elaborate on this, as I'm about to switch to an NEQ6-Pro mount and still want to use my ASIair. The mount has an ST4 input, labelled "Auto Guider", and then the RS232 input, labelled "Hand Controller", which not surprisingly goes to the hand controller! Am I right in saying I just need an EQMOD cable to go from the (USB-out) ASIair to the (ST4-in) mount? Only reason why I'm unsure is the EQMOD cables I'm looking at don't seem to have quite the right input. The end that looks like it's ST4 appears to be more rectangular (like a network cable) than square (like an ST4 cable).
@@werdsmyth I was wondering the same thing but I think you may be able to use the RJ45 to USB , meaning you don't plug into the autoguider ST4. You plug into where the hand controller would go.
@@louboom5711 Yep. I've now got the NEQ6 and running it with an ASIair PRO. Cable goes from one of the USB outs on the ASIair and straight into the RS232 input on the mount. Totally bypasses the hand controller (I've actually sold the controller because it's redundant) and I can do all my guiding and tracking directly through ASIair. Works a dream.
Great video. Thank you. Why you don’t need a ongoing star align camera on the scope? Don’t you make long exposures?
Thanks! Star alignment is to enable you find objects in the sky. It is not necessary to enable long exposures...but polar alignment is. Star alignment should be done using the main imaging camera, not a separate camera. I hope this helps.
@@martinsastrophotography thank you for your answer..: I meant a star tracker I guess :)
@@socialwebwiki ok. ‘Star tracking’ is known as ‘auto-guiding’. This is done using a stream of short exposure (1-3 seconds) shots from a separate camera (“guide camera”) mounted to your telescope somehow. It can look at the sky through its own telescope (“guide scope”) or through the main telescope by using a device with a small prism in it called an “off-axis guider”. The images from the guide camera are acquired by auto-guiding software such as the very popular PHD2 which does all the clever analysis to watch a selected star and send pointing corrections to the mount to try to keep that star in the same position in the guide camera’s image. Auto-guiding is not always essential but as you go to longer exposures and/or longer focal length telescopes it becomes necessary to get good images. I use a number of different setups for Astrophotography. One is an 800mm Newtonian telescope on a Skywatcher HEQ5 mount with the ZWO ASI 1600MM Pro imaging camera. With this I use an off-axis guider with a QHY5L-II guide camera. Another setup I use is a Canon 400mm lens with the ZWO ASI 1600MM Pro camera on the HEQ5 mount. With this I use a separate Skywatcher 9x50 guidescope with the QHY5L-II guide camera, mounted next to the Canon 400mn lens, on the same dovetail bar.
@@martinsastrophotography thank you so much. I have a Full Frame DSLR and a lot of video stuff but I have only a MAK 127 and not even a real mount. So i guess I will start very cheap and start learning and then buy something like a heq5. But the other mounts with motion are also 700 euro. Then I ask myself why not buy the heq5 directly.... so difficult :)
But your videos help so much. I am an software guy and you showed all the tools. Thank you again.
Hello - thank you for a wonderful video . Unfortunately, I am very new to all of this , and even this basic video is above me .
Can you please explain or point me to other videos you may have that address the following :
1. Connection types from mount to PC and from guide camera. I thought I should use the ST4 port , but they say it’s better to connect the camera to the PC and not the mount .
2. What connections are needed to use EQmod just for basic tracking ? ( not guiding ).
thank you !
Sorry to hear it’s not suitable for you. I will try to answer your questions… Yes, it’s better not to use the ST4 port. My advice is to forget about guiding for now and learn one new thing at a time. Let’s start with some important questions so I can give you the right advice. What mount do you have? What type of PC do you have…Windows?
@@martinsastrophotography thank you for your reply .
I have a SkyView pro from Orion . It didn’t have motors so I purchased an ASCOM dual axis stepper motor controller from AstroGadgets . A small company in Ukraine .
I would like to use EqMod to do basic tracking . So I am not sure how to use eqmod s/w to do that and how exactly to hook the cables up .
On my small StarAdventurer pro , I hook the guide scope to the mount via an ST4 , but I think I should not connect it that way for the larger scope and mount . They say to use USB because it’s better , but the ST4 is still used somehow .
Sorry for the dumb questions. Please don’t feel obligated to answer . I’ll figure it out somehow .
Thank you again
@@oq17 Really it’s no problem. My channel is there to help people. I have been on a long and sometimes frustrating journey and I created the channel to help people avoid some of that frustration. Ok, so you have an ASCOM dual axis motor controller. You didn’t answer my question about what PC you have, so I will assume it’s Windows 10 or 11. First you need to install the ASCOM Platform, latest version. Then you need to install EQASCOM (which gives you EQMOD!). If I recall correctly my video shows you how to do this. You will need to connect your stepper motor controller to the PC with the appropriate USB cable. (Later you will also connect your guide camera to the PC via a USB cable as well). Once you have done this, we need to talk about what software you want to use to control your session. There are lots of options, including Stellarium (free), NINA (free) and others. Let me know once you have done the two installations and sorted your usb cables, and what software you want to use, and we will talk next steps.
@@martinsastrophotography thank you Martin - you’re very kind
Apologies - I have a windows 10 pc
I’ll be back in touch once I complete your instructions above .
Regards ,
Rob
@@oq17 Actually it’s this video you need to watch, starting 4 minutes 30 seconds from the start…. Skywatcher HEQ5 Remote Control Setup Tutorial
ruclips.net/video/JU2CzIgIbnI/видео.html
What about a standard EQ5? Same? Plus, I'm all apple products from phone to laptop to mac mini (newest) plus an old additional macbook pro and an old iMac. I cannot bear to think of having to buy a windows machine. You mentioned something called "Alpaca"? Is this developed yet? Thanks.
Hi Mark. I’m afraid your questions relate to things I don’t have experience of, so some searching online is needed to find the answers you seek. I am wondering if an ASIAIR might be the best thing for you. Clear skies.
thank you very much :)
Hi Martin, An informative Tutorial. I have the EQ6R PRO with USB as part of the mount and HC + PoleMaster Camera fitted. I gather I need a USB Hub at the Mount for the Mount, QHY PoleMaster Camera and Canon EOS860D Camera. From the Hub into the house what is the maximum length USB cable can you use for reliable communication to the PC. Also I have EQMOD/ASCOM, Backyard EOS for the Canon DLSR and Stellarium installed and working to the mount. Can one do a 3 star alignment or platesolve with just this software on the PC with some configuration settings or is more software needed? Cheers Mike
Hi Mike. Quite a few questions in there! First, a USB 2.0 cable has a maximum length of 5 metres. I use an active one from deleyCon via Amazon (£9.99). USB 3.0 cables have to be much shorter (2m!).
None of the software you listed does plate solving. I use ASTAP from within Sequence Generator Pro to do plate solving. If you plate solve you no longer need to do star alignment explicitly. Star alignment can be done with EQMOD and Stellarium using the Slew to target (Ctrl + 1) and Sync (Ctrl + 3) functions. Your sync points can be examined (and deleted if you wish) from within the EQMOD tool under the >>>> button.
@@martinsastrophotography Thanks for the reply... that's a short cable to get from scope to inside a shed or house. I have 20m into the garage and 40m into house. The only other solution is a laptop outside near scope and remote into it but would be better if I didn't need to do that... any suggestions?
@@mikebloodworth9258 Hi Mike. Yes, many will do that. Also, take a look at the ASIair Pro or similar to enable remote operation over WiFi. Alternatively look for a different location for your setup closer to your preferred control computer.
Hi again...i seem to0have two boxes for the mount one being a synscan 4 habdset....on the other control box there is a auto guiding port....i have been advised that i should connect directly to the mount using a eqdir cable as i cant get stellerium to function......
Hi. Not sure exactly what you are asking me Mike. The video shows a number of options, including with and without the hand controller involved. They all work and you can control from Stellarium either via an EQDIR cable plugged to the hand controller port instead of the hand controller, or via an rs232 cable plugged into the hand controller with an rs232 to USB adapter on the other end of the cable. Note that it is the stand-alone version of Stellarium you need to use, not the online version. Detailed instructions in the video. Any problems let me know and I will try to help.
@@martinsastrophotography sorry martin...ok thanks i think i get that now....eqdir or pcdirect..
Hi Again. ok seem to got the computing up and running....got side tracked with other issues im afraid. So i set my scope to move to a planet just to th etest...in doing so the lever on the side, there are two on my eq5 ( i think they are called clutches) crashed into the box containing the electrical connections....i managed to stop it but it got damaged.,....have i set this it wrong...the levers have a screw in the centre...i was wondering whether i can move the screw thus allowing when tightened the lever to be out of reach of the electrics box.
Any ideas. I have photos
Hi Mike, please email me the photos at martinc1966@hotmail.co.uk and I will take a look.
Hi Again...good news...be aware that i havnt set the sytrem up includoing polar alighment etc.....but i have manged to connect the mouint to stellarium.......using eqmod the NESW control doesnt move the mount but the you can here the motors.....and when you ask it to hime park agaoin the motors kick in......i imagine the lack of motion is becasue it doesnt know where it is....Thanks
Oh yeh i used PCdirect
the reason why i didnt think it was moving was becasue i had the slew on 1 when i put it on 5 it moved great news
I just would use Wi-Fi option on my phone or tablet
Do you have any videos how to connect guiding scope?
The Guide scope is just a telescope. It is the camera mounted to the guide scope that will need a usb connection to the PHD2 guiding software. I hope this helps.
@@martinsastrophotography
Do I attach to the mount
How do I connect to the monitor
I just need wiring diagram
@@AstroRef68 Sorry, but your questions are not specific enough for me to provide a clear answer. I have explained how to connect the mount to the PC in the video.
@@martinsastrophotography
I’m sorry for waiting your time
I should not ask until I have my guiding camera on my hand
Will from there
I have to see myself what kind ports it have check the manual if I don’t understand it than I’ll ask you will more specifically
Thanks so much
@@AstroRef68 No problem!
Hi Martin, I have a Canon 1000D , how do I connect it to the Skyscan mount (Eqm-35 pro) please? Thanks John Edmondson
Hi Martin, I've answered my own question. You connect the camera to laptop and use Backyard EOS. Tested and working. I just need a long cable now. Thanks John.
@@bordersphotography-astroco2825 No worries. That’s right. The camera connection is then completely separate to the mount connection. I started out with Backyard EOS and it was excellent. Clear skies!
@@martinsastrophotography Thanks Martin, 5m cable arriving today and clear skies tonight, so I'll get some testing done all being well. Much appreciated John.
@@bordersphotography-astroco2825 I hope it works. I must have purchased at least a dozen 5m USB cables in the past….some work and some don’t. When you push USB by using long cables it can cause trouble if the cable is not of sufficient quality. However, it is sadly not always the case that a more expensive cable is a better quality cable….it might just be generating more profit for someone!!! Once you find a cable that works…I recommend you label it as ‘good’!
@@martinsastrophotography Hi Martin, it appears to work. I've just done some test shots of a building about 500m away. All good. The cable was "TanQY USB 3.0 Extension Cable 5m, USB 3.0 High Speed Extender Cord Type A Male to A Female for Playstation, Xbox, USB Flash Drive, Hard Drive, Card Reader,Scanner,Printer,Keyboard (Black-5M)" . Real test tonight, thanks again John.
so disappointed that the Asi air mini I just bought does not support my Canon R3 despite supporting the R6 and R5 (neither of which I own).
That is a shame. All part of the joy of Astro!
Your focusing is manual on the mount?
I actually use a remote USB focus motor to adjust focus. I use a Bahtinov mask when focusing.
No mentioning of an Guider..
Guiding is not the same as mount control. Please see my separate tutorial on guiding here: Autoguiding with PHD2 - Theory, Setup and Operation
ruclips.net/video/k1PSfEz2hnU/видео.html
ZWO ASI AIR Pro: "Am I dead to you?" :(
Hi there. Fair comment. I can only cover what I know about, and I have not yet had the opportunity to use an ASI Air Pro. Clear Skies.