@@vyperpilot I have a refined system that brings all the data to the house through 3 USB extender cables. One of those cables brings data from the mount. Another brings data from the ZWO ASI533MC Pro camera, the ZWO focuser and StarShoot guide camera that are also connected to the USB hub on the ZWO camera. The third cable connects the USB 3.0 hub at the telescope bringing the signal from a Moonlight focuser and a Canon DSLR. My challenge is to get APT, PhD2 and Stellarium connecting to the mount concurrently. Currently I’ve only been able to use one app at a time because of conflicts in controlling the COM port. This means that I have to disconnect the COM port for the mount from one app to allow it to connect to another. The virtual serial port looks to be the best mechanism to achieve the goal of allowing multiple connections. Hope this explains my situation more clearly.
@@davidaylsworth8964 Yep, then a virtual splitter is the way to go. I still cant figure out why mounts are still using serial and dont have USB options (I think some may have dual options). And, once a com port is "in use" nothing else can see it or connect to it. The splitter software is very nice....I think they charge too much for it though.
@@vyperpilot which software are you using? I’ve been looking at several of them and agree that the paid versions are seriously over-priced. There’s a free one that I’ve seen but haven’t tried because I’m suspicious of anything that’s “free”. The “USB” that Celestron uses with the Nexstar + handsets is just a USB dongle bundled into their handset. That’s a kludge but it works reliably so I accept that it is what it is. The CGEM DX has a 55 lb payload limit that works great with my actual payload of 30 lbs and I’ll keep using it until it stops working for me. My next mount will need to be in the same payload range and have native USB or network connection. I may be looking at iOptron or a Sky-Watcher to match my specs.
@@davidaylsworth8964 I have a good friend with a C11 plus lots of goodies mounted to an iOptron. Not sure the model but it works very well for him. I have used the splitter by Eltima. They are all over priced. Interesting how something as complex as AS3 or RS6 is free but these serial port splitters will take food off of the dinner table if you buy them.
This was a great video and like the others the Ctr 1/Ctr 2 tip is a great tip. What virtual port splitter are you using? I use the Device Hub to control my multiple devices and wanted to see if a virtual port splitter worked better.
By the way, the Device Hub can control multiple devices of different types (focuser, dome, mount) but it cannot control more than one mount at a time without multiple serial ports. To have multiple ports, you have to use two USB to Serial cables OR, OR use one cable and a virtual serial port splitter like I do.
I am useing the asiair pro and the eaf. took a while to get it all down but works really well with my android tablet. I can image inside after 2 star alignment. lots of fun are you a ham? if so I am W5DN.
To be able to use the stellarium you must first make polar alignment, stellar alignment, after that you can use the stellarium to control the telescope?
Polar alignment for an EQ mount and star alignment for an alt/az mount. Thanks for the question! I will say this: you can connect Stellarium to a mount and slew it anywhere you want to...it just wont be pointing at the correct location/object!
Thanks. I did not know about the ctrl+2 to slew the scope in stellarium. I guess the device hub replaces the POTH hub i'm currently using. I have stellarium connect via ascom rather than using the virtual port splitter. Also, can you point me to a reference on the backlash removal?
Thank you. CNTL 2 will slew scope number 2 in Stellarium assuming you have two or more scopes set up. CNTL 1 will slew the first scope. Mechanical backlash removal or using the hand controller to remove backlash? I have a backlash discussion video on my channel.
Thank you for the video.
Thank you! Susbscribe!
Brilliant! Ve been looking for a way to connect APT and PHD2 to my scope. This looks like the solution I’ve been looking for.
Do you mean APT, PHD, and Stellarium? Seems APT and PHD should connect fine with a single USB. Run the single USB to a USB hub velcroed to your mount.
@@vyperpilot I have a refined system that brings all the data to the house through 3 USB extender cables. One of those cables brings data from the mount. Another brings data from the ZWO ASI533MC Pro camera, the ZWO focuser and StarShoot guide camera that are also connected to the USB hub on the ZWO camera. The third cable connects the USB 3.0 hub at the telescope bringing the signal from a Moonlight focuser and a Canon DSLR.
My challenge is to get APT, PhD2 and Stellarium connecting to the mount concurrently. Currently I’ve only been able to use one app at a time because of conflicts in controlling the COM port. This means that I have to disconnect the COM port for the mount from one app to allow it to connect to another. The virtual serial port looks to be the best mechanism to achieve the goal of allowing multiple connections.
Hope this explains my situation more clearly.
@@davidaylsworth8964 Yep, then a virtual splitter is the way to go. I still cant figure out why mounts are still using serial and dont have USB options (I think some may have dual options). And, once a com port is "in use" nothing else can see it or connect to it. The splitter software is very nice....I think they charge too much for it though.
@@vyperpilot which software are you using? I’ve been looking at several of them and agree that the paid versions are seriously over-priced. There’s a free one that I’ve seen but haven’t tried because I’m suspicious of anything that’s “free”.
The “USB” that Celestron uses with the Nexstar + handsets is just a USB dongle bundled into their handset. That’s a kludge but it works reliably so I accept that it is what it is. The CGEM DX has a 55 lb payload limit that works great with my actual payload of 30 lbs and I’ll keep using it until it stops working for me. My next mount will need to be in the same payload range and have native USB or network connection. I may be looking at iOptron or a Sky-Watcher to match my specs.
@@davidaylsworth8964 I have a good friend with a C11 plus lots of goodies mounted to an iOptron. Not sure the model but it works very well for him. I have used the splitter by Eltima. They are all over priced. Interesting how something as complex as AS3 or RS6 is free but these serial port splitters will take food off of the dinner table if you buy them.
This was a great video and like the others the Ctr 1/Ctr 2 tip is a great tip. What virtual port splitter are you using? I use the Device Hub to control my multiple devices and wanted to see if a virtual port splitter worked better.
Sorry I missed this, I use Virtual Serial Port Driver by Eltima.
By the way, the Device Hub can control multiple devices of different types (focuser, dome, mount) but it cannot control more than one mount at a time without multiple serial ports. To have multiple ports, you have to use two USB to Serial cables OR, OR use one cable and a virtual serial port splitter like I do.
Thanks!! Subscribe!
I am useing the asiair pro and the eaf. took a while to get it all down but works really well with my android tablet. I can image inside after 2 star alignment. lots of fun are you a ham? if so I am W5DN.
No ham, except on bread!
To be able to use the stellarium you must first make polar alignment, stellar alignment, after that you can use the stellarium to control the telescope?
Polar alignment for an EQ mount and star alignment for an alt/az mount. Thanks for the question! I will say this: you can connect Stellarium to a mount and slew it anywhere you want to...it just wont be pointing at the correct location/object!
Thanks. I did not know about the ctrl+2 to slew the scope in stellarium. I guess the device hub replaces the POTH hub i'm currently using. I have stellarium connect via ascom rather than using the virtual port splitter. Also, can you point me to a reference on the backlash removal?
Thank you. CNTL 2 will slew scope number 2 in Stellarium assuming you have two or more scopes set up. CNTL 1 will slew the first scope. Mechanical backlash removal or using the hand controller to remove backlash? I have a backlash discussion video on my channel.
Do you need the standard or the pro version of the VSPD ?
Pro. The standard version is useless.