Using a SkyWatcher Mount for Astrophotography? Watch THIS!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2024
- Skywatcher mounts are great, fairly low budget mounts that can be fully automated with computer control. There are multiple ways to do so, let's delve into the most popular one: EQMOD, as well as a recent challenger, GSS (or GS Server, or GreenSwamp Server).
If you wish to support me and plan on buying astro equipment, please consider buy through OPT using this affiliate link! bit.ly/2OIw6jH
And feel free to buy an EQDIR cable via Amazon (or really anything on Amazon after clicking the below link):
amzn.to/2ZGP5Bb
EQMOD website: eq-mod.sourceforge.net/
GreenSwamp Server website: sites.google.com/view/greensw...
00:00 Connecting to the mount / material needed
05:01 Downloading EQMOD / EQASCOM and GSS
05:58 Initial EQMOD configuration
10:27 EQMOD: connecting to mount
13:50 EQMOD: Setting Meridian Limits
17:38 Initial GSS Configuration
23:50 GSS: connecting to mount and various features
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#astrophotography - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
What mount are you using? I've gone full SkyWatcher recently, but I am still at heart a big fan of Vixen mounts :) Oh, and please consider subscribing to the channel - or if you need to buy astrophoto equipment and want to support me, feel free to get it via my OPT affiliate link bit.ly/2OIw6jH
Currently I am using an ioptron smart eq and a Skywatcher AZ-EQ 5. I am with you on hating the Skywatcher hand controller, and use the wifi module with the SynScan Pro App.
I try to download EQMOD so many times. The only thing I end up with is the small Ascom pad window controller who is totally irrelevant. So sad that I can't upload a screenshot and show you what I'm talking about. In short, it seems that I'm not able to download the Eqmod Ascom Driver, for whatever reason.
@@NGC7000 Weird... maybe it's time to turn to CloudyNights or EQMOD groups for help? Difficult to tell what's wrong... good luck!
Becuase this video I got AzGti
@@NGC7000 hiden in another folder the 2. from the top
Very informative! Keep it coming. The PEC one will be a great topic too. Thanks for setting up your OPT link too.
Thank you :D
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! We ordered the cable and excited to get it hooked up to the laptop. This is a great guide for us newbies. :)
Excellent, I'm glad this is helping! As always good luck with the hobby, don't get frustrated, and enjoy it!
I've been looking for a simple video that explained the EQMOD limits and couldn't find one under 10 minutes that left me more confused. You explained it in about 30 seconds and I understood every word you said! LOL. BTW, love your shirt. I saw Star Wars in the summer of 1977 at a drive-in theater in Michigan. Sitting on the hood of my sisters car with five friends. Good times!
Thanks Bill! I'm just so happy when I learn that my videos and explanations are being helpful! And thanks on the T-Shirt :) I'm a big fan as well (the originals at least)
Very helpful indeed! I am using a heq5 pro and am really interested in the eqdirect option. I heartily agree with you! St4 is by far the most inconvenient way to guide.
Glad this is helpful! EQDIR is super pleasant to use once set up, I highly recommend it!
Ok you answered the only question and hesitation I had with GS.. and it was right in front of me all the time.. the limits..
I love GS server.. no more issues figuring out com ports... its made astro so much easier and enjoyable.. Thanks for the vid Cuiv
Glad to help! Make sure to click on the icons at the bottom of GSS (round exclamation point) to choose what to do when limits are hit!
I wasn't aware of GS Server until now. Thanks Cuiv!
It's pretty sweet - but I still need to test it more. Thanks for the feedback Richard!
Woooow!. Thanks by this video. It was the best option for my Azgti and Nina. Great job!!. Thanks master !
My pleasure! Have fun with the AZ-GTi!
This is a tutorial par excellence! I was getting lost with all of this rigmarole. Thank you Cuiv.
Glad it helped!
Thanks for this video Cuiv. I recently found it having had trouble using the SynScan App with my Star Adventurer GTi and N.I.N.A. I followed your suggestion and installed GS Server, which works a treat. Slewing works straight out of the gate. Will try TPPA and Ascom guiding via PHD2 next.
I love EQMod with my NEQ6...Never got the controller out of the box. That and Plate solving saved my life! :D
Hahaha, I completely agree - I only use the controller of my EQ6R and AZEQ5 when using the mount for visual!
Thanks for the very detailed explanation of connecting the mount. I only wish it came out a few weeks earlier. I really struggled to figure out things when I first got the HEQ5 Pro. The manual is not helpful at all and the salespeople where I purchased the amount in China didn't know much, either. This could have saved me days of sleepless nights sitting outside in the dark trying to make my computer talks to the mount. I found out one disadvantage about connecting the amount via WIFI though is that if you use SynScan WIFI you cannot connect to the internet at the same time. It is quite inconvenient especially when I need constantly searching for answers to solve many issues I encounter as a beginner. Your NINA tutorial is also very helpful. I will be trying it out the next clear night. Keep up the great work. Subscribed.
I'm glad my videos have been helpful - I completely agree about the disadvantage of the Wifi connection (I don't like how it shows how dependent I have become on the Internet!). Good luck with your imaging & clear skies!
Late to the party but Cuiv, you are a friggin' legend!
Another great vid, Cuiv - thanks and also thanks for the PEC tip. (My dark sky site tipped as Bortle 1.6 turned out to have beachside holiday villas all around, with floodlights and security lights. Wasted trip sadly).
Mel
Oh nooooooo.... that's quite a bummer! However with a proper dew shield, the imaging setup may not be as affected as you would think, and the skies above don't really care... I hope you'll have better luck next time!!
I use EQMOD, but some folks in the club are using GSS and like it so far. I'm looking at NINA. I'm currently using APT but I have SGP as well and I've had a lot of luck with Astroberry (Which is a great option for a portable rig. Light, easy on power, and a really excellent tool set once you get the hang of it). I'm told you have some relatives in the Southeastern US not far from my location- I know some folks in my club also enjoy your content. We would love to have you visit our field if you ever make it back over here!
Astroberry is something I'm looking into as well! I'm just a bit too addicted to NINA :D But yes, not having to depend on a full-fledged PC is a good thing... I'd love to visit your field when I'm the area!!
Thanks for this Cuiv.
Great video
2:01 It's super important that you do as he says and not as he does. I bought one of those extra cheap EQ-Direct Cables and tried it out today. Of course it had a short in it. Luckily neither my asiair nor my AZ-GTI seems to have suffered a defect. But the cable got quite hot and the RJ12-connector melted a bit.
Super bien expliqué comme d'habitude, même en anglais. Aucun problèmes de compréhension. Merci beaucoup. (Paul, du Québec).
Superb shirt subtlety!
I only recently realised that GSS has a driver for the Synscan wifi dongle so I gave it a shot a few days ago. But I ran into that issue that I think you were referring to about the meridian flip.
But checking the box in PHD2 didn't help at all, because it was my RA that was shooting off in the wrong direction.
I'm hoping that a recalibration in PHD2 will solve the problem, but I suppose I'll find out the next time that the rain and clouds decide to bugger off..
But I really do like GSS, and at the very least it's great to have a second, different, wifi driver to help diagnose issues, because the ASCOM Synscan driver often does some whacky stuff in NINA.
Another winner. 👍😁🔭🇦🇺
Thank you :D
I don’t think I’ve seen such a comprehensive setup video. Would have saved me hours and hours of interneting when I started out. I use an EQ6 controlled with a usb cable, the baud rate hint alone is gold!
I hope it's going to be helpful to others going forward!
Thank you Cuiv! YES please more details on GSS & EQMOD settings with the AZ-GTi. Since SGP program raised 50% yesterday I now will not pay that much and still pay for the subscription every year for updates! NINA ALL THE WAY! It would be fair that NINA charged like $25 a year for updates!
I was surprised at the announcement, but then I understand where they're coming from! I haven't used SGP in a couple of ages, but I do still wish them all the best :)
Good video, with a lot of great info. This days I were viewing your videos about autofocus and some NINA configurations and are perfects.
Do you know if the AZ-GTI can be connected to GS Server throw the Wifi connection?
I'm waiting for this mount to use inhome and as a secondary rig to trips but I don`t have the cable.
Greetings!
Cuiv, Thank yoou again for your enlightening videos.
I can connect to USB direct com 3 EQMod to my Skywatcher AZEQ6 GT but it always requires plugging the USB B 0ut and in again to connect. ( By the way manual the Alt/Az adjustments are a dream compared to other mounts)
I use SharpCap for Polar Align with excellent results then i do a 3 star align using the hand controller but the stars are a good way out view from either computer screen or Finder scope view. I had a Celestron AVX mount before this and after Polar Align I could always see the align stars at least in the Finder Stop if not on the screen. I like to do this before I plate solve with NINA as it plate solves first go.
Checked all the Settings re time, Date, Long Latt.+10 GMT and DLS ...Southern Hemisphere.
Unlike the AVX (internal Battery) mount this Skywatcher does not keep time and date and needs to be input every time?
Any Ideas?
Barry
When using EQMOD (bypassing the controller), your computer time is used, so in theory the mount time itself is irrelevent... otherwise, I typically don't do a star alignment anymore - I just rely on plate solving and automated centering. I unfortunately have no idea how well the mount works with the controller as I absolutely never use it!
Thank you for your reply. Currently bad weather for a few more days for more tests. When I was in Tokyo for work many years ago around autumn I never saw a clear sky once in 2 weeks just grey. You face a tough task there Cuiv.
Always great videoes Cuiv - where did you buy the counterweight and the bolt with 12mm threads?
Using the skywatcher EQ6-R pro. using a normal USB cable between that and the Zwo Asiair pro. Works great :)
Excellent! Now if only the ASIAir Pro had autofocus, and the ability to control something else than the EAF...!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek from what I can tell/read is that the autofocus is in the works and should come "soon".. (whatever "soon" means.. ) But it is being tested currently.
And I've got the EAF on order. So for me it's not the worst that it only works for that,But I understand the frustration.
Magnifique ! merci !
Aucun probleme :)
Just watched your video since I recently received my new HEQ5 Pro mount. I mainly want to PEC train the mount without using the archaic HC method with the reticle eyepiece. I got a direct connect cable and had issues with it connecting to EQASCOM and found out by watching your video that I had the baud rate set wrong. Thanks! GSS looks awesome, but from some of your comments in the video, I might just try out EQASCOM first. It looks like it will do everything that I need (including PEC training/playback). The GSS 3D telescope is pretty cool, but I will just use the N.I.N.A. plugin and it should work fine. It's great to have you back at making videos! I have picked up quite a bit of good information from you (especially the Sharpstar objective replacement!). Take care and thanks Cuiv!
Enjoy EQMOD! I'd honestly go directly to GSS to avoid the EQMOD issues with sync especially near meridian, but there are workarounds!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Thanks for the response Cuiv! I wanted to get rid of the HC and move away from the usb to HC cable. I also liked EQMOD because it will allow me to PEC train the mount. I also downloaded and installed GSS and really like the interface. I did not see a way in GSS to PEC train my HEQ5, but I could be missing it. I did see how you can PPEC a mount like the EQ6-r Pro, but I don't believe that my HEQ5 supports PPEC. Thanks for the warning about the issues with EQMOD sync near the meridian. I will be aware of that. I use N.I.N.A. and hopefully that won't be an issue. Thanks again!
@@juno1666 you definitely can train PEC in GSS, and GSS has a better handling of combining guide and PEC pulses than EQMOD does. However if you don't have PPEC, I'd say it makes more sense to just use PHD2's predictive pec algorithm, which auto-trains pec on the fly
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Well, heck! I will look more into GSS and also give the PHD2 predictive pec algorithm a try! I had tried the PHD2 predictive pec algorithm with my AVX mount with no seeable impact, but the AVX is definitely another animal! Thanks again and again for all of your help Cuiv!
Thanks Cuiv. In another of your videos you use the Synscan app via NINA to control the mount. When using the Az-GTI in equatorial mode, should I use EQMOD or Synscan with NINA? Thanks.
Tow of my small mounts I am using outside with very clear weather here in extreme southern Ontario and I am having trouble with EQMod & configuring PhD2...so I have given up on using PhD2 with EQMod.
Hi Cuiv, superb video. is there a posibility to connect vom an other computer (stellarium installed) to the GS-Server to control/slev the mount? for example, the original skywatcher ASCOM skySkanPro app can be remotely connected over an ethernetIP from a computer thats not direkt connected with the mount. did you know what i want?
Awesome video (as usual) Cuiv! Do you know if it works with the EQ version of the GTI? Synscan is wonky sometimes:) I am using it with NINA which I also learned from you :)
It should! I haven't tested personally though!
Can I please ask a question. I have recently bought they skywatcher az gti, to use with my dslr camera. After I have levelled the tripod, with skywatcher and camera on my tripod with no wedge. You have to point camera north, but I’m confused if it is north level with a compass or up to polaris north, if that makes sense.
@
Cuiv, The Lazy Geek What wedge should i use with the AZ GTI? And can it hold an Evostar 72ED with 30mm guidescope and a Canon 60D dslr? I wanted go first with the Star Adventurerer 2i, but alot ppl said, the polar alignment takes so much time, and its not a fully GoTo mount. AZ GTI is, and even have PEC, Guiding (Has 2i also), automatic finding star objects, etc. Its worth investing 80 euro more and get the AZ GTI, and Wedge, and mount it on my Gitzo Systematic Tripod (max 25KG load) which can hold a small child below it ;) ?
Hi,
thanks for let me to discover GSS, because I have an observatory it is importanto for me to have both Park and Home position, but... How I can set the position for Park and Home?
Thanks in advance for your help
Roberto
Hello. Is it possible for you make a video using this mount with asiair and autoguiding? Dude I have had some some difficults with autoguiding exactly with this setup and asi 120mm for guiding camera.
I’ve used eqmod for years with an eqdir cable and usually it’s been great. One issue to note is that if you let Windows update the driver and you have an older cable the connection will fail. I had to disable this with a registry edit in Windows 10 Home edition. Not a problem with newer cables. Something to do with prolific driver. Like the look of GSS but think I’ll wait until it’s a bit more developed before switching. It has promise though. Never done the PEC training even though I probably should. The latest PHD2 update has a predictive Pec guide option for RA which learns the errors as you guide so maybe I’ll try that. N.I.N.A. is going great! I had HFD figures below 1.7 the other night from the autofocus routine. Still need to get this perfected though as I get a timed out waiting for data message when using longer autoexposure exposure times for narrowband. Might be the slow download speed of my QSI660. I wish the ascom driver was better. Since Atik bought out QSI drivers have been very unstable. With my ASI1600mm-cool it’s not an issue. Final point, ASIAir pro latest beta has autofocus routine and initial reports are that it’s working well. They’ve added video capture as well. With that N.I.N.A. and GSS its an interesting and exciting time for Astro imaging.
Interesting on the old cables, and very good to know. Things in software move so fast, things get broken, and it's kind of normal by now, but maybe it shouldn't be... Glad the AsiAir AF is finally in Beta! I've been hearing about tests of AF for almost a year now! Exciting time with exciting technology!
Cuiv, The Lazy Geek yeah it certainly is. The cable issue drove me nuts! It took ages to work out why it wasn’t working. I installed an older driver and it worked fine. Next night no luck because Windows had updated it again! Thought it might help others to know.
@@JohnMcGFrance I think I had this problem too. Where is the driver located in Windows and where did you get the older driver from?
@@kingkevinhector Hi. The driver is thePL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v10518 I just googled it I think. There are some threads on the Cloudy Nights forum discussing issues and possible fixes. My cable has an older chipset and every time Windows 10 updated the driver it stopped working. I believe there is an easy way to stop this in 10 pro in my home edition needed a registry edit to stop the update of the driver. I downloaded the old driver, uninstalled the old one through device manager then put the old one in its pace y not letting Windows search for the driver and specifying the old one in my downloads folder. It was a real pain to sort out. If you don’t have any luck I’d see if anyone can lend you a newer cable with a more up to date chipset. If that works I’d just get the new cable as it’s probably a better long term solution. Good luck. Hope this helped.
Great detailed review. A silly question. When do you decide to use the AZGTI mount vs other heavier duty SW mounts you have? If you have to pick one which one will you keep? Arigado!
Heavier mounts if I'm at home or using the car, lighter ones if I'm going to have to walk :)
Hello. Is it possible to control GTI in EQ mode using only Android cell phone? I watch your videos but didn't see any in this condition. Congrats for your channel and thanks.
Hey Cuiv, I really enjoyed your tips and tricks! Very helpful. No my issue is I don't have a Windows machine. I have been trying to find Mac OS equivalents of the software you are using. But it doesn't seem to exist. Unless you know something?
As a novice with astrophotography and tracking mounts there is so much software and new acronyms to learn it’s overwhelming lol
It is indeed quite overwhelming!! You may want to check my starting astrophotography for lazy people playlist! Good luck!
With AZ-GTI, Ascom and Nina, do you need to reverse any of the axis directions? There are checkboxes for that both in Nina and Ascom
Could you please help me with this…
Can Eqmod software be used to drive the mount over wifi using the Synscan WFi Adapter. So far I have learned that Eqmod requires a virtual com port to be created…The EQDirfi adapter works in this way…but would I be able to use the Synscan wifi with Eqmod instead…
Hey Cuiv, whats your approach to Polar alignment with the AZGTI, also can you provide the link to where the EQMOD Config is that you showed, couldnt find on the sourceforge site, also I assume I down the latest driver which is EQASCOM_V200q_Setup.exe? Many thanks
Thanks foor the info on GS Server. Did you figure out why the guiding quit working well
It went back to working normally afterwards - actually it's working exceedingly well now!
Thanks for the video. I have the same mount. I've been trying to use it with ASIair pro but I haven't succeeded. Can you help please?
Cuiv, B&H had one of these mounts in stock today and I grabbed it. The tripod it ships with does not look all that sturdy. What tripod are you using? Thank you
Michael Clancy
I do not understand something about polar alignment. I have the AZ-GTI mount. When you connect there is an alignment procedure ( 1,2,3 stars) and after that there are menu options to go to say Polaris. You do that . Point and track. Why isnt there software that you can just click on " polar align" and let the scope/ software just do it? I have Sky Safari also. Whats the difficulty in programming this when the scope knows where it is via GPS.? Point it North, level and go. Also, I run into issues depending on what side of the mount I put the scope on. How do I know in advance what side it should be on? Of just on top? Thx in advance. Mike
I have purchased by mistake EQDIR cable with wrong connector, GTi require smaller one. Can it be fixed by replacing connector that will fit GTi or using some sort of adaptor?
Would you recommend using ascom mod over synscan for sw gti via nina?
Hu Cuiv, what a great video, i have no problem with guiding st4 cable but i want to do pulse guiding...Can you make a video how to do pulseguiding (have Heq5) or do you have a link how to do that?
Thanks
Rigo
For doing pulseguiding via ASCOM it's pretty simple. First, connect to your mount, and install your mount ASCOM driver (or EQMOD, or GSS). Then, in PHD2, instead of choosing the mount to be "On-camera", choose the ASCOM driver, and once the mount is connected, in PHD2, it will use that instead of the ST-4 cable :)
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Thanks, you are a great GUY !!!!
Hey Cuiv, Thanks for the video and information. Perhaps I am just an old country boy but why would one add another level of complexity to the astro imaging if I am already running N.I.N.A to control everything which by the way it's working great and really enjoy all that it has to offer. Just don't see the need to add the GSS to the mix. Perhaps I am missing something in my understanding as to why use it?
Thanks again,
DJ.
The setup is one of the three:
1- NINA -> SkyWatcher ASCOM driver -> hand controller -> mount
2- NINA -> EQMOD -> mount
3- NINA -> GSS -> mount
So GSS doesn't add any complexity, it's just one way to connect to the mount (and offers more flexibility than the two other methods). But then if you're fine with what you have... if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Great video, once more! This question: why don’t you click on the small binoculars icon in EQMOD settings to get your COM port number instead of using the Devices window?
Thank you! I just find it faster to find the correct COM port directly - the binocular icon takes forever for me!
Cuiv, The Lazy Geek I see: binoculars are forever. Could be the title of the next James Bond… The tricky part being to find a female singer mimicking Shirley Bassey’s voice to sing the theme song…
Great videos, I am watching them all, I have the AZ-Gti and I use a dyi counterweight shaft and weight. Can you tell me what your counterweight shaft and weight you are using ? Thanks
Thank you! My CW shaft is actually from a Japanese vendor called Eyebell, and I don't think they sell abroad. The shaft itself is a modified Vixen CW shaft. The CW is a vanilla Vixen 1kg counterweight!
Hello friend, excellent video, regarding the counterweight bar, I have a skywatcher star adventurer, this bar is compatible with az gti ??? or is it necessary to buy another?
Can Reverse DEC stay checked and use with EQmod or other software?
Hi! I saw all your tutorial for az-gti. considering that I would like to do astrophotography with my Az-Gti in equatorial mode, would you recommend NINA or Stellarmate?
Does this work with celestron evolution goto mount to asiair pro?
Hello I am interested in buying this mount, I would like to know if it can work with gpredict for Amateur Radio Satellites?
Hey Cuiv,
Any chance of an update video on your experiences with the AZ-GTi Mount? I would love to hear your thoughts on this product after several months of ownership!
It worked decently well, and I still recommend it! In the end I had to sell equipment for financial reasons, and I found I wasn't travelling to dark zones (too lazy), so the AZ-GTi was a victim of that...
Can you use stellar mount program?
Hi Ciuv, I was revisiting this super useful video, to check something I remember you mentioned about the problem with PHD2 guiding after meridiam flip when using GS Server. Just had that problem for firt time with mu AZ-GTi and solved it by checking the "Reverse Dec after meridian flip" option, as you explain here. I have one question. I use the same capture PC wiht my AZ-GTi and my CGEM mounts. Do you think I'll have to check and un-check this "Reverse Dec after meridian flip" option as I swap from AZ-GTi and CGEM? With the CGEM I'm using the Celestrom Universal Driver. Many thanks for all your videos. They are already a knowledge library for me :)
Thanks Fernando! Have you tried creating distinct equipment profiles for each of your mounts in PHD2? I think the settings are saved per profile, so that should do the trick for you!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek thanks Cuiv, you were right. Advanced settings are associated to each equipment profile. So having a different profile for each mount I can have this option on or off as required.
Which port do I connect to on EQMOD if I'm connecting using WiFi?
I just plug into my EQ6-R pro directly via the USB port on the mount - I had one of those EQdirect cables earlier but I like the USB one more. Never tried any other mounts, just got the EQ6-R cuz it was the cheapest in its respective category and I heard good enough things about it.
About the Meridian Limits: Should't I also check if I can still move my dec in each direction so it can cover all of the night sky without hitting the tripod, before setting that as an RA limit? I mean you'Re not always going to slew around with a unmoved dec, or am I thinking wrongly about all this? With EQMod I mean :)
Yep, the later EQ6-R have that USB port, mine doesn't :) And of course you are right on the Meridian limit, you want to make sure you set it so your scope wouldn't hit the tripod, regardless of the DEC angle!
Hello, sorry for this question outside the video subject, but I see you are using the exact same tripod I bought 2 days ago on Amazon and that should arrive only mid to end of December. It's a generic brand from China at 1/3 the price of a any branded one and looks very sturdy with 36 to 25mm carbon fiber leg diametres, wich is huge. I was looking for a very stable but not too heavy tripod for DSLR astrophoto and this one seems to fit quite well the bill. BUT it is from China, and I did find any serious have no real information on its quality. Hence my question: are you satisfied with the quality and stability of the tripod?
Thanks and regards - Francis
Thanks for such great content. Since there's no "official" support for the EQ mode... there's no official load spec either. Do you think the AZ-GTi (with appropriate CW) could handle a bit longer, heavier (observing only) rig in the EQ config than the AZT rating (11lbs)? Say an Astro-Tech 102ED (a longer 12 Lbs with diagonal and eyepiece)
Wow, a 102ED would probably be quite a challenge because it is so long and the FL/Resolution is really hard todeal with ... I probably would go to a 90mm refractor at most... For a 102ED, I'd probably go straight for an EQ6R, just so I don't get frustrated all the time... Of course, challenges are fun! :D
@@CuivTheLazyGeek A 90mm would probably do just fine for family viewing. I knew I was probably pushing it way too far with the 102ED. I already have a HEAVY Setup for Astrophotography and some nights it's hard not to be Lazy and just skip it. Skywatcher bundles a Skymax 127 with this mount.. Of course I would prefer the 150. It would not be so long but the weight of 14 Lbs may be yet another deal killer for the AZGT-EQ. I guess I was hoping the EQ modification with CW would handle a little heavier load than the ALT AZ setup? Keep up the good work!
@@stringb2647 Well, it doesn't hurt to try! That's why we have full mons, to test stuff :D You never know, it might actually work!
Did you ever figure out the problem with the GSS?
Hello. I'm wanna know if this eq mode works with a zwo asi air pro? And how many time is possible to take a exposure. Thanks
As per the ZWO website, you should check the ASI Air Pro manual, it should tell you.
Hi Cuiv, thanks for this as ever. Is GSS a thing still? I couldn’t get a single google hit searching for Eqmod alternatives. Want to give it a go. Also what’s the little computer you run your mount on? Thanks.
Search for Greenswamp Server and it should come up! I still use GSS
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Many thanks. I am thinking of moving to GSS.
Great Video but I have Version 1.10 of NINA in 64 bit on Windows 10 and I don't have an extensive list of telescopes Mounts as you have in the video drop down list. I have just purchased a Skywatcher AZEQ6 Mount and the EQMod HEQ5/6 is not there in the list along with others in your video. I just have Skywatcher and SynScan. I am having intermittent connection problems with both those. Is that because its a 64 bit version? Com 4 set to 15200 baud= in device manager.
Hey Barry - have you installed the EQMOD ASCOM driver? It should then appear in the list. How are you connecting to the mount? Via the hand controller? Or directly via the USB port?
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Cuiv turned out to be I was using an old version of Platform 6 and NINA actual came up with "Please update Platform 6.". Problems have settled down but depending on the coms port on Windows 10 computer I plug into. I have to set up each time? Thank you for your advice as the older version had Cameras and programs dropping out and locking up the screen.
do you need to polar align this mount?
im looking to get the gti mount for my 70-200m dslr and track some objects for long exposures etc?
cheers rob
You will need to polar align if used in EQ mode. Or you can use it in altazimuth but limit your exposures to 30s or so
Does it look super tedious to connect it to pc, is it possible only with remote control or via cell phone? I bought the skywatcher az gti and it still doesn't arrive (buy it without the anti-roll bar)...
Controlling the AZ-GTi just via cell phone is possible, but I don't think there's a way to guide without a PC or something like the ASIAir...
Great video! Very detailed and self explanatory. However, I do have a novice question, with EQMOD or GSS you can do an autoguiding without a guiding scope, correct?
You need a guidescope (or an OAG) for autoguiding regardless of mount BUT if you are referring to dithering without a guidescope, you are right, it can be done with either GSS or EQMOD
I've been having a lot of problems with synscan and EQMOD. It seems my RA and DEC axis are reversed. N/S controls the RA axis while E/W controls the DEC axis when it should be the opposite. Any advice? I am also using an AZ-GTi with the EQ firmware.
SOUTH ORE NORTH TRY REVERSING THE SWITCH
Can this be done with the skywatcher az gte model?
I'm hoping so, as I have the gte as well. @sparkyG905, have you tried it, and were you successful?
Hi Cuiv, can I use this cable (USB to RS232 Serial RJ45 CAT5 Console Adapter Cable For Cisco Routers FTDI) as a direct pc to Heq5 Pro mount cable?
For me the cheap cable didn't work well with the AZ-GTi, so I'd recommend getting a proper cable from Lynx or other more reputable sources...
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Thanks for the feedback.
My understanding is that EQMOD cables are USB/A to RJ12
I'm no expert on how the cables themselves are made, and an EQDIR cable for the AZ-GTi won't be the same as one for the EQ6-R for instance...!
You are correct with the connectors, but the cable also hides an active integrated circuit that provides the USB to Serial level conversions to match the SW mount requirements. These cables are often described as EQDirect.
Hi Cuiv, I've got got started with GSS - liking it so far, except I can't see how to get Cartes du Ciel to talk to it, any ideas?
I just tried to connect from Cartes du Ciel (via ASCOM), and it just worked without any issue for me...
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Hmm, I see nothing in the telescope section dropdown when I try from in CdC. I'll have to try again tomorrow after I've got some sleep. Thanks for answering - I'm really enjoying your videos.
Hey Cuiv, for AZ GTi which guide rates (RA & DEC) did you find to give the best results in GSS?
I think I ended up at 0.9... but not any scientific approach. It just worked well enough for me...
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Thank you! It would be really interesting to see the limits of AZ GTi. For example with 70 or 80mm refractor. New PHD multistar update (thanks to you again) makes a huge difference, so I was wondering if that could assist the larger weight as well.
Without a guidescope how long can exposures be with this mount?
Mmmh I likely wouldn't be using it without a guider - and I haven't tried without, so I can't say for sure... Still, well aligned and with a 200mm lens and no wind, 60-90s sounds doable.
PEC has no use when you apply an autoguider, they sometimes even work against each other. PEC is something from the pre-PC times,.
@12:44 - *periodic* error correction, I think Cuiv
Actually I meant permanent periodic error correction, PPEC :D
This is an alt-az mount that I didn't know can be used like an equatorial one.What is the payload for it?
The EQ payload is not published - it's kind of "best effort". I would limit it to 4kg or so however. I have several videos on how to use the mount in EQ mode and tune it as well btw!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek thank you! I'll look into it, especially I am curious for the polar alignement method.My iOptron SkyGuider Pro it is a toy to polar align through the Polar Finder app.Also my Fornax Lightrack.But never had anything to do with go to systems such as this one.
Would you mind sending me the link for your az-gti cable from aliexpress ?
I will refrain from doing so - in the end it seems to be somewhat defective :) Better buy from someone like First Light Optics!
Excuse me if it's already been asked. What's your opinion on the Skywatcher Star Adventurer GTI.
Looks great, but I haven't tested it. I'd buy it over the AZ-Gti
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Thx.
The laziest way to control this would be eqmod cable + ASIAIR. Specially with the update beta version with AF using the ZWOeaf. I’m surprised you don’t use ASIAIR.
I've been waiting for that AF to come to the ASIAir - no AF made it simply not interesting to me. I am just very familiar with NINA, having coded part of it (including the current AF iteration), and I like the power and flexibility it gives me. ASIAir looks excellent, but it won't control my Astromechanics Adapter focuser for instance, which is really too bad... For the setup on the screen, ASIAir would definitely work though.
Cuiv, The Lazy Geek The dream set up would be a Zwo canon adapter with AF control. Shouldn’t be that hard 👍
@@noypi75 Yep - or them simply partnering with Astromechanics. I've already given them that feedback :)
How do you do the Polar Align with that mount?
I use the Polar Alignment routine in Sharpcap - works very well for me! th-cam.com/video/iw8AfoPmrIM/w-d-xo.html
Thanks@@CuivTheLazyGeek
Why should you use EQMOD, its a terrible old fashioned peace of software meant for bigger mounts I think. I only use Synscanpro and the I can control the mount and polar align and goto all on my phone in the middle of nowhere . Also I can connwct then with Stellarium and control the mount. And with Ascom installed I can do further control with Nina on laptop. I do not understand what eqmod and or Green Swamp are adding to this.
Cuiv, the Daredevil Geek. He uses EQDir cables from......
EQMOD is now wav files of music. oh well
Life is not fair)) Unfortunately, the Sky Watcher AZ GTI was created for the azimuthal mode of operation and by switching it to the equatorial mode, we greatly overload the single bearing of the RA axis and the closer to the equator, the greater the deformation of the entire structure and, as a result, inaccurate guidance along the RA axis. And in terms of control and versatility, this baby is the leader among the lightweight class of mounts. iEXOS-100 is also from this class of mounts, structurally a cut above the Sky Watcher Az Gti, but an absolute failure in controlling stepper motors. How to live?))) Sorry for my English, I'm from Ukraine.
There is definitely an unmet need in the field of full goto, lightweight, and cheap EQ mounts!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek With this you can not argue
PEC = Periodic Error Correction (not Permanent...)
Why do telescope companies make this all such a huge kludge? Can't they design software that gives people every option they can conceive of built into the package? God all this open source baloney with it's crap Windows 95-looking interface and cables hanging all over the place, it's a hideous embarrassment. I mean they could put a man on the moon and bring him home with what amounted to slide rule technology over 50 years ago and this is the best we can do today?