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INDI Library v2.0.6 is Released (02 Feb 2024)

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Auto-guiding with a SkyWatcher AZ-EQ6

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the direct connection replaces the st-4 cable requirement as the guide commands are sent directly over the usb/serial connection

if you get random disconnects from the mount you need to disconnect the hand controller
6 years 5 months ago #20069

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Thanks for the comment Elfe but I am confused now.

Jasem says using the EQMod driver won't affect guiding (i.e. I still need the ST-4 cable) but you say it replaces the ST-4 cable connection. So, do I need the ST-4 cable when guiding over an EQMod connection or not?

Also, how can I disconnect the hand controller when in PC Direct mode (i.e. using the EQMod driver) since the PC connection cable plugs into the hand controller?
6 years 5 months ago #20076

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No, you only need a connection from the guide-cam to a computer, the software on the computer gets the image, decides to issue a correction and then sends that correction to the mount directly via the EQDir cable (using EQmod as a driver). ST4 can be ditched, 1 less cable to worry about. :) I've never touched the hand-controller since I started in astrophotography, 1 less thing that can fail in between. I would advicethe cable with FTDI chipset as drivers for that chipset are updated nicely for all Windows versions.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Wouter van Reeven
Last edit: 6 years 5 months ago by Vincent Groenewold.
6 years 5 months ago #20080

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Thanks very much for the explanation! I am on Mac and Linux so I'll need to see if the FTDI chipset cables also work on those platforms. It looks like this one does at least work on Linux:

www.pierro-astro.com/materiel-astronomiq...-orion-sirius_detail
6 years 5 months ago #20082

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Works totally fine on all platforms I should've said. ;) I'm also using OSX and Linux mainly, but Windows on occasion as well (whatever works right) and this driver just worked on everything. The other chipset, from Prolific, is a nightmare as they refuse to update the drivers to work well on Windows 10 and you constantly have to get one older version somewhere... brrr.
Last edit: 6 years 5 months ago by Vincent Groenewold.
6 years 5 months ago #20086

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I currently use a Prolific serial to usb converter cable and it works fine on Linux. However, I have troubles getting it to work on macos Sierra and high Sierra. I ordered the FTDI cable from the link I put in my previous comment. Fingers crossed ;-)
6 years 5 months ago #20087

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Let us know, would be another good example. ps, you're from astroforum.nl right? ;)
6 years 5 months ago #20098

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OK I will share my experiences here as soon as the cable arrives. And yes, I am on astroforum.nl ;-)
6 years 5 months ago #20099

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I have been using the EQMod cable now for a few days and it works really well. The only issue I see is that when the telescope is pointed at and synced with a certain target and I then want it to move to another target that is close by (say, within 10' or so) then the Capture And Solve -> Sync And Slew doesn't work well. It syncs the mount with the new position, slews and resolves a new image again but the distance to the wanted position never decreases and hovers around 2 or 3 arc minutes. Apart from that, all is fine.
6 years 4 months ago #20764

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You can always clear the model in the Mount tab, and then try to solve again. Sometimes cumulative sync points leads to degradation of the model instead of improving it.
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6 years 4 months ago #20765

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Thanks, I'll give that a try.
6 years 4 months ago #20766

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What does clearing the model actually do relative to Ekos and the mount?

It is not clear to me if the model is stored in Ekos, mount or both. I always thought it was stored in the mount.

If the model is stored in Ekos though... Perhaps understanding this can help me when imaging with my CGEMDX.


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6 years 4 months ago #20767

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