I’m sorry but you are wrong, these basic model mount DO NOT have any encoders on them at all, the Aux encoder is a completely different device on the mount altogether and has extra electronics and a special etched disc which is read by a Lazer...to know it’s position...
On your model it’s just a stepper motor which counts it’s own steps it’s moved, as soon as you power off you loose that info hence having to autohome at the start of a session for the mount to know where to start from...hence why it does not work if you move the mount with it turned on and clutch released, as it the. Does not know where it is

I really think you need to learn more about the mount you have , as you are very mistaken on how it works and what it has and does not have...with respect....

I can also assure you that both the new and old EQ8 autohome function works perfectly fine with INdI as I have used with both mounts....

The RH does have a high resolution encoder, but that is an extra device, it’s not an upgraded version of what is on your mount, as you mount DOES NOT have any encoders at all, it’s just the way it’s worded, it’s a different beast altogether with the encoder, hence the extra price...
But you mount will autohome fine with INdI, it works perfectly, it has the sensors to do that, as it’s nothing to do with encoders they are separate sensors...

To simplify it even more, the EQ8 you have works exactly the same as the EQ6 models, but with more powerful motors, no encoders just stepper motors and some electronics to count steps, as 1 step = a certain distance moved....simples....but as soon as you power off the mount, it looses that step info and zeros, so you have to start at a home position so it knows it’s a zero to start....

Apologies - didn't mean to get your back up, you are of course correct.

My error was sarcasm in conflating encoders and steppers as being "something that counts" - per this article I'm not the only one but it doesn't excuse my using sarcasm - apologies (www.cloudynights.com/topic/689998-mounts...-encoders/?p=9903482) eg: my old LX90 has encoders, but they're not absolute, they use two tiny little wheels with slots cut in them and an IR LED I believe to count steps. They were awful btw! :-)

And to avoid doubt, I did not for a minute believe that this mount came with a Renishaw or any way of keeping track of the position when de-clutched (nor do I ahem any real need of said functionality)

I'll see if Autohome works on teh -RH model, it doesn't on the R which is obviously a disappointment.

It DOES work on your model, it has the sensors fitted and does work, I can assure you...if there is an issue it’s with the software and not because the mount does not have the hardwear, your mount is fitted with autohome sensors....

You have given me hope!

I'm imaging right now, I'll take a screenshot of the error when I park it tonight, it reports something to the extent of "can't detect aux encoders, can't autohome"

It certainly autonomies the the hand controller.

Again sorry, I might not have been clear - it absolutely works with the mount if I use the handbox/Synscan (I am assuming Hall sensors or similar) but it doesn't work with INDI when parked using the Autopark button in the EQMod control panel. Am I using the wrong driver?

- hopefully the answer is "yes" and I can delete my bug report -

For some reason the software looks for the encoders before it will autohome, even though it does not actually need them for the autohome function, so as they are not there, it throws the error....very strange....will look into it...

Thanks - there's a bug logged in the Gitlab/hub/whichevergit - if it's as simple as skipping the checking for encoders then it's going to be a quick fix! thank you!

I see you are on the case...
github.com/indilib/indi/issues/1162

Yup - let's hope it gets resolved - I had a situation just tonight where I needed to home the mount and was wishing the feature worked.