The Shoestring Astronomy Store

EQ Direct Interface Products

HOME
PRODUCTS
ORDERING INFORMATION
SUPPORT
DOWNLOADS
ATTENTION - ESPECIALLY APRIL 2024 ECLIPSE PHOTOGRAPHERS:
We will be temporarily closed from February 21, 2024 through April 11, 2024. We will not be able to accept or process orders until we reopen. We will have limited access to internet, but will try to provide tech support when possible. We appreciate your business and do apologize for the inconvenience.

Shoestring Astronomy has always been an "evening and weekend" enterprise when I was employed full-time. Now that I am retired, we do like to travel frequently. I will do my best to fill orders and respond to emails in a timely manner, but please realize that there may be times when I cannot respond as quickly as I would like to.

Thanks for your patience, and your patronage. Doug Anderson


EQ DIRECT INTERFACING

Recent generations of Synta EQ-5, EQ-6, and EQ-8 mounts that use the SynScan handcontroller (such as the Orion Sirius EQ-G and Orion Atlas EQ-G) provide stable, quality GOTO mounts at affordable prices for observing and imaging. However, the features available when they are interfaced to a personal computer are somewhat limited, primarily due to the type of data that is available through the handcontroller's serial interface. Now, thanks to the efforts of several individuals, far more powerful features are made available by bypassing the handcontroller and communicating directly with the mount's stepper motor controller. More information on the EQ Direct method can be found on the EQ Mod website (http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net). or on the EQMOD Group (https://groups.io/g/EQMOD)

The only drawback of the EQ Direct approach is that the electrical signals to and from the mount are not directly compatible with a personal computer. Thus, you will need one of our interface options shown in the selector guide below to complete the link.

Your Computer Is:
Mount with DB-9 Connector
Mount with RJ45 (8-pin) Connector
Mount with RJ12 (6-pin) Connector
PC with USB ports
USB2EQ6
USB2EQ5
USB2RJ12
PC with serial port or USB-to-serial converter
EQDIR plus optional EQCBL-02
EQDIR plus EQCBL-01 plus optional EQCBL-02
Ask us

IMAGE
DESCRIPTION
PART NUMBER
PRICE
PayPal Buy
USB2EQ6.jpg (111 kbytes)

USB2EQ6 Interface Cable (5.9 feet)
(DB-9 connector)

USB2EQ6

$41.00

USB2EQ5.jpg (146 kbytes)

USB2EQ5 Interface Cable (5.9 feet)
(RJ45 8-pin connector)

USB2EQ5

$43.00

 

USB2RJ12 Interface Cable (5.9 feet)
(RJ12 6-pin connector)

USB2RJ12

$43.00

 

Virtual COM Port Drivers for USB2EQ6 and USB2EQ5

Click here.

  Absolutely Free  
bt2eq6.jpg (45 kbytes)

BT2EQ6 Bluetooth Module
(DB-9 connector)

BT2EQ6
$41.00 Discontinued
bt2eq5.jpg (131 kbytes)

BT2EQ5 Bluetooth Module
(RJ45 connector)

BT2EQ5
$43.00 Discontinued
eqdir.jpg (45 kbytes)

EQDIR Interface Module
(DB-9 connector)

EQDIR
$41.00
eqcbl01.jpg (141 kbytes)
EQDIR Adapter cable (converts EQDIR to RJ45 connector)(7 foot)
EQCBL-01
$19.00
eqcbl02.jpg (46 kbytes)
6 foot male-female DB-9 extension cable
EQCBL-02
$10.00
 

BT2EQ5/BT2EQ6 Interface User Manual

Click here to view/download. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

  Absolutely Free  
 

EQDIR Interface User Manual

Click here to view/download. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

  Absolutely Free  
 

Install EQDIRCheck

Click here to install the free software you can use to verify your EQDIR.

  Absolutely Free  


A WARNING ABOUT SERIAL PORT CABLES
Not all DB-9 cables are created equal. You should only use "serial port extension" cables with the EQDIR. Serial port extension cables are wired straight through, that is pin 1 to pin 1, pin 2 to pin 2, etc. There are DB-9 cables out there that look like serial port extension cables, but they are not wired straight through. Using anything but a serial port extension cable with the EQDIR may result in damage to your EQDIR or to your mount. Make sure you have a correctly built cable before connecting up your equipment.