Shoestring USB2 EQ5 Interface

Shoestring USB2 EQ5 Interface

Recent generations of Synta EQ-5 and EQ-6 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 in the Yahoo EQMOD Group (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/EQMOD/)