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Astro-Gadget EQStar User Manual

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EQStar User Guide
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EQStar User Guide
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Summary of Contents for Astro-Gadget EQStar

  • Page 1 EQStar User Guide www.astro-gadget.com EQStar User Guide...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    PC Software Installation ........................6 PC control ............................8 Control with Mobile Cell Phone or Tablet..................10 EQStar control via ZWO ASIAir Pro ....................14 EQStar control via a Linux Controller ....................15 Stand-alone mount control with push-button joystick..............16...

  • Page 3: Overview

    PC or laptop. In the EQStar kit is a universal mount a joystick for manual control as well. It also allows you to control mount autonomously without a computer, smartphone or tablet.
  • Page 4 EQStar User Guide www.astro-gadget.com  ST4: ST4 hand controller or guiding input.  PC: COM port over USB interface for PCs.  Wifi: Wifi enable switch  Wifi On LED  Power on/off switch  Power input: 5.5mm outer, 2.1mm inner power connector. (accepts center 2.1mm male plus pin and 5.5mm outer ground sleeve)

  • Page 5: Hardware Installation

    EQStar User Guide www.astro-gadget.com 2. Hardware Installation 2.1. Install the drive motors on the mount axes as shown in the following pictures.

  • Page 6: Pc Software Installation

    ‘CP210xVCPinstaller_x64.exe’. This installs a Silicon Labs CP210x USB UART driver. After you install the driver, when you connect the EQStar via the supplied USB cable, the driver will show up as managing the virtual COM port in the Windows Device Manager (start that by typing ‘Device Manager’...

  • Page 7: Pc Control

    3.5. Connect the control unit to 12V power via a user-supplied cable with a 5.5mm x 2.1mm power plug. After the power switch on the EQStar is turned on, the unit will sound 3 short and 1 long beep that indicates the EQStar is ready.
  • Page 8 To correct this, EQStar supports two automatic guiding approaches: automatic guidance using the ST-4 port on the EQStar, or pulse guiding using the ASCOM interface. Both modes are set from the EQMOD application panel. Pulse guiding does not require cables in addition to the USB cable connecting EQStar to the PC.
  • Page 9 Similarly, ‘DEC +’ button presses change the DEC guide speed from x0.5 to x0.75 to x1.0. The EQStar will respond with appropriate beeps as these changes are made. Now disconnect the joystick and connect the autonomous guider to the ST-4 port.

  • Page 10: Control With Mobile Cell Phone Or Tablet

    5.3. Turn on WiFi and EQStar Turn WiFi mode via the switch on the front panel of the unit and turn on the EQStar power. After power on you will hear a beep, indicating the EQStar mount is ready for control, and the WiFi mode indicator LED will be lit.
  • Page 11 5.7. EQStar WiFi Settings Configuration via SynScan Pro By default, the EQStar operates in Access Point mode, with an SSID of EQStar and no WiFi security password. The Settings -> Wifi Settings form in SynScan Pro can be used to set a password for better security.
  • Page 12 5.8.1. SkySafari Scope Settings Form 5.8.2. SkySafari Goto Operation Once the connection is made to the EQStar via the SynScan Pro application, SkySafari can be used to select an object and request telescope Goto to point at that object. Once slewing stops, the requested object should be in view through the telescope.
  • Page 13 SynScan Pro to correct the pointing accuracy near this object. 5.9. iOS Devices and EQStar iOS devices also can control EQStar via SynScanPro and SkySafari Pro downloaded from the Apple App Store. For SkySafari Pro to work on iOS devices, you will need to install an application called “SynScanLink”.

  • Page 14: Eqstar Control Via Zwo Asiair Pro

    For WiFi connections, the EQStar must be started with WiFi turned on. Slide the Wifi slider switch on the EQStar to the right. If the EQStar is powered via the ASIAir Pro, turn both on at the same time. The EQStar should beep 3 times and the WiFi indicator LED should be lit.

  • Page 15: Eqstar Control Via A Linux Controller

    7. EQStar control via a Linux Controller There are Linux open-source applications that can work with the EQStar via its WiFi interface. One such set is the KStars planetarium program paired with the Indi EQMOD plug-in. KStars contains a companion EKOS app for automated astrophotography control.

  • Page 16: Stand-Alone Mount Control With Push-Button Joystick

    8.1. Connect a push button joystick to port ST4. 8.2. After turning on the power to the EQStar, the device will emit 1 short, then 3 short and 1 long beeps. This means the EQStar is ready to go and the mount will automatically start tracking at stellar speed.

  • Page 17: Additional Tips

    EQStar. The required cable is available from several vendors on Amazon. 9.2. The LED on the front of the EQStar is not a power indicator. It is a WiFi indicator that should be lit when WiFi is enabled via the WiFi switch on the front of the EQStar.

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