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Can I ByPass The Skywatcher EQ8 Mount Hand Controller And Connect SkySafari And SkyFi Via EQMOD? (Answer: No, SkyFi Must Connect Via The Hand Controller - OR, Maybe, Read On!)

Hi,
Im looking to connect my SkyFi directly with my Skywatcher EQ8 mount. Today I run Eqmod via the hand controller in PC direct mode, but now the I want to get rid of the hand controller. What type of cable do I need? The SkyFi has a RJ-11 outlet and the mount has a RJ-45 8-pins outlet. There are "standard" RJ-11/RJ-45 cables available on the net, will this work or do I need a customized cable to map the skyfi in/output to the mount in/output. Do I need to go through a RS-232 db9 connector, which is what I do today? What is your recommendation?

Thank you
Anders

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4 comments

  • 0
    Avatar
    Bill Tschumy

    Anders,

    You just need a standard SkyWatcher/SynScan serial cable.  We sell them on our online store.  You can probably find them other places as well.

    https://store.simulationcurriculum.com/collections/accessories/products/telescope-serial-cable

    Note that each scope manufacturer makes their cables with slightly different wirings.  It is unlikely a random serial cable will work.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Anders

    Bill,
    Thank you for your reply. That sounds really good. I just need one clarification. In your online store I can choose a generic Skywatcher serial cable, but I cannot specify the actual type of Skywatcher mount. The interface varies on different Skywatcher mounts, in and  my case I need a cable with a RJ-45 connection for the EQ8. As I want to bypass the hand controller, how do I make sure, when I order, that I get the correct cable for my mount, and not the standard serial cable with an RJ-12 that still connects to SkyFi via the Synscan handset? 

  • 0
    Avatar
    Bill Tschumy

    You cannot bypass the hand controller.  We do not support EqMod.  You have to talk to the mount through the hand controller.

    When using the HC, there is only one type of serial cable you need.  That is what we sell.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Hiro Kaneiso

    Hi Anders,

    You can bypass SkyWatcher hand-controller with the following combination of software/hardware.

    Please read the EDMod project's introduction page carefully before making a decision.

    Good luck!

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