HELP => Skywatcher EQ-6 R PRO not working with ASIAIR PRO via USB port - Forums

Topic starter

May 1, 2022

Hello guys!

I just got a new mount EQ-6 R PRO => I'm trying to connect it to ASIAIR PRO via the USB port that the mount has, but it doesn't work!

Everything is connected and otherwise functional.

I tried to switch BAUD value from 9600 to 115200, but it didn't help :-(

Please - what about that? Did I forget some step?

Best Regards
Jan Klíma

Robert Winslow

May 1, 2022

Did you leave the hand controller attached? I had issues when I hooked mine up to the PC, could not connect.

AS the hand controller is not needed once we use the PC connection, I simply placed it in a box.

Are you sure you told it too use the correct Serial port? Mine showed up as COM3.

Truth be told, once I removed the hand controller, hooking up the EQ6 R was easier than the rest of the equipment.

Helpful Supportive

Scott

May 1, 2022 · Edited: May 1, 2022

I know Skywatcher made a change to the USB chipset which caused issues with connecting to the ASIAIR-Pro. According to this page on the ZWO website (https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/asiair-pro) you may need to apply an update. The relevant section is this:1. If your new Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro has the connection issue with ASIAIR or ASIAIR PRO, Please download this mount OS file to fix it.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MLd0TO7yzPsiqIzVpUVn743DaEnKzox9/view

Alternatively, you could use an EQDIR cable rather than USB which would avoid the need to apply the update. I have used this one with my ASIAIR Plus without issue:

https://www.amazon.com/Skywatcher-Telescope-Control-Serial-Converter/dp/B07HL2Z741/ref=sr_1_4?crid=30A1ZRQYEX1KG&keywords=eqdir+cable&qid=1651412541&sprefix=eqdir%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-4

Helpful Concise

Dan Kearl

May 1, 2022

Get and use the EqMod cable that connects to the Hand control port.

kuechlew

May 1, 2022

Don't you have to install a special driver when you intend to use the EqMod/EqDir cable ?

Dan Kearl

May 1, 2022 · Edited: May 1, 2022

"Don't you have to install a special driver when you intend to use the EqMod/EqDir cable ?"

No. Just plug one end to Asiair and the other into the hand control port.
EQmod Cable does cost about $35.

Concise

paulweingart

May 1, 2022

I JUST dealt with this again, you need to reflash the microSD card with a different version of ASIAIR. https://bbs.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/d/12655-how-to-connect-the-new-sky-watcher-eq6-r-pro-to-asiair

The download will be a zip file that you extract, once extracted it will leave you with a .img file. I'm on mac so I used applepibaker to re-flash the microSD card. Once reflashed asirair should be able to communicate with the mount.

I really wish ZWO included this in a regular software update and just fixed the problem it causes Eq6r-pro uses once and for all. No need to buy a separate cable, it should work with the USB port provided.

Once you get this working make a backup using the same program (apple pi baker for mac), incase something happens to asiair, gets corrupted during an update, micro sd gets lost etc.

Send me a message if you need more help

Helpful Supportive

Dan Kearl

May 1, 2022

I JUST dealt with this again, you need to reflash the microSD card with a different version of ASIAIR. https://bbs.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/d/12655-how-to-connect-the-new-sky-watcher-eq6-r-pro-to-asiair

The download will be a zip file that you extract, once extracted it will leave you with a .img file. I'm on mac so I used applepibaker to re-flash the microSD card. Once reflashed asirair should be able to communicate with the mount.

I really wish ZWO included this in a regular software update and just fixed the problem it causes Eq6r-pro uses once and for all. No need to buy a separate cable, it should work with the USB port provided.

Once you get this working make a backup using the same program (apple pi baker for mac), incase something happens to asiair, gets corrupted during an update, micro sd gets lost etc.

Send me a message if you need more help

This seems like a bit of work when a simple cable works perfectly.

Well written

paulweingart

May 1, 2022

What in this hobby doesn't require some work, HAHA

Yeah you could buy an inferior expensive usb cable, get it shipped to you and wait for it to arrive during a new moon cycle while losing precious nights of imaging, or you could try and fix the issue.

Olly Barrett

May 4, 2022

This happened to me, I cured it by initialising the mount with the hand controller first then disconnecting the hand controller and plugging in the EQ Mod cable.

Jan Klíma

Topic starter

May 6, 2022

Hello guys! Tried EQMOD cable, USB cable & Hand controller… Nothing is working with ASIAIR PRO… I also tried to connect the mount with PC via EQMOD cable and USB cable - both methods works, but not with ASIAIR PRO => I think I'll shoot myself in the head soon :-)

Dan Kearl

May 6, 2022

I am sorry , sounds like your asiair is bad and the Pro will get no fixes or updates and the Plus is not available.
I like my Asiair but it is ridiculous a company makes a product it cannot manufacture and distribute, but keeps offering it for sale.

kuechlew

May 7, 2022 · Edited: May 7, 2022

Jan Klíma:
Hello guys! Tried EQMOD cable, USB cable & Hand controller... Nothing is working with ASIAIR PRO... I also tried to connect the mount with PC via EQMOD cable and USB cable - both methods works, but not with ASIAIR PRO => I think I'll shoot myself in the head soon :-)

Before you do that
- try contacting ASI customer support. With a lot of luck you will get a response but most likely they will just point you to their link mentioned above. Still worth a try, after all you're a customer ...
- In case this leads nowhere this may be the proper point in time to switch to something you have full control and good support by an active user group like NINA. Yes it takes some effort to set up ASCOM + Drivers + NINA + ASTAP but after 1 day you're ready to go. On an existing laptop it costs you nothing, with a mini pc you're investment is in the order of an ASIAIR. Should be no problem to sell your ASIAIR to another person.

The big selling point of ASIAIR is that it works out of the box for a lot of (ASI) setups. If it doesn't for your equipment there is just no point to invest a lot of time to get it running. With the same time investment you get an automation with other software where you are not bound to ASI stuff and not dependent on a shaky support.

Clear skies
Wolfgang

Helpful Insightful

astrodawg

May 7, 2022 · Edited: May 7, 2022

Jan Klíma:
Hello guys!

I just got a new mount EQ-6 R PRO => I'm trying to connect it to ASIAIR PRO via the USB port that the mount has, but it doesn't work!

Everything is connected and otherwise functional.

I tried to switch BAUD value from 9600 to 115200, but it didn't help :-(

Please - what about that? Did I forget some step?

Best Regards
Jan Klíma

You need to have the baud rate on the mount USB port set to 115200 regardless. It sounds like there’s another factor contributing to your connection issue here, but regardless of all else, if you have the mount baud rate on anything other than 115200 you will not be able to connect.

Are you running the most recent version of ASCOM? If so, this sounds like potentially either a COM port issues or ASI driver issue.

For what it’s worth, I know the key selling point of the ASIair products is that it makes it “easy” to have a remotely connected, wifi mount, but it is easy to get this same result simply using a windows capable mini PC. That way you are not beholden to using the ASI software for everything & can instead use the non-ASI software tools of your choice, which are often much better anyway.

i am using a beelink mini PC that came pre-loaded with windows 10 pro, which allows for simple remote connection & control through a separate windows computer using windows Remote Desktop. There are also smart phone apps for iPhone or android that allow you to connect & control the mini PC through your phone if you want. I have the mini PC attached to the mount & connected to my home network & control it all through my separate laptop from inside the house if I’m outside with the mount using the same method. Using an actual PC allows me to use NINA, phd2, Stellarium, etc.

Going the remotely connected windows mini PC route is not difficult to set up & gives the same remote connectivity/wifi benefits that the ASIair does. The ASIair devices have a beefy looking wifi antenna for a booster single. I bought a USB plug-in high gain wifi antenna for $20 to boost the wifi to the mount PC & connectivity is never an issue.

food for thought if you aren’t able to get the ASIair to work & decide to return it.

Helpful

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