ASIAIR Pro connection to AZEQ5 GT Pro mount - Forums

Topic starter

May 28, 2022

I just purchased a Skywatcher AZEQ5-GT mount to use with my Nikon 200mm lens/ZWO 6200MM combo.

I wanted some pathing robust but still light enough to carry as I am doing a number of AP demonstrations over the new Matariki holiday weekend in NZ (June 24-26) celebrating Māori New Year and with it Māori culture and in particular their astronomy stories.

Unfortunately when I tried to set it up the USB cable (which works fine for my EQ6R-Pro) does appear to work with the AZEQ5 mount. The error message I receive on the ASIAIR Pro (selecting the EQMOD option with the correct baud) says that the device on the USB port is not recognised. I have tried power cycling etc, but to no avail. I also tried connecting through the SynScan handheld controller, but that did t work either. Given that the Matariki is approaching, I am keen to fix this as soon as possible.

I couldn’t find any details of how to do it on the web, so I wondered if any of my Astrobin friends could help?

I do hope I don’t have to buy another cable. I understand there is something called an EQMOD cable, which has a USB (ASIAIR side) and RJ45 (mount side) connectors. Do I need this? and why doesn’t the USB ‘Printer’ cable work - since it is f8ne with the EQ6-R.

I can’t imagine that the ASIAIR can’t control the mount, but I am don’t know how,to do it!

Many thanks in advance for your help

Brian

Stephan Linhart

May 28, 2022

Hi Brian,

since I am using the same setup, I can confirm it does work. Did you check the following:

Baud Rate 115000
Direkt USB connection without Hand Controller, no special cable needed

Best regards,

Stephan

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Mike Cranfield

May 28, 2022

Hi Brian

How old is your EQ6R Pro? I ask because the standard ASI AIR OS does not work with newer versions of this mount (manufactured after 1/1/2021. It is possible that the newer AZEQ5 GT mounts have the same issue and need the different OS - if your EQ6R Pro is older that would explain why it works OK but your new mount does not. The link for the discussion on the EQ6R Pro issue is here. You could try the different OS linked there - if that doesn't work then I would suggest posting on the ZWO forum's - the ZWO staff are pretty good at responding. Hope you manage to sort this.

All the best

Mike

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Brian Boyle

Topic starter

May 28, 2022

Thanks Mike, my EQR6 is about two years old and the AZEQ5 is brand new.

I read the discussion and if this is the issue it looks like I might also need a new 64Gb micro card to download, and also give up on new ASIAIR OS updates. Why do manufacturers do this? The hobby is hard enough gas it is….

I will give this a go and report back.

Brian Boyle

Topic starter

May 28, 2022

Hi Stephan, Thanks for the reply. I did use that set-up. Noting Mike’s comment, how old is your AZEQ5?

Mike Cranfield

May 28, 2022

Brian Boyle:
Thanks Mike, my EQR6 is about two years old and the AZEQ5 is brand new.

I read the discussion and if this is the issue it looks like I might also need a new 64Gb micro card to download, and also give up on new ASIAIR OS updates. Why do manufacturers do this? The hobby is hard enough gas it is….

I will give this a go and report back.

You don't have to give up on updates, they will download fine on the EQ6R Pro OS - I am using it and have no problems, automatic updates work fine.

Brian Boyle

Topic starter

May 28, 2022

Mike Cranfield:
Brian Boyle:
Thanks Mike, my EQR6 is about two years old and the AZEQ5 is brand new.

I read the discussion and if this is the issue it looks like I might also need a new 64Gb micro card to download, and also give up on new ASIAIR OS updates. Why do manufacturers do this? The hobby is hard enough gas it is….

I will give this a go and report back.

You don't have to give up on updates, they will download fine on the EQ6R Pro OS - I am using it and have no problems, automatic updates work fine.

Thanks for the info Mike. That’s reassuring to know.
CS Brian

Stephan Linhart

May 28, 2022

Hi Brian,
my Az-EQ5 is roughly 2 years old. But the Firmware Version is olter and I don‘t see a newer one.

Strange issue! Did you try different USB ports and cables?

Stephan

Brian Boyle

Topic starter

May 28, 2022

Stephan Linhart:
Hi Brian,
my Az-EQ5 is roughly 2 years old. But the Firmware Version is olter and I don‘t see a newer one.

Strange issue! Did you try different USB ports and cables?

Stephan

Hi Stephen,

I tried three different USB cables. And I also tried to connect via the SynScan hand controller (changing the device to Skywatcher SynScan in the ASIAIR list) and it still didn't work.

So now the issue doesn't seem to be so straightforward. I hope it is not a hardware problem with the mount. I just had to return an EQM35 to the same shop due to a hardware issue.

I have posted to the ZWO Forum, so let's see...

CS

Brian

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Stephan Linhart

May 28, 2022

Did you try connecting via Windows and EQMOD.

If this works, at least you know the hardware is ok.

Brian Boyle

Topic starter

May 28, 2022

Stephan Linhart:
Did you try connecting via Windows and EQMOD.

If this works, at least you know the hardware is ok.

I don’t know how to do this. I have a Mac - using Parallels desktop when I have to.

I have only ever used the ASIAir to control mounts. I guess I should simply get the synscan controller going to confirm I have no hardware issue - although this will only test the hand controller port and not the USB port

Thanks

Brian

Mike Cranfield

May 28, 2022

You don't need to go via windows. If you have a EQDir cable you should be able to connect the ASI Air directly to the mount using that. See page 7 of the manual.

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Brian Boyle

Topic starter

May 29, 2022

Mike Cranfield:
You don't need to go via windows. If you have a EQDir cable you should be able to connect the ASI Air directly to the mount using that. See page 7 of the manual.

Thanks Mike. Unfortunately I don't have an EQDir cable, so I might need to get one. In the end, that might be the simplest solution.
CS Brian

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