Aux Port on Nexstar 8SE, SkyQ and PC

[ZephanRC]

I have not been able to find a complete answer to this question(s). What can the Aux Port on the NexStar 8SE be used for? Can the hand controller be plugged in the Aux port versus on the fork? Is this the port where SkyQ would be plugged in? Can SkyQ be used with a PC versus iPhone/iPad? Can it be used with Stellerium?

[Phil Leigh]

The AUX port is where the SkySync GPS accessory plugs in. You can also connect the handset there if you want to. Basically, think of the AUX port and the connecter inside the handset cradle (on the fork) as being wired in parallel.

[GMikeA]

I tried to plug Stellarium in that port thinking it was the same as the Handset and its not or at least didnt work for me. I was able to plug into and replace the handset cable and Stellarium worked fine. I was advised not to use that port for that purpose. Will have to look it up where I was told that again.

[Phil Leigh]

I tried to plug Stellarium in that port thinking it was the same as the Handset and its not or at least didnt work for me. I was able to plug into and replace the handset cable and Stellarium worked fine. I was advised not to use that port for that purpose. Will have to look it up where I was told that again.

You are confusing two different ports...(it IS confusing).

what I said is correct; you CAN plug the HANDSET into the AUX port. I didn't mention connecting a computer to the Nexstar. That can only be achieved by connecting the computer to the special port on the HANDSET (not anywhere else).

[GMikeA]

YEP you are correct. What threw me a curve originally was the schematic pin out of the port appeared to me to only require some "applied voltages" to make the motor move. So I thought to myself (duh) that the Stellarium program would provide the input and steer the SE correctly. Well obviously I was totally wrong and learned a lesson. Fortunately I did no damage and it worked out okay.
Thanks for update.
Mike

[ZephanRC]

Thanks guys for the additional info. I did try the hand controller in the Aux port on the base and indeed it works fine. I like having it plugged in down on the base versus the fork arm. I was still wondering about the SkyQ wireless adapter and whether it would use the Aux port directly or plug into the HC. Also wondering if anyone is using the SkyQ with other than iphone/ipad app (I'm an Android owner) and whether the SkyQ can be used with a laptop with something like Stellerium.

[GMikeA]

Keep up posted as I saw that device. I am using a 4 port hub and have the remote JMI focuser (MFC8 and PCFC), Stellarium and BYE BackYard EOS connected to my Canon. I can sit over at the table and run the whole telescope from the comfort of my chair. I have considered going wireless but I am concerned about the data throughput. It might not be an issue but am worried that BYE imaging capture might be a factor. Will have to search the forums to see if others are wireless. NOTE I am using the JMI MFC8 on my C8SE but only because I bought the CG5 EQ mount to use and not the SE mount. The SE mount requires a different focal motor from JMI.
Mike

[Phil Leigh]

Got me a bit confused there because the choice of focuser is not related to the mount... I use the same JMI focusser on the 6SE OTA regardless of which mount I'm using...?

[GMikeA]

Yeh, my reply did look kinda funny. What I was trying to ask is if there is some way to tie all the equipment together via USB wireless remotely from the comfort of ones house rather than cabled. I was wondering how it could tie in together and work with the SkyQ program also. Does the SkyQ have sw like or similar to Stellarium and on a main computer or do you have to use an Ipad or Iphone? I have the usb focuser on my JMI and can run it using the PCFC sw from JMI. I know it doesnt make sense as there are probably multiple questions here. I will google SkyQ some more to try and get more info on it.
Sorry for the newbie questions but still in the learning stage.
Mike

[ZephanRC]

I am a bit confused on the JMI Motofocus model as well. I am interested in a moto focus for my OTA (Nexstar 8SE). You say that you are using the MFC8 on an OTA that came with a Nexstar 8SE (with the OTA moved to a CG5 mount)? The same model motofocus should work with the OTA on a 8SE mount, no? To further confuse things, the JMI site shows both the MFNEX5 and NFNEX6 as compatible with the Nexstar 8SE?? It appears that the MFNEX? models are both lower profile (the MFNEX5 more so) than the MFC8 which would give more room for clearing the Nexstar mount base, but I would think all three models would work on the OTA that comes with the Nexstar SE8 (and SE5 & 6 for that matter). I'm unclear how the MFC8 attaches to the OTA at all. GMikeA, what model are you using?