ST4 Cables don't work with SBIG ST402 and Atlas/EQ6

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Pauls72
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ST4 Cables don't work with SBIG ST402 and Atlas/EQ6

Post by Pauls72 » Tue Jun 28, 2016 11:42 am

The retaining clip off of my SBIG ST4 guide cable broke.
I purchased (2) ST4 guider cables and neither one works.
I have a SBIG ST402 camera and an Atlas EQ-G mount.
Looking at the SBIG documentation it states the cable should be an RJ-11 6 pin reversed. Pin 1 should go to pin 6 on the opposite end. The connector pin out from SBIG and Orion documentation confirms this.
Both of the cables you supplied are 6 pin straight through. Pin 1 goes to pin 1 on the opposite end.
Can I please get both cables replaced with the correct style ones.
I would suggest you update your web site with additional information on these cables.

This is right out of the SBIG ST402 manual. Other SBIG manuals say all say something similar.
Tracking Cable – This cable looks like a simple “RJ-11 telephone cable”
but in fact is a “6-pin reversed RJ-11 telephone cable”. Telescopes
require 6-pin autoguider cables and reversed means that unlike
ordinary phone cables, this one is flips the order of the wires. You
can tell a tracking cable from an ordinary cable by noting that with
tracking cables the tines that lock the RJ-11 jack into the receptacle
are both on the same flat side of the cable or when the ends are put
side by side the colored wires inside are in opposite order on the
two connectors.

dpanderson
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Re: ST4 Cables don't work with SBIG ST402 and Atlas/EQ6

Post by dpanderson » Wed Jun 29, 2016 9:33 pm

I certainly share your frustration that the various equipment manufacturers have not created a standard that all abide by. We have had this topic discussed before on this forum, please see:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=288
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

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