{"product_id":"player-one-st4-compatible-autoguider-cable","title":"Player One ST4 Compatible Autoguider Cable","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnables direct hardware-based pulse guiding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnects ST4 guide cameras to ST4 mount ports\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandard RJ-12 connectors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBypasses PC-to-mount driver complexities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenerous length for cable management\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- more --\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFAQ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"tabs-content\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section-center\"\u003e\n      \u003ch2\u003eST4 Compatible Autoguider Cable\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThis ST4 compatible autoguider cable provides the essential physical link between your guide camera and equatorial mount, enabling direct hardware-based pulse guiding for sharp, long-exposure astrophotographs. By connecting the camera's ST4 output directly to the mount's autoguider input, it creates a simple and robust connection that bypasses potential software driver conflicts. This cable is the standard for achieving precise tracking corrections with virtually any ST4-equipped camera and mount combination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3\u003eReliable Hardware Guiding for Astrophotography\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThe ST4 standard sends guide corrections directly from the camera's processor to the mount's motors as electrical signals, a method known as \"pulse guiding.\" This approach is exceptionally reliable, as it eliminates the PC and its operating system as a point of failure in the guiding loop. For portable setups or imagers who prioritize stability over logging detailed guide metrics, an ST4 cable offers a dependable, set-and-forget solution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3\u003eUniversal ST4 Mount and Camera Connectivity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThis cable uses the standard 6-pin RJ-12 connector common to all ST4 guide ports. One end plugs into the port labeled \"GUIDE\" or \"ST4\" on your autoguiding camera, while the other connects to the \"Auto Guide\" or \"ST4\" port on your equatorial mount. Its length is sufficient for most telescope configurations, preventing snags or pulls during slewing without creating excessive cable clutter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the ST4 Autoguider Cable used for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThis cable is used to connect an autoguiding camera directly to an equatorial mount's autoguider port. This allows your guiding software (like PHD2) to send small movement corrections to the mount, ensuring it tracks a guide star precisely and results in sharp, pinpoint stars in your final image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhen should I use ST4 guiding instead of ASCOM pulse guiding with this cable?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eST4 guiding is a great choice for simplicity and reliability. Choose ST4 if:\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want the simplest setup:\u003c\/strong\u003e It's a direct hardware connection that bypasses PC driver layers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou have an older mount:\u003c\/strong\u003e Some legacy mounts have ST4 ports but lack reliable ASCOM drivers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou prioritize stability:\u003c\/strong\u003e By removing the PC-to-mount software link from the guiding process, you eliminate a potential point of failure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eASCOM pulse guiding (which uses a USB cable from PC to mount) is preferred when you want to log guide pulses or avoid an extra cable running to the mount head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow do I set up my software to use this ST4 Autoguider Cable?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eIn your guiding software, such as PHD2, you will connect to your guide camera as usual. However, in the mount connection settings, you will select \"On-camera\" or \"ST4\" instead of an ASCOM driver. This tells the software to send guide commands through the camera and this cable, rather than through a separate mount connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWill this ST4 cable work for guiding on the Moon or Jupiter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYes. While typically used for deep-sky guiding on stars, this cable can be used with planetary imaging software that supports ST4 guiding. This allows the software to use features on the planet's surface (like a crater on the Moon or a cloud band on Jupiter) as a \"guide star\" to keep the object perfectly centered on the sensor during high-frame-rate video capture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs this ST4 Autoguider Cable compatible with my Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mount?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYes, absolutely. The Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro, like almost all modern equatorial mounts designed for astrophotography, features a standard ST4 \"Auto Guide\" port. This cable will connect directly between that port and the ST4 port on any compatible guide camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eDo I need special drivers to use this ST4 Autoguider Cable?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eNo, you do not need any specific drivers for the cable itself. The ST4 connection is a direct hardware protocol. Your computer only needs the driver for your guide camera; the guiding commands are then passed through the camera to the mount via this cable without any additional software.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n  \u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAny guide camera and mount with an ST4 (RJ-12) port\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConnector Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6-Pin RJ-12\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n  \u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n    \u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003eST4 Autoguider Cable\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp class=\"DAV-item-subtitle\"\u003e× 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Player One 2-Year Warranty\" href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/player-one-warranty-policy\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePlayer One 2-Year Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Player One","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52913431052573,"sku":"POA-ST4-2M","price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/PlayerOne-ST4-Compatible-Autoguider-Cable-2M-1_2b5b5318-bd2d-4bc6-8648-a17931997a20.jpg?v=1789091073","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/en-us\/products\/player-one-st4-compatible-autoguider-cable","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}