AUTOSTAR FEEDBACK Last updated: 4 August 2006

Welcome to the Autostar feedback page. This page is intended to provide user comments on using the Meade Autostar, cables, and the Autostar updater software. See the Autostar Info page for information from Meade and other users on the Autostar, cables, and software. Send your comments and tips to etx@me.com. Remember, tips described on this site may invalidate the warranties on your ETX and accessories. Neither the submitter nor myself are responsible for any damage caused by using any contributed tips.

Subject:	Backslash %
Sent:	Wednesday, August 2, 2006 21:27:25
From:	Steve Hempell (shempell@uniserve.com)
Just purchased a 125PE and bought your book.  Seem to have a lot of
backslash. Checked my ALT/AZ and DEC %'s and they are set to 90%.  This
is much different and whats in the book. Is the PE different - seems odd
it was factory set to 90?  Should It change it to what you suggest in
you book ie 15%
 
Thanks
 
Steve H :]  

Subject:	a couple of upgrade question
Sent:	Friday, July 28, 2006 04:14:31
From:	Kjk (kjktrash@msn.com)
I just purchased the #505 controller cable and AstroFinder Limited
Edition Astronomy Software for my ETX-105.

The software comes up as Meade Autostar Suite Astronomers Edition
version 3.19, can this software be upgraded to version 4 as found on the
Meade 4M web site?

Could you point me to some good #497 controller upgrade instructions?
 
Thanks and love your site,
 
Kevin Kammermeier

Subject:	Autostar 497, DS2000mount and USB
Sent:	Sunday, July 23, 2006 20:45:48
From:	William Hepner (billhepner@yahoo.com)
I am having problems aligning my DS-2000 mount. I am using a 497
Autostar.  The only telescopes in the data base are the ETX60 &70.   I
have a Orion StarBlast attached to the mount.  My 'puter has only a USB
port.  Would like to update the 497 and control the mount with either
SkyMap Pro or the Sky.  I have a cable convertor that changes the gender
of a USB cable to a male DB-9. The 'puter and the 497 do not
communicate.  It worked with my old DS70 scope but not now.  What do I
need to do?

Please help!

Rregards,
Bill Hepner

Subject:	Trouble to perform your 33el update
Sent:	Sunday, July 23, 2006 12:40:24
From:	michele scotti (scottimichele@hotmail.com)
Hello Richard,

I bought a #497 plus motors kit as I would like to motorize a little
GEM. I've notice that the handpaddle shows 42Ed as software version.

For that reason I downloaded your patch 33el4 which should allow me to
use it successfully on a GEM.

After getting ASU3.61, making and testing #505 cable I unfortubately
wasn't able to update the handpaddle.

In your instruction in the readme.txt of the patch you state "Use
Click_me_build  if your original v33el  ROM file is named "build.rom" ".
My problem i that I can't find  "my"  build.rom file which -I suppose-
should be patched by your kit...

Am I that dumb not to be able to perform this simple upgrade? Am I
missing anything?

Would you please give some advise to an Italian amateur astronomer in
trouble?

Thanks in advance,
Michele, ITALY.

BTW: would it better to post that on the dedicated forum?

From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
What type of motors do you have?
There are DS- motors and DH- motors.  One has an extra gear, so the end
  turns slower.

You're missing a few things:
(a) you may not need to change your firmware at all.
   If the Setup/Telescope/Telescope Model     menu offers any of the LXD55/75
   family, simply select that (the SC-8 has the least motion limitations).
   Then change the RA Ratio and DEC Ratio to match your motor units.
  Refer to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RoboScope/files/GearRatioGospel%20(updated)
for information on how to calculate the ratios.  (see (e) below)

(b) my patch kits are -version specific-.  You must start with a Build.rom file
with v34El for the v34eI4 patch kit to be compatible.  Mike's site has both
  an archive of all previous Build kits, plus an archive of the patch kits.
  Firmwares: http://www.weasner.com/etx/autostar/as_archive/downloads.html
   Patch kits: http://www.weasner.com/etx/autostar_info.html

(c) the current firmware is v43Ea, and there is a patch kit for it.
  The kit is at Mike's site:
http://www.weasner.com/etx/autostar/patches/patch43ea.html
  and the firmware is at Meade's:  http://www.meade.com/support/auto/Build.zip

(d) you could download StarPatch (a non-Meade updater) from www.stargps.ca
   It has "tick-lists" of both the ROM and the Patch kits, and it can fully
  automate the procedure.  It is also twice as fast as Meade's ASU to actually
  perform the update (that's the free version. If you buy the product, it's
  nine times faster... full download in two minutes).

(e) i recommend that you join the RoboScope Yahoo group.  Their mission
  is putting Autostars on many types of "non-Meade" mounts.
  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/roboscope/
   My patch kits are posted to that group's files area, too.

> BTW: would it better to post that on the dedicated forum?

Since you included Mike Weasner as a recipient, i am sure it will be so posted...

have fun
--dick

And:

Hi Richard,

thanks for your priceless support! I would say I have DS motors (got
them from Telescope Warehouse as a kit)

Let's come to the missing things:
a) Great! nice to hear it. Did notice that, didn't dare :-(

b) I was guessing that...

c) just download your patch. It will be a futher step!

d) Very interesting!

e) To be honest I was already signed in, but in the rush of make the
motors running....I will exploit it to pick up nice 'hardware'
modifications to either make DS motors nicer or more accurate if
possible.

Again thanks a lot!
Michele

Subject:	Autostar upgrade from 26e
Sent:	Monday, July 17, 2006 14:54:55
From:	John Davey - 1 (john.davey1906@talktalk.net)
Thanks for a very informative website.
 
I have an ETX125, about 4 years old, equipped with Autostar #497,
Version 26e. Can I upgrade directly to the latest version 43Ea or is
this not suitable for my scope? Should I upgrade via some intermediate
version rather than directly?

Will the upgrade help deal with a recent spate of error messages saying
"motor unit fault"? I have used "reset / calibrate motors / train
drives" (many times!) but this seems only to clear the problem
temporarily. I normally run the scope off a mains adaptor so I doubt
it's a power problem. The motors seem to be running OK.
 
Any hints will be much appreciated
 
John Davey

And:

OK and thanks for advice
John Davey

Subject:	Re: Autostar Two Star Alignment
Sent:	Monday, July 17, 2006 03:11:39
From:	mhogansr@comcast.net (mhogansr@comcast.net)
As far as I can tell, the steps on page 36 are incorrect.  Problems
whith Meade documentation are not unheard of.  I also think the heading
"Advanced Alt/Az Alignment" refers to users with advanced knowledge and
tools not necessarily required for someone using the Auto Align method.

You can't "drop out" of the Automatic Align once it starts.  You can,
however, have Autostar select different stars from a limited list of
suitable stars.  To do this:

During a normal Auto Align; when you get to the first star, if it's not
visible, press the Up or Down scroll key once.  Autostar will look for
another suitable star and slew to it.  Repeat this until you get a star
that's visible, if there is one.  After you center the star and press
Enter, it will slew to the second alignment star.  Repeat the steps if
necessary.  The whole process can take some time.

If you -must- do a 2-star alignment, the correct "Home" position is with
the Control Panel pointed West and the OTA pointed True North and Level.
To prevent driving into the Az stops, you need to first move the OTA to
the full CCW stop, orient the Control Panel West, then rotate the OTA
North.

You can use the northing and leveling capabilities of the LNT to
establish some references that might help reduce alignment time if the
base of the scope will not be moved between observing sessions.  To do
this:

1. Make sure the Site, Daylight Saving and Local Time values are
correct, then perform an Auto Align, without worrying about actually
centering the alignment star, just hit Enter.

2. Use the Autostar keys and Telescope Status Display to slew the scope
to "0" deg. in both Alt/Az.

3. Slide the RA setting circle until it indicates "0" and use a piece of
tape to keep it from moving.

3. Loosen the -Left- fork knob and move the Dec setting circle until in
indicates "0", then tighten the knob.

Now, as long as the base is not moved, the RA circle will indicate True
North and the Dec circle Level, as determined by the LNT,  when both are
at "0". You can use these references to quickly set the OTA to "Home"
for a 2-star alignment.
 
Hope this helps and is not too much overkill.
 
Mike Hogan

Subject:	Re: CABLE
Sent:	Saturday, July 15, 2006 10:00:43
From:	P. Clay Sherrod (drclay@arksky.org)
Go to Mike Weasner's ETX site and you will find lots of information on
constructing your own connection cable....follow those guidelines to the
letter; you will find a wealth of information there:

http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html

With those guides you should have no problems at all...but BE CAREFUL.
Normally I do not recommend home made cables, but in your location, I
think it will be necessary.

Dr. Clay
-------------
Arkansas Sky Observatories
Harvard MPC/ H43 (Conway)
Harvard MPC/ H41 (Petit Jean Mountain)
Harvard MPC/ H45 (Petit Jean Mtn. South)
http://www.arksky.org/

----- Original Message ----- 
From: KOSTAS

Hello Dr.Clay!
I want to ask you if it is safe to manufacture  a cable for autostar
update.A friend of mine has the original set of items(including USB-DB 9
adaptor).These materials are very easy to find them at the market,and i
am very familiar with such structures.So i will find the pin-to-pin
connections (have my friends as model)with a multimeter,and i will fix
it.The accesories are very expensive here in Europe(Greece),but if you
advice me,i will order them to the lousy local dealer(the set costs more
than 140$).

Thank you very much!

(i wonder if the usb-DB 9 adaptor is just cables,or there is something
more sophisticated inside?)

Subject:	Autostar Two Star Alignment
Sent:	Saturday, July 15, 2006 07:07:52
From:	SummerTri2@aol.com (SummerTri2@aol.com)
I recently purchased an ETX 125 PE and am having trouble with the
alignment procedure.

Page 36 of my manual, under 'Two-Star Alt/Az Alignment' tells me to
first align in accordance with steps 1 and 2 of Automatic Alignment on
page 17.  But when I do this, it automatically proceeds to  choose my
alignment stars for me.

Then, the 'Two-Star Alignment' section talks about putting the scope in
the Home position (directions in the sidebar in my manual).  This seems
easy enough to do, but how do I keep the automatic alignment from taking
over? How do I break out of the Automatic Alignment routine?

I think the intent is to level and locate North with the Automatic
Alignment procedure, then drop out of that sequence, go to the 'Home'
position, which includes aligning a fork arm over the computer control
panel and pointing the whole scope North, then do the 'Two-Star'.  But
doesn't the Automatic Alignment steps 1 and 2 already have me pointing
North?  I'm confused and frustrated.

Thanks for your help.  I appreciate your excellent site and plan to
support it.

Pat Ohlheiser


PS  Automatic Alignment is not an option for me when using at home due
to trees/house location.  I have to do a manual alignment..

Subject:	moon tracking
Sent:	Sunday, July 9, 2006 16:33:35
From:	monte3510 (monte3510@cox.net)
My name is Monte West, new at this telescope business, but just bought a
Mead ETX 125 w/uhtc.

My question is HOW do I get it to track the MOON??????

I understand that some one with your experience would probley laff at
this question but am hopeing you will take the time to answer.

My Sincer thanks

Subject:	Codeweavers thinking of moving ASU to the Mac???
Sent:	Tuesday, July 4, 2006 23:10:05
From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
From the LX200gps group (other Autostars can vote, too):
---------------
To Mac Users:

Can I get a hands-up of how many mac users of LX200s would be
interested in a program that would allow the ASU suite to be run from
a Mac.

Codeweavers - a software development company are developing a program
that would allow this.

They want to know what interest there is in the mac community for
specialized programs, such as ASU.

Thanks

David

ps. I have no interest or connection to the company. wish i did.
------------------
posted by David

have fun
--dick

Subject:	autostar 493
Sent:	Thursday, August 3, 2006 11:33:36
From:	Richard Jackson (rwjackson@swbell.net)
Happy 4th of July And thanks for your website

Where do I find the software I can download to hook up my autostar 493
to the PC and instructions how to do it and use it.

Thanks for the reply
 
Richard W. Jackson, CIMA

And:

Mike I do have the cable
I need the software for the 493
Will the software for the 494 work?

And:

Sorry for all the questions

1. The cable I have has a serial port end and what looks like a phone
wire to it. The serial cable is a female and I have no male on my
laptop. What do I do.

2. what is the appropriate software for what appears to be a 493 to
update the paddle and work off the PC?

Sorry again for so many questions. I gave this ETX 90 telescope with the
autostar 493 to my wife for mother's day years ago. She never got around
to figuring it out. So I took the gift back in hopes to use it and if
she is nice I will let her borrow it.

Thanks again

Richard W. Jackson, CIMA

Subject:	Installing StarGPS Patch Using AutoStarX
Sent:	Sunday, July 2, 2006 17:31:24
From:	thomas robison (tbrobison@mac.com)
was wondering if it's possible to install the StarGPS patch to the hand
controller #497 using AutoStarX?  i don't have the StarGPS receiver yet,
but am interested in getting one.

thanks in advance,

tom robison

And:

From:	Rodolphe Pineau (pineau@rti-zone.org)
Hello everybody.
I confirm that AutoStartX only load ROM (as of now)

I already talked about adding gps support with Chris. As this is his
income he decided not to release the code (which I totally understand
and respect) . So I won't have any StarGPS support in AutoStarX.

As for future version of AutoStarX, I'm really busy with my
professional life (and have been for the last year and a half as I
changed job) so I don't know when I'll go back to AutoStarX, but when I
do I will add support for Autostar II and for Dick's patches.

Sorry for the long silence, I'll try to go back to AutoStarX asap if
there is enough demand for it (it was downloaded less then a 100 times
from my server).

Rodolphe

And:

thanks for the quick response to my query.  i guess the only alternative
is to borrow someone's laptop at work, bring my etx, also, and do an
install from that.  it's lonely being a mac person at times....:)

tom

Subject:	Tracking rate problem with etx 125
Sent:	Friday, June 30, 2006 15:44:31
From:	william coghlan (wpcoghlan@yahoo.ie)
My #497 autostar controller (model 41[E]) recently broke down. I sent it
to my dealer for repair and got it back a few days ago. However when I
took it out tonight I discovered a significant problem. As it was far
too bright to align I wanted to just use speed and direction keys to
look at the moon and jupiter. Thats when I realised that the 'scope was
tracking at top speed regardless of which speed number I pressed.
Perhaps it will track properly using align and goto functions but it
clouded over... In any case I'd appreciate any advice you could offer.

And:

THANKS ALOT MIKE. A SIMPLE CALIBRATION SOLVED THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY.
FORTUNATELY I DIDN'T DO A RESET.

Subject:	Re:Which time zone should I enter on the ETX
Sent:	Friday, June 30, 2006 06:06:28
From:	mhogansr@comcast.net (mhogansr@comcast.net)
"Time Zone" and "Daylight Saving" mean two different things to the
AutoStar/ETX. Time Zone is automatically set based on the lat/lon of the
Site created during initial Setup. It corresponds to the distance East
or West of Greenwich, the Prime Meridian (0 deg. of longitude) and
results in an offset from UTC (also known as GMT). It remains fixed for
a given location. The local Standard Time is UTC plus or minus the Time
Zone offset. Note: If you manually Edit the lat/lon of an existing Site,
make sure you know the correct Time Zone for that location.

Daylight Saving or British Summer Time is a seasonal offset from local
Standard Time which may or may not be used in different parts of the
World. It can be enabled in the AutoStar by the user, when applicable .

If your GPS unit shows Standard Time and you want to use it to set the
Autostar time accurately, and BST is in effect, mentally subtract 1 hour
from the GPS time before entering, then enter YES for Daylight Saving.
Note: For the ETX PE series, the LNT will be initialized with time
entered in this step. No further changes should be necessary until you
go off BST, then changing Daylight Saving to NO is all that's needed.

The basic idea is that if you enter Standard Time, Daylight Saving is
NO; entering current Local Time that includes a BST offset requires YES.
Time Zone rarely, if ever, needs to be changed for a given Site.

Note: most GPS units provide the capability to automatically or manual
ly adjust for Daylight Saving.

Hope this makes sense and helps.

Mike Hogan

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