#497 required with autostar software?

Hi folks,

If I want to use my laptop to control my telescope (LXD75 SNT) using meade autostar suite and the serial port, do I need to leave the autostar hand controller plugged in? I tried both with and without recently and the computer wouldn't talk to the scope in either case. It appears that the scope has blown the serial port in my laptop as my palm pilot won't hotsync any more. grr....

Is it possible to test the mount serial port without sacrificing another computer?

Thanks,
Simon

Hi Simon, I'm pretty new at all this but have used my laptop to control my LX90, that is controlled by plugging the serial port into the laptop and the other end into the bottom of the hand-controller, which is plugged into the scope. Is the LXD75 not the same method?
Bill H.

that is controlled by plugging the serial port into the laptop and the other end into the bottom of the hand-controller, which is plugged into the scope. Is the LXD75 not the same method?

I'm pretty sure thats the same for the LXD55, you do not plug it into the mount. I cant find the manual to confirm that tonight though.

Cheers,
~Al

Hi Simon, I'm pretty new at all this but have used my laptop to control my LX90, that is controlled by plugging the serial port into the laptop and the other end into the bottom of the hand-controller, which is plugged into the scope. Is the LXD75 not the same method?
Bill H.

Hi Bill, Albert,

Yep, you are supposed to plug into the bottom of the hand controller. I had mislaid the instruction sheet and ended up using the autostar2 cable which fits the AUX port. This has blown the serial port on my laptop. grrr...

I think this is actually fairly poor design on Meade's part. You shouldn't be able to plug in the supplied cables in a configuration that is going to damage equipment. Anyway, looking on the bright side it gives me added motivation to move my spare linux box down to the garage and use it, as it has a working serial port. If I can get this working it will lay the foundations for a future remote operation setup. I did some quick checks the other day and there is a surprising amount of linux astro software. KStars and XEphem look pretty good. XEphem in particular has come a long way from the last time I used it about 10 years ago.

Thanks for your comments,
Simon

Lads,
Just be careful with those serial ports, they dont like to be plugged in or out with either the computer or telescope turned on, there is a posibility of blowing the port on either end!

Is the cable for the LXD75 SNT just a simple serial cable like with the LX200s?

Lads,
Just be careful with those serial ports, they dont like to be plugged in or out with either the computer or telescope turned on, there is a posibility of blowing the port on either end!

Is the cable for the LXD75 SNT just a simple serial cable like with the LX200s?

Hi Dave,

Yes, it is a small round cross section cable with a RJ45 style small plug on each end (smaller then the autostar 2 plug). One end fits the autostar controller and the other end goes into a RJ45 to 9 pin D-type adapter for the computer. I think the LX200 cable is a flat cross section one.

Interestingly, I set up the other night with another computer and plugged all the leads in before turning on the telescope. The autostar display stayed blank. When I turned off the telescope and unplugged the cable, it started up ok when I turned it back on. I then plugged the cable back in with the telescope powered up and it interfaced with the computer ok. I'll bear the warning in mind though, thanks.

Simon