MountHub Pro and Windows 7/ASCOM

[JohnH]

Looking for feedback from owners of the above combination. Is the software available for Win7 now - is it still beta - is it stable? I would like to get one of these units but it will become a SPOF with everything coming off it so I want to be sure it is stable before I buy.

Also interested to hear about ability to use focusmax with the Mounthub driving the focus stepper as opposed to the native moonlite controller.

[multiweb]

I have been using the Hitecastro Mount Hub pro (GPS version) for a couple of years now on a HP notebook running Win7 home edition 64bit (8GB RAM). I have it plugged away 8m with two active 5m USB extensions. Power is from a 12V DC Jaycar power supply. I have plugged into it the Gemini Box, GPUSB, QHY5/8/9, Lodestar, SXV-AO LF, even piggy backed the SharpSky Pro kit for focusing. It works flawlessly. Best buy I've done in a long time. ASCOM 5/6, sp1 to sp3. All works fine. PHD, Nebulosity 2 & 3, even MAXIM-DL.

[Paul Haese]

Software is stable and useful. I found that for automation though it was a bit clunky, but overall a good thing to have.

[JohnH]

Well I was a bit slow - but I now have ashiny new MHP. Cables are neater already - got rid of all the power "wall warts" and looks good. Hope to do a full test later today.

[dcalleja]

I use one with windows 7 Pro. I had a complete USB failure on mine and had it replaced without question but other than that it works brilliantly

[Chris85]

Mines been a bit hit and miss with using certain devices. Both my Atik 383 and my old Orion G3 wouldn't work, meaning I'd have to run their own separate USB cables.. Which kinda negates the whole point of it! I'd say it was a driver issue, or possibly user error :shrug:

[JohnH]

Hub arrived on Wed but I did not get to play until yesterday. And I had some problems until I realised you have to plug the unit into your laptop with the power off and then switch on. OK now I can connect, fire up the dew heaters and switch the 12V outputs on/off. Great. Next connect the focuser - works!. USB devices - mount - works! ST2000 works! OK now for the ASCOM focus control - fails :-( I got the following error:

************** Exception Text **************
System.Runtime.InteropServices.COME xception (0x80040154): Retrieving the COM class factory for component with CLSID {EDEBAAF9-E097-4D30-AA5F-6A4B0F17DC6D} failed due to the following error: 80040154.
at MHP.SetupDialogForm.SetupDialogForm _Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(Ev entArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.Create Control(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.Create Control()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShow Window(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndPro c(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.Contro lNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.C allback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

Updated ASCOM to latest vsn - ASCOM diagnostics 100% ok but focus connestion still failed. Re-installed the MHP Focus driver - still failed. Followed instruction to activate .net framework 3.5.1 (was already active but hey try anyway). Failed. Hmm. I am using windows 7 sp1, patches up to date. Reboot, failed.

OK now I have had ASCOM oddness before so I set the ASCOM FOCUSER to POTH and the POTH focuser to MHP - it works! Odd. Set ASCOM back to MHP - continues to work - even odder.

Add second CCD (Opticstar 616C) to USB - works!

So bench testing was all ok, 2 ccds, mount, focuser, 2 dew heaters and , just need to test under the stars - and also test the QHY5 in place of the 616..but so far quite happy. And I have a lot less cables and clutter at the mount now.

Chris,

I did get a new power supply - one of these:

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3800&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=999#3

I have it set to 13.8V and so far no usb connection problems at all. I have had issues with previous PSes so I would suggest an overrated unit of good quality might help with your issues - some USB CCDs are power hogs (I know the QHY5 is) and so for that matter is the 616C and I used to get connection errors and BSODs quite frequently using the supplied "wall warts".

[Chris85]

Power supply... Now there's something I never thought of! Cheers for the tip :thumbsup: