ASCOM 5 released

[jase (Jason)]

New version can be downloaded here - http://www.ascom-standards.org/Downloads/index.htm

Will need to do some testing to verify compatibility with other "compliant" services such as RoboFocus etc. Please note the package no longer includes base drivers. You need to download and install drivers for your specific telescope hardware i.e domes, focusers, mounts, cameras etc.

Enjoy!

[g__day (Matthew)]

Which works a treat - revealing pulse guides finally on The Sky 6 PE, runnng the ASCOM driver chain.

Also note, new and improved SkysSensor2000 drivers have been created - but are hard to find:

ftp://anonymous%40lyates%2Ecom@lyate...iver_5.1.1.zip

The latest release reports telescope position correctly to PEMPro I notice!

[Phil]

Thank Jase i go download it.
Phil

[leon]

Ok I'm no computer wizard, and don't really know much about this sort of stuff, however if all is working fine with the equipment that I now use, why is it necessary to up date to later versions, or will all be ok if one just leaves it alone

Leon

[jase (Jason)]

Leon,
No need to update anything unless you have issues or want to check out new features. You may not use ASCOM anyway. I would recommend reading up on ASCOM if you've got the time. Its a great bit of code that handles instrument API (Application Programming Interface) calls in a universal manner. This in turn allows interoperability between various astronomical instruments such as mount, cameras and software (to name a few). In simple terms, its the glue that allows all heterogeneous components to communicate with each other (along with some other benefits).

Happy to explain further if you need additional info.

Cheers

[g__day (Matthew)]

ASCOM is trying to be the most open source (free for everyone to develop versus propietary) middleware (the interface standard between distinct application software that might not normally be able to readily communicate and various astronomy hardware) to promote easier communication and control across a broad range of gear.

Updating to v5 finally allowed relative pulses guides (e.g. move 5 arc seconds East from target) under the Sky6 - a real boon for those doing remote control astro-photography.

I generally adopt later software for the features and bug fixes it provides; after all I started on PCs with DOS 1.0 and CPM - now I use XP SP2 - a long journey over 15 operating system upgrades - but worth it).

End run - as Jase says - do some research and make an informed decision. I love v5a

Matt

[pvelez (Pete)]

When trying to get my LXD75 with PHD I downloaded ASCOM v5. Sadly the fix for Meade published on the PHD website doesn't work for v5. This fix allows pulse guiding for Meade mounts.

This was about 3 weeks ago so it may have been updated since then. That said, I'm with Leon - what I have now works for me and I'll stick with it for the time being

Pete

[leon]

Thank You Jase, I will have a read up, however your response has answered my question.

Leon

[Zuts]

Hi Jase,

I downloaded PolarAlignMax and it started up fine. I then downloaded the release '5a' version of ASCOM installed and rebooted and PolarAlignMax failed with an error and refused to load. I then uninstalled ASCOM and PolarAlignMax loaded but with an error saying please install ASCOM. I then reinstalled PolarAlignMax and it loaded OK, so it must come with some ASCOM drivers, but does not seem to work with release '5a'.

About PolarAlignMax, how do I connect the mount when there is only one port on the EQ6 (for autoguiding) and this is already connected to the SBIG?

Thanks Paul

[gbeal]

Originally Posted by g__day

Updating to v5 finally allowed relative pulses guides (e.g. move 5 arc seconds East from target) under the Sky6

Matt

So, is that why I get an error message relating to "IsPulseGuiding not available for the mount) when I try PHD? I have the latest version of PHD, and ASCOM5, plus the latest AP GTO mount drivers. PHD works, I used it last night, but if I use TheSky, and then try to connect to PHD it gives me grief, saying only one program can access the mount or similar.

[gbeal]

Update. When I start PHD, and I enter TheSky controlled telescope, I get the warning box "ASCOM driver missing the IsPulseGuide property. Running without motion checks. When I click out of this all works, but the fact I get this irks me, is it an issue?
Gary
P.S. This is from a die-hard SBIG built in chip user as well, but the convenience of the PHD while Ha imaging is hard to beat.

[g__day (Matthew)]

I haven't noticed this - but I run the Sky6 into MaxPoint - which acts like a hub sharing the connection to the mount!

Also I read on the PHD and ASCOM boards lately - people trying to get pulse guides to work across a range of software.