LX200 autoguide w/ meade dsi !

[Robbie]

Gents,
I ve put an ed80 guidescope on the 10sct , I cant seem to get auto guiding to work thru the dsi, it takesphotos ok but will not communicate with the mount for guiding, She who must be obeyed threw out the instruction manual for the DSI so Im at a loss with the set up.
Does anyone know where I might get my hands on a manual?,

I seem to get a "shoestring error cant find lx200" if this is a vista compatability problem Im putting a contract out on Bill Gates because its cheaper than upgrading all my stuff........again

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

What is your setup Robbie? DSI>laptop>GPUSB>autoguide port LX200?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Also what program are you using for autoguiding?

[Robbie]

Thanks for the reply

Im using the basics, Mount is controlled by autostar thru serial port adapter.

Guiding is ed80 to dsi to usb port, thru envisage back to the mount,

everything works except that envisage cant connect or communicate with the mount, I checked com port set ups etc etc etc etc no joy

driving the scope thru autostar all works fine and I have the latest versions of all software

[astroturf (Bryan)]

Hi Robbie
Just a couple ideas to help minimize the problem:


Assuming you have the RS232 Usb adapter, have you downloaded the software for it from meade.com? (this setup gives no hassles if it's always connected to the same port)

If yes to the above, Have you used it to direct the scope with programs such as CDC, Starry nite, Stellarium or the Meade Autostar Suite?

If yes again, can you manually slew the scope using the direction controls in the telescope options in Envisage? if you can't then the problem is limited to the Envisage software

As a last thought, are you disabling the "telescope control" in Autostar before you attempt to start autoguiding with envisage,- only one program can operate telescope control at a time

If you recieved instructions for the DSI you are a lucky man, I never did!
However there is instructions in the supplement section on the supplied CD

Good luck with it all
Bryan

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

My successes using a DSI to Autoguide an LX200 through envisage was very hit and miss. Actually it was a pita. The last time I tried it I used a GPUSB and PHD Guiding. NP

[Robbie]

Thanks Ponders,
No I didnt download the meade sp to usb adapter drivers simply because I had a heap of trouble getting autostar to talk to the mount in the first place due to adapters not working, so after 4 adapters 300 odd dollars I ended up getting a keyspan adapter that worked fine,
You are right tho Ive narrowed it down to an Envisage problem, It cant communicate with the mount at all.

I'll download the meade sp/usb adapt drivers tonight when I get home from the office and see how that goes. then let you know
I appreciate the help
Oh your alternate method of guiding sounds interesting once I get this up and running I'll explore that path of course if this goes to crap I'll use it as an alternative
regards
Rob

[Robbie]

ok tried all that no joy now either or autostar/Envisage will work but they refuse to share the same com port to work together. GRRRRR

[astroturf (Bryan)]

Robbie

It's my understanding that the telescope can only be controlled by 1 program at a time,be it autostar,stellerium etc or envisage autoguiding & thats the way it has always been for me

If any of these programs are controlling the telescope & I want to connect to auto guiding via envisage it comes up with "error can't find LX200"
As Paul says PHD is a lot less problematic, you could probably use it & Nebulosity with your DSI

Good luck
Bryan

[Robbie]

Ok thanks for all your comments fella's Ive finally figured it all out I mean it took years and cost millions of lives but I got it sussed now, I gave up on envisage and downloaded PHD guiding, now that is perfect for me ....totally idiot proof. You are correct in that you have to keep switching from the guide program to autostar and they cant work together from the one port.
Thanks for the help all !!
Robbie