AUTOSTAR FEEDBACK Last updated: 31 August 2009

Welcome to the AutoStar feedback page. This page is intended to provide user comments on using the Meade Autostar #494, #495, #497, AutoStar III (for ETX-LS) 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 for posting. Please use an appropriate Subject Line on your message per the Site Email Etiquette. Thanks. Remember, tips described on this site may invalidate the warranty on your telescope or accessories. Neither the submitter nor myself are responsible for any damage caused by using any contributed tips.

Subject:	Updating Autostar 497 version 1.0 for ETX-90EC
Sent:	Sunday, August 30, 2009 10:11:56
From:	Craig A. Green (stauros@tx.rr.com)
I have recently dusted off my ETX and honestly in the past have manually
steered to the objects I observe. Believe it or not, I have version 1.0
in my Autostar and would like to upgrade this.

I have looked in the archives and believe that I will have to manually
initiate the download from the 497 keypad.

What updater version application should be used?

Do interim versions of firmware need to be installed (if required being
this is an original 497) prior to the latest build.rom?

I really don't want to brick the bootloader!

Thanks in advance,
 
Craig A. Green

And:

From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
First, i want to be *really really* sure it's a 497 (or 495) with a numeric keypad.

("ETX" is a broad family name, and many ETX-60, ETX-70 and ETX-80's came with a 494 handbox.)

Recently, someone else did an update from 1.1(something) all the way to the current
43Eg in one step, with the current ASU updater (5.6 or 5.8).
So i think you're safe doing that, too.
The only "secret" was to put the Autostar into "Download" mode from the keypad:
Setup/Download[enter].
Expect the process to take almost a half-hour.
It's a good idea to *not* try to do other things with the PC while it's updating,
and try to -prevent- the PC from dropping into "screensaver" mode (i tap the
SHIFT key every couple of minutes).
Keep cats, dogs and children away from the cables during the process,
and don't forgetfully turn the scope off (you'd be surprised to know how frequently
that happens).

good luck
--dick

And:

Thanks for your response. I am certain it is a 497/495 as I bought it
with the ETX in 1999 and it does have the numeric keypad. I learned the
sky with my Newtonian reflectors back in the 60's so I was lazy and just
set this up manually for all these years.

I noticed the flash update is at 9600 baud so that's slow for now but
back then it was the norm.

I flash program Motorola Saber and other radios with 90's vintage EEPROM
so I will exercise diligence when I try this. You have to

I read about that the 1.1 update in the archives and thanks for
confirming as I wanted to be sure there were no "gotchas" with 1.0.

Clear skies,

Craig

Subject:	ETX-80AT Location Setting.
Sent:	Saturday, August 29, 2009 08:45:58
From:	Ron Harries (rharries@telus.net)
I am very new to this type of observing. When I was involved in
astronomy some 50 years back, I had a star map and that was all I needed
to find my way about. However, fast forward 50 years and I purchased a
EXT80 with AutoStar. I live in Salmon Arm BC, about half way from
Vancouver and Calgary. Is there a way to set the location of my AS to
make it more accurate in describing my location. At the moment I use
Vancouver which is about 500 kilometers to the south west.

I love this site which has been of great help to me to learn about
modern tracking methods.

Thank you - Ron Harries, Salmon Arm BC

Subject:	Creating a #506 Cable from a MySky Cable
Sent:	Thursday, August 20, 2009 06:21:35
From:	John Tanner (j.d.tanner@gmail.com)
I know that there is an inline electronics box in the #506 cable that
would be very difficult to reproduce, but hear me out :)

In the UK it is much easier (and cheaper) to purchase the MySky cable
set which comes with a cable much the same as the #506 but with the
MySky connector on one end rather that a serial connector. The cable has
the little electronics box inline, so do you think that if I purchased
one and chopped the MySky connector off I would be able to wire in a
serial port? If so, does anyone have the serial pinout for the original
#506 cable?

Cheers in advance,
John

Subject:	problems while upgrading the software in my ETX-LS handbox
Sent:	Wednesday, August 19, 2009 12:48:33
From:	Mag.Rudolf GRIESSER (rudolf.griesser@chello.at)
I had problems while upgrading the software in my new ETX-LS handbox,
the flash memory in my handbox or telescope may became damaged,
rendering the system non-functional (e.g., the handbox does not display
anything
when powered on, displays garbage characters, etc.).
This typically occurs if an upgrade command is interrupted in any way
before completion.
Please can you help me to solve this problem.
Thanks

Rudolf
 
Mag. Rudolf GRIESSER
Rosensteingasse 48/7/10
1170 Vienna
AUSTRIA

And:

Int the moment of damageing  I was using ASU5.5 via USB.
Now I made a update to ASU 5.8 but no reaction.
At the moment I still dont have a mini SD card
but Ill buy it tomorrow.
How is it possible to reanimate my ETX-LS via mini SD card?

Thank you for your kind support !

Rudolf

And:

Thank you very much for your support.
Tomorrow I will try to setup my new ETX_LS again by useing a mini SD
card.
Then I will report you what had happened, if my system starts again or
not.
Many thanks for today, and goodnight from Vienna, Austria

Rudolf

And an update:

As I promised yesterday to tell you about my attempts to restart my
ETX-LS I was following your advice to make a bootable SD Card.

After inserting it in the ETX-LS the sytem began to reinstall the
software and what can I tell you .... its working !!!

Dear Michael, thank you so much for your support!
 
Rudolf

And:

Ive got a SanDisk Secure Digital Card (miniSD) Mini 2GB (SDSDM-2048)
It was already formated FAT32 so I even had not to formate the Card.

Subject:	re: AS III - Safe load
Sent:	Wednesday, August 19, 2009 15:20:22
From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
But i'm puzzled... isn't the ETX-LS is firmware-flashed as an SD memory
chip attached to the PC? the keypad should have nothing to do with it?

good luck
--dick

Subject:	AS III - Safe load
Sent:	Wednesday, August 19, 2009 07:54:30
From:	Astro-Experts (lfg@astro-experts.at)
Is there anybody who knows how to restore a corrupted AS III (ETX-LS).
ENTER + down does not work.
 
Kind regards
Ludwig F. Grandy

Subject:	Re: Autostar 494 - ASU 5.8 Issue
Sent:	Thursday, August 13, 2009 11:56:28
From:	Tom Goffredo (tgoffredo@gmail.com)
The 494 is dead.  When I hit the update button in ASU 5.8, the 494
lights went out and I did see the downloading message when holding the
494 at an angle.  The PC then issued an error message saying the
connection was lost and to plug the cable back in (the cable was
undisturbed).  I could not re-establish the connection so I rebooted the
PC.  The 494 was still locked in download mode, and would not respond to
its buttons. I then recycled the power on the telescope, the 494 came
back to life OK and went through the easy align process successfully.

At this point everything was OK.  The PC established the connection to
the 494 again, and I then hit the "retrieve" button in the ASU.  At that
point, the lights on the 494 flashed several times and the 494 then went
dark.  No message in the display (yes I tilted it again hoping I could
see something), it was dead.   Meade had me try the safe mode reset by
holding down the mode and scan-down buttons upon power-up. The 494's
lights flashed once and that was it, dead.  Meade is replacing the 494
under warranty.

Andrew - I had the USB to serial converter configured correctly. 
However, after this happened I searched through Mike's site and found
the information indicating the FIFO buffers needed to be adjusted.  Even
with that adjustment, I'm hesitant to hook everything up as I don't want
to fry another 494.

I do have a desktop PC with a real serial port, so when Meade sends the
replacement 494 I can test it again, however if it is a problem with ASU
5.8 how to I gracefully get the 494 out of the download mode without
ruining it?

Thanks,
Tom

And:

From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
(A) DON'T TRY TO UPDATE IT.   (best and safest way)

(b) download the "3.6" (three point six) version of ASU from Mike's firmware and updater archive site
(under the Autostar Info page on his website, half-way down the left column)

have fun
--dick

And:

I didn't know the ROM in the 494 wasn't updateable until I called Meade.
ASU recognized I had a 494 (it displayed it in the bottom of the ASU
window), and since the software notified me a new version was available
I though I'd install the latest code level. The ASU should have trapped
the fact it was a 494 and prevented the update.

I'm just learning how to use the AutoStar software and its capabilities.
I wanted to download the latest tracking info for the ISS, and I also
wanted to enter a couple of user objects through the 494, then back it
up to the PC.  I'd also like to try the telescope control, but only to
see how it works, I don't "need" telescope control.

I have picked up a DSI (I came across a deal I couldn't pass up), and
took a few images of the moon just to see how it works, but still need
to explore its use further.  I also need to understand if there is any
benefit of using the DSI and PC telescope control simultaneously.

Dick - Thanks for the feedback.  I'll download ASU 3.6.  My only
question is, will that version prevent me from doing anything that's not
allowed on the 494?

All - I really appreciate eveyone's help and guidance on this!

Tom     

And:

Tom Goffredo wrote:

> I'm just learning how to use the AutoStar software and its 
> capabilities.  I wanted to download the latest tracking info for the 
> ISS,

You can update ISS data directly from the keypad (although having to scroll
to enter digits is a pain), i only do downloads when i'm trying to massively
update... otherwise it's FAR faster to use the keypad (for all of my Autostars).

 > and I also wanted to enter a couple of user objects through the
> 494, then back it up to the PC.  I'd also like to try the telescope 
> control, but only to see how it works, I don't "need" telescope control.

Telescope control doesn't require "download" mode, it's much much safer.

> I have picked up a DSI (I came across a deal I couldn't pass up), and 
> took a few images of the moon just to see how it works, but still need 
> to explore its use further.  I also need to understand if there is any 
> benefit of using the DSI and PC telescope control simultaneously.

Using them together (although you may have to lie to Envisage and tell it
you have an ancient LX200.) should work...

> Dick - Thanks for the feedback.  I'll download ASU 3.6.  My only 
> question is, will that version prevent me from doing anything that's not 
> allowed on the 494?

If used the way it doesn't complain about, it's (as) safe (as any Meade software).
((do i hear the ice creaking underfoot?))

I have never seriously tried to -damage- my 494 ... since they cannot be (easily)
reloaded, i don't use it as a pincushion.   I -do- poke and prod and kick my 497's.

have fun
--dick

And:

Hi Dick,

Thanks for all of the info.  One last question (I promise!).  On Mike's
site, there are ASU verions 3.61, and a version 4.6, both descriptions
list the #494.  I just want to verify if you recommend 3.61 or 4.6.

Thanks again.
Tom

And:

Either one should be fine, i've used both with my 494.
(i think v4 added the RCX to its list of known scope types)

have fun
--dick

And this:

Hi Mike,

Yes, from the discussion and much of the reading I have been doing on
your site, it's now clear I need to pick up a #497.

A big "Thank You" to you, Dick, and Andrew for taking the time to share
your knowledge and to steer me in the right direction with AutoStar.

Tom

Subject:	Autostar 494 - ASU 5.8 Issue
Sent:	Tuesday, August 11, 2009 19:42:08
From:	Tom Goffredo (tgoffredo@gmail.com)
You have a great site!

I have read through much of your site, but need some clarification on
the limits of the 494 controller.   Here is the background on what is
prompting my questions:

I'm a beginner, receiving a Meade DS-2130 LNT telescope as a gift, and
have used it maybe 20-30 times. I have just loaded the AutoStar Suite
from the CD to my PC.  I then downloaded the latest code and ASU 5.6
from the Meade website.  When I first selected the ASU in the Suite, it
immediately informed me that 5.8 was available, which I then downloaded
and installed.

I have a Cables Unlimited USB to serial adapter, configured it as per
the instructions that came with the #506 cable, powered the telescope &
PC down, connected everything, and powered up.  I started the AutoStar
Suite, selected the COM port and the Suite found and recognized the 494
controller (it displayed "494" at the bottom of the window and its
internal software level).  I hit the software update button, the 494's
lights went off, but the display showed a message that indicated a
download was taking place.  Less than a minute later, the PC issued a
"lost contact" message saying to plug the cable back in (the cable was
still plugged in and undisturbed!).  I could not re-established contact
to the 494.

At this point, I powered everything off, and back on.  When I powered on
the telescope, everything was  normal, did an easy align, etc.  Started
AutoStar and established connectivity. Selected the Updater, and this
time pushed the "retrieve" button, expecting it to query the 494 (please
tell me if this button has a different function). The lights on the 494
flashed several times and it went dead. The PC issued another "lost
connectivity" message.

I called Meade tech support ( the person I spoke with was very helpful).
They said I should have not tried to update the 494 with ASU 5.8! I
didn't know that.   I questioned why the program, recognizing it was a
494, didn't issue an error message to prevent an action that was not
allowed!  Anyway the 494 was OK immediately after that, but went dead
(after recycling the power) when I hit the "retreive" button.  Tech
Support said I shouldn't be doing anything with the Updater and the 494
controller as it cannot be updated by a user, only the 497 has that
ability.   They had me try a hard reset (like that available on the 497)
but that failed.  As it is under warranty, Meade is replacing it.

After reviewing various discussions on your site, it appears I need to
adjust the FIFO buffers in the serial adapter. That may fix the
connection problem.

I thought that the Updater could be used to at least load / retrieve
"user data" with the 494.  However tech support indicated I should not
be using the ASU at all with a 494!

Could you clarify what is and is not allowed with the AutoStar Suite,
and the ASU, as related to the 494?  I'm hesitate to hook everything up
again but would like to get the most functionality out of the 494 and
the software.

Thanks for your help on this.

Tom

And:

Yes it was a strange situation.  I didn't have any user data on the PC
as I had just loaded the AutoStar software, so I expect the ASU was
attempting a ROM update.  The only reason I turned off the power on the
telescope (after the PC connection was lost) is because the 494 seemed
to be locked in download mode.  However, the 494 did work OK immediately
after the power was turned back on.  When I subsequently hit the
"retrieve" button in the ASU is when the 494 failed.

Anyway, Meade tech support indicated I should not be using the ASU at
all with a 494.  That doesn't sound correct but it's what they told me. 
Could you, or one of the other contributors to your site document which
functions of the ASU are allowed with a 494?

I intended to catch some of the Perseids shower last night, but we had
cloud cover.  I'll try again tonight.

Tom

And from our AutoStar expert:

From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
I have not had time nor opportunity to test the v5.x updaters against a 494.

For that matter, i'm not 100% sure about what the -old- updaters would do
if you attempted to "firmware update" a 494 (it's always possible to brute-strength
past the safeguards).

The 494 can only have its User Objects libraries updated, not the firmware itself.

The new Updater has "issues" with updating the User Objects and "Owner Info"
on the new 497EP.   I -believe- Andrew Johansen has successfully done object
updating with an "old" 497.  You might check with him directly, i've CC'd him on this reply.

Tom?  It wasn't clear from your note: is the 494 currently still functional,
or is it now "dead"?   If functional, i would not recommend kicking it again.
The "drops into 'Downloading'" has to happen for the Updater to query the
handbox for full operation.  If you have a contrasting light source nearby,
and tip/tilt/peer/reflect the external light off the Autostar's screen,
you may see that it -is- saying "Downloading, do not turn off...",
but simply without the back=light illuminated.
Object library transfers take a couple of minutes with the 494 (it's pokey).

good luck
--dick

And more:

From:	Andrew Johansen (johansea@optusnet.com.au)
I dont have a 494 so cant test anyway :-)

> The new Updater has "issues" with updating the User Objects and "Owner 
> Info"
> on the new 497EP.   I -believe- Andrew Johansen has successfully done 
> object
> updating with an "old" 497.  You might check with him directly, i've CC'd 
> him on this reply.

I have confirmed ASU 5.8 will load the user data like sats, comets etc
and also do the user name/addr etc correctly for a std 497 running 43Eg
It fails on all of these data types with the 497EP,
but it does do the 497EP firmware correctly

>>> lights on the 494 flashed several times and it went dead. The PC
>>> issued another "lost connectivity" message.

Hmmm, this screams usb to serial converter problem
To retrieve data, the Hbx has to go into "download mode"
even for simple tasks.
It is in download mode that many converters show incompatibility
with the Meade firmware protocols.
They work fine in normal operation, but fail in download mode.
First blush, try again with a real serial port if possible.

Andrew

Subject:	alignment
Sent:	Monday, August 10, 2009 11:33:45
From:	drbob (humane@earthlink.net)
Thanks for all your information. I have a 7-year old Meade ETX 125 EC
scope. The scope will not align. I've got all the info and the
controller asks all the right questions. It skews way past the target
star. In the 2-star alignment it skews way past both stars. Any
suggestions? I did download the upgrade program twice with no success. I
also tried reset and fine tuning.
Thanks
Bob

And:

Thanks. It skews about 90 degrees (at least) past the star. All the
date, time and site info is correct. It did calibrate motors when I
reset the controller and  I just did a calibrate motors and  and I have
done the drive trains procedure but just did it again. I downloaded the
upgrade from Meade's website. It's odd because everything else seems to
be working fine. All the buttons operate the scope and controller
correctly. I wonder if the upgrade is the wrong one for my scope. It is
an older model. I'll give it another try tonight but it seems to be a
very persistent problem. I did call Meade and one fellow said it needed
to be overhauled. I thought I'd try everything else before shipping it
back.
Bob

And:

You second question is easier. I place the tube level with the ground
and turn the scope CCW until it stops and then clockwise until the are
is over the control area (on-off switch) then face the scope north. When
I turn on the controller, it shows (c)07 Meade [43E}. I'm not sure how
to get further information about the program.

And:

Thanks- I'll give it a try. I appreciate the advice
Bob

And an update:

Thanks for all the help. I tried all your suggestions and it repeated
the bizarre behavior last night. I'll try a new controller to see what
happens.
Thanks very much for the help.
Bob

Subject:	my Autostar do oddly.  Wha can i do?
Sent:	Wednesday, August 5, 2009 01:54:40
From:	R.F.van.Eijk (r.van.eijk17@kpnplanet.nl)
If I put my Meade ETX-90 to
Then the autostar indicate this : (c) 07 Meade {43E} Autostar
Furthermore happens there nothing.
What do or do have can I get the Aurostar to the praat?
Wha can i do?
 
Or do I have buy new Autostar?
 
Best regards,
 
R.F. van Eijk.
Netherland.

Subject:	Autostarkeys not lit.
Sent:	Monday, August 3, 2009 19:14:43
From:	Paul Valent (paulv@alphawatch.com)
What would cause the keys on my Autostar to go dark.  The LCD display as
well as the Autstar works fine but the key are not lit.  I am fumbling
in the dark.
 
Paul

And:

Yes it does Mike.

Subject:	RE: EXT 125 continues to slew cw until it hits the hard stop.
Sent:	Monday, August 3, 2009 18:54:13
From:	Randy (rdebauw@comcast.net)
I tried that but no help. I pulled the bottom of the scope off and
cleaned the little notches in the gear/wheel. No help. I understand that
there are some led lights that show through the wheel. I will pull it
down one more time and see if grease may be covering the led or receiver
on the opposing side. Thanks, Randy

And:

I just tried single star mode. I picked Taraiz?  The scope moved about
270 deg clockwise and then I got a motor fault failure.  I have seen
this a couple of times before.

And:

Home position was set.  It slewed and gave me the message before the
hard stop.  I rest it and ran it again to TARAZED. It went to the hard
stop again with no error.  ArrrGG.  Randy

And:

I can check the cable with an ohm meter.  Is it possible that the led
light has grease on it and not seeing the encoder wheel or would I be
getting a different error it that was the case?

Subject:	EXT 125 continues to slew cw until it hits the hard stop.
Sent:	Saturday, August 1, 2009 16:57:24
From:	Randy (rdebauw@comcast.net)
I have updated the software today.  Calibrated the motors, trained the
motors, and it still does the same thing. The vertical seems to work
because if I use  the 2 star method to pick a star the tube will move
and stop at different elevations but the horizontal with just continue
to the stops. Is there a sensor that may have gone bad? Anything else I
should try.  I have done a reset before and after the software update
and no change.  Thanks for any help.  Randy

And:

I was using 5.6 but then it said 5.8 was available. I didn't update
using 5.8 just 5.6. Does the horizontal info come from the 497? I will
try switching the cable and let you know.  THX Randy

And:

I quit. I have tried everything and no luck. It just acts like it
doesn't have clue where the azimuth is during the slew. I do have the
older hand set. Maybe I will give that a whirl before I spend the 150.00
to send it back.  Thanks for all of the effort.  Randy

From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
I see that they have v5.8 on their site, but the link from
the main page still points to v5.6

Here's the v5.8 link:
http://www.meade.com/support/auto/Au2ver58.exe

Since the difference between 5.6 and 5.8 only affects LX200gps's
(and RCX's) one might wait until Meade announces it (although i
think it's a happy update...)

have fun
--dick

Feedback Archive

Check the Feedback Archive for previous editions of the AutoStar Feedback page.

Go to the ETX Home Page.