Sent:	Tuesday, March 5, 2013 18:58:08
From:	Ron (nh6wl@sbcglobal.net)
I was given permission to purchase a Surface Pro for our anniversary
when the 128 GB machine came available.  I was lucky and got one locally
when the second batch was delivered to a local store.

My report is that Autostar Suite loads and has allowed all of my
commands so far.      I was most interested in the imaging part,
Envisage, since it took a while to get a 64 bit version for Windows 7. 
I did get a DSI II C to display an image.  I have been busy with other
endeavors and have not wrung out the capabilities as they relate to the
497 group of hand controllers and the mounts they support.

I hope to be able to do that in the next few days but other things are
looming in the near future.

I have to report that I am having problems with the USB 3 port
recognizing all the hardware I have plugged in either direct or through
a USB 4 port hub.  Orion Star Shoot Autoguider is recognized
sporadically both on the hub and direct.  A Canon EOS Camera is only
recognized in one port of the hub but is recognized plugged directly in.
 My USB 3.0 Card reader does not read Compact Flash card above 2 GB.  It
doesn't seem to have any problems with micro SD, SDHC up to 32 GB.

One thing is sure you have to use auxiliary power on the hub.

All of the hardware works on a 64 bit Windows 7 laptop flawlessly.  I
expect the problems I am having with the Surface Pro are just related to
the Surface Pro.

I will get back to report how it works with my ETX 125 when I get it set
up.

So the short answer is the AutoStar Suite Program 5.5 loads and seems to
work  with Windows 8 Pro.  The same with Envisage 7.9.  You will want to
use a mouse/touch pad with AutoStar Suite and Envissage.  Both programs
were downloaded from the Meade site and installed on the Surface fresh.

Ron 

And more:

A PS to this is I only use Star patch to upgrade/update my firmware and
I haven't done that with this machine.  I did get a notice that Star
Patch 1.9 was available for download and did put it on my Win 7 laptop. 
I don't try AutoStar Update at all.

Ron

And:

I took some time this morning and connected the Win8 Pro Surface to my
ETX 125 PE.

After a fake alignment I was able to control the ETX by slewing through
the Net Scope Server, doing a few gotos and after attaching a DSI to
Envisage I was able to do some false autotracking.  I just drew a box at
clicked on 'track here' after about 30 secs of calibration.  I connected
through a Keyspan USB to serial dongle which was connected to a BYTECC 4
port USB 3.0 hub.

The only problem I had was trying to use the handbox in AutoStar Suite.
It faulted out.  I never use it anyway.

The function keys like F10 for starting the Net Scope Server did not
function either.  I had that problem using a Logitech K810 bluetooth
keyboard and the Surface Type keyboard.  The HD display does make using
the touch pad on the type keyboard very touchy or I am just not nimble
anymore. On other programs I use a wireless trackball more effectively.

Hope this helps those with questions about Win 8 but I was using Win 8
Pro in my playing with the ETX.

Ron

Go back to the Autostar Information page.

Go to the ETX Home Page.