Quick follow up... as an ASCOM and scope motor beginner I didn't know I needed the ASCOM Platform 6.6 bundle first, and once I did that along with the required MS Dot Net Framework update the platform bundle installed quickly and allowed me to install the special ASCOM driver. 🙂 Trying the actual connection test tonight. Thanks again...
thank you, just getting around to hooking my new mount/scope to the PC software and this vid helped a lot - I got the Amazon cable you linked and will try it soon - thanks 🙂
It's a great driver. Looks like He's picked back up working on it and an unpark option as well as a connectivity verification will be inckuded in the next version.
I give up! Wait. There's a TH-cam video on connecting to a PC? Universal USB are not universal. So we finally researched and purchased proper USB cable. We use a Digital Storm laptop, and Celestia software. Rarely use the laptop paired with the scope. Just like trolling the sky & taking images. Thanks for the video help.
Make sure you install the driver for the cable from this site. www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm I saw some complaints that the cable didn't work, but in all cases it turned out that they never installed the driver. Windows kind of installs it automatically, but not fully.
@@davevachon9268 in the "comments" on the right of the screen there is a link to download an executable. It's probably easiest to download and run that to install the driver.
Thank you for this video. Extremely useful. I was using the wrong ASCOM profile. I think my cable is faulty also. This completely answers the questions I had. I appreciate your time. Clear skies.
Just to clarify, you can slew AND guide from the single connection between the USB port on the computer and the RS232 port on the LX85 handset? (Both slewing and pulse guiding signals are processed by the LX85 mount via one cable.)
HI, a few months back you helped me greatly in setting up my mount. Now the monsoon season has passed and I am setting my scope back up. There now seems to be no communication between PHD2 and my mount. I get the response "pulse command to mount has failed" when i try to move it manually. prior to taking the scope down, I was getting great tracking. I am not sure what has changed. Maybe you could offer some guidance on how to track down the problem. Thanks, Bill
Sorry I missed this. I'm sure you figured this out by now, but I did want to bring up an important point about this Autostar/Audiostar driver. PHD2 will show that the mount is connected, even if it is not. There is no "precheck" to make sure the mount is connected to the correct COM Port. If you change the USB port into the PC or on a hub, the COM Port on the PC will change, and need to be changed in the driver settings by clicking the wrench icon next to the mount on the device connection window in PHD2
Is it possible to use the computer connection without the 497 hand controller? Mine went dead and I can’t find a replacement! Any suggestions, I would sincerely appreciate the insight!
Hi, I have the same telescope /mount and cable. I am trying to connect it from kstars/ekos. But is fails all the time. I am using indi_lx200autostar driver. Maybe there is some trick I need to take into account?
Thank you for this video. Have you know how can I control my mount using Python? It is necessary install PHD2 or something in addition to the drivers? BTW I have already install a driver for the usb to serial communication, ascom plataform and eqascom. Thank you!!
@Katorella Astro. Really have enjoyed this video. I have the Meade LX85 mount and have recently purchased the WO 50mm guide scope, WO field flattener 73A, WO ZenithStar 73 - f/5.9 Doublet Apo Refractor, ZWO AS1290MM mini guide camera, and a ZWO AS1462MC image camera. I just received the cable and StarTech 4 port USB hub you mentioned in this video. I have installed the PHD guiding software and have My question is, is the LX85 able to guide using the On-Camera connection from the guide camera to the mount(Guide Port), or does it require both connections? I guess I am a bit lost where all the cables from both cameras go.
I will be following this conversation. I wonder the same thing. “Is the LX85 able to detect and respond to guide commands on the cable input used to have the computer point the telescope?” I think this is related to the text in the ASCOM driver having to deal with “pulse commands” which is what I believe PHD2 sends.
Sorry I missed this. I'm sure you've figured it out, but I wanted to follow up on it since I do get questions about hubs often. I use this Startech hub - www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Port-USB-3-0-Hub/dp/B004DVEWH4/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=startech+usb+3+hub&qid=1611337929&sr=8-4 and I've had no problems with it for over a year. My daughter's rig has a cheap one that has been OK, but until I got the Startech I was replacing the hub usually twice-a-year. The most important thing in a hub that will be constantly transferring data with multiple devices is that it is a powered USB3 device.
Hello! Thanks! I'm using the Meade Autostar/Audiostar Universal Driver - bitbucket.org/cjdskunkworks/meadeautostar497/downloads/ I use Astrophotography Tool for imaging, which also controls the mount. www.astrophotography.app/ The free version does pretty much everything, but at 23(USD), it's cheap and effective.
@@katorellaastro8888 Hello sir. I was wondering if you could make a post about PHD2 setting you have for MEADE LX85 mount. I have the exact same setup but been having trouble with some of the advanced setting such as calibration. Wondering if you can maybe post a screen shots of your setting or perhaps a video walk through? I know this will be helpful to all of us LX85 users since there isn't much out there for this mount. Greatly appreciate your help. Thank you Suren
Maybe this was asked already, but is the hand controller necessary? if using APT? Can't you connect straight from mount to laptop? I just bought this mount, and I've never had a hand controller. My old mount was direct connect and going off the coordinates in APT
Hi David. Unfortunately it is necessary. The driver works with the hand controller and the controller relays to the motors. I'm sure it could be bypassed by having the hand controller software on the PC, but that's way beyond my tech skills.
@@katorellaastro8888 I got it working as you described, but I've discovered the issue it has slewing horribly off course unless you do a star alignment first. I guess it's a bug in the firmware. Also, I'm not too fond of having to enter date and time every single time I turn it on. Another annoyance is once it's parked, you have turn it off and back on again to re use it.
How well does this mount work for astrophotography? Have an opportunity to get one for under 1k but also wondering if I’m better off saving my pennys for a EQ6r pro and just do the pay once cry once. New to the hobby all together but ultimately want to do the photography
It works pretty well. I do 10min exposures with no problem, but I did tear down the mount, regrease it and adjust everything. That said, if the mount is used, I wouldn’t pay more than $600. They were only $800 new and often on sale for $700. If your in that $1000 range already, you might want to save a bit more for the EQ6r. They do go on sale a couple times a year for just under $1400 USD.
Wow. I have to adjust my first answer. I took a look at what’s out there. I hadn’t looked at equipment for a while and didn’t realize prices had gone up 30%+! $2k+ is a lot for the EQ6. If you’re starting out with something like an 80mm f4 or f5 scope, the LX85 will work, but if you want to get something bigger at F7 or F8 down the road, the EQ6 would be a better buy. You’ll only be buying once.
having trouble with the control pad for my lx 85 worked one night wo weeks later got it back out to set up and nothing and no help from meade please help if you can thank you so much foryour vids
With any kind of long exposure, I would say yes, but that's true with any mount in this class. Imaging unguided with any decent length exposure requires a mount a couple levels up from this. That'll cost much more than a good guide scope and guide camera. I use a 60mm ZWO guide scope and ZWO ASI120mm guide camera - about $270 (USD) combined.
@@katorellaastro8888 Thank you for your reply! I have been having a hard time with the LX85/Astrograph - From what I have seen, a lot of others do as well. Your videos are a great reference.
Nothing special. It's a really old laptop with Windows 10 - first gen i5 processor - only 4GB RAM. Controlling the scope and collecting images doesn't take much for resources. I think the most important part with newer cameras is that it has a USB3 port. I use remote desktop from a PC inside the house to monitor things.
Quick follow up... as an ASCOM and scope motor beginner I didn't know I needed the ASCOM Platform 6.6 bundle first, and once I did that along with the required MS Dot Net Framework update the platform bundle installed quickly and allowed me to install the special ASCOM driver. 🙂
Trying the actual connection test tonight. Thanks again...
thank you, just getting around to hooking my new mount/scope to the PC software and this vid helped a lot - I got the Amazon cable you linked and will try it soon - thanks 🙂
Thanks for the info !! Downloaded that driver and now my LX 85 works perfectly with everything.
It's a great driver. Looks like He's picked back up working on it and an unpark option as well as a connectivity verification will be inckuded in the next version.
I give up! Wait. There's a TH-cam video on connecting to a PC? Universal USB are not universal. So we finally researched and purchased proper USB cable. We use a Digital Storm laptop, and Celestia software. Rarely use the laptop paired with the scope. Just like trolling the sky & taking images. Thanks for the video help.
Thanks for the tip on the adapter. I think my son is just about ready to try using a PC with his LX85. Just ordered the cable.👍
Make sure you install the driver for the cable from this site. www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm I saw some complaints that the cable didn't work, but in all cases it turned out that they never installed the driver. Windows kind of installs it automatically, but not fully.
@@katorellaastro8888 Hi,i installed everything but the mount still doen't want to work
@@katorellaastro8888 This download contains a bunch of files. How do you install them?
@@davevachon9268 in the "comments" on the right of the screen there is a link to download an executable. It's probably easiest to download and run that to install the driver.
Thank you for this video. Extremely useful. I was using the wrong ASCOM profile. I think my cable is faulty also. This completely answers the questions I had. I appreciate your time. Clear skies.
Excellent help, I really appreciate it, many thanks!
Just to clarify, you can slew AND guide from the single connection between the USB port on the computer and the RS232 port on the LX85 handset? (Both slewing and pulse guiding signals are processed by the LX85 mount via one cable.)
Subscribed. Thanks, for the help!
HI, a few months back you helped me greatly in setting up my mount. Now the monsoon season has passed and I am setting my scope back up. There now seems to be no communication between PHD2 and my mount. I get the response "pulse command to mount has failed" when i try to move it manually. prior to taking the scope down, I was getting great tracking. I am not sure what has changed. Maybe you could offer some guidance on how to track down the problem. Thanks, Bill
Sorry I missed this. I'm sure you figured this out by now, but I did want to bring up an important point about this Autostar/Audiostar driver. PHD2 will show that the mount is connected, even if it is not. There is no "precheck" to make sure the mount is connected to the correct COM Port. If you change the USB port into the PC or on a hub, the COM Port on the PC will change, and need to be changed in the driver settings by clicking the wrench icon next to the mount on the device connection window in PHD2
Is it possible to use the computer connection without the 497 hand controller? Mine went dead and I can’t find a replacement! Any suggestions, I would sincerely appreciate the insight!
Hi, I have the same telescope /mount and cable. I am trying to connect it from kstars/ekos. But is fails all the time. I am using indi_lx200autostar driver. Maybe there is some trick I need to take into account?
My LX85 Handbox controller has disappeared. Is it possible to connect the LX85 to my MacBook laptop and use it without the Handbox?
Thank you for this video. Have you know how can I control my mount using Python? It is necessary install PHD2 or something in addition to the drivers? BTW I have already install a driver for the usb to serial communication, ascom plataform and eqascom.
Thank you!!
@Katorella Astro. Really have enjoyed this video. I have the Meade LX85 mount and have recently purchased the WO 50mm guide scope, WO field flattener 73A, WO ZenithStar 73 - f/5.9 Doublet Apo Refractor, ZWO AS1290MM mini guide camera, and a ZWO AS1462MC image camera. I just received the cable and StarTech 4 port USB hub you mentioned in this video. I have installed the PHD guiding software and have My question is, is the LX85 able to guide using the On-Camera connection from the guide camera to the mount(Guide Port), or does it require both connections? I guess I am a bit lost where all the cables from both cameras go.
I will be following this conversation. I wonder the same thing. “Is the LX85 able to detect and respond to guide commands on the cable input used to have the computer point the telescope?” I think this is related to the text in the ASCOM driver having to deal with “pulse commands” which is what I believe PHD2 sends.
Thanks for the videos and info! You mentioned in your earlier video that you changed USB hubs. What make and model did you change to?
Sorry I missed this. I'm sure you've figured it out, but I wanted to follow up on it since I do get questions about hubs often. I use this Startech hub - www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Port-USB-3-0-Hub/dp/B004DVEWH4/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=startech+usb+3+hub&qid=1611337929&sr=8-4 and I've had no problems with it for over a year. My daughter's rig has a cheap one that has been OK, but until I got the Startech I was replacing the hub usually twice-a-year. The most important thing in a hub that will be constantly transferring data with multiple devices is that it is a powered USB3 device.
Thank you for the informative video and the links. Much appreciate it. I was wondering what software you are using to control your telescope mount?
Hello! Thanks! I'm using the Meade Autostar/Audiostar Universal Driver - bitbucket.org/cjdskunkworks/meadeautostar497/downloads/ I use Astrophotography Tool for imaging, which also controls the mount. www.astrophotography.app/ The free version does pretty much everything, but at 23(USD), it's cheap and effective.
@@katorellaastro8888 Thank you sir. This is very helpful.
@@katorellaastro8888 Hello sir. I was wondering if you could make a post about PHD2 setting you have for MEADE LX85 mount. I have the exact same setup but been having trouble with some of the advanced setting such as calibration. Wondering if you can maybe post a screen shots of your setting or perhaps a video walk through? I know this will be helpful to all of us LX85 users since there isn't much out there for this mount. Greatly appreciate your help.
Thank you
Suren
Maybe this was asked already, but is the hand controller necessary? if using APT? Can't you connect straight from mount to laptop? I just bought this mount, and I've never had a hand controller. My old mount was direct connect and going off the coordinates in APT
Hi David. Unfortunately it is necessary. The driver works with the hand controller and the controller relays to the motors. I'm sure it could be bypassed by having the hand controller software on the PC, but that's way beyond my tech skills.
@@katorellaastro8888 I got it working as you described, but I've discovered the issue it has slewing horribly off course unless you do a star alignment first. I guess it's a bug in the firmware. Also, I'm not too fond of having to enter date and time every single time I turn it on. Another annoyance is once it's parked, you have turn it off and back on again to re use it.
How well does this mount work for astrophotography? Have an opportunity to get one for under 1k but also wondering if I’m better off saving my pennys for a EQ6r pro and just do the pay once cry once. New to the hobby all together but ultimately want to do the photography
It works pretty well. I do 10min exposures with no problem, but I did tear down the mount, regrease it and adjust everything. That said, if the mount is used, I wouldn’t pay more than $600. They were only $800 new and often on sale for $700. If your in that $1000 range already, you might want to save a bit more for the EQ6r. They do go on sale a couple times a year for just under $1400 USD.
Wow. I have to adjust my first answer. I took a look at what’s out there. I hadn’t looked at equipment for a while and didn’t realize prices had gone up 30%+! $2k+ is a lot for the EQ6. If you’re starting out with something like an 80mm f4 or f5 scope, the LX85 will work, but if you want to get something bigger at F7 or F8 down the road, the EQ6 would be a better buy. You’ll only be buying once.
having trouble with the control pad for my lx 85 worked one night wo weeks later got it back out to set up and nothing and no help from meade please help if you can thank you so much foryour vids
I hope it came back up for you. I'm sorry, but I'm not sure on this one other than checking the connections on the handset and on the mount.
Hi, I just got my Meade Lx85 mount and I saw something about reversed polarity on the Aux port, do you know anything about it?
Thanks and Clear Skies!
I don't know of a current accessory kit that would use the AUX port. Is there something specific you're looking to use it for?
WIth the LX85 are you obligated to use a guidescope?
With any kind of long exposure, I would say yes, but that's true with any mount in this class. Imaging unguided with any decent length exposure requires a mount a couple levels up from this. That'll cost much more than a good guide scope and guide camera. I use a 60mm ZWO guide scope and ZWO ASI120mm guide camera - about $270 (USD) combined.
@@katorellaastro8888 Thank you for your reply! I have been having a hard time with the LX85/Astrograph - From what I have seen, a lot of others do as well. Your videos are a great reference.
What laptop computer do you use?
Nothing special. It's a really old laptop with Windows 10 - first gen i5 processor - only 4GB RAM. Controlling the scope and collecting images doesn't take much for resources. I think the most important part with newer cameras is that it has a USB3 port. I use remote desktop from a PC inside the house to monitor things.