(professor emeritus)

06/06/09 04:25 PM

497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

My friend bought an ETX90 EC so we could observe together. It came with the original controller that has the arrows, focus, speed and mode buttons and it workd fine. When we plugged my Autostar 497 hand controller into the base it says "Use ETX Autostar for this Model". Does anyone know what's going on with this? Tried fresh batteries and get the same results. Thanks for your help!

(Post Laureate)

06/06/09 04:55 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

Just say YES--- and see what happens-- Calibrate motors, Train Drives, and Align On two stars-

(professor emeritus)

06/06/09 05:54 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

It just gets stuck on that quote. I noticed the box art it shows a 497 controller that says ETX Autostar on the controller and on mine it just says Autostar. Works fine on my DS2114 mount. Could that be the difference?

(Post Laureate)

06/06/09 06:52 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

If it is truly an EC the 497 should work--

http://www.chriscamera.com/MeadeETX.htm

http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Mar-1999/0348.html

Do a RESET on the controller-- you will loose everything-- and have to retrain, re-calibrate-- etc---- Go to TELESCOPE and select the correct model "ETX"-- tell us what happens.

(professor emeritus)

06/06/09 07:24 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

Tried it and here's what happens when the base is turned on and controller plugged in:
c(99) Meade[1.2] AUTOSTAR. Then it goes to the quote I stated in the 1st post.
When I use it with my DS2114 it Initializes and boots up fine. I did do a reset when I hooked it up to the DS and then plugged into his base again and got the same results:"Use ETX Autostar with this model". It freezes there and holding down buttons didn't help.

(Postmaster)

06/06/09 07:30 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

I suspect you're on the right track. It's probably complaining that it's configured for the DS-2000 mount. The firmware might be needing to be updated as well.

(Post Laureate)

06/06/09 07:39 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

That is an ANTIQUE firmware! Version 43Eg is the latest version-- update the firmware--- and retrain-- etc etc-- enter TIME, DATE, SITE, Daylight Savings =YES and so forth...

Bottom of this page--
http://www.meade.com/support/auto.html

You will also need the ASU client software on the same page-- and the proper serial port cable from your computer to the plug on the bottom of the hand controller-- make sure the scope is turned off when you plug in the cable or remove the cable.

If you don't have the cable it can be purchased here-

http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_sma2.htm

If you only have USB ports you will ALSO need this-
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_usbr.htm

I know lots of STUFF! But once you do all of this you will convert the ETX to full GOTO--

(professor emeritus)

06/06/09 07:47 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

where can I get the cable wI need for the PC to upgrade the controller. Can I make one?
Thanks

(Post Laureate)

06/06/09 07:56 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

Yes you can make one--

I don't remember the link that shows the pinouts??? maybe someone will post a link-- look at my previous post for a link to buy a new one on Scopestuff.com .

Meade also has these--

(professor emeritus)

06/06/09 08:15 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

This may be the problem to that I found here Meade I think I might have the 495 which shows its only compatible with the ETX 60 & 70. The 497 shows all models of the ETX. The first box shows "Autostar" and the second box says "ETX Autostar". Let me know what you think.

(Postmaster)

06/06/09 09:27 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

The good news is that the #495 controller becomes a #497 when the firmware is updated. It's fairly common to buy #495's fairly cheap off of eBay and upgrade them to a #497. The Meade cable you need the the #505. A cheap way to pick up a #505 cable is to buy an LPI ($50 from OPT the last time I checked); the LPI (and the DSI cameras) come with Autostar Suite and a #505 cable.

(professor emeritus)

06/11/09 09:09 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

Even though the firmware is outdated, It does list the ETX-90 EC and when I select it, and plug it into his ETX90 EC, it says Use ETX Autostar with this model. What would be the problem there. It seems like it should still pick up the scope. Is it possible the board was changed in it?

(Post Laureate)

06/12/09 02:09 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

Did you select the Telescope and answer---------- YES??

(professor emeritus)

06/12/09 03:25 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

It doesn't let me select anything. As soon as it is plugged in it does't initialize and it goes straight to the screen that says what I quoted earlier. The controller works fine with the DS2114 mount. I did contact meed and they said my 497 was not with that ETX90/ EC because it was an older model.

(Post Laureate)

06/12/09 03:40 PM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

So you have not updated the firmware? I am very suspicious of the version you have which is version 1.x ---- until you update it to 43Eg ---- update it and then try it as we have already suggested. All you need is a cable!

(professor emeritus)

06/14/09 01:00 AM

Re: 497 Autostar controller question. Thanks

I did it with you all's help. We bought the DB9 kit from Radio Shack for $1.99 and the rj10 cord from off a phone at Goodwill for .50 cents. I used this Link to solder the DB9 to the rj10 and updated my hand controller to the latest version. Plugged it in to his ETX90/EC and we had initialization. It even listed the 90 ETX model in the handset. Know he can buy a goto controller and use my home made 505 cable to update. Many thanks fellas.

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