capella07
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/08
Posts: 7
Loc: West-central Minnesota
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It's my understanding that I can control my ETX80BB with my laptop. If so, what software do I need and do I just need to hook it up to my laptop with a regular CAT5e cable?
Thanks!
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Mark
_________________________________
Glacial Lakes Astronomers and Stargazers Society
Meade ETX80BB
Orion Skyquest 10" Dob.
Out in the middle of nowhere in West-central MN. Great skies! 
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yock1960
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/22/08
Posts: 1121
Loc: SW Ohio, USA
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At minimum you'll need a Meade #506 'smart' cable @ around $50. The cable contains some hardware that is builtin to the more advanced Autostars (#495 & #497). You may also need a Serial<->USB adapter if your laptop doesn't have a serial port, which virtually none do anymore. Last but not least, apparently not all of these adapters (the driver software) play nice with Vista, if that is your operating system.
Some folks have gotten it to work though and others just pickup up older laptops with actual serial ports.
As for software, if you get the cable, it comes with Autostar Suite, through which you can control the scope. There are others, one being Cartes du Ceil @
http://www.stargazing.net/astropc/
I'm not sure if it will work with the #494 cable setup though. I bought a used #497 and it works fine for me on my ETX80 under Vista with a USB adapter.
Hope this helps!
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LXD75 GEM
Orion Starblast 4.5" Imaging Reflector
William Optics Zenithstar 66 SD APO
Meade DSI II OSC
Meade DSI III OSC
Orion Starshoot Autoguider
Televue Powermate 2.5x
Discovery 6" Dobsonian
Nikon Action Extreme 10x50's
Gallery (older stuff)
Picasa Gallery (newer)
Edited by yock1960 (09/09/08 11:24 AM)
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capella07
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/08
Posts: 7
Loc: West-central Minnesota
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Hey, yock!
Thanks for the quick reply. Your answers caused a few more questions though!
I see in your sig that you also have the etx80bb, so you're speaking from experience. I Googled "Meade #506" & went to a page about the connectors at the Meade site, but it didn't list the ETX-80 for any of the controllers. I just want to make sure that's the right one.
I'm assuming the #506 cable plugs in to the second port on the side of the scope, next to the port for the controller.
When controlling the scope with a computer, the handheld controller isn't connected/needed is it? (Seems like an obvious question, but I just want to make sure I understand fully how this setup works.)
I likely will need a Serial-USB adapter, as my laptop is just over a year old. Finally, I do have WinXP on the laptop, so there won't be any worries there.
Is this whole deal simply a matter of
1) plug the #506 cable into the scope
2) plug the other end of the #506 cable into the serial port of the computer
3) fire up the Autostar software and
4) it's ready to control the scope?
Thanks again!
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Mark
_________________________________
Glacial Lakes Astronomers and Stargazers Society
Meade ETX80BB
Orion Skyquest 10" Dob.
Out in the middle of nowhere in West-central MN. Great skies!
Edited by capella07 (09/09/08 12:19 PM)
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capella07
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/08
Posts: 7
Loc: West-central Minnesota
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Also, how can I get started in a simple setup to view images in real time on my laptop? Would a digital camera work, or would I need one of those flat, round CCD cameras to do that?
(As you can see I'm quite inexperienced in astrophotography!)
Thanks, again
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Mark
_________________________________
Glacial Lakes Astronomers and Stargazers Society
Meade ETX80BB
Orion Skyquest 10" Dob.
Out in the middle of nowhere in West-central MN. Great skies!
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yock1960
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/22/08
Posts: 1121
Loc: SW Ohio, USA
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Quote:
Hey, yock!
Thanks for the quick reply. Your answers caused a few more questions though!
I see in your sig that you also have the etx80bb, so you're speaking from experience. I Googled "Meade #506" & went to a page about the connectors at the Meade site, but it didn't list the ETX-80 for any of the controllers. I just want to make sure that's the right one.
I'm assuming the #506 cable plugs in to the second port on the side of the scope, next to the port for the controller.
I think so. As I said, I upgraded to the #497 controller and the cable I use plugs into the hand controller itself. There is no way to do this on the #494.
Yes, the #506 is what you need for the #494 controller, no matter what scope it's connected to.
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LXD75 GEM
Orion Starblast 4.5" Imaging Reflector
William Optics Zenithstar 66 SD APO
Meade DSI II OSC
Meade DSI III OSC
Orion Starshoot Autoguider
Televue Powermate 2.5x
Discovery 6" Dobsonian
Nikon Action Extreme 10x50's
Gallery (older stuff)
Picasa Gallery (newer)
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yock1960
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/22/08
Posts: 1121
Loc: SW Ohio, USA
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Quote:
Also, how can I get started in a simple setup to view images in real time on my laptop? Would a digital camera work, or would I need one of those flat, round CCD cameras to do that?
(As you can see I'm quite inexperienced in astrophotography!)
Thanks, again
Well, with a webcam you can see an image in realtime on your PC. It's not a great image. Meade also made an electronic eyepiece. They appear on eBay quite often, I'm not sure how good they are. Probably ok for the moon.
I would go for something like I have (Phillips SPC900NC), also available on eBay. You'll need an adapter and some minor disassembly of the camera is required. You could even use it with your dob. I get some fairly good images using mine on my 6" dob and am considering getting an equatorial platform to try and improve things.
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LXD75 GEM
Orion Starblast 4.5" Imaging Reflector
William Optics Zenithstar 66 SD APO
Meade DSI II OSC
Meade DSI III OSC
Orion Starshoot Autoguider
Televue Powermate 2.5x
Discovery 6" Dobsonian
Nikon Action Extreme 10x50's
Gallery (older stuff)
Picasa Gallery (newer)
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capella07
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/08
Posts: 7
Loc: West-central Minnesota
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Okay, Thanks for all of the info.
If I have any more questions, I'll come back here.
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Mark
_________________________________
Glacial Lakes Astronomers and Stargazers Society
Meade ETX80BB
Orion Skyquest 10" Dob.
Out in the middle of nowhere in West-central MN. Great skies!
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capella07
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/08
Posts: 7
Loc: West-central Minnesota
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I guess I'm not totally clear on how everything connects. My intention is to be able to sit the scope outside on cold nights and control it from my laptop inside where I'm nice and warm!
If I want to connect the ETX80 to a computer, I thought that all that was needed was to run a network cable from the scope's network cable port to the laptop and, with the right software, control the scope completely from the laptop. If I'm right in that assumption (which I may not be based on what you're saying I need), why would I need to replace the controller that came with the scope (the 494) if I won't even be using that to control it?
Then there's the web cam. Here's what I'm assuming for that: in some fashion remove the front of the web cam to be able to thread it on to the adapter then put the adapter with the web cam on it in the eyepiece holder on the scope. Then run a cable from the web cam to the laptop & view on the laptop.
So, that's what I'm picturing. Could someone please make this crystal clear to this extreme newbie!
Thanks!
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Mark
_________________________________
Glacial Lakes Astronomers and Stargazers Society
Meade ETX80BB
Orion Skyquest 10" Dob.
Out in the middle of nowhere in West-central MN. Great skies!
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cnstarz
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/22/07
Posts: 549
Loc: Kentucky, USA
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Capella07
I've been using the ETX-60 with the #506 cable. Understand that the handset either 494 or 497 is the firmware brains for the ETX-80 autostar. The panel on the side is a buss connection. It's a rather complex setup but goes like this if you only have USB ports: USB to RS232 converter to #506 cable to Aux port. The 494 handset to the handset port.
When you have this set up you still use the handset in aligning the scope. Once the scope is aligned you can configure the autostar suite software on your laptop to control the scope. See a pic of my setup by clicking on the gallery link in my signature...
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Matt
Apogee 50mm BB scope
ETX-60 BB
Meade 70-az
5" DIY Newt (wip)
C6-N on CG-4 GEM
Gallery
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capella07
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/08
Posts: 7
Loc: West-central Minnesota
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Okay, thanks cnstarz (clever name!). That helps a lot.
What do you say about the suggestion by yock to upgrade the controller? How would that enhance/change the setup you described. Would that just be a convenience?
The pic helped. (I have that same exact aluminum table - love it: small, light - I use it for my eyepieces case & atlas.)
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Mark
_________________________________
Glacial Lakes Astronomers and Stargazers Society
Meade ETX80BB
Orion Skyquest 10" Dob.
Out in the middle of nowhere in West-central MN. Great skies!
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BobAnderson
member
Reged: 07/17/07
Posts: 31
Loc: Shelby Ohio
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Matt,
Is that a Hartmann Mask by the computer. What did you make it out of. Also do you like the 884 tripod in polar mod
Thanks
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Anderson Observatory
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1_old_dog
sage
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 435
Loc: Smoky Mnts
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Howdy
I also have the ETX60 BB setup the same as cnstarz.
The only differences are, I don't need the Serial>USB adapter because my old laptop has a serial port, and I don't use the meade software that came with the #506 cable, I use CDC instead.
The upgrade to a newer handbox (495/497) will only give you more objects and a different keyboard setup, numbers instead of arrows.
Personally I don't think our small ETX's can see half of the stuff that's already programmed into the data base of the 494, so what's the point.
I'm sure others will have more input about benifits of upgrading the controller.
OD
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old stuff but good stuff
http://chu65nang67.us/nam/vietnam.html
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capella07
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/08
Posts: 7
Loc: West-central Minnesota
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Hey, OD.
Your info about the 494 to 497 upgrade is about what I figured.
If you've used the software that came with the scope, how does it compare to CDC as far as controlling - easier? How's the learning curve for either?
Thanks!
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Mark
_________________________________
Glacial Lakes Astronomers and Stargazers Society
Meade ETX80BB
Orion Skyquest 10" Dob.
Out in the middle of nowhere in West-central MN. Great skies!
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yock1960
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/22/08
Posts: 1121
Loc: SW Ohio, USA
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Quote:
Personally I don't think our small ETX's can see half of the stuff that's already programmed into the data base of the 494, so what's the point.
I'm sure others will have more input about benifits of upgrading the controller.
The biggest reasons that I upgraded was:
1) #506 cable is $50 and limited to #494's only.
2) I still would need the USB<->Serial adapter.
3) #497 allows potential to control from 'Planetarium' on my PDA.
Getting a good deal for the #497 off eBay helped.
Steve
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LXD75 GEM
Orion Starblast 4.5" Imaging Reflector
William Optics Zenithstar 66 SD APO
Meade DSI II OSC
Meade DSI III OSC
Orion Starshoot Autoguider
Televue Powermate 2.5x
Discovery 6" Dobsonian
Nikon Action Extreme 10x50's
Gallery (older stuff)
Picasa Gallery (newer)
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1_old_dog
sage
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 435
Loc: Smoky Mnts
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Howdy
I'm in the middle of the curve with my C8, a philips webcam and registax and it's sort of taken over my life. LOL, so I haven't really used the ETX with the laptop much lately and my memory is foggy.
I think both progs are about the same, and if I remember correctly my old P2 laptop worked better (fewer hiccups) using CDC. The learning curve is not all that great and reading old posts and asking advice on this forum helped a lot.
I think you will have fun learning what the scope is capable of.
Oh! I did use the mighty ETX the other night to do some vids of the moon .
OD
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old stuff but good stuff
http://chu65nang67.us/nam/vietnam.html
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1_old_dog
sage
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 435
Loc: Smoky Mnts
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Quote:
The biggest reasons that I upgraded was:
1) #506 cable is $50 and limited to #494's only.
2) I still would need the USB<->Serial adapter.
3) #497 allows potential to control from 'Planetarium' on my PDA.
Getting a good deal for the #497 off eBay helped.
yes I totally agree this would be a good reason to do the upgrade. I just didn't see the need for it in my situation.
OD
--------------------
old stuff but good stuff
http://chu65nang67.us/nam/vietnam.html
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5994
Loc: London UK
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Very nice OD 
I think I've problems with my USB-Serial adapter 
In the past I've got my ETX-70+#494 handbox+#506 serial cable to work ok on an old pre-USB laptop but can't get my USB-Serial adapter 'recognised' by my newer USB laptop. I'm happy with the #494.
Disconnecting each plug from the USB end is 'recognised' [bing-bong] but not from the #506 serial port back to scope. I assume my USB-Serial adapter is incompatible - any solution with rewiring or do I need a special USB-Serial adapter that's guaranteed to work in this application  TIA
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Hitachi HD+Disgo Video Fun cams
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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1_old_dog
sage
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 435
Loc: Smoky Mnts
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thanx nytecam that means a lot coming from a pro.
Quote:
I assume my USB-Serial adapter is incompatible - any solution with rewiring or do I need a special USB-Serial adapter that's guaranteed to work in this application TIA
Sorry no solutions other than getting the correct adapter that is guaranteed to work.
OD
--------------------
old stuff but good stuff
http://chu65nang67.us/nam/vietnam.html
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 7062
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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When I control my ETX-60BB using the handset the #494 controller works fine, but when I'm using a computer I find the #497 controller to be much, much easier. I particularly like using the Remote Handbox function from Autostar Suite.
One way to pick up the cable and software for the #497 controller is to buy one of Meade's cameras (LPI, DSI, or DSI Pro), they come with the software and cable, and for the little ETX-60/80BB the cameras are so light they're a nice match for the telescope.
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-John
================================================
Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I, II, & III), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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nytecam
Postmaster
Reged: 08/20/05
Posts: 5994
Loc: London UK
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Quote:
thanx nytecam that means a lot coming from a pro.
Quote:
I assume my USB-Serial adapter is incompatible - any solution with rewiring or do I need a special USB-Serial adapter that's guaranteed to work in this application TIA
Sorry no solutions other than getting the correct adapter that is guaranteed to work.OD
And what is the spec [name/no /supplier] of the USB-Serial adapter that WILL work with #506 cable and USB laptop from personal experience Thanks
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Nytecam 51N 0.1W
Meade 30cm LX200+ETX-70+e-finder+C8+Ha+CaK PSTs SBIG SGS+homebuilt spectrographs
Starlight SXVF_M9+Lodestar CCDs/Canon 300D DSLR/Hitachi HD+Disgo Video Fun cams
My observatory build-ETX-70 imaging-my videos
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