AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 943
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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My Desktop died on me. I had my scope connected to it via the RS232 cable. Now...I don't want to buy another Desktop. I find the Laptops more convenient and can take wherever I go. The only problem is....recent Laptops don't carry a RS232 port and runs on Vista. There is a USB-->RS232 cable and software for the laptop.
My Questions are:-
1) Does Meade sell a USB cable? That is - a cable from the scope RS232 port to the laptop USB.
2) Assuming there is no USB cable...would using the USB -> RS232 cable and software be a problem for the scope? or the Laptop?
3) Does Vista support Autosuite? Are there any problems I should look out for?
Thanks for any assistance.
Cheers.
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Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II 
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded 
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katodog
Supreme Grandmaster
Reged: 03/31/06
Posts: 2278
Loc: Carol Stream, Illinois
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You can go to any electronics store and buy a USB to Serial cable. They're pretty generic. I don't recall exactly where I bought mine, I might have gotten it from OPT, I don't remember. But USB to Serial cables are pretty popular, and most electronics stores carry them.
Mine works like a charm, and I know that other cables will work because I have quite a few from different equipment that's not astronomy related and they all work exactly the same.
As far as working with Vista, does anything work with Vista?? Sorry, little poke at Microsoft there. I don't recall hearing too many issues with Autostar lately, but when Vista first came out I know there were a few complaints. I would assume that by now Meade or Microsoft has those issues resolved. I think most of the issues were related to using things like the LPI or DSI, and don't know if it related to telescope control or not.
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The only stupid question is the one that goes unasked
12" Starhopper / Coronado PST
Stellarvue 20x85mm Binocular / LXD75 Mount
Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 DC OS
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 943
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Ok...thanks Katodog.
What I am specifically concerned about is the New OS :-
Microsoft Vista Home Premium 64-Bit
Cheers
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Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 11996
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Don't buy Belkin... They are known to have issues with this setup.
Buy a Keyspan USB>Serial...
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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JAT Observatory
Space Freak
Reged: 02/20/05
Posts: 5607
Loc: Eastern PA
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I could argue the exact opposite I have 2 Belkin USB to serial adapters and they work fine on all my scopes and PCs expect my Macbook running Boot Camp. I have a Targus adapter that is really a rebadged Keyspan it contains a USB to serial adapter a parallel port and 4 USB ports. This adapter didn'tt work on my LX200GPS but it does work on my Pyxis camera rotator.
The point here is save your receipt, in case whatever adapter you buy doesn't work.
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-Marcus
The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.
http://jatobservatory.org
12" LX200R on a Paramount ME
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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 943
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Thanks guys for your replies. I was about to purchase a replacement computer yesterday (laptop). I wanted a new *uptodate* laptop with all the bells and whistles...you know..with 5.1 surround sound for when I'm observing  but what I can't come to grips with is....will Windows Vista Premium 64 bit work with all the '32' bit software etc that has to be loaded.
That's my dilema....to purchase with the computer with 64bit or 32bit OS.
Cheers.
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Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded
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Gama
Vendor (Gama Electronics)
Reged: 08/23/05
Posts: 665
Loc: I come from the land downUnder
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Forget Vista64 bit and astronomical software. They dont go together.
Do what i do, install both on the one system, thne switch between them when you need this or that.
Keyspan, last time i checked, didnt support Vista64 either. But Keyspan is a very good compatability RS232 converter.
Theo.
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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 943
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Just a heads up. Meade does sell a USB/RS232 cable. Works great.
Meade USB/RS-232 Bridge Cable
Retail Price: $48.00 CDN
Description: Lately, laptop computers have begun to phase out the RS-232 port commonly used for telescope interface. USB is much more versatile and allows connection of several peripherals at once. For example, you may want to attach a USB digital imager to your eyepiece while controlling the telescope also from your USB laptop computer.
This Cable permits connection of any Meade telescope''s RS-232 serial interface to a PC''s USB port. Depending on which ETX, LXD or LX telescope you have, connect your #505, #506 or #507 connector cable to the telescope''s RS-232 port. Next, connect the other end of the RS-232 cable to the USB/RS-232 Bridge Cable. Plug the USB cable into your USB port, and away you go! USB drivers are included with the bridge cable. The driver software is compatible with Windows 98, ME, 2000, and XP.
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Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded
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AstroTay
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/10/06
Posts: 943
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Oh...and it works with Microsoft Vista Home Premium w/SP1.
Cheers.
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Meade 10"LX200R w UHTC "Ocean Liner Anne" + wireless Autostar II
DSI Pro w CCD Color Filter Set
Celestron NexStar 102 SLT "SteamShip Anne"
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars "Can-U Anne"
*New* Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D DSLR Camera Now Moded
|
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