Stilletto
member
Reged: 09/23/09
Posts: 61
Loc: Yulee, Florida
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Hey guys,
I am getting senile or something because I can't seem to remember (or find through searching, for that matter) exactly what cables I need to do what I am trying to do.
I have a LX200 classic that I want to hook up to my laptop.
I want to autoguide through PHD or similar and also control the scope through The Sky.
Things I know I need:
Laptop has only USB ports, so I need a USB to Serial converter for the autoguider. So,
2xUSB to Serial converter (1 for autoguiding and 1 for The Sky)
But what kind of cables? I know a standard phone cable will not work and I am confused between the #505, #507, Autostar, Autostar II, mySky cables....I made one years ago but I might as well buy them now and be done with it, unless you guys insist that it is better to do so 
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10" LX200 Classic
Neximage
Canon 450D
Hirsch f/6.3 FR
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chicot
super member
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 189
Loc: Liverpool, UK
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Not sure what type of cable but you should only need one. You can use the telescope to laptop connection both for guiding and the Sky since only one will be in use at any one time (You won't be moving the telescope to a different object at the same time as guiding). I use Maxim DL for scope targetting and PHD for guiding, simply disconnecting from one and connecting to the other where necessary.
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Meade 10-inch LX200 classic
Williams Optics ZII80
Starlight Xpress SXV-H9
Starlight Xpress Lodestar autoguider
Meade DSI III
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imjeffp
Aluminum Falcon
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4902
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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Take a look at this drawing.
I use a piece of Cat 5 cable from the serial port to the adapter. The GPUSB connects with a cable from Shoestring.
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Stilletto
member
Reged: 09/23/09
Posts: 61
Loc: Yulee, Florida
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For some reason that drawing has me more confused than ever 
It seemed so simple in the past that I just made my own cable by following a pinout guide and using a phone cord, but now the situation has changed with only having the USB ports.
Is there a model number for that Meade serial adapter shown on the sketch?
Edited by Stilletto (10/24/09 10:00 PM)
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imjeffp
Aluminum Falcon
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4902
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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My adapter came with the DSI. This one looks similar though.
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3598
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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I believe Scopestuff.com also sells that adapter:
http://scopestuff.com/ss_smda8.htm
and several others as well:
http://scopestuff.com/ss_scs2.htm
http://scopestuff.com/ss_lxdec.htm
Jim at scopestuff probably has your exact cable and is easily contacted by email or by phone.
Clear Skies!
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
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Stilletto
member
Reged: 09/23/09
Posts: 61
Loc: Yulee, Florida
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Thank you both that is EXACTLY what I am looking for!!!
Now for question 2.....
How about the Autoguider port? I have read that the CCD port on the LX200 is different, as it accepts pulses rather than the ASCII instructions like the primary rs232 port..
Is it critical to connect the autoguider (PHD) to the CCD port or can the same primary port be used?
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10" LX200 Classic
Neximage
Canon 450D
Hirsch f/6.3 FR
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chicot
super member
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 189
Loc: Liverpool, UK
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I have used both the ccd port on the panel and the main telescope to computer connection and I didn't really notice any difference between the two. As far as I know, using the primary port should be fine.
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Meade 10-inch LX200 classic
Williams Optics ZII80
Starlight Xpress SXV-H9
Starlight Xpress Lodestar autoguider
Meade DSI III
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dwitek
super member
Reged: 07/03/08
Posts: 157
Loc: White Lake, Michigan
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I have the same setup as you and I have only used the RS232 port. You need to make sure that pulse guiding is OFF on PHD. Remember that only one application can access the mount at a time. So, if I want to use both I'll fire up The Sky and do my pointing then terminate the link and connect PHD. Have both applications pointing to the same COM port and you should be fine. You can switch back and forth but remember to terminate the link on one before switching to the other.
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10" LX200 EMC Classic
Milburn wedge
Peterson Eye-Opener system
2" Dielectric Diagonal
JMI NGF Crayford focuser
Meade DSI Pro III
Meade DSI Pro I as autoguider
Piggybacked Stellarvue SV80ED
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imjeffp
Aluminum Falcon
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4902
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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The problem with guiding through the serial port is lag. The guide command can be shorter than the polling rate of the port.
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chicot
super member
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 189
Loc: Liverpool, UK
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That's the way I use it but I'm not sure what you mean by ensuring that pulse guiding is OFF on PHD? I don't think this is an option in PHD itself. Do you mean on your ASCOM settings?
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Meade 10-inch LX200 classic
Williams Optics ZII80
Starlight Xpress SXV-H9
Starlight Xpress Lodestar autoguider
Meade DSI III
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Stilletto
member
Reged: 09/23/09
Posts: 61
Loc: Yulee, Florida
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Hmm.. This must be why you went with the special connection for the CCD port. But $70 bucks + is a bit much for me for a connection 
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10" LX200 Classic
Neximage
Canon 450D
Hirsch f/6.3 FR
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imjeffp
Aluminum Falcon
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4902
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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$100 for a used, original Meade DSI plus $70 for the GPUSB is still cheaper than a $270 Orion StarShoot AutoGuider.
I tried using the NexImage as a guide camera, but got mighty frustrated with the lack of sensitivity.
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Stilletto
member
Reged: 09/23/09
Posts: 61
Loc: Yulee, Florida
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Yea, I guess I see your point there 
That was my intention, to use the Neximage for guiding until I can justify the purchase for a DSI.
So until then I got the cable from scopestuff and an adapter from Newegg and should be at least, cable-wise, able to use The Sky..still gotta work on that CCD port connection I guess.
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10" LX200 Classic
Neximage
Canon 450D
Hirsch f/6.3 FR
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