8 replies to this topic

[jrfk2]

Hi Folks,

Its been 20+ years since I had used my ETX90EC but got it out to start using it again. I figured since it has been such a long time, I should look to update the Autostar.
I downloaded update software from Mead and hooked things up to an older W10 tower PC that has a comm port .. but the Mead s/w (ASU) said it could not connect to the internet, but I think it really meant it could not connect to the meade servers?

So I was looking online and found another software program, AutoStar(?) that updated the patch level from 21xx to 42xx. I then did a reset as is suggested and put in my time zone etc.

Set the telescope up outside. I got it pointed sorta in the direction of true north to get it in the Alt/Az home position (I live in NY so its supposed to be like 11 degrees west of magnetic North).
But I didn't think getting it very accurately in the home position mattered since I use the 2 star align and I thought that would correct things if my home position was off?

At any rate, it was off for each of the 2 stars to align to, but I adjusted it and got each star in the eyepiece's cross hairs and pressed enter.

But then I told it to point to the moon to adjust the focus and the moon was nowhere in the field of view or the eyepiece. I was able to adjust the telescope to put the moon into position and adjust focus, but if it couldn't find the moon accurately then its not going to find other things accurately.

So I guess first off, how important is it to get the scope into home position as accurately as possible? I thought that just helped find the 2 stars for the align more readily?

If using the 2 star align should have compensated for an inaccurate home position, what do I do next?
thanks ...

[Thrifty1]

I’d suggest you calibrate motors and train drives too (in Setup - Telescope menu on AutoStar).

Also be sure you have new batteries or a reliable power source.

It is important to have the tripod level and be as precise as possible during alignment. It only takes a couple minutes to set it up and get going.

[jrfk2]

I’d suggest you calibrate motors and train drives too (in Setup - Telescope menu on AutoStar).

Also be sure you have new batteries or a reliable power source.

It is important to have the tripod level and be as precise as possible during alignment. It only takes a couple minutes to set it up and get going.

Thanks will give that a go .. 

 

and I am using AC power instead of batteries so I believe I am good on that end ..

[Skywatchr]

Hi Folks,

Its been 20+ years since I had used my ETX90EC but got it out to start using it again. I figured since it has been such a long time, I should look to update the Autostar.
I downloaded update software from Mead and hooked things up to an older W10 tower PC that has a comm port .. but the Mead s/w (ASU) said it could not connect to the internet, but I think it really meant it could not connect to the meade servers?

So I was looking online and found another software program, AutoStar(?) that updated the patch level from 21xx to 42xx. I then did a reset as is suggested and put in my time zone etc.

Set the telescope up outside. I got it pointed sorta in the direction of true north to get it in the Alt/Az home position (I live in NY so its supposed to be like 11 degrees west of magnetic North).
But I didn't think getting it very accurately in the home position mattered since I use the 2 star align and I thought that would correct things if my home position was off?

At any rate, it was off for each of the 2 stars to align to, but I adjusted it and got each star in the eyepiece's cross hairs and pressed enter.

But then I told it to point to the moon to adjust the focus and the moon was nowhere in the field of view or the eyepiece. I was able to adjust the telescope to put the moon into position and adjust focus, but if it couldn't find the moon accurately then its not going to find other things accurately.

So I guess first off, how important is it to get the scope into home position as accurately as possible? I thought that just helped find the 2 stars for the align more readily?

If using the 2 star align should have compensated for an inaccurate home position, what do I do next?
thanks ...

The Moon and Planets will be off because of the (now) older Epoch 2000 database. 

 

Also once you do a reset, you must also do a Training, and a Calibration of the motors.  After that you should get a lot closer with GoTo. 

[jrfk2]

The Moon and Planets will be off because of the (now) older Epoch 2000 database. 

 

Also once you do a reset, you must also do a Training, and a Calibration of the motors.  After that you should get a lot closer with GoTo. 

 

So even tho I updated the Autostar firmware it still has an older database?

Just did a training as described in the ETX90 manual I found online .. trains horizontal and vertical .. is that all of the training I need to do after the reset?

thanks!

[Skywatchr]

So even tho I updated the Autostar firmware it still has an older database?

Just did a training as described in the ETX90 manual I found online .. trains horizontal and vertical .. is that all of the training I need to do after the reset?

thanks!

Plus calibration. 

[jrfk2]

Plus calibration. 

 

OK, I think that is found in the autostar as Setup -> Telescope -> Calibrate motor? thanks

[DAVIDG]

 To update your Autostar 497 you want to use StarPatch not the Meade software since it has issues and StarPatch is much better.   Here is link to the free version that will just fine to the upgrade 

https://www.stargps.ca/starpatch.htm

  Once you upgrade the firmware you want to calibrate the motors then train the drive . To have accurate GOTO's you need to enter the Time, Date, Daylight Saving Time, and Location accurately and have the mount level and pointed  due North.  What I do is  level the base and then point the scope at Polaris then set  the tube  horizontal. I then turn the scope off then on again and do a two star Alignment. The closer the mount is aligned to true North and pointed at 0 Azimuth to start the smaller the initiation errors are and they are easier for the firmware to correct for.  

 

               - Dave 

[OzAndrewJ]

Gday jrfk2

So even tho I updated the Autostar firmware it still has an older database?

Correct

The mount only operates in J2000.

The Moon is actually one of the hardest things to find,

as the unit only has a tiny 8bit processor and limited memory to store programs

and do calculations.

As such the calculations are very cut down, ( as are those for the planets )

Stars etc should be pretty good still, as they dont really move that much

( relative to each other ) based on time, but dont use the planets/moon as a test.

Andrew Johansen Melbourne Australia