9 replies to this topic

[wheelw]

So with Meade in current non operational state (hopefully someone resuscitates) had the following question:

 

I have a couple of Meade scopes with autostars and one with an audiostar I had intended to update but didn't get around to.  My understanding is the that update procedure is to use Meade Windows software that would download updates from Meade and then allow you to install them on the controller.

 

I'm thinking this may no longer be supported, so was wondering work arounds to:

a) get current update files for controllers

b) how to use those files to update a controller without a Meade download

 

Thanks for the help!

 

Wayne

 

 

[OzAndrewJ]

Gday Wayne

StarPatch is what you need for all Firmware updates

http://www.stargps.ca/downloads.htm

For the Audiostar, if you want to update tours, satellites etc

you will need to use my PEC editor,

https://groups.io/g/...opeBeta5001.zip

as Meades ASU still mangles them.

 

Andrew Johansen Melbourne Australia

[Skywatchr]

So with Meade in current non operational state (hopefully someone resuscitates) had the following question:

 

I have a couple of Meade scopes with autostars and one with an audiostar I had intended to update but didn't get around to.  My understanding is the that update procedure is to use Meade Windows software that would download updates from Meade and then allow you to install them on the controller.

 

I'm thinking this may no longer be supported, so was wondering work arounds to:

a) get current update files for controllers

b) how to use those files to update a controller without a Meade download

 

Thanks for the help!

 

Wayne

You don't need Meade, nor Meade's ASU software. I ditched it long ago.     OzAndrewJ has you covered with StarPatch updater software and any necessary patches.

For specific Autostar controllers (495/497/Audiostar, and Autostar II and III), and the current firmware they have, please let Andrew know so he can guide you properly for specific versions so you have no issues.

And be sure to specify which mounts too.  

[wheelw]

Thank you both for your responses.  I will check out StarPatch- and feel much better.

 

The autostar physical and menu interface always just seem better and more intuitive than Celestron and others.  Except for the short lived Meade Stella, no one seems to have really pushed the interface to software for phone.

 

Long live the Meade community!

 

Wayne

[John Ailshire]

I am about 3 years behind the times as 2021 was the drop dead year for Meade. I need an AudioStar handbox for my LX90. I am hoping someone may know a source post Meade. I would like to think Meades handbox supplier would had to have some number of these on the production line during the litigation. Any information would be very much appreciated whether helpful or not. If nothing else, does anyone have experience with removing the OTA and installing  a dovetail for an equitorial configuration. It maybe that I am looking at a very expensive paper weight, but I really like the OTA and want to salvage it if possible. Thanks for reading and thanks for any information I can get. 

[Skywatchr]

I am about 3 years behind the times as 2021 was the drop dead year for Meade. I need an AudioStar handbox for my LX90. I am hoping someone may know a source post Meade. I would like to think Meades handbox supplier would had to have some number of these on the production line during the litigation. Any information would be very much appreciated whether helpful or not. If nothing else, does anyone have experience with removing the OTA and installing  a dovetail for an equitorial configuration. It maybe that I am looking at a very expensive paper weight, but I really like the OTA and want to salvage it if possible. Thanks for reading and thanks for any information I can get. 

An Autostar #495, 497 will also work on the LX90.  Watch the Classifieds as even the Audiostar comes up for sale now and then.  There may be some there now.

[John Ailshire]

Thank You for your information. I purchased a 497 from eBay, however the soft/firmware was for a different Meade and I may have fried the PCB in the base of the LX90. It seems to have developed a case of the hiccups as the alt motor elevates the OTA 10 or 15 degrees, stops and  then elevates again repeatedly until I pull power. Sorry I forgot to mention this in my 1st post. This is the reason why I have been contemplating an equitorial (sp?) application. Thank You again for the response 

[Skywatchr]

Thank You for your information. I purchased a 497 from eBay, however the soft/firmware was for a different Meade and I may have fried the PCB in the base of the LX90. It seems to have developed a case of the hiccups as the alt motor elevates the OTA 10 or 15 degrees, stops and  then elevates again repeatedly until I pull power. Sorry I forgot to mention this in my 1st post. This is the reason why I have been contemplating an equitorial (sp?) application. Thank You again for the response 

The only way you could have fried anything with the #497, is if you used the wrong cable, and/or plugged it into the wrong port. 

You have to go into the Telescope menu in the #497 and pick the LX90, then pick ALT-AZ or Polar if on an equatorial wedge for the mount.

[javi.peralta]

Dear all I have read this thread with strong interest. In my case, I have a Meade LS with Autostar III and I have tried to update it with the ASU software and StarPatch, without success in both cases. This is why I would certainly acknowledge to get kind help from you.

[OzAndrewJ]

Gday Javi

Updating an LS could be done using Meades ASU ( i did it a few times )

but it needs a very specific USB to serial converter

IIRC, it worked on W2K, but not XP.

As such, you need to use the SD card method.

There are lots of threads on this as well as a streamlined method

to create the card.

Ref  https://www.cloudyni...2#entry11430430

 

Andrew Johansen Melbourne Australia