Meade Autostar upgrade

[MajorPercy]

I have a Meade 10" about 19 years old with the original Autostar controller. Can I upgrade the software on it, or replace it with a newer version of Autostar?

Thanks for any help.

Bob

[ronin]

Difficult to say is really the answer.

Meade started out with Autostar and then appeared to have the #494 and #497 as the main handsets. My #497 simply says Autostar at the top, no reference to #497 anywhere.

If the newer #497 has your model in the list of scopes then it should work by simply plugging in, powering up and setting the scope.

I am not sure what scopes are in the handset.

The main handset aspect is the gear ratio's that the handset has within it for each scope. As an example the ETX 60/70/80 use the #494, the 90/105/125 all use the #497.

The #497 does not have the ETX 70 as an option, but if you change the Alt and Az gear ratio data of say an ETX 90 in the #497 to the ratio's of the ETX 70 then apparently it all works fine. This came from the Weasner site some years back.

Concerning software upgrades, Meade didn't really do updates. There will/may be one or two but in general Meade did not throw out a lot. The #494 simply cannot be updated. I also think that some #497's can be updated, some cannot, it depends on the memory if them, and possibly the software already present.

Going to suggest 2 things - try the Meade Support site, and also go to the Cloudy Nights Forum and check or ask in their scope specific section. Meades were more common over in the US and they tend to have more information.

Another aspect is if you are in the UK locate a club within reach. Say this as although people may comment somewhat critically of Meade scopes every club I have been to and visited has used 8", 10" and 14" Meade scopes. They seem to be the mainstay of many clubs and so a club may be able to help.

I will suggest that if the handset is working and it does what you need/want then leave it alone.

Consider it this way:= You have a working handset now, if you attempt an update you may or may not have a working handset.

You will find you can run the scope from a laptop and software, a number of clubs do this.

If you ask elsewhere then you will need to give more information on the scope, LX10, LX90, LX200 models if I recall all came in 10" sizes. Meade did not do much to make it easy, a 10" Meade could be any of several models.

[Davey-T]

Last version was 497g not been updated for years, there are a couple of guys on the LX200GPS Yahoo group who have reverse engineered the software and improved a few bits.

Dave

[MajorPercy]

Hi Ronin. Thanks for the info. Tha has helped a lot. I think I stay with what I've got.

Regards, Bob

[ronin]

As said if it works then it really is a good idea to leave it alone, on the #494's I have the choice was made for me - they don't do updating. Meade never seemed to get into the issuing of updates.

Also the update really needs the old serial port 9.6k or 19.2k  (might be a factor of 10 wrong - losing my marbles) and the modern USB seem to be a source of problems. If I had to do one I honestly think I would search for a serial port board to add the a PC then do the update.

I half suspect that the #497 = Autostar.

But Meade have never said that specifically.

I have tended to buy spare #494 and #497 as I expect one day to stand on one and so will need a spare to plug in.

Think I have 3 #494's. :grin:   Mind you the spare #497 seems to have gone walkabout.

Meade used to do a wifi handset, cannot recall the full name. Now they are useful, and rare as hens teeth.

As said if you really want informtion the CN Meade Forum is useful.

[Davey-T]

The updates that Meade did do (don't know if they still do) was ephemirids for comets / asteroids / ISS and that sort of thing, via a USB / Serial cable, I only tried it once, not successfully, I now just enter them manually into the handset.

Dave

[michael8554]

Bob, if your LX200 is 19 years old then it is probably the LX200 Classic model that pre-dates the LX200 GPS model that uses Autostar II. 

In any case there has never been a  LX200 model  that uses the Autostar 497 etc mentioned by others above.

The Autostar is used by mainly ETX telescopes,  the closest to the LX200 that uses it is the LX90.

The software for the Classic is in ROM (Read Only Memory) and can only be updated by replacing the ROM's with ones with newer software - if you can get them, assuming you haven't already got the latest.

I can recommend the MAPUG LX200 Classic site for everything about the Classic.

After all that, if it does have an Autostar then I apologise, but it is probably newer than 19 years old.

Michael

[Davey-T]

My LX200 uses 497 handset.

Dave

[michael8554]

Well Dave, now I'm confused.

If you're talking about the LX200R in your equipment list, that has the Autostar II controller - a 497 is in no way compatible.

So which flavor of LX200 are you talking about?

No LX200 model has ever used a 497.

Michael

[Dave In Vermont]

Meade "Customer Service" is said to have improved in the last year or two. Before that, they were a bad joke. I ended up in a verbal fist-fight the last time I tried to use them. So if they've gone 'round the bend again - don't despair. There's another way (or two) to get the info you need.

The first way is to poke around in Yahoo Astronomy Groups. They have some truly brilliant minds who are end-users of these products and know what fits which. Joining is free. The new version of the 497 is the Audiostar. It has the new ability to tell you about what you're looking at if you use their tour function. I ignore this. But in any case, it should work with your scope. But do ask in Yahoo about this. Google is your friend.

Another trick I learned is to bypass Meade altogether and ask questions to their largest sales point on the west-coast: Oceanside Photo and Telescope - OPT. These folks are on the front-lines for knowing all about Meade products and what does what. And, though I'm not suggesting you do, they do ship internationally - so you could order your replacement from them. Asking questions is free:

http://www.optcorp.com/

OPT is quite aware that people calling their 'Customer Service' department would usually end up returning their Meade and buying Celestron! Meade was that bad regards Customer Service. OPT figures part of the sales price includes taking up Customer Service as part of their service. Let them duke it out with Meade. They do it very well.

When I bought my last LX90, it came with a dead Audiostar. Meade wouldn't lift a finger to make it right, but OPT shipped me one - no questions asked. And I yelled so well at Meade, the supervisor listened in. So Meade actually sent me a new one, too. After telling me they were out-of-stock for 3 months and I'd have to wait for First Light. So I have two of 'em now!

For other problems with a Meade SCT, I suggest joining Clay Sherrod's group and website. Dr. Clay is the true guru of Meade LX-series scopes. He used to fix them for people, as well as "Hypertuning" them to work much better than originally designed to. He's a great guy!

Here's his website:

http://www.arksky.org/index.php

Joining takes a day or so for him to personally respond - due to his being plagued by spammers. So I council being patient. You'll get there.

Hope this helps,

Dave