Problem with ZWO ST4 to USB Adapter

[LaunchPhotog]

Hello

I recently just purchased an astrophotography telescope system consisting of the Celestron Advanced VX with the Omni 150XL OTA, an Orion 50mm guidescope, and a ZWO ST1034 Astronomy Color Camera. I also purchased a ZWO ST4 to USB adapter to connect the camera to PHD guiding. I can't seem to get it to work at all, the USB side is connected to my computer and the ST4 end is connected to the autoguide port on the mount. I try to go through the prompts to connect the adapter, and when I try to connect through PHD guiding and ASCOM, it says mount not connected on the ST4USB properties, and when I try to manually move the scope through the computer, it turns up a fatal error and will not run at all. I don't know why it is failing, I am wondering if I should exchange and go for the ASI camera for 270 with a built in autoguiding port. If anyone knows how to fix it, it would be greatly appreciated!

[kalasinman]

I think your connecting with the wrong cable. ASCOM and ST4 don't connect in the same way. Check with Celestron support for ASCOM mount control. My mount and camera are different, so no use confusing things.

[Thalestris24]

Hi

You probably just want a usb cable between camera and computer, plus a usb to serial mount control cable. You'll obviously need the Ascom platform plus the Celestron mount drivers. With my AVX I additionally use Stellariumscope and Stellarium.

Good luck

Louise

[Joseki]

I don't know about the VX mount but 

the adapter he/she mentions is this one:  http://www.365astronomy.com/ZWO-USB-ST4-Adapter.html

i.e. it's the same sort of thing as the HitecAstro USB Guider and you select ASCOM in PHD when connecting to the mount according to the instructions.  

For LaunchPhotog the only think not mentioned was whether you downloaded the ASCOM driver.  There's also a ZWO forum https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ASICamera/info

and you could always try asking there (or email ZWO direct)

[LaunchPhotog]

Thank you! I will try that out! I did install the ASCOM drivers, but the computer was receiving malfunctioning codes back from the adapter. The ST4 to USB adapter was connected between the AG port on VX and the USB on my computer, while the camera was directly connected by USB to my computer. 

[Thalestris24]

Hi

The link given before seems to show how to use it: http://www.365astronomy.com/ZWO-USB-ST4-Adapter.html  (I have no experience or knowledge of it myself). Alternatively you can (as I do) have a hand controller - serial cable plus a serial to usb cable for mount control between the computer and hand controller (not between computer and mount as I incorrectly said before). A UK supplier does the latter two cables: http://www.astronomiser.co.uk/mcc.htm#celestron

Louise