I Totally Failed at Guiding

[ImJohn]

I recently started with astrophotography. My equipment is outlined below. Yes, I know there are better options but I'm working with what my budget allows. I am running into a roadblock that I can't figure out how to get around even after hours of research online. When I try to calibrate PHD2 I get an error that says "PulseGuide command to mount has failed - guiding is likely to be ineffective.". PHD doesn't seem to be actually sending commands out to my mount. I've tried every ASCOM driver for Meade that I can find. I'm sure I'm overlooking something obvious, just can't figure out what. Can someone please guide me in the right direction?

Meade 8in SCT f/10 - f/6.3 reducer

Meade LXD55 EQ w/ Autostar 497

Meade 505 USB to serial cable

Canon T5 / 1200D imaging camera

Astromania off axis guider

ZWO ASI120MM Mini guide camera

PHD2 & APT on Windows 10

Attached is my last image (unguided) of M27 and my current setup.

 

[david_taurus83]

Have you installed EQMod as well as ASCOM? Or you could try with the ST4 cable?

[steppenwolf]

I'm pretty sure that the LX -55 doesn't have an ST4 guide port so you will be limited to pulse guiding using the LX200 driving software and Autostar controller. It may help to be sure that the RS232 port is properly recognised by the system as this can be problematical.

[michael8554]

EQMOD is for Skywatcher-type EQ mounts, not Meades.

These are the only ASCOM drivers that will work with the Autostar 497 mounts:

Meade Autostar/Audiostar Project (October 2019)

Meade LX200 Classic and Autostar #494, #495, and #497 (combined telescope/focuser, 5.0.4, May 2013)

The first one is being actively updated by the author to add new features and to cover newer Meade mounts.

All the other Meade drivers are for Autostar II mounts.

Here's the Troubleshooting Help, the "Fail" message is discussed near the end:

https://openphdguiding.org/man-dev/Trouble_shooting.htm

Post one of your Guidelogs that includes your Calibration attempts.

Michael