URSA MINOR AUTOGUIDER INTERFACE
This USB Autoguider is compatible with all mounts having standard ST4 autoguider port. Here is a list of some
popular examples:
The above are just examples. It is not meant to be a full list of compatible mounts.
The USB Autoguider is also compatible with our Ursa Minor Pro Planetarium and Telescope Controller Software
How does it work?
For long exposure astrophotography it is essential to use guiding. Without guiding you cannot achieve good quality photos with exposure times longer than few seconds because polar adjustment errors and mechanical errors will cause drift in images.
To avoid trailing of the image we should use a separate guidescope on the same telescope mount, and let the computer
watch a guide star in the field of guiding camera. The computer should keep the guiding star centered by sending
correction impulses to the mount when the guiding star moves out of its original position.
The Ursa Minor Autogider makes a connection between the computer and the telescope mount.
What else would you need? In addition to the Autoguider Interface itself you will need these accessories too:
- Telescope mount that can hold two telescopes or one main and one piggybacked or a bigger finderscope, converted to a guiding scope.
- Guiding scope
- Autoguide software
- Guiding camera (purpose made guiding camera (e.g. Loadstar or Mammut) or a highly sensitive webcamera (e.g. Philips SPC900NC))
- Infrared blocking filter
- Eyepiece adapter for the camera
Some astronomical cameras have IR block filter and eyepiece mount adapter already installed.
How to use it?
Preparations
Before using the autoguider, you need to install the driver for USB communication. The autoguider based on the FTDI
chip. The detailed description of installation of the FTDI
driver can be read from FTDI's homepage. If you do not like to read all that documentation, here is the basic steps
of installation:
There are two modes of driver installation: Automatic and manual.
Automatic installation of the driver
You can obtain the driver by downloading this zip file: FTDI_automatic_driver.zip, or you can download it from the homepage of the
manufacturer: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/CDM/CDM%202.04.06.exe
This program will automatically install the driver. When the installation finished, zou can connect the autoguider to
a free USB port.
Manual installation of the driver
You can obtain the driver from the CD disc or you can download it from the Internet. The driver can be downloaded from the homepage of the manufacturer.
- To start installing the driver, connect the autoguider into a free USB port. The computer will recognize it, and
starts searching a driver for it.
- the "New hardware wizard" window will appear, asking the place of the driver. Please chhose the "Install from
specific location (Advanced)" option. A new window will appear asking search options. Please check the "Include this
path for searching" option and press "Browse".
- A new dialog box will appear, and you should navigate to the folder of the driver. Press "Ok" or "Open" and the
driver will be copied and installed.
- Now you should restart the computer.
- After restarting, the computer will recognize the autoguider and the driver.
Checking the COM port number
After the autoguider connected, the computer will assign a
com port number (COM1, COM2...) to it. You should need to
know this com port number, because it is needed for use with
autoguider programs. The port number can be seen from the
Control panel. The method is similar as using USB-serial
converter. You can read how to check the com port number on the
support page.
Using with GuideMaster
GuideMaster supports this autoguider directly, therefore yo don't have to use ASCOM drivers.
The autoguider uses Meade LX200 commands, so you should choose LX200 as telescope type.
- Start the GuideMaster program
- Choose General/Setup from main menu. The settings window will appear.
- Choose first tab page. This page contains settings regarding to communication with telescope and autoguider.
- Choose "LX200" from the options. Choose proper COM port from the drop-down list of ports.
- The "Use moveguide commands" should be unchecked.
- Please click Save button.
- In the main menu choose "Connect". if you don't receive an error message, the communication is
established. Four direction buttons will appear in the lower left corner of the window, as shown in this image:
- You can check the operation of the autoguider by clicking these direction buttons. As you push one, the program
will send correction command, and the red LED blinks on the Autoguider.
Using with PHD Guiding
When you would like to use PHD Guiding program, please download and install the "Generic LX-200 (5.0.1)" ASCOM
driver.
You can order the optional software from here:
Ursa Minor Pro Planetarium and Telescope Controlling Software
IN STOCK NOW! Expected dispatch time: 1-3 days!
Troubleshooting:
If the Autoguider doesn't connect.
Please connect the Autoguider ONLY with the PC for testing.
Download the autoguider_test.zip from here:
(use Guidemaster only if you managed to connect with the Autoguider test)
Find out the COM port in your PCs control panel as described here:
Scroll down to Getting the COM port number
(Do not connect the mount to the Autoguider.)
Unpack and run the test program, connect with the COM port number that you found out from your Device Manager and see whether the LED in front of the Autoguider lights up or not.
