Hi, I started using StarChaser (SC-3) in Maxim LT and trying to establish communication with iOptron HAE29 mount. Maxim LT does not have observatory control option , but I guess you can still guide the mount through guider settings. So I have several questions 1. I have the latest ASCOM platform installed and running. The mount and SC3 have the right ASCOM drivers and can be connected and controlled in another software using ASCOM protocol (like NINA or PHD2 etc). However if I go back to Maxim LT and select the guider output as ASCOM direct, I get an error indicating Guider settings are incorrect...what am I missing?, Is there a way to know at all in Maxim LT that the mount and SC3 are connected and "talking to each other" ? it seems the are not seeing each other at all , I can't even download the location and time from the mount in Maxim LT settings... moreover ASCOM COM port and setup buttons are greyed out...please advise to how to fix these issues. 2. Do I need to connect ST4 port on the mount to the Guider port on the SC3, if I am using pulse guide ASCOM protocol, I actually did connect it, but nothing changed I still get an error for the direct ASCOM guider signal output.
MaxIm LT does not support connecting to ASCOM telescope mount for control, timing, or other functionality. You would need to upgrade to MaxIm DL Pro for that. Instead, use the Guider output set to control via the Guider Relays, and use a cable between the Guider output jack on the SC and the mount's guider input jack. Test you have the correct guide cable, as some mounts use a different cable arrangement - Guider Move functions will allow you to test all 4 directions.
Tried this " use the Guider output set to control via the Guider Relays, and use a cable between the Guider output jack on the SC and the mount's guider input jack. Test you have the correct guide cable, as some mounts use a different cable arrangement - Guider Move functions will allow you to test all 4 directions". Used reverse ST4 cable but the Mount does not move at all in any directions, can't hear motors running either, even though software window tells mount is moving....but nothing happens...what else can be causing this?
tried downloading full trial Version 7.14 of Maxim DL Pro, same problems, nothing changed, SC3 has no connection to the scope guiding commands, tried both Guider Output options : Direct Ascom and Guider relays...the scope does not move at all and gives an error ": cant' initialize guider output"...what a headache! Also when I select either of those guider outputs options COM port Setup button is grayed out..something is definitely wrong here...
Tried older Version of Maxim (No AO support and DL imaging) but can still connect SC3 through ASCOM and everything works through ASCOM Direct Guider outputs , so this MUST be the bug in DL Version 7.14 is there a way for a quick fix ? and lastly why is this labeled as " Resolved" quite the opposite!!! full of bugs and troubles, not resolved at all
Please confirm that it is working with ASCOM to the DL Imaging Camera 1 or Camera 2, set to the SC-3. I want to make sure I understand you. If is is working with ASCOM, this is puzzling, because ASCOM -> DLImaging ASCOM Drivers talk to DLAPI.dll which talks to the SC-3. This is virtually the same mechanism as MaxIm - the MaxIm DL Imaging CCDPlug DL Imaging talks to DLAPI.dll which talks to the SC-3. I suspect you have a configuration error in MaxIm. Please verify: a) File.. Settings... Site - and check the latitiude and longitude are set. b) File... Settings... Optics to verify your telescope optical parameters. c)On the guider tab: 1. [Move] window 2. Set the move time to something like 10 seconds 3. The mount will move in Declination when you click the direction buttons like [Y+]/[Y-] ? As an aside, I used to own iOptron mounts and found it helpful to make sure you have the latest firmware in your mount and hand controller https://www.ioptron.com/Articles.asp?ID=348
Thanks for the phone call - I've tested things and they work here. Please click Send a Private Message under my picture at the right. I need to have your name, telephone number, email and serial numbers for MaxIm LT 7.1.4 and MaxIm 6.1.2. Then we'll connect for a remote access session later today.
Hi Colin, did you have a chance to look into the issue of connecting SC3 to guide options through ASCOM ? Have you seen anything abnormal in the settings file I attached earlier? Thanks!
I removed all previous versions of Maxim from the computer, unfortunately that did not help, ASCOM or Guider Relays options under guider tab are still grey and inaccessible....I can try few more things, if it is possible to use my current Maxim 7 demo license on another computer, I can verify it that wayby installing it on the different machine, if not can you allow me to try demo Maxim 7 on another computer? Another alternative can you make Maxim 6.5 demo available? I was able to connect to ASCOM direct in Maxim 6.0 but that version has no AOX/SC3 support capability, so I can at least try it in 6.5
Alex, If the Control Via output is set to ASCOM, and the setup button is disabled, the only known causes are: System corruption. Guider is running. Missing ASCOM Platform. There at least needs to be 1 telescope driver - such as ASCOM Device Hub. Missing registry entry. Launch regedit.ext In the Registry Editor, check to be sure this key exists: \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ASCOM\Telescope Drivers If it is missing, your ASCOM installation is messed up. If it is there, disconnect from the cameras, and check the guider settings button. If it is still not working, check that you have the prerequisite Microsoft runtimes. You mentioned that C0ntrol Via set to Guider relays is not working. I checked with another user of the iOptron HAE mount. He says it is ESSENTIAL to update the firmware in the mount and the handcontroller. Apparently there is are a number of guiding issues with the HAE mounts, including drift after guiding correction, and this has been fixed by the firmware update. He also says to check the hand controller settings - Oddly the mount cannot guide at 1x in RA or DEC. So he suggested you set the guide rate to 0.5x or 0.9x for example. Make sure that you have the correct guide cable. Since you bought the equipment used, you might need different wiring than whatever cable you have. Check the manuals for both the mount and the StarChaser. Good luck.
Alex, I've also merged your accounts on the forum under this one user OLES, and set customer status so you have access to the MaxIm customer-only sections.
Colin, regarding your last post, I checked all components/elements and everything is present/up to date. I ran 30 day trial version Max 7 on multiple other laptops Win 10/11 64 -bit the issue is still there: under guider setting/ control via/ any option has a greyed out setup com option, including ASCOM, and I am therefore unable to setup the controls...this is not a computer issue anymore something is inherently wrong with the installation files and their content in this case it is either MaximDl 7 or ASCOM. Currently installed ASCOM platform is working for all other apps installed on my PC and all equipment, as I mentioned older Maxim DL Demo version 6.2 also works, so all my cables and drivers are up to date, something is wrong with Max 7. If you can have another remote session I would greatly appreciate, I can connect one of the newer laptops and run all installations parallel with you...I am just curious to know if you were able to find any laptop in your office that never had any software installed and run a fresh installs of the files that I have: 30-day Maxim full demo and the latest ASCOM platform...I would like to know the results
