For the ASCOM platform and use of the pulseguide commands, if you use V5.0a make
sure you D/L version 5.03 of the Meade LX200/497 driver. The first version of V5
Meade driver did not support pulse guide for the 497 but it has been added via a
checkbox on the setup form. I do not know when they added it to the V5 driver
but I know I had asked for permission to mod the driver to add it (the sw
license does not allow derivative works) and never got a response.

For V4.1 ASCOM users, the stock Meade driver does not allow use of pulse guide
with the 497. I know the PHD site has a link out to a V4 driver that does
support the pulseguide on the 497.

Gene


--- In RoboScope@yahoogroups.com, "Hemmings, R.K." <rkh@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks Andrew, that's really useful info! :o)
>
> Best,
> --
> Rob (~52N, ~1W)
>
> ________________________________________
> From: RoboScope@yahoogroups.com [RoboScope@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
johansea [johansea@...]
> Sent: 13 July 2009 23:57
> To: RoboScope@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [RoboScope] Re: Alternative to the Meade #909 APM
>
> Gday Rob/Gene
>
> --- In RoboScope@yahoogroups.com, "lynol1000" <lynol1000@> wrote:
> >
> > Rob,
> >
> > There have been some heated debates in other egroups
> > on how well the 497 serial input works for guiding.
> > Some people swear by it, other at it.
> > I believe autostaretx will tell you the inputs from
> > the AuxBus from the 909 end up in the same variables
> > as the serial input.
>
> Correct, but only for"pulseguide" serial commands
>
> > Now how they are used might be different.
>
> Just for info, Gene is partly right and Rob is partly right :-)
> The original Meade Guide commands :Mx# x=n,s,e,w
> had to be stopped using another specific serial command.
> This process involved a lag when stopping,
> ie there was a little drift after guiding
> and "possible" lag in the serial start vs stop commands.
>
> Meade then introduced new PulseGuide commands :Mgxdddd#
> These commands don't involve a lag / drift on stopping.
> The :Mg commands come in on serial ( with possible delays ), but are
preprocessed and stored in a var to be processed later,
> they arent immediately done.
>
> There is a std process that runs later and inside this,
> the system looks for pending "pulseguide commands"
> If the guide vars are zero and an APM is fitted, then the APM is queried and
if it has data it is read in and converted to equivalent milliseconds of guide.
> The result is then treated in a common manner
>
> So yes, Using :M commands works differently and can involve lags
> Using :Mg or APM909 basically work the same way with roughly the same timings.
>
> Andrew Johansen Melbourne Australia
>
>
> >
> > Renaud, if your machine has a true serial port, go for it. If not, pick up a
known to work well USB to serial adapter, then go for it!
> > :-)
> >
> >
> > The ASCOM platform allows guding with DSI via programs other than Envisage.
Using ASCOM also opens up the 'pulseguide' commands of the 497 (not limited to
lx200 command set) if you use the correct ASCOM driver.
> >
> > I do not think Envisage uses anthing more than lx200 commands to a 497,
which -is- severly limiting compared with the pusleguide commands.
> >
> > Gene
> >
> > --- In RoboScope@yahoogroups.com, "Hemmings, R.K." <rkh@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Renaud,
> > >
> > > You can guide using the 497 serial input port at the
> > > bottom, using a USB>serial adaptor and generic LX200
> > > guiding commands, if your software supports everything.
> > > It doesn't work very well though, due to inherent delays.
> > >
> > > Gene's Clone 909 is by far the best way to autoguide
> > > a mount with Meade motors.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > --
> > > Rob (~52N, ~1W)
> > >
> > > >-----Original Message-----
> > > >From: RoboScope@yahoogroups.com [mailto:RoboScope@yahoogroups.com] On
> > > >Behalf Of renaudvl
> > > >Sent: 13 July 2009 14:10
> > > >To: RoboScope@yahoogroups.com
> > > >Subject: [RoboScope] Re: Alternative to the Meade #909 APM
> > > >
> > > >Thanks for sharing this option, looks interesting...
> > > >
> > > >Any way of guiding using the Autostar hand controler??? with a DSI and
> > > >envisage and something USB ???
> > > >
> > > >Thanks again
> > > >
> > > >Renaud
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >--- In RoboScope@yahoogroups.com, "lynol1000" <lynol1000@> wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >> I talked the wife into allowing a 'large restock' to cover the number
> > > >of on hand PCB's I have of each type.
> > > >>
> > > >> Parts now on hand to build:
> > > >> 16 of the 909 clones that supply guide only
> > > >> 6 for full featured (Guide/Focus/Reticule) and supporting native USB
> > > >interface (no ST4 dongle required).
> > > >> 15 of the PC/MAC USB to ST4 output units.
> > > >>
> > > >> Gene
> > > >> http://home.comcast.net/~lynol1000/as_909/as_909_clone.htm
> > > >> http://home.comcast.net/~lynol1000/guide_output_web_1/guide_out.htm
> > > >>
> > > >> --- In RoboScope@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew" <amessent@> wrote:
> > > >> >
> > > >> > Sorry, that wasn't much help, try here for a #909 clone:
> > > >> > http://home.comcast.net/~lynol1000/as_909/as_909_clone.htm
> > > >> >
> > > >> > Andrew
> > > >> >
> > > >> > --- In RoboScope@yahoogroups.com, "renaudvl" <renaudvl@> wrote:
> > > >> > >
> > > >> > > Hello,
> > > >> > >
> > > >> > > I am looking for a way to auto guide my LXD75 mount using the
> > > >shoestring USB guider port.
> > > >> > > Is there any other way then using the Meade #909 APM module???
> > > >> > >
> > > >> > > Thanks
> > > >> > >
> > > >> > > Renaud
> > > >> > >
> > > >> >
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >------------------------------------
> > > >
> > > >How to convert your GP-style mount to GOTO:
> > > >http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RoboScope/files/
> > > >Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> How to convert your GP-style mount to GOTO:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RoboScope/files/
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>