Orion 52083 - Manual (Page 32)

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Computer to Mount Connection
In order for autoguiding with the SSDSMI-2 to work, you need a way to send
commands from the computer to the telescope mount. This is generally done
with a cable connecting the computer’s serial (COM) port to the mount’s auto-
guider jack; this cable is generally mount specific, so contact the dealer you
purchased your mount from for the proper cable for your mount.
If your telescope mount is supported by the ASCOM platform, it is a simple
task to setup the autoguider to send commands (through the computer) to the
telescope mount. To do this:
1. Insert the included CD-ROM into your computer.
2. When the Launcher appears (Figure 4), click on the Install ASCOM button
and follow the automatic ASCOM platform installer instructions. Restart
your computer as indicated when done.
3. Connect the SSDSMI-2 to your computer and open the Maxim DL
Essentials software.
4. In the Camera Control Window, click on the Guide tab (Figure 17).
5. Click on the Settings button.
6. In the window that pops-up (Figure 18), select ASCOM for the Autoguider
Output Control Via. Click the Setup button under the Autoguider Output
heading.
7. The ASCOM Telescope Chooser (Figure 19) will appear. Select your tele-
scope model from the provided choices. If your model does not appear, it
is not supported by the ASCOM platform.
8. After you have selected your telescope model, click the Properties but-
ton.
9. In the window that pops-up, choose your specific Scope Type and desired
Serial Port where the computer will send commands to the mount. Click
OK when done.
10. Click OK in the ASCOM Telescope Chooser window.
11. In the Settings window, click the Close button.
Some telescope mounts, such as the Orion Atlas EQ-G and Sirius EQ-G, uti-
lize an “ST-4 compatible” autoguider jack. For easiest autoguiding with these
mounts, we recommend purchasing the optional USB Guide Port interface
(GPUSB). This adapter box will translate the autoguiding computer commands
from MaxIm DL Essentials into ST-4 pulse commands. The GPUSB connects
to the computer’s USB port instead of the COM port. A cable then connects
the GPUSB to the mount. In addition to installing the ASCOM platform on your
computer (from the Install ASCOM button in the Launcher), you will need
to install the GPUSB ASCOM driver (downloadable from the Orion website,
www.OrionTelescopes.com). Then, you can select the GPUSB in the ASCOM
Telescope Chooser.