LX200 (Non GPS or "Classic") by Meade Instruments Corporation and Compatible Control Systems

This page describes how to physically connect the LX200 telescope to your personal computer, and how to setup TheSky6 to control the LX200.

Minimum System Requirements

Hardware Setup

Telescope Initialization

Troubleshooting

Minimum System Requirements

Software Requirements

Hardware Requirements

LX200 Hardware Setup

The photographs below demonstrate how to connect your LX200 (non GPS) telescope to the personal computer and Pocket PC.

TheSky can drive any Meade LX200 (classic) telescope or any telescope that emulates the LX200 protocol (such as the Losmady Gemini control system and the Vixen SkySensor 2000). The additional hardware needed is a serial telescope interface (RS232) cable, to connect your computer to the LX200’s drive base and a null modem adaptor and a gender changer to connect to the serial cable of the mobile device.

This section explains how to set up a link and synchronize the LX200. We strongly recommend that you read the telescope owner’s manual carefully, and become thoroughly familiar with the telescope’s operation, before using TheSky to control it. Do not attempt daytime slewing before you have read and understood the "Daytime Slewing" section of the telescope's manual.

Configuring TheSky (Windows/Macintosh/Pocket Edition)

TheSky must be configured correctly before it can communicate with the LX200.

1. Turn off the LX200.

2. Using the appropriate cable, connect the serial port on the LX200 to an unused serial port.

3. Turn on the LX200.

4. Click Telescope | Setup.

5. In the Control System list, select LX200 by Meade Instruments Corp. and then click (or tap) OK. No additional settings are required.

Linking to and Synchronizing with the Telescope

TheSky6 or TheSky Pocket Edition can establish communications with the LX200 at any time, however, the LX200 drive system must be properly configured before TheSky can correctly control it.

The telescope can be initialized using the LX200 hand paddle (see the LX200 user's manual for details). Or, you can do it from within TheSky. The local time and terrestrial coordinates for your location must be entered into the  . If the telescope is connected to your computer, you might find it easier to use the Initialize command, described below.

The telescope must be aligned. The instructions below include a one-star alignment. If you prefer to align the telescope a different way, you should do so before continuing.

Level the telescope as accurately as you can. Use a carpenter’s level or level bubble for greater accuracy. Click Telescope | Link | Establish. The telescope cross hairs appear on the Virtual Sky.

Telescope cross hairs in TheSky for Windows and Macintosh

Telescope cross hairs in TheSky Pocket Edition

If you receive a "Cannot establish link" message, be sure the connections are correct and the telescope is turned on. See the Troubleshooting the LX200 (Classic) Telescope for details.

If you have not set the telescope’s time and coordinates, do so now. Move the telescope to position a known deep-space object (preferably a bright star) at the center of the telescope’s field. Do not use a planet, nebula, or galaxy. Star coordinates are generally more accurate, and a star is a true "point source."

Click on that star on the Virtual Sky. The Object Information dialog box appears.

Click Sync. The LX200 is now aligned and can be used with TheSky. The Virtual Sky’s cross hairs should jump to the object used for synchronization.

When the link is active, TheSky and the LX200 are interdependent. If you use the telescope’s drive controls (or any of TheSky’s controls) to reposition it, the Virtual Sky tracks the movement.

To Slew the LX200

1. Tap on the object you wish to point the telescope, or use the Find command to locate the object.

2. Tap the Slew button .

The telescope will now slew to the object.

TheSky Pocket Edition

The Slew button text changes to Abort during slews.

1. Click Abort to terminate a slew.

TheSky for Windows/Macintosh

1. Click Cancel to terminate a slew.

Troubleshooting the LX200 (Classic) Telescope

TheSky will successfully establish communications with the LX200 device, provided all of the following are true:

• The LX200 is turned on and functioning.

• The LX200 hand paddle is plugged into the LX200 base panel.

• The LX200 hand paddle is in Polar or Alt/Az mode and not in Land Mode. See the LX200 documentation for setting this mode.

• The telescope interface cable is wired correctly for bi-directional communications.

• The telescope interface cable is plugged into the correct COM port.

• The telescope interface cable is plugged into the RS232 port on the LX200 base panel.

• The telescope interface cable is not plugged into a modem port.

• There are no interrupt conflicts with the selected COM port.

• The COM port is functional.

• The telescope interface cable (the one sold by Software Bisque) is using the DB9 end connector labeled "LX200" and not "BBox and Compatibles".

• The LX200 by Meade Instruments Corp. is selected in the Control System list under Telescope | Setup.

• The selected COM port is correct (click Telescope | Setup | Settings to check the COM port).

• Read Testing Telescope/Serial Port/Cable Using a Terminal Application for details about testing the connection.

Verify that all of the above is true, and TheSky will successfully communicate and control the LX200.

See the Telescope Troubleshooting section for additional information about resolving telescope setup and connection problems.