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Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series Telescopes

Item#: MEAD079

Our Price: $39.99

List Price : $39.99

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For AutoStar-equipped, ETX, or DS telescopes
Allows scope to be controlled remotely from PC or laptop
Features automatic slewing for easy locating
Includes 6-foot cable connector
DB-9 Serial Adapter for PC or laptop connection

More Info

Description

No more confusion! Finding stars and other celestial objects is easier than ever before.

The Meade #506 AstroFinder Software/Connector Cable Kit allows you to control your telescope from a PC. Load the AstroFinder software into your computer, and your #494 AutoStar equipped, ETX or DS telescope can be remotely controlled from the PC's display. Then simply point and click your way to any object shown on the computer screen, and the telescope will automatically slew around and place the object in your field of view. Truly, star-finding has never been so easy or rewarding.

Kit Includes

#506 Software
6-Foot Connector Cable
DB-9 Serial Adapter for connection to a PC or laptop

This kit will work with telescopes that use the #494 AutoStar Controller such as the Meade ETX70, ETX80 and DS Series telescopes. Compatible with Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7

Supplier Sku:

04513

Shipping Restrictions:

Available for shipment to the USA and Canada only.

Dimensions & Specifications

Brand

Meade

Telescope Accessories Series

Meade Software and Cables

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Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series Telescopes

4.2

(based on 30 reviews)

90%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Accurate (5)
Easy to use (5)
Compact (3)
Strong construction (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Astronomy (19)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (16), Avid adventurer (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)

Most Liked Positive Review

Computer Controlled ETX

The Meade #506 Remote Operating Kit.This is an incredible addition to the Meade ETX Refractor Line Of Scopes.

With Installing The Software And Connecting the Cables(A Seperate Meade USB To Serial Conver...Read complete review

The Meade #506 Remote Operating Kit.This is an incredible addition to the Meade ETX Refractor Line Of Scopes.

With Installing The Software And Connecting the Cables(A Seperate Meade USB To Serial Converter Cable Is Needed For Most Newer Scopes)You Can Remotely Control Your ETX-60,70,or 80,With An AutoStar #494 Controller.

This is a Great Add On To Allow Observers To Expand The Use Of Their Budget Priced GOTO Scopes.Add This Kit A Laptop Or Eve A Desktop(in Certain Situations)And You Do Not Have To Use Your Hand Control To Power The Scopes Commands.

Add A Meade LPI Or Electronic Eyepiece And You Can View A Live Feed On Your Laptop While Controllings Its Motions As Well.All For A Price That Is A Hundred Times Lower Then This Would Have Required 15 Years Ago.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

Meade ETX-60AT autostar connector kit

Paperwork for my Meade ETX-60AT digital telescope with Autostar says to use this connector kit. I paid [$] to plug this into my pc only to learn that currently there isn't any way...Read complete review

Paperwork for my Meade ETX-60AT digital telescope with Autostar says to use this connector kit. I paid [$] to plug this into my pc only to learn that currently there isn't any way to update this Autostar handset. If I can find/buy an additional adapter to make this cable fit a USB port, I may be able to connect this telescope to my laptop. Then, that would make this useful to me. I have had this telescope sitting new in the box for years and finally decided to MAKE the time to learn/use it so I am disappointed that this didn't work but it is my own fault for not knowing more about the subject.

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 30 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-5

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Jan

30

2012

5.0

Works as advertisd

By [*]s3c

from Horsahm, PA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

Pros

Easy To Use
Great Optics
Widely Compatible Adapter

Cons

Best Uses

Astronomy

Comments about Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series Telescopes:

Works great even with extensions on the wiring

Dec

18

2011

5.0

EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED, THANKS

By BREEZY46

from SACTO, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

Pros

Easy To Use

Cons

Best Uses

Astronomy
Terrestrial Viewing

Comments about Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series Telescopes:

Been wanting this product for years and finally
bought it and glad I did.

Service and delivery comments:

It arrived on time and in great shape.

Oct

6

2011

3.0

The cable is great the software no

By Bob

from Illinois

About Me Casual/ Recreational

Pros

Cable worked well

Cons

Software confusing
Upgrade crashed telescope

Best Uses

Astronomy
Astrophotography

Comments about Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series Telescopes:

Meade support no help, my scope control is now junk. I followed instructions and still wiped out controller. The software is out of date right out of the box. Use the cable with third party software.

Service and delivery comments:

Hayneedle was great to deal with no problems with them.

Mar

25

2011

5.0

looks good so far

By Big Ed

from warren, mi

About Me Casual/ Recreational

Pros

Accurate
Strong Construction

Cons

Best Uses

Astronomy
Bird Watching

Comments about Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series Telescopes:

I got the old cd plus a newer version. Loaded new version works great

Sep

19

2010

4.0

It is what it is

By N

from Boston, MA

About Me Avid Adventurer

Pros

Accurate
Compact

Cons

Best Uses

Astronomy

Comments about Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series Telescopes:

I use this for cable that came with it, which is totally fine. There are aftermarket GPS systems that require a serial port, which this provides.

Displaying reviews 1-5

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Customer Q & A

1 - 5 of 10

1 2

Q1: Hello. I would like to know what exactly is included with the #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for the ETX 70 and whether or not I will need to order anything else to make a full connection from my computer to the telescope. Thank you.

A: The #506 astrofinder software comes with everything you need to make connection to your computer. It includes the popular Meade software and a RS232 cable to connect to your computer.

Q2: Can the AstroFinder software cable kit for ETX 70AT be used with the ETX 60AT I just bought?

A: Yes you can use the #506 with the ETX-60

Q3: I just purchased a Meade DS2130AT scope and would like to add the Meade Autostar Suite/LPI kit to the scope. Do I need to order the #506 Astrofinder Software and Cable Kit in addition to The Autostar Suite/LPI kit?

A: Cables are included with the Autostar Suite for linking the PC to the "RS232" port on these telescopes so that the software can make corrections to the telescope as the LPI tracks on a star.

Q4: What is the difference between #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit and #505 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit? I have DS-2130 with #494 Autostar handbox and Deep Sky Imager that came with #505 connector cable set. Can I use this #505 cable set?

A: The Meade #505 and #506 connector cable kit are for the different versions of Meade Hand controllers you will need the #506 connector kit as that is the one which is compatible with the DS-2130.

Q5: I have a Meade DS80 3.1" Refractor Telescope with a #493 Autostar controller. My laptop has both RS232 and USB 1.0 connections. I am confused about which cable kit to buy. I purchased a #505 and could not make it work so I returned it. Also is there a way to tell for sure which Autostar I have, the documentation seems very generic however I have read that my scope should have come with a #493?

A: The best way to tell for certain would be to contact Meade with the model number of your scope. If you do in fact have the #493 hand controller the cable connecter kits will not work they are designed to work with the #495 & #497 autostar controllers.

Q6: I got a Meade 114 at that I got off of Ebay, I just ordered it a few days ago and I am new at all of this and I didn't want to put to much into this because its for my son more than me but the more I keep reading the more I think I might like it just as much but anyway back to the question will the #506 cable work with my scope it has the Autostar 494. also can i update the software with it to? and one more thing, I also saw that you also got a Meade Lunar Planetary Imager (LPI) w/AutoStar Suite. Will this also work with my telescope and how well will it work?

A: We're glad you're enjoying your new telescope. Astronomy is a great hobby! The #506 cable kit and AutoStar Suite software will work just fine with your DS2114. Updates for AutoStar Suite are available on the Downloads page of the Meade web site.

Q7: Is there anything that can transfer the object on to the pc screen so everyone can see it without accidently moving my telescope or taking it out of site when they bump it?

A: The Zhumell Digital Eyepiece will do just that. It will display what the telescope "sees" on a PC or laptop screen and even record live video. Here's the URL; just paste it into your browser's address window: http://telescopes.com/products/zhumell-1-25in-digital-eyepiece-super-sale-closeout-32584.html.

Q8: Hi, just to ask if I can use the - Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series - On the Meade ETX-88BB ?

A: Yes, the #506 will work with the ETX-80 BB.

Q9: My laptop has only the USB port. Without the RS232 how can I connect the Astrofinder connector?

A: If your laptop has only a USB port, you'll need the RS232-to-USB Bridge Cable to make the connection. Here's the URL; just paste it into your browser's address window: http://telescopes.com/products/meade-usb-to-rs-232-bridge-cable-18621.html.

Q10: I purchased a Meade DS2000 TELESCOPE and would like to add the Meade Autostar Suite/LPI kit to the scope. I have the autostar #474 is it possible to use the Astrofinder Software and Cable Kit in addition to The Autostar ? my telescope control panel has hux and aux ports.

A: Yes. The Astrofinder software and cable kit is compatible with the autostar LPI kit we have right now. The LPI fits into where the eyepiece is and the astrofinder will plug right into the aux port.

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