Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series Telescopes Alternate Image 1
Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series Telescopes

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

  • 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
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

 


CHOKING HAZARD - small parts may pose a risk to children under 6 yrs.

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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Shipping Details
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Ships Jun. 14th
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Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series Telescopes

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

$39.99

Items 1-6 of 10

The Perfect Accessories

Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Meade #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit for ETX 70/80AT and DS2000 Series Telescopes
 
4.0

(based on 32 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (13)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (11)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (5)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (2)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (1)

86%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to use (6)
  • Accurate (5)
  • Compact (3)
  • Strong construction (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Astronomy (21)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Casual/ recreational (17), Avid adventurer (6)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (7)

    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.

    Reviewed by 32 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-5

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    1.0

    Worthless, outdated software

    By ancient stardust

    from Cloverdale, CA

    About Me Avid Adventurer

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

      Cons

      • Inadequate manual
      • OLD SOFTWARE
      • Very hard to use

      Best Uses

      • Astronomy

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

      This product would be great back in the 1990's. Back then they had computers that would run it. I cannot believe that you would "bundle" such useless old trash.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No
       
      3.0

      Great cable, Bad software.

      By BlkDimnd

      from Rutland, VT

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Easy To Use

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Astronomy
        • Astrophotography

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

        The cable works great. Now I can control the telescope by PC.
        The software is a bit lacking. It's a handy-caped edition of the Autofind software from Meade. But you can find better and FREE software online.

        BIG WARRING:
        DO NOT try to update your #494 Autostar, DO NOT even try to add any new data, it will brake your Autostar. And there is no fix, but to replace the Autostar.
        The software dose not give you this warning. I found this out too late on the Meade website, and on other forums.

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No
         
        5.0

        Works as advertisd

        By [*]s3c

        from Horsahm, PA

        About Me Casual/ Recreational

        Verified Buyer

        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

          Service and delivery comments:

          On time

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No
           
          5.0

          EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED, THANKS

          By BREEZY46

          from SACTO, CA

          About Me Casual/ Recreational

          Verified Buyer

          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.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No
             
            3.0

            The cable is great the software no

            By Bob

            from Illinois

            About Me Casual/ Recreational

            Verified Buyer

            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.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            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.

                1   2      
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