I acquired this scope a few months back. I have a bad habit of being unable to leave well enough alone. This scope uses the Starfinder handbox. It's actually not a very bad scope. But I always want to make things better.
I picked up an Autostar 497EP recently. I'd like to to control this scope with it as I find the audio info to be very educational. Is there a way to do this? Add to the fact that this is a Goto EQ mount, and the fact that I have a CCD scope camera, and it could be an incredibly fun toy. And I could control it from my laptop if the Audiostar will work with it. Currently there is no way to use the laptop with it.
114EQ-DH4 Handbox Options
Started by
Kruegon
, Mar 27 2018 09:11 PM
5 replies to this topic
#2
MistrBadgr
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Posted 28 March 2018 - 09:11 AM
That Starfinder handbox is before my time, so I am not sure if it is compatible. I do not recall there being any equatorial systems compatible with the AutoStar controllers. Any of the 497 handboxes will work with any of the DS mounts. I do not think there is anyone at Meade any more that could tell you about this scope either. Is there any kind of number associated with the Starfinder handbox?
Bill
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Bill Steen,
Sky Hunters' Haven Observatory,
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
#3
Kruegon
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Posted 28 March 2018 - 04:59 PM
On the back at the bottom it says 35-4700-03. That's the only number I can find on it. At start up it says ©00 Meade [1.0] Starfinder.
If there's a way to use the 497EP with this, it'd be awesome to run it from a laptop. The actual scope is the exact same as the DS-114AT. Of which I have two.
The 494 handboxes show an option for Alt/Az and EQ, but I've always just assumed that was for using the ETX on a wedge. But now I wonder...
Unlike every other EQ I've ever seen, the 114EQ-DH4 has a neutral home position. Instead of turning the RA horizontal, it starts vertical. I've always assumed that it was to prevent the motor boxes from clashing. But now I wonder if it might be to simulate a wedge... if so, it seems it would be a simple task to adjust the settings for it.
What are your thoughts?
If there's a way to use the 497EP with this, it'd be awesome to run it from a laptop. The actual scope is the exact same as the DS-114AT. Of which I have two.
The 494 handboxes show an option for Alt/Az and EQ, but I've always just assumed that was for using the ETX on a wedge. But now I wonder...
Unlike every other EQ I've ever seen, the 114EQ-DH4 has a neutral home position. Instead of turning the RA horizontal, it starts vertical. I've always assumed that it was to prevent the motor boxes from clashing. But now I wonder if it might be to simulate a wedge... if so, it seems it would be a simple task to adjust the settings for it.
What are your thoughts?
#4
Kruegon
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Posted 28 March 2018 - 05:15 PM
Ok... Scrap that idea. At least in the way I tried. I set it up at the ETX-70 in polar mount mode. And it just runs and runs and runs. I was really hoping to be able to run it from my laptop. But there's no Aux port and the Handbox is identical to a 494. No ports on it either. I guess it will never be more than the most basic EQ scope. And it sucks...
#5
MistrBadgr
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Posted 28 March 2018 - 06:37 PM
You have my sympathies! 
However, if the handbox is really identical to a 494, a 497 handbox will work on anything a 494 will work on......at least anything I have tried one on.
Bill
Bill Steen,
Sky Hunters' Haven Observatory,
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
#6
Kruegon
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Posted 28 March 2018 - 09:04 PM
It's physically identical. But the firmware seems to be very different.
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