I use a Meade DSI II monochrome camera for guiding so I installed Meade's AutoStar Suite and Envisage software programs on a PC. I'm not 100% sure whether I needed to install AutoStar Suite or not but it hasn't done any harm. I did need to install Envisage though as that has the driver for the DSI.

Both AutoStar Suite and Envisage programs can be downloaded here;-

www.meade.com/support/downloads.html

I now use the colour filters from the DSI in my Starlight Xpress filter wheel so I've taped over the holes in the DSI's body that the filter block passes through, to stop stray light reaching the camera's CCD (charge-coupled device) sensor.

The Meade DSI only requires a USB lead that sends the image signal to the PC and powers the camera. I have that USB plugged into a powered four port USB block that is connected to a laptop PC. The DSI camera is fitted to the scope I will be using to guide. As both my scopes are fixed to one another, I can use the guide camera in either scope as they are both moved together by the LX200R's mount.

When you connect the DSI via USB to your computer for the first time it will ask you to install the software, even though you've already installed it. With my computer I'm often asked to install the software even though I've done it on a number of occasions - this isn't a problem. Follow the procedure below.





You will need to left click on Include this location in the search and browse for the folder 2k - xp which is within the Driver folder which in in Envisage. I save all my astronomy programs in one folder so when I browse my directory looks like this;-

C:\Astronomy programs\Envisage\Driver\2k - xp



Ignore the warning and hit Continue Anyway.





After you've done this you may be asked to do it all again, I've no idea why but mine often does.

Now the guide camera is physically connected to a PC I also need to connect the LX200R to the PC, as this will allow the LX200R to be controlled by the PC as it receives live feed from the DSI, via software. As I've mentioned on the Required equipment page I needed two cables to fit between a PC and the LX200R's control facia. Basically, if you've got a 9 pin male serial connector, pictured below, on your PC then you will only need one cable.



If you have the serial connection on your computer then you will only need an RS232 to serial cable. The RS232 male plug fits into the left-hand RS232 socket on the LX200R's control facia. The serial connector can then be connected to the PC serial port. The cable is pictured below.



Serial connectors are not common on new laptops so like me you may well need a serial to USB cable, pictured below. I read a bit on the internet about compatibility issues with non-Meade USB to serial cables so I bought a Meade one just in case.



The Meade USB to serial cable comes with software to use a USB port like a serial port but if you have your own cable you can download the software from;-

www.meade.com/USB_Serial/USB_SER.html

Once you have installed the Meade serial to USB software you will need to find out what Comm Port your PC has assigned for that cable. To do this (I'm using Windows XP) follow these instructions;-

For this procedure to work you must have your LX200R (or ACF) powered on and the PC (serial or USB) and LX200R (left hand RS232 port on control facia) must be connected via one of the two methods mentioned above. If you're using a serial to USB connector you must have the Meade serial to USB sofware installed.

Left click on Start (bottom left)
Right click on My Computer
Left click on Manage (this will open a new window)
Left click on Device Manager in the left hand block
This will now now show a different list in the right hand block
Left click the + sign next to Ports (COM&LPT)



You should now see text under Ports (COM&LPT) that says something like;-

Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COM3)

As you can see from the inserted image above, my Comm Port is 3 although yours may be different. You will need to know your Comm Port number when running PHDGuiding (excellent free guiding software) for the first time.

Ok, so you've now got the DSI fitted to your guide scope. The DSI's USB is connected to your PC that has the correct driver installed from Envisage. You will also have the LX200R connected to the PC and if you did have to use a serial to USB connector then you'll also have the Meade USB to serial software installed.

Now, download and install PHDGuiding from;-

www.stark-labs.com/phdguiding.html

Download and install Ascom platform 2008 (5.0). You need Ascom installed to let various programs and pieces of equipment work together.

ascom-standards.org/Downloads/Index.htm

From the link below find the download called, Meade LX200GPS and LX200R (combined telescope/focuser, 5.0.0). You need to install this after you've installed the main Ascom program.

ascom-standards.org/Downloads/ScopeDrivers.htm

Now you can run PHDGuiding. Left click on the picture of the camera.



PHD should now read Meade DSI connected in the bottom left-hand corner.



If you're running PHDGuiding for the first time then your Ascom Telescope Chooser (pictured below) window may look slightly different. Left click on the arrow for the drop-down menu and choose, Meade LX200GPS/R.



If a new window called Ascom Meade LX200GPS/R Setup does not appear then left click on Properties which will b ring it up. This is where you need to enter your Comm Port number that you worked out earlier. Click on the Serial Port drop-down menu arrow and select your COM number.



I left Auto Set Time ticked and left the others off. From what I remember when you do this you'll be shown a help page with a description of all the settings.

Once you've pressed OK and you've returned to PHD then on the bottom right No scope should have changed to Scope, and you should be connected and ready to go.



Now hit the third button from the left at the bottom left of PHD, a green arrow and PHD will start taking images of the length you've chosen in the drop-down menu (bottom middle). Default is 1.0 seconds but change it if you need to. These images aren't recorded, they're only used for the software to help guide on a star.



Focus your scope on some stars, or star, so the image shown on PHD is sharp. Hit Stop. Left click on the star you'd like to guide on (preferably one not too close to another) and a small green square will appear around it.



Then hit the green arrow again for PHD to start capturing images. Then hit the PHD button (with target and arrow on) and PHD will start callibrating.



Try not to have a star too close to the edge of the screen before callibration starts or it might not work properly. Once PHD has finished callibrating a green crosshair will be on your chosen star, your scope is now guiding!



If you now want to move your image or choose another star to guide on, simply press stop, then hit the green arrow to capture, move your scope, find a star to guide on (can be a different star to the original one) and hit the PHD button and your scope will be guiding.