Meade LPI-GM

[Forum_2018]

I just bought a Meade LPI-GM. It seems to work in AstroArt with the DirectShow driver for imaging, focusing and guiding, and in PHD2 with both the DS and Ascom drivers. Using AA6 SP3 It doesn't seem to display an image in either the focus or guide windows [edit; using ASCOM drivers] although full frame images download and display properly. I am away from my observatory so I can't test actual telescope control.

It seems solidly made and the price is right. It installed easily on Win10.

[Forum_2018]

Hello, I suggest to use the ASCOM mode with Astroart as well. If you need the Astroart ascom interface:
http://www.msb-astroart.com/ccd_en.htm#ccdascom

[Forum_2018]

I've tried that. The camera will image properly but when I select a box in the main image the guide or focus windows just displays garbage and then freezes.

[Forum_2018]

That's strange for an ASCOM driver. Something you could try:

1) In the Meade ASCOM driver, try to change 8/12 bit mode or RGB/RAW mode.
2) Verify if the ASCOM driver has been updated: https://www.meade.com/lpig-monochrome.html
3) In AA, disable camera control in background.
4) In AA, try the camera control 6.0.

[Forum_2018]

Hi bought one a while back and had the same issue! I asked the vendor about it, they didn't know of a way to take sub frames with it so I returned it. PHD can guide using the full frame, FWIW!

Iver

[Forum_2018]

I've tested 1) and 2) with no luck and I'll try 3) and 4) in the coming days

[Forum_2018]

Did you try and use the Video (Directshow) driver? It seems to work for me.

[Forum_2018]

I don't recall trying the video driver, there were multiple issues I didn't like about the camera! Good you were able to get it working.

[Forum_2018]

Unfortunately 3 and 4 did not work either.

[Forum_2018]

Then, since this camera is unable to download subframes, the only solution could be an option in the Astroart ASCOM interface to download always a full frame and crop it later via software. That would be bad as FPS (slow download), for autoguiding, but could be acceptable for focusing.

[Forum_2018]

I'd be willing to try out any mods you'd care to make. The camera has 2x2 binning and 640x480 8bit frames download very quickly.

[Forum_2018]

OK, it's under development right now.