Updating Your Meade Telescope Firmware

This how-to video shows you how to connect your Meade telescope to a PC to update the telescope firmware.
Links to the listed products in this video:
• ASU 6.1 download page
www.meade.com/...
• Updating the firmware instructions page
www.meade.com/...
• USB-RS232 product page
www.meade.com/...
• #505 product page
www.meade.com/...
• #507 product page
www.meade.com/...
• ASCOM platform
github.com/ASC...
• ASCOM Meade telescope drivers
bitbucket.org/...
Meade customer service [e-mail]

[@allangonzalez842]

I purchased the same mount, the Meade LX85, I was unaware it was designed and developed during the stone age.

[@Andreiiul]

Have you been able to use the PC software to control it?

[@Montgold]

lol, they heat the factory with whale oil

[@mgabrielle2343]

Hi, I Sir I downloaded the Autostar Uploader 6.1 from your website, and got the right 507 cable set, and USB2 to serial interface adaptor, but my LX200 GPS failed to connect to your servers, I checked my internet connections and all was well, but some how your servers won't get connected to. Is there any problem Meade Instruments facing as of now? Please advice. My second part of the question is does this upgrading from my current version 3.1 to latest version help improve the library and I do not have the tour library, so I cannot use Tonights special feature that is why I need to upgrade. Will it also help improve GPS function which currently takes forever and I see the display go through 3 lots of stars each taking approx 3 to 5 seconds and display shows 16 stars and then starts again and again around 3 times and even then its accuracy is poor. It is quite a few degrees out. Often altogether in another place. will upgrading its software also help GPS settings?

[@ASmallGreenBean]

Thank you very much for this detailed instruction! The links in the descriptions don't work (anymore), could you please update them to avoid confusion? Oh, and maybe a quick note would be good to put the telescope in "download" mode before starting the update (at least for the LX200GPS Autostar II).

[@LionFire951Official]

How do you put it into download mode?

[@SpaceFactsWax]

Thank you for sharing. I got the chance to witness a rocket launch in 2018. Incredible experience. I uploaded a pretty fun montage of the trip to my page.

[@SmartrMelons]

My concern with the LXD55 SN10 Autostar is: what date is the update in 2005 is valid for. I sent it to Meade back in 2005 for an update, and as far as I recall, it said it was valid up to 2022 or 2023. Can the autostar stil 'predict' nightsky for dates further than that? I know they have more recent updates, but will mine still work in 2023-24+? Just wondering before doing the method you presented. Thanks in advance for response.

[@ClearskiesEu]

When will you finally bring out this software for MacOS? Come on Meade, after all these years, still Windows only..? It’s almost 2021.

[@peterleveillee1321]

I was interested in a 12" LX850 until customer support hung up on me. It seems that getting information about this scope is impossible. I don't think Meade is doing anything to help restore confidence in them. I was hoping they would be at NEAF.

[@billbillw]

As of August 2021, when I try to run the AutoStarUpdater 6.1, everything works as described, but when I click on "Check WWW for latest version", it comes back with "Could Not Retrieve Version Information. Check Internet Connection". I've tried this several times. I am connected, but it does not find the update file to download. Is there a way to manually download the update file to my drive?

[@billbillw]

So, I read on Cloudynights that the servers to update my old #497 have been offline for some time. I managed to find the ROM download at Mike Weasner's page. Good thing the community of amateur astronomers is helpful and thriving. I'm glad because my old 497 was still on firmware 30b. I was able to get it up to the latest 43Eg. Just finished now.

[@nerohack]

same issue

[@plinthley]

When will Meade release firmware updates compatible with Mac OS? Linux?

[@paulmoffat9306]

Meade filed for bankruptcy last year, and all their assets and IT were purchased by Orion Telescopes. They are continuing production, and will honor warranty and provide spare parts. Unknown if any form ware upgrades are in works. BTW - their telescopes respond to a simple command set that is sent as ASCII serial. The MAC or LinuX OS should have apps that talk to it, I use on that runs under Ubuntu and does a great job.

[@hi-fi-guru]

Does the updater AU2 6.1 work with both the Autostar 497 and AudioStar. Since Meade did NOT archive any of their programs for older models, do you know what the latest ROM version is for the 497 and where you can download it. Meade's website links do not work and calling their tech support gets the answer "we do not have any files for ANY discontinued products". I guess they have not learned anything from the past????

[@OysterPir8]

How can this be done for older versions of Autostar - (Made before USB) And how do I find out which telescope I have?

[@AngeloBandiziol]

I have an LX200-acf. Would not be possible to use directly a USB to RS232 if exist? Thanks.

[@SassePhoto]

It is June 2021, I just ordered an LX 85 and we are still using serial adapters from the stone age to upgrade firmware where you can burn out your hardware if you use the wrong connectors. Ahhhhhhhh

[@Andreiiul]

What imaging software do you use with it. I have an LX 85 and I'm still trying to figure out how to use it using the pc

[@akramkhan3918]

I bought a usb to rj11 cable from eBay. When it connected it showed hand box version and telescope LX200 GPS. When I started upgrading version 6.1 it prompted change com port. After changing port setting connection was re established. But this time it shows it showed check your cable. I can restart my hand box. Every thing was fine but LAX200 could not be upgraded. Why upgrading is not user friendly. Please give me your advice. On Meade site there is no direct cable that can be used for upgrading. It shows Meade 07047 and 07507 to be used together. Every one knows serial ports are not used any more on lap tops. Is there any cable recommended by Meade. The cable I used has cp2102 chip set.

[@brendan6569]

I recently picked up a etx-80 from a thirft store that didnt have the autostar remote, will i need this to connect it to my PC?

[@Pierre048]

Yes, you need an Autostar remote model 495 or 497.

[@alejandroprego6700]

My computer don't find the telescope. My cables and connections are the right ones. Would I need a special software for my LX200? Where do I found it?

[@Shelbatron1000]

When I click "Check WWW for latest version", I got "Could not retrieve version information. Check internet connection." But the internet is fine so what is causing this?

[@paulmoffat9306]

Be sure to use AC power supply, as mine took 2 HOURS to load into the drive - don't want to have a dead battery half way through!

[@richbarbetta6758]

I have an older 10" LX-50 but did not hear this scope mentioned in your presentation. Will I be able to update the Firmware for this scope?

[@brettatton]

Hey Meade. You can't find the updater by typing AutoStar Updater into the home page

[@nerohack]

I found it by navigating to Audiostar product and clicking the support link below description

[@mikeag]

Unfortunately there seems to be a bug in the update software. If only one of either of the Standalone update app or the Mead software suite is installed, it causes the controller pad to freeze and not load bricking the handset to a black screen. I had to do firmware recovery mode about a dozen times before getting it to work. I eventually found if I have both the app and the suite installed, the updater software will succeeded. Additionally the default 'Best of' tour causes the handset to crash, and downloads do not always work. LX90-10ACF with Audiostar and LNT.

[@josephwonderless1258]

The original owners of the Meade Corp. for many, many years had the wrong firmware in it's original programming so that it's ability to track by GPS was OFF!!! I was told this by a Meade technician the last time that I called them right after they reopened their business during the last part of the COVID epidemic. Since then my interface cables are obsolete that I have for them. and I GAVE UP trying to get my scope going again. I had several people who owned them and told me that they also had problems with the model xl200gps when using it. I don't even know if Meade is still in business, or did they go under? Like an old joke among us amateur astronomers is ( I now have an expensive paper weight on a tripod)

[@howardharaway2259]

I have a XL90 I bought over 25 years ago I used it for a short period, and stored it away all this time. What do I need to do to make it up to date ?.+

[@PopeAstro]

Will this work for windows 10??

[@Itz.Alfieee]

Or just buy a cheap usb to telescope cable for under £10 instead of spending £50 on Meade official cables

[@HossainSiddiqui]

Why you have complicated our lives?

[@johnlockesghost5592]

The lack of response to legitimate questions isn't a good look.

[@crazyblingo]

👍🏽

[@TheNgc7000]

hello Obi Wan Kenobi