- Starlight Xpress Ascom Drivers
- Starlight Xpress X2
- Download Starlight Xpress Driver Download
- Download Starlight Xpress Drivers
- Starlight Xpress Cameras
Camera control
Browse the CD and install the Starlight Xpress drivers for a 32-bit or 64-bit system Connect camera to a USB port. If the driver is not found automatically: Click Windows 'Start' and open 'Devices and Printers'. Developer Downloads. The most useful item here (under Additional Tools) is the Conformance Checker (written by Peter Simpson). This tool can be used to check many aspects of yor driver against the relevant ASCOM specification. ASCOM Alpaca Cross-Platform Downloads. For more information and download links, see the separate ASCOM Alpaca page here. QHYCCD designs and manufactures world-leading astronomical cameras, ranging from entry-level to professional, CMOS and CCD, front-illuminated and back-illuminated, specially crafted for amateur and professional astronomers worldwide.
Camera control is available for Astroart as plug-ins. This allows us to support new models very quickly.
The control of telescopes, filter wheels and focusers is integrated in Astroart and it's updated in Service Packs.
ASCOM (Atik, QHY, ZWO ASI, Orion, etc.) - Version 2.10
A generic plugin which supports all cameras compatible with the ASCOM interface. It's now always included in the Astroart Setup.
Canon™ DSLR cameras - Version 2.10
Supports cameras since DIGIC III hardware (450D, 40D, 1000D) and newer (500D, 550D, 600D, 650D, 700D, 750D, 760D, 800D, 1100D, 1200D, 1300D, 2000D, 4000D, 250D) , higher models (50D, 60D, 70D, 77D, 80D, 5D MII, 5DMIII, 5DMIV, 6D, 6DMII, 7D, 1D MIII, 1D MIV, 1Ds MIII, 1DC, 1DX, 100D, 200D, 200DII, 90D) and latest mirrorless (RP, M200, M6II).
A plugin for older cameras is available here, requires Canon Utilities.
Nikon™ DSLR cameras - Version 1.40
For Nikon cameras with Bulb control via USB or DSUSB, (since 2012-2013, so: D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D7100, D7200, D600, D610, D750, DF, D4S, D500, D800, D800E, D810, D810A, D850, D5, 1V3) and (D5100, D7000, D300, D300S, D700 using the Shoestring DSUSB bulb cable). The mirrorless are included but not tested yet (Z6, Z7, Z50).
SBIG™ cameras - Version 5.40
USB, Ethernet and parallel port interface. Guider CCD and adaptive optics supported. Compatible with Celestron™ PixCel 237 and 255.
Legacy cameras with serial or parallel port connection, may work only on Windows XP:
ST-6ST-5ST-4
Web cams, video cameras (ASI, DMK, Meade LPI, Celestron NexImage, etc.) - Version 3.60
Starlight Xpress Ascom Drivers
Long exposures (automatic sum of video frames), autoguide, fast focus, sequences, binning, subframes both on B/W and color cameras.
A plugin for modified web cams (Steve Chambers, etc.) and SAC7, which supports long exposure thanks to the external control of the electronic shutter is available here. For more info see: PMDO Observatory.
Moravian™ - Version 2.2
The native plugin is available at the Moravian Instruments web site, section 'Download' then 'Camera drivers for 3rd party software'. Newer cameras can be controlled by the ASCOM plugin above.
FLI™ - Version 1.50
Native plugin for FLI cameras and filter wheels. Newer cameras can be controlled by the ASCOM plugin above.
QSI™ - Version 7.2
The driver is available at QSI web site or it's included with the camera. Recent models are also compatible with the ASCOM standard.
Starlight-Xpress Lodestar, LodestarX2 - Version 2.0
For imaging and autoguide. USB2 connection.
Starlight-Xpress Trius SX (SX-56, SX-46, SX-18) - Version 1.0
RBI correction, binning 1x1, 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, SXV guider supported.
Starlight-Xpress Trius SX,SXV 'H' (5,9,16,18,35,36,674,694,814,825,834,Ultrastar) - Version 3.10
Both monochrome and 'C' models supported. Binning 1x1, 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, SXV guider supported.
Starlight-Xpress Trius, SXV 'M' (M25, M25C, M26C) - Version 2.10 / 1.20
Several binning modes, SXV guider supported.
Starlight-Xpress SXV 'M', 'MX' USB2 (M5, M7, M7C, M8C, M9, MX916,716,516) - Version 2.51
Both monochrome and 'C' models supported. Native USB2 connector and parallel-USB2 interfaces. Guider camera supported.
Starlight-Xpress USB1 cameras
Older cameras with USB 1.0 connection.
Starlight-Xpress parallel port
Fast interface supported. For Windows XP.
Meade™
Several binning modes, focus, subframes, etc.
Starlight Xpress X2
Lumenera™ - Version 1.30
Most cameras supported. Binning 1x1 and 2x2.
Download Starlight Xpress Driver Download
XIMEA™
XIMEA CCD cameras.
Apogee™ - Version 2.40
USB and Ethernet. Filter wheels supported.
The plugin for older cameras (AP, KX, SPH, Lisaa) is available here.
Audine / Genesis - Version 1.0
Audine and Genesis cameras with USB or parallel port connection.
Opticstar DS-335C/ICE - Version 1.0
Several binning modes and fast focus.
Download Starlight Xpress Drivers
SAC10™ - Version 1.0
By SAC IMAGING, both color and b/w modes are supported.
Artemis and Atik (without ASCOM) - Version 2.0
By Steve Chambers and associates. For old cameras not compatible with ASCOM. Drivers available at the Artemis and Atik web site.
HISIS 2216, 23, 24, 33, 38, 44 - Version 2.60
Fast focus, binning 1x1, 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 6x6, 8x8, control of buzzer, defrost, temperature.
Orion first autoguider (without ASCOM) - Version 1.0
By Tom Van den Eede. For the first model of the Orion Starshoot which came without ASCOM. Read carefully the documentation, 32 bits only. All new Orion cameras can be controlled by the ASCOM driver above.
QGuider, QHYx, CPx-x, ALccd-x, CCDLuna-x, MagZero (without ASCOM) - Version 1.0
Please note: newer cameras are now ASCOM compatible.
Other cameras
These older plugins may work only on Windows XP.
Latest Drivers
Starlight Xpress Cameras
#110219 I’m curious about the latest drivers. One issue I have had that I have actually seen that surprised me was when I was using ACP/MaxIm and doing a ACP Expert run. If I remember correctly the run had just started and was beginning to start on targets. There will be a pointing image where the main imager takes a short image, plate solves and makes sure it’s on target and the PA is correct for the rotator. At this point it would center as needed and take a guider image and then determine the best star to guide on. But what was happening is the guider image was taken and immediately it would disappear and the program would indicate there were no guide stars visible in the frame when in fact there had been but now the image is closed. And it would repeat this until it was manually interrupted by aborting that operation causing many failures should no one actually see this happening. What I did was disconnect the guide camera and the reconnect and it imaged fine for the rest of the night. It was the only time I had seen this but have no idea what actually caused the issue. It may have happened when I was asleep in other runs where I had multiple failures but can’t say for sure. So in a very long way around, how do I determine the driver version I have installed. In MaxImDl it says I have SX Universal 5.29 but I really have no idea what the latest driver is. Where or what should I be doing to stay up to date. My system controlling the observatory is a Windows 10 Pro 64 bit OS. I have been running this system since 4/20/20 and it has/is running very well short of this instance that I am aware of. Suggestions? Thanks, Steve |
#110222 The SX driver is found in ‘Device Manager’ and is separate from the MaximDL plug-in 5.29 that you refer to. If you plug in the camera and look at the details of the Universal Serial Bus device ‘Starlight Xpress CCD’, you will see the Driver under one of the tabs. Open this and then go down another level – you should then see the ‘Driver details’ and the ‘File version’. This is the number that defines the version in use – the latest is 1.3.8.0. Regards, Sent: Monday, November 9, 2020 4:32 PM Subject: [StarlightXpress] Latest Drivers I’m curious about the latest drivers. One issue I have had that I have actually seen that surprised me was when I was using ACP/MaxIm and doing a ACP Expert run. If I remember correctly the run had just started and was beginning to start on targets. There will be a pointing image where the main imager takes a short image, plate solves and makes sure it’s on target and the PA is correct for the rotator. At this point it would center as needed and take a guider image and then determine the best star to guide on. But what was happening is the guider image was taken and immediately it would disappear and the program would indicate there were no guide stars visible in the frame when in fact there had been but now the image is closed. And it would repeat this until it was manually interrupted by aborting that operation causing many failures should no one actually see this happening. What I did was disconnect the guide camera and the reconnect and it imaged fine for the rest of the night. It was the only time I had seen this but have no idea what actually caused the issue. It may have happened when I was asleep in other runs where I had multiple failures but can’t say for sure. So in a very long way around, how do I determine the driver version I have installed. In MaxImDl it says I have SX Universal 5.29 but I really have no idea what the latest driver is. Where or what should I be doing to stay up to date. My system controlling the observatory is a Windows 10 Pro 64 bit OS. I have been running this system since 4/20/20 and it has/is running very well short of this instance that I am aware of. Suggestions? Thanks, Steve |
#110223 Thanks Terry but my driver version seems to be 1.3.8.3…….. -Steve From: main@StarlightXpress.groups.io <main@StarlightXpress.groups.io> On Behalf Of Terry Platt Sent: Monday, November 9, 2020 12:33 PM To: main@StarlightXpress.groups.io Subject: Re: [StarlightXpress] Latest Drivers The SX driver is found in ‘Device Manager’ and is separate from the MaximDL plug-in 5.29 that you refer to. If you plug in the camera and look at the details of the Universal Serial Bus device ‘Starlight Xpress CCD’, you will see the Driver under one of the tabs. Open this and then go down another level – you should then see the ‘Driver details’ and the ‘File version’. This is the number that defines the version in use – the latest is 1.3.8.0. Regards, Sent: Monday, November 9, 2020 4:32 PM Subject: [StarlightXpress] Latest Drivers I’m curious about the latest drivers. One issue I have had that I have actually seen that surprised me was when I was using ACP/MaxIm and doing a ACP Expert run. If I remember correctly the run had just started and was beginning to start on targets. There will be a pointing image where the main imager takes a short image, plate solves and makes sure it’s on target and the PA is correct for the rotator. At this point it would center as needed and take a guider image and then determine the best star to guide on. But what was happening is the guider image was taken and immediately it would disappear and the program would indicate there were no guide stars visible in the frame when in fact there had been but now the image is closed. And it would repeat this until it was manually interrupted by aborting that operation causing many failures should no one actually see this happening. What I did was disconnect the guide camera and the reconnect and it imaged fine for the rest of the night. It was the only time I had seen this but have no idea what actually caused the issue. It may have happened when I was asleep in other runs where I had multiple failures but can’t say for sure. So in a very long way around, how do I determine the driver version I have installed. In MaxImDl it says I have SX Universal 5.29 but I really have no idea what the latest driver is. Where or what should I be doing to stay up to date. My system controlling the observatory is a Windows 10 Pro 64 bit OS. I have been running this system since 4/20/20 and it has/is running very well short of this instance that I am aware of. Suggestions? Thanks, Steve |
#110225 That driver was on the site for a short time, but it was replaced by 1.3.8.0 after I became suspicious that it might be unstable. It’s probably worthwhile uninstalling 1.3.8.3 and replacing it with 1.3.8.0. Regards, Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2020 1:10 AM Subject: Re: [StarlightXpress] Latest Drivers Thanks Terry but my driver version seems to be 1.3.8.3…….. -Steve From: main@StarlightXpress.groups.io <main@StarlightXpress.groups.io> On Behalf Of Terry Platt The SX driver is found in ‘Device Manager’ and is separate from the MaximDL plug-in 5.29 that you refer to. If you plug in the camera and look at the details of the Universal Serial Bus device ‘Starlight Xpress CCD’, you will see the Driver under one of the tabs. Open this and then go down another level – you should then see the ‘Driver details’ and the ‘File version’. This is the number that defines the version in use – the latest is 1.3.8.0. Regards, Sent: Monday, November 9, 2020 4:32 PM Subject: [StarlightXpress] Latest Drivers I’m curious about the latest drivers. One issue I have had that I have actually seen that surprised me was when I was using ACP/MaxIm and doing a ACP Expert run. If I remember correctly the run had just started and was beginning to start on targets. There will be a pointing image where the main imager takes a short image, plate solves and makes sure it’s on target and the PA is correct for the rotator. At this point it would center as needed and take a guider image and then determine the best star to guide on. But what was happening is the guider image was taken and immediately it would disappear and the program would indicate there were no guide stars visible in the frame when in fact there had been but now the image is closed. And it would repeat this until it was manually interrupted by aborting that operation causing many failures should no one actually see this happening. What I did was disconnect the guide camera and the reconnect and it imaged fine for the rest of the night. It was the only time I had seen this but have no idea what actually caused the issue. It may have happened when I was asleep in other runs where I had multiple failures but can’t say for sure. So in a very long way around, how do I determine the driver version I have installed. In MaxImDl it says I have SX Universal 5.29 but I really have no idea what the latest driver is. Where or what should I be doing to stay up to date. My system controlling the observatory is a Windows 10 Pro 64 bit OS. I have been running this system since 4/20/20 and it has/is running very well short of this instance that I am aware of. Suggestions? Thanks, Steve |
#110227 Thanks Terry, I may try this tomorrow as the system is in standby for tonight unless the weather takes me out. Which way is suggested to uninstall the driver? I can uninstall through Device Manager and reinstall I guess. Can’t say I’ve done that before. Of course the camera needs to be disconnected in MaxIm and I guess I should have MaxIm closed as well. Most times I’m simply updating the drivers which does both in one operation. -Steve From: main@StarlightXpress.groups.io <main@StarlightXpress.groups.io> On Behalf Of Terry Platt Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2020 3:39 AM To: main@StarlightXpress.groups.io Subject: Re: [StarlightXpress] Latest Drivers That driver was on the site for a short time, but it was replaced by 1.3.8.0 after I became suspicious that it might be unstable. It’s probably worthwhile uninstalling 1.3.8.3 and replacing it with 1.3.8.0. Regards, Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2020 1:10 AM Subject: Re: [StarlightXpress] Latest Drivers Thanks Terry but my driver version seems to be 1.3.8.3…….. -Steve From:main@StarlightXpress.groups.io <main@StarlightXpress.groups.io> On Behalf Of Terry Platt The SX driver is found in ‘Device Manager’ and is separate from the MaximDL plug-in 5.29 that you refer to. If you plug in the camera and look at the details of the Universal Serial Bus device ‘Starlight Xpress CCD’, you will see the Driver under one of the tabs. Open this and then go down another level – you should then see the ‘Driver details’ and the ‘File version’. This is the number that defines the version in use – the latest is 1.3.8.0. Regards, Sent: Monday, November 9, 2020 4:32 PM Subject: [StarlightXpress] Latest Drivers I’m curious about the latest drivers. One issue I have had that I have actually seen that surprised me was when I was using ACP/MaxIm and doing a ACP Expert run. If I remember correctly the run had just started and was beginning to start on targets. There will be a pointing image where the main imager takes a short image, plate solves and makes sure it’s on target and the PA is correct for the rotator. At this point it would center as needed and take a guider image and then determine the best star to guide on. But what was happening is the guider image was taken and immediately it would disappear and the program would indicate there were no guide stars visible in the frame when in fact there had been but now the image is closed. And it would repeat this until it was manually interrupted by aborting that operation causing many failures should no one actually see this happening. What I did was disconnect the guide camera and the reconnect and it imaged fine for the rest of the night. It was the only time I had seen this but have no idea what actually caused the issue. It may have happened when I was asleep in other runs where I had multiple failures but can’t say for sure. So in a very long way around, how do I determine the driver version I have installed. In MaxImDl it says I have SX Universal 5.29 but I really have no idea what the latest driver is. Where or what should I be doing to stay up to date. My system controlling the observatory is a Windows 10 Pro 64 bit OS. I have been running this system since 4/20/20 and it has/is running very well short of this instance that I am aware of. Suggestions? Thanks, Steve |
#110228 Generally speaking, just updating the driver will work, but Windows may object to loading an older driver over the new one. If you hit a problem, go the the Windows Control Panel and select ‘Software and Features’. You will find the current driver at the bottom of the list under ‘Windows Driver Package’ and you can get Windows to uninstall it. Regards, Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2020 10:57 PM Subject: Re: [StarlightXpress] Latest Drivers Thanks Terry, I may try this tomorrow as the system is in standby for tonight unless the weather takes me out. Which way is suggested to uninstall the driver? I can uninstall through Device Manager and reinstall I guess. Can’t say I’ve done that before. Of course the camera needs to be disconnected in MaxIm and I guess I should have MaxIm closed as well. Most times I’m simply updating the drivers which does both in one operation. -Steve From: main@StarlightXpress.groups.io <main@StarlightXpress.groups.io> On Behalf Of Terry Platt That driver was on the site for a short time, but it was replaced by 1.3.8.0 after I became suspicious that it might be unstable. It’s probably worthwhile uninstalling 1.3.8.3 and replacing it with 1.3.8.0. Regards, Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2020 1:10 AM Subject: Re: [StarlightXpress] Latest Drivers Thanks Terry but my driver version seems to be 1.3.8.3…….. -Steve From: main@StarlightXpress.groups.io <main@StarlightXpress.groups.io> On Behalf Of Terry Platt The SX driver is found in ‘Device Manager’ and is separate from the MaximDL plug-in 5.29 that you refer to. If you plug in the camera and look at the details of the Universal Serial Bus device ‘Starlight Xpress CCD’, you will see the Driver under one of the tabs. Open this and then go down another level – you should then see the ‘Driver details’ and the ‘File version’. This is the number that defines the version in use – the latest is 1.3.8.0. Regards, Sent: Monday, November 9, 2020 4:32 PM Subject: [StarlightXpress] Latest Drivers I’m curious about the latest drivers. One issue I have had that I have actually seen that surprised me was when I was using ACP/MaxIm and doing a ACP Expert run. If I remember correctly the run had just started and was beginning to start on targets. There will be a pointing image where the main imager takes a short image, plate solves and makes sure it’s on target and the PA is correct for the rotator. At this point it would center as needed and take a guider image and then determine the best star to guide on. But what was happening is the guider image was taken and immediately it would disappear and the program would indicate there were no guide stars visible in the frame when in fact there had been but now the image is closed. And it would repeat this until it was manually interrupted by aborting that operation causing many failures should no one actually see this happening. What I did was disconnect the guide camera and the reconnect and it imaged fine for the rest of the night. It was the only time I had seen this but have no idea what actually caused the issue. It may have happened when I was asleep in other runs where I had multiple failures but can’t say for sure. So in a very long way around, how do I determine the driver version I have installed. In MaxImDl it says I have SX Universal 5.29 but I really have no idea what the latest driver is. Where or what should I be doing to stay up to date. My system controlling the observatory is a Windows 10 Pro 64 bit OS. I have been running this system since 4/20/20 and it has/is running very well short of this instance that I am aware of. Suggestions? Thanks, Steve |