AstroPiBox User Manual

The latest version of the User Manual in PDF format can be downloaded here:
Version 1.0c (April 2017)

Compatibility Matrices

This section has the objective to provide information about the equipment tested with the AstroPiBox. It will be enhanced over time with newly tested equipment.

Guiding Cameras

Camera	Sensor	Native	INDI	USB Hub	Comment
ZWO ASI 120MC	1280 x 960	OK	OK	Optional	Requires the latest version of the camera firmware from the ZWO Web site (otherwise a bug happens on the USB bus). The upgrade of the camera firmware must be done from a Windows platform and the « ASI120MC-compatible.iic » driver must be used. This camera can be used either natively of with the INDI driver 1.2 or 1.3.
Atik Titan	658 x 492	KO	OK	Optional	Connection and usage without problem directly on the Raspberry Pi or through a powered USB hub. Requires the INDI driver "ATIK CCD"
Atik GP/C CCD	1280 x 960	KO	KO	N/A	The camera is detected with the two types of connection (direct and with powered hub), but the image downloading does not work. It seems that the Atik INDI driver is not compatible with this camera.
Starlight Xpress Lodestar X2	752 x 580	KO	OK	Optional	Connection and usage without problem directly on the Raspberry Pi or through a powered USB hub. Requires the INDI driver "SX CCD"
Orion StarShoot AutoGuider	1280 x 1024	OK	OK	Option	Test done by an AstroPiBox user Driver INDI QHY5. Camera is natively supported by PHD2 without having to use an INDI driver.
Orion Starshoot All-in-one	1280 x 960	KO	KO	N/A	It seems this camera does not have an INDI driver and it does not work natively either.
QHY5-II (PL1-M)	1280 x 1024	OK	OK	Optional	Sensor MT9M001. No problem to be reported. Immediate connection with native attach or through the QHY INDI driver. Works without a glitch with PHD2 and CCDciel.

Mounts

Regarding autoguiding, all the mounts that have an ST4 port are supported as long as the guiding camera also has an ST4 port. This section addresses mounts tested through a USB or serial interface.

The only problems encountered are around the Celestron mounts. It could be a problem with the firmware of the mounts that have been used and more tests will be done in the coming weeks.

Mount	Connection	Result	INDI Driver	Comment
Skywatcher EQ-6 Pro	USB / Serial Adapter PierroAstro	OK	"EQMod Mount"	No problem to be reported.
Skywatcher EQ3-2	USB / RJ12 PierroAstro cable	OK	"EQMod Mount"	Mount with SynScan Goto kit, tested with a camera without ST4 port. Pulse Guide is working.
Celestron Advanced VX	TRENDNet USB / Serial adapter	OK	"Celestron NextStar / GPS"	Successful test with the following version of the Advanced VX: - HC (Hand Controller): GEM 5.27.5150 - MC (Motor Control): 7.11.4244. Sync, GoTo and pulse guide wor correctly. All tests have been done with version 1.3 of the INDI library.
Celestron Advanced GT	Unspecified USB / Serial converter	OK	"Celestron NextStar / GPS"	Test done by an AstroPiBox user Successful test with the following version of the Advanced GT: - HC (Hand Controller): GEM 4.16 - MC (Motor Control): 5.16 However, Sync and Goto do not work with the following version of the Advanced GT: - HC: GEM 4.16 - HC: 7.11. Other tests will be necessary to understand the behavior of the Advanced GT mounts in detail. All tests have been done with version 1.3 of the INDI library.
Celestron NextStar 5 SE	TRENDNet USB / Serial adapter	KO	"Celestron NextStar / GPS"	Sync and GoTo do not work (INDI Library version 1.3)
Takahashi EM-200	Prolifique or ATEN USB / Serial converter	OK	"EQMod Mount"	Works like a charm at first connection.

Imaging Cameras

Camera	Sensor	Native	INDI	USB Hub	Comment
ZWO ASI1600MC-Cool	4656 x 3520	OK	OK	Optional	Image loading in PHD2 is quite slow considering the sensor size. For PHD2, it is advised to use a subframe in the INDI options to accelerate the image loading time. Has been tested with INDI 1.3 and the "ZWO ASI" driver.
ZWO ASI1600MC-Cool	4656 x 3520	OK	OK	Option	Test done by an AstroPiBox user Image loading in PHD2 is quite slow considering the sensor size. Has been tested with INDI 1.3 and the "ZWO ASI" driver. Work with CCDciel.
Atik 414ex	1392 x 1040	KO	OK	Optional	Connection without any problem with the INDI driver in CCDciel with a reasonable loading time. Tested with INDI 1.3 and the "ATIK CCD" driver.
The Imaging Source DMK 41AU02.AS	1280 x 960	KO	OK	Optional	Connection without any problem with the INDI driver in CCDciel with a reasonable loading time. Tested with INDI 1.3 and the "DMK CCD" driver.

DSLR

DSLR	Result	INDI Driver	Comment
Canon EOS 350D	OK	GPhoto CCD	Works with sequencer mode or full control with image download. However, connection and settings are tricky and a short document to explain the process will be published soon in this entry.
Canon EOS 750D	OK	GPhoto CCD	Works with sequencer mode or full control with image download. However, connection and settings are tricky and a short document to explain the process will be published soon in this entry.
Nikon D7000	OK	GPhoto CCD	Test done by an AstroPiBox user Works with CCDciel.
Sony Alpha 7	Test under way	GPhoto CCD	Test under way.

USB / Serial Adapters

It is recommended to only use adapters from known brands which have been certified with the Raspberry Pi. Several problems have been reported with entry-level adapters.

Adapter	Result	Comment
PierroAstro USB / Serial	OK	Seems to work with all connectivities (RJ12 6 wires, RJ11 4 wires, ...).
TRENDnet USB / Serial	OK	Works without any problem for all the tests.
Aten USB / Serial	OK	No problem noticed.
Prolifique USB / Serial	OK	No problem noticed. Version 3.8.1.3 has been successfuly tested by a user.
USA-19HS Keyspan USB / Serial	OK	Test done by an AstroPiBox user Test done with an NEQ6 mount.

All-Sky Cameras

Camera	Sensor	Native	INDI	USB Hub	Comment
StarlightXpress Oculus	4656 x 3520	KO	OK	Mandatory	Works with the driver INDI SX CCD version 1.3. Requires a powered USB hub to work.