AstroMax V2 — Installation Guide

1

System Requirements

Component	Minimum	Recommended
OS	Windows 10 64-bit (1903+)	Windows 11 64-bit
RAM	4 GB	8 GB+
Disk	2 GB free	SSD, 20 GB+ (for image storage)
CPU	Any 64-bit x86	4 core+
USB	USB 2.0	USB 3.0 (recommended for cameras)
Network	—	Required for Alpaca (ASCOM over network)
Display	1280×800	1920×1080 or wider

💡 AstroMax V2 talks to your equipment through its built-in driver bridge. Your camera, mount and focuser need an ASCOM driver installed in Windows (most manufacturers provide one — see driver sections below). No external server is needed.

2

Runtime & Framework (Install First)

Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Required

Required by almost all camera and mount drivers. Install both x64 and x86 versions.

⬇ Download x64 + x86

.NET Desktop Runtime 6+ Required

Required by ASCOM Platform 7 and NINA-based tools. Download the latest .NET Desktop Runtime.

⬇ Download .NET

Windows Update Required

Ensure Windows is fully updated. Some driver signatures require recent Windows updates to validate correctly.

⚙ Open Windows Update

3

ASCOM Platform

📡 ASCOM (Astronomy Common Object Model) is the universal driver standard for astronomy equipment on Windows. AstroMax V2 includes an integrated driver bridge — you only need to install the ASCOM Platform so the equipment drivers themselves work. No separate ASCOM Remote server is required.

ASCOM Platform 7 Required

The core ASCOM runtime needed by all equipment drivers (mount, focuser, filter wheel...). Install this once; AstroMax V2 talks to drivers directly through its built-in bridge.

⬇ GitHub Releases 🌐 Official Page

Download and install ASCOM Platform 7. Requires admin rights. Restart Windows after install.

That's it for ASCOM setup. You do NOT need to install or run ASCOM Remote — AstroMax V2 has the bridge built-in.

4

ASTAP — Plate Solver

🔭 ASTAP is the plate solver used by AstroMax for GoTo & Center, Polar Alignment, and Mosaic planning. It analyses star patterns in your images and determines exact sky coordinates.

ASTAP Application Required

Free, fast, offline plate solver. Works without internet. Install the application first, then the star catalog.

⬇ ASTAP Download

H18 Star Catalog Required

500 MB star catalog covering all focal lengths. Recommended for most setups (down to ~18 magnitude). Install to ASTAP data folder.

⬇ H18 Catalog

G19 / D50 Catalogs Optional

G19 = deep sky (very wide FOV). D50 = dense star fields near galactic plane. Only needed for extreme focal lengths.

⬇ All Catalogs

Install ASTAP (default path: C:\Program Files\astap\astap.exe)

Download the H18 star catalog and install it to the ASTAP data folder. The installer will guide you.

In AstroMax → Settings → ASTAP Path: enter path to astap.exe, or use the auto-detect button.

5

PHD2 — Autoguiding Software

🎯 PHD2 controls your guide camera and sends corrections to your mount to keep the guide star stationary during long exposures. AstroMax communicates with PHD2 via its built-in server (port 4400).

PHD2 Guiding Required

Free, open-source autoguiding software. Industry standard. Supports all major guide cameras and mounts.

⬇ PHD2 Download 📖 Manual

Install PHD2. Use the latest stable Windows build.

Create an Equipment Profile (Tools → Manage Profiles → New). Select your guide camera and mount drivers. Without a working profile, PHD2 cannot connect equipment and AstroMax cannot start guiding.

Connect equipment in PHD2 once (camera icon → Connect All) so PHD2 confirms the drivers work. Then disconnect — AstroMax will reconnect on demand.

In PHD2: Tools → Enable Server (must be enabled for AstroMax to connect). Default port: 4400.

Build a Dark Library (Darks → Take Dark Library) — improves star detection and SNR. Recommended once per setup.

In AstroMax → Guide panel: enter localhost and port 4400, click Link. Status changes to "PHD2 connected ✓".

⚠ Guide camera ownership: PHD2 holds the guide camera. AstroMax must NEVER simultaneously connect to it. For non-multi-client cameras (ToupTek, QHY, Atik, Player One, SVBony, Altair) this is critical — two programs cannot share the camera. If AstroMax's Guide panel shows the camera connected in AstroMax itself, disconnect it before starting PHD2.

ℹ Recommended PHD2 settings (Brain icon):

Calibration step: 200–400 ms (auto-suggested by PHD2)
Dither amount: 5–10 px, Dither RA only: off
Settle: pixels 1.5 · time 8 s · timeout 40 s (timeout must be ≥ time)
RA / Dec aggressiveness: 60–80 %
Min Move: 0.10–0.15"
Pixel scale: PHD2 calculates this automatically from your guide camera + focal length profile values — no need to set manually.

6

Camera Drivers — By Brand

⚠ Always install the ASCOM driver version, not just the plain USB driver. The ASCOM driver includes the USB driver inside it. Install ASCOM Platform before any camera drivers.

🔵

ZWO (Shenzhen Zhongwang Optoelectronics)

China — ASI series cameras, EAF focusers, EFW filter wheels

⬇ ASI Camera ASCOM Driver ⬇ EAF Focuser ASCOM Driver ⬇ EFW Filter Wheel Driver ⬇ All ZWO Software 🌐 ZWO Official Site

📌 Install: ASIStudio (includes ASCOM driver) → restart Windows → verify in ASCOM Device Hub

🟢

QHY (Qingdao Qianyan Technology)

China — QHY series cooled cameras, QHYCFW filter wheels, QHYCAP

⬇ QHY ASCOM Driver ⬇ QHYCFW Driver ⬇ All Drivers & SDK 🌐 QHY Official Site

📌 Download "ASCOM Driver" from QHY downloads page. Separate drivers for camera vs. filter wheel.

🟣

Player One Astronomy

China — Apollo, Ares, Poseidon, Saturn series cameras; EFW filter wheels

⬇ Camera ASCOM Driver ⬇ EFW ASCOM Driver ⬇ All Software 🌐 Player One Official

📌 Download from service/software page. Camera driver and filter wheel driver are separate packages.

🟡

ToupTek Photonics

China — ATIK OEM, Omegon, Bresser cameras also use ToupTek sensors/drivers

⬇ ToupTek ASCOM Driver ⬇ All ToupTek Downloads ⬇ ToupCam (consumer) 🌐 ToupTek Official

📌 Also used by: Omegon cameras, some Bresser cameras. Same driver works for all.

🔴

Moravian Instruments

Czech Republic — G0, G1, G2, G3, G4 series scientific cameras

⬇ Moravian ASCOM Driver ⬇ Camera Control Software 🌐 Moravian Official 📖 Drivers & SDK Page

📌 High-end scientific cameras used in observatories. ASCOM driver on mii.cz under "Downloads & Support".

🟠

FLI — Finger Lakes Instrumentation

USA — Proline, Microline, Kepler series scientific cameras; FW filter wheels

⬇ FLI ASCOM Driver ⬇ FLI Filter Wheel Driver ⬇ FocusMax / All Software 🌐 FLI Official

📌 Premium USA-made scientific cameras. Download from flicamera.com/software — both camera and filter wheel ASCOM drivers available.

⚪

ATIK Cameras

UK — ATIK 383L+, 460EX, Horizon, Infinity series

⬇ ATIK ASCOM Driver ⬇ ATIK Capture 🌐 ATIK Official

🌟

Starlight Xpress

UK — Trius, Titan, Oculus series; SXV, SXVR cooled cameras

⬇ SX ASCOM Driver ⬇ All SX Drivers 🌐 SX Official

🔷

SVBony

China — SV305, SV405CC, SV505C, SV605CC, SV705C cooled and uncooled CMOS cameras

⬇ SVBony ASCOM Driver ⬇ All SVBony Software 🌐 SVBony Official

📌 Non multi-client driver — only ONE program can use the camera at a time. If using as guide camera with PHD2, do NOT also connect it in AstroMax.

🟦

Altair Astro

UK — Hypercam 269C/M PRO, GPCAM3, Astro TRI Series (ToupTek-based sensors)

⬇ Altair ASCOM Driver 🌐 Altair Official

📌 Most Altair cameras use ToupTek-based sensors — ToupTek ASCOM driver works as fallback.

7

Mount / Telescope Drivers

🔭

Sky-Watcher

China/Global — EQ3, EQ5, EQ6-R, EQ8-R, AZ-EQ5/6, Esprit, HEQ5 series

⬇ ASCOM EQ/AZ Driver ⬇ SynScan ASCOM ⬇ All Downloads 🌐 Sky-Watcher Official

📌 Also install SynScan Pro app or use direct EQMod (see below). For EQ6-R use the SynScan ASCOM driver.

🌀

iOptron

USA/China — HEM27, HEM44, CEM26, CEM40, CEM70, GEM45, HAE29

⬇ iOptron ASCOM Driver ⬇ iOptron Commander ⬇ Firmware & All Downloads 🌐 iOptron Official

🌠

Celestron

USA — CGX, CGX-L, CGEM, AVX, NexStar series

⬇ CPWI / NexRemote ⬇ Celestron ASCOM via ASCOM ⬇ All Celestron Software 🌐 Celestron Official

🏔

Losmandy / Gemini

USA — G11, GM8, GM811, HGM200 series with Gemini controller

⬇ Gemini .NET ASCOM Driver ⬇ Losmandy Software 🌐 Losmandy Official

⚡

10Micron

Italy — GM1000, GM2000, GM3000, GM4000 series

⬇ 10Micron ASCOM Driver 🌐 10Micron Official

🎯

Software Bisque / Paramount

USA — Paramount MX+, ME, ME II, MyT, Taurus series

⬇ TheSkyX (includes ASCOM) 🌐 Software Bisque Official

🔧

EQMod (Community Driver)

Open Source — Works with Sky-Watcher, Orion Atlas, SkyView Pro mounts via direct cable

⬇ EQMod ASCOM Driver 🌐 EQMod Project

📌 Bypasses the SkyWatcher hand controller. Requires direct USB–serial cable to mount. Better than OEM driver for many users.

🌌

Astro-Physics

USA — Mach1, Mach2, 1100GTO, 1600GTO, 3600GTO premium mounts (GTOCP4/CP5 controllers)

⬇ AP V2 ASCOM Driver ⬇ APCC (Command Center) 🌐 Astro-Physics Official

📌 APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center) provides the ASCOM interface plus advanced features like horizons and pointing models.

🇮🇹

Avalon Instruments

Italy — Linear, M-Uno, M-Zero, M-Due strain-wave and friction-drive mounts

⬇ Avalon ASCOM (StarGo+) 🌐 Avalon Official

📌 StarGo+ application installs the ASCOM driver. Connect via USB or Wi-Fi (port 11880).

🛸

PlaneWave Instruments

USA — L350, L500, L600 alt-az and CDK telescopes with integrated mounts

⬇ PlaneWave PWI4 (ASCOM) 🌐 PlaneWave Official

📦

Other Brands — Generic ASCOM

Vixen, Takahashi Temma, Bresser, Meade LX, Orion, Explore Scientific…

⬇ ASCOM Telescope Drivers Index 🌐 ASCOM Standards

📌 If your mount isn't listed above, check the official ASCOM Telescope Drivers page. AstroMax works with ANY ASCOM-compliant mount through Alpaca.

8

Focuser & Filter Wheel Drivers

ZWO EAF Included in ZWO

ZWO Electronic Auto Focuser. Driver bundled in ASIStudio package.

⬇ ASIStudio (includes EAF)

Pegasus Astro Optional

Focuser, power boxes (PPB, FHD) and accessories. Popular for remote observatories.

⬇ Pegasus Drivers

Moonlite Focusers Optional

Premium stepper focusers. Require separate USB driver and ASCOM plugin.

⬇ Moonlite Driver

FocusLynx (Optec) Optional

Optec FocusLynx hub controller supports most stepper and DC motors.

⬇ Optec Software

Lacerta MFOC Optional

Lacerta MotorFocuser MFOC series. European build, popular with refractors.

⬇ Lacerta ASCOM

Starlightxpress Filter Wheel Optional

SX Filterwheel ASCOM driver (separate from camera driver).

⬇ SX Filter Wheel Driver

QHY Filter Wheel (CFW) Optional

QHYCFW1/2/3 series. Separate ASCOM driver from QHY camera driver.

⬇ QHY CFW ASCOM

Atik EFW Optional

Atik EFW2 / EFW3 5-position and 7-position filter wheels.

⬇ Atik EFW Driver

Xagyl Filter Wheel Optional

Xagyl 5- and 7-position 36 mm filter wheels with ASCOM driver.

⬇ Xagyl Driver

Generic ASCOM Focuser/Wheel Fallback

If your focuser or filter wheel isn't listed above, check the official ASCOM driver index. Any ASCOM-compliant device works through Alpaca.

⬇ ASCOM Drivers Index

9

Installing AstroMax V2

✓ By this step you should have installed: Visual C++, ASCOM Platform, ASTAP + catalog, PHD2, your camera driver, and your mount driver.

Download the latest AstroMax-V2-Setup-x.x.x.exe (or AstroMax-V2-Portable-x.x.x.exe) from the GitHub Releases page.

Run the installer. Windows may show a SmartScreen warning ("Unknown publisher") — click More info → Run anyway. This is normal for unsigned apps.

Choose installation directory (default: C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\AstroMax V2). Per-user install, does NOT require admin rights.

After install, a desktop shortcut is created. Double-click to launch.

On first launch, Windows Firewall may ask to allow AstroMax network access. Click Allow — required for the integrated bridge to communicate with drivers.

10

First Start & License Activation

🔑 AstroMax includes a 30-day free trial. To unlock permanently, purchase a license and activate with your Computer ID (HWID).

Trial mode: AstroMax starts automatically in trial mode. All features are available for 30 days.

To activate: Click License in the bottom bar → copy your Computer ID.

Send your Computer ID to deanlinic@email.com after purchase. You will receive your key by email.

Enter the key in the activation dialog → click Activate → restart AstroMax.

ℹ Computer ID is tied to hardware, not Windows. Reinstalling Windows, updating to a newer version, or changing drivers does NOT change your Computer ID — your license keeps working after Windows reinstall. The ID only changes if you replace the motherboard or CPU. In that case, contact support with both the old and new Computer IDs for a free license transfer.

11

Connecting Equipment (V2 Integrated Bridge)

🔌 AstroMax V2 has a built-in ASCOM driver bridge — no separate ASCOM Remote server, no port configuration, no manual URL. You install the ASCOM Platform once, install your equipment drivers, then pick them from inside AstroMax. The app talks to drivers directly.

Standard workflow

Make sure your equipment driver(s) are installed in Windows (e.g. ZWO ASCOM, EQMOD, Pegasus, etc. — see driver sections above).

Connect equipment hardware (USB, power on).

Launch AstroMax V2.

Open the DEVICES panel (left sidebar).

For each device (camera, mount, focuser, filter wheel...): select the ASCOM driver from the dropdown → click Connect.

Devices stay connected as long as AstroMax runs. On next launch, AstroMax remembers your driver choices.

Guide camera + PHD2

PHD2 keeps its own connection to the guide camera. Do not connect the guide camera in both AstroMax and PHD2 — only one app can hold a camera at a time.

Recommended: launch PHD2 first, connect equipment in PHD2, then start AstroMax. AstroMax will guide via PHD2's server (Tools → Enable Server in PHD2).

⚠ Firewall: On first launch Windows may ask to allow AstroMax network access. Click Allow — this is needed for PHD2 communication.

12

Pre-Session Checklist

Step	Action	Where
☐	Power on equipment (mount, camera, focuser, USB hub)	Hardware
☐	Start PHD2 and enable server (Tools → Enable Server)	PHD2
☐	Connect guide camera + mount in PHD2	PHD2 Equipment
☐	Launch AstroMax V2	Desktop shortcut
☐	Open DEVICES panel → pick driver for each device → Connect	AstroMax → Devices
☐	Set Gain, Offset, Temperature target	Camera panel
☐	Set site location (Lat/Lon)	Mount panel → Location
☐	Run Polar Alignment	PA panel
☐	Run Auto-Focus	Focus panel
☐	Start PHD2 guiding	AstroMax → Guide panel
☐	Start Plan or manual capture	Plan / Camera panel