iOptron Commander: A Powerful Software for Controlling Your Telescope
If you own an iOptron telescope mount, you might be wondering how to get the most out of it. You might want to control it from your computer or mobile device, use it with your favorite planetarium software, or customize its settings and functions. Well, there is a software that can help you do all that and more: iOptron Commander.
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What is iOptron Commander?
iOptron Commander is a software that provides a connection between an iOptron mount and a computer or mobile device through a serial cable or a wireless adapter. It also includes a full functional control panel, with which you can set up and control the mount. iOptron Commander uses the latest iOptron Mount RS232 Command Language 2014, which supports a wide range of iOptron mounts, such as:
AZ Mount Pro
CEM60/CEM60EC
iEQ30 Pro/iEQ45 Pro/iEQ45 Pro AZ
CEM25P/CEM25EC/CEM25 with 8408 hand controller
Cube-II/CubePro w/8408
SmartEQ Pro+ (not SmartEQ Pro)
and more
Features and benefits of iOptron Commander
Some of the features and benefits of using iOptron Commander are:
It allows you to control your mount directly from your computer or mobile device, without the need of a hand controller.
It lets you use your mount with any ASCOM-compatible planetarium software, such as Stellarium, SkySafari, Cartes du Ciel, etc.
It enables you to update the firmware and software of your mount easily and quickly.
It gives you access to advanced settings and options that are not available on the hand controller, such as backlash compensation, PEC training, meridian flip, etc.
It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to learn and use.
How to download and install iOptron Commander
To download and install iOptron Commander, you need to have the following requirements:
A computer or laptop with Windows 7/8.1/10/11 or a mobile device with iOS or Android.
A .NET Framework 4.8 or later installed on your computer.
An ASCOM Platform 6.5 SP1 or later installed on your computer if you want to use planetarium software.
An RS232-RJ9 serial cable or a USB to RS232 converter if you want to connect via a serial port.
A StarFi wireless adapter if you want to connect via Wi-Fi.
To download and install iOptron Commander, follow these steps:
Go to [1]( and download the latest version of iOptron Commander and ASCOM Driver Installer.
Run the installer and follow the instructions on the screen.
A shortcut of iOptron Commander will be created on your desktop or home screen.
How to use iOptron Commander to control your telescope
Connecting your telescope to your computer or mobile device
To connect your telescope to your computer or mobile device, you have two options: via a serial port or via Wi-Fi.
To connect via a serial port, you need to have an RS232-RJ9 serial cable or a USB to RS232 converter. Plug one end of the cable into the RS232 port on your mount and the other end into the serial port or USB port on your computer or mobile device. Make sure the power of your mount is on and the hand controller is unplugged.
To connect via Wi-Fi, you need to have a StarFi wireless adapter. Plug the StarFi adapter into the RS232 port on your mount and turn it on. Make sure the power of your mount is on and the hand controller is unplugged. On your computer or mobile device, go to the Wi-Fi settings and connect to the StarFi network. The default password is 12345678.
Using the iOptron Commander control panel
Once you have connected your telescope to your computer or mobile device, you can launch iOptron Commander and use its control panel to set up and control your mount. The control panel has four tabs: Connection, Mount, Alignment, and Utility.
The Connection tab allows you to select the communication port and the mount model. You can also test the connection and see the firmware version of your mount.
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The Mount tab allows you to control the movement and tracking of your mount. You can use the arrow buttons to slew the mount in different directions, or use the GoTo function to point the mount to a specific object or coordinate. You can also adjust the slew speed, tracking rate, and tracking mode.
The Alignment tab allows you to perform various alignment procedures to improve the pointing accuracy of your mount. You can choose from One Star Align, Two Star Align, Three Star Align, Polar Align, or Sync Align. You can also use the Auto Home function to return the mount to its home position.
The Utility tab allows you to access some advanced settings and options for your mount. You can set the date, time, location, and daylight saving time for your mount. You can also enable or disable some features such as backlash compensation, PEC training, meridian flip, etc.
Using the ASCOM driver and planetarium software
If you want to use your mount with any ASCOM-compatible planetarium software, such as Stellarium, SkySafari, Cartes du Ciel, etc., you need to install the ASCOM Platform and the iOptron ASCOM Driver on your computer. You can download them from [2](
Once you have installed them, you can launch your planetarium software and select iOptron Telescope as your telescope driver. You will need to enter some information such as communication port, mount model, date, time, location, etc. Then you can connect your telescope and use your planetarium software to control it.
Some of the advantages of using planetarium software are:
You can see a graphical representation of the sky and identify objects easily.
You can access a large database of celestial objects and information.
You can plan your observing sessions and create custom lists of objects.
You can use some features such as telescope simulator, night vision mode, voice control, etc.
Tips and tricks for using iOptron Commander
Now that you know how to use iOptron Commander to control your telescope, here are some tips and tricks that can help you improve your experience and performance.
Updating the firmware and software
It is important to keep your firmware and software up to date, as they may contain bug fixes, improvements, or new features. To update your firmware and software, you can use the iOptron Commander Utility tab. There you will find the Update Firmware and Update Software buttons. You will need to download the latest firmware and software files from [3]( and save them on your computer or mobile device. Then you can follow the instructions on the screen to complete the update process.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you encounter any issues while using iOptron Commander, such as connection problems, communication errors, or incorrect pointing, you can try some of the following solutions:
Check the power supply of your mount and make sure it is sufficient and stable.
Check the connection between your mount and your computer or mobile device and make sure it is secure and reliable.
Check the settings of your mount and your computer or mobile device and make sure they are correct and compatible.
Check the alignment of your mount and make sure it is accurate and precise.
Check the firmware and software of your mount and make sure they are up to date.
Check the user manual of your mount and iOptron Commander for more information and guidance.
Contact iOptron customer service for further assistance.
Exploring the advanced settings and options
If you want to customize your mount and iOptron Commander to suit your preferences and needs, you can explore some of the advanced settings and options that are available. For example, you can:
Adjust the backlash compensation to reduce the lag in the movement of your mount.
Train the PEC (Periodic Error Correction) to improve the tracking accuracy of your mount.
Enable or disable the meridian flip to avoid hitting the tripod when slewing across the meridian.
Change the baud rate, time zone, language, sound, etc. of your mount or iOptron Commander.
And more
You can find these settings and options in the Utility tab of iOptron Commander or in the ASCOM driver settings.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
iOptron Commander is a powerful software that allows you to control your iOptron telescope mount from your computer or mobile device. It also lets you use your mount with any ASCOM-compatible planetarium software. It has many features and benefits that can enhance your astronomy hobby or profession. It is easy to download, install, and use. It also has some tips and tricks that can help you solve common issues and customize your settings and options.
Call to action and resources
If you are interested in using iOptron Commander to control your telescope, you can download it from [4]( You can also find more information, guidance, and support on the same website. You can also watch some videos on how to use iOptron Commander on [5](
We hope this article has helped you learn more about iOptron Commander and how to use it. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you. Happy stargazing!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of using iOptron Commander over a hand controller?
Some of the advantages are:
You can control your mount directly from your computer or mobile device, without the need of a hand controller.
You can use your mount with any ASCOM-compatible planetarium software, such as Stellarium, SkySafari, Cartes du Ciel, etc.
You can access advanced settings and options that are not available on the hand controller, such as backlash compensation, PEC training, meridian flip, etc.
What are the requirements for using iOptron Commander?
You need to have:
A computer or laptop with Windows 7/8.1/10/11 or a mobile device with iOS or Android.</ A .NET Framework 4.8 or later installed on your computer.
An ASCOM Platform 6.5 SP1 or later installed on your computer if you want to use planetarium software.
An RS232-RJ9 serial cable or a USB to RS232 converter if you want to connect via a serial port.
A StarFi wireless adapter if you want to connect via Wi-Fi.
How do I update the firmware and software of my mount?
You can use the iOptron Commander Utility tab to update the firmware and software of your mount. You will need to download the latest firmware and software files from [6]( and save them on your computer or mobile device. Then you can follow the instructions on the screen to complete the update process.
How do I use my mount with planetarium software?
You need to install the ASCOM Platform and the iOptron ASCOM Driver on your computer. You can download them from [7]( Then you can launch your planetarium software and select iOptron Telescope as your telescope driver. You will need to enter some information such as communication port, mount model, date, time, location, etc. Then you can connect your telescope and use your planetarium software to control it.
What are some of the advanced settings and options that I can access with iOptron Commander?
Some of the advanced settings and options that you can access with iOptron Commander are:
Backlash compensation: You can adjust the backlash compensation to reduce the lag in the movement of your mount.
PEC training: You can train the PEC (Periodic Error Correction) to improve the tracking accuracy of your mount.
Meridian flip: You can enable or disable the meridian flip to avoid hitting the tripod when slewing across the meridian.
Baud rate, time zone, language, sound, etc.: You can change these settings according to your preferences and needs.
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