AstroLink 4 MAX

🪐 AstroLink 4 MAX – Key Features

AstroLink 4 MAX is a powerful multifunctional controller designed to centralize and streamline your astrophotography setup. It combines power management, focusing motor control, environmental sensing, and expansion capabilities — all in one device.

• 🔌 Integrated 3-port active USB hub – with EMI and overcurrent protection
• 🎛️ AUX output port – connect expansion modules such as a secondary focuser, servo controllers, or power switches
• ⚡ Three switchable 12V DC outputs – ideal for powering mounts, cameras, or other devices
• 🔋 Regulated 3–10V DC output – for peripherals like DSLR adapters or USB hubs
• ⚡ Permanent 12V DC output – always on, great for mini PCs or routers
• 🔆 Two adjustable PWM outputs (0–100%) – ideal for dew heaters or cooling fans
• 🎯 Focuser stepper motor control – supports unipolar, bipolar and 1/8 and 1/32 microstepping focusing motors
• 🌡️ Sensor support – temperature, humidity, sky temperature/cloud coverage, sky brightness
• 📊 ASCOM support – includes Focuser, Switch, Observing Conditions, and Safety Monitor drivers
• ⚙️ INDI driver in development – coming Q3 2025
• 🎨 Available in three colors: black, graphite and cherry red

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🖥️ USB Hub Functionality

AstroLink 4 MAX includes a built-in active USB 2.0 hub with three external ports, purpose-built for astrophotography environments:

• 📢 Reliable communication with mounts, filter wheels, guide cameras, and more
• 🔐 EMI and overcurrent protection ensure stable and safe operation
• ⚠️ Note: For high-speed applications such as planetary or lucky imaging, it’s recommended to connect your main camera directly to the computer via USB 3.0 cable for optimal performance — consistent with guidance from many camera manufacturers.

This integrated hub reduces cable clutter while delivering reliable, high-quality USB connectivity across your imaging setup.

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🔧 System Requirements

AstroLink 4 MAX requires connection to a computer to operate. Compatible with:

• 💻 Laptops
• 🖥️ Mini PCs
• 🍓 Raspberry Pi (recommended for INDI-based setups)

🎛️ Expansion-Ready Design

AstroLink 4 MAX features a dedicated AUX port for system expansion, supporting optional external modules (sold separately) including:

• Additional focusing motor controllers
• Servo motor controllers
• Advanced environmental sensors
• High-power electronic switches

🔧 The first available expansion is an additional focuser controller, with more modules planned for release in 2025.

🎯 Advanced Environmental Monitoring

AstroLink 4 MAX supports various sensor types, enabling real-time monitoring of:

• 🌡️ Temperature
• 💧 Humidity
• ☁️ Sky temperature / Cloud coverage
• ✨ Sky brightness

These measurements are displayed in the panel and can be used to automate your imaging workflow.

🔌 Power Monitoring & Protection

The device includes internal sensors to monitor:

• 🔋 Input voltage
• ⚡ Current draw
• 🔌 Total energy consumed

Intelligent alerts and protections help safeguard your equipment from:

• Overvoltage
• Overcurrent
• Low field battery conditions

🛠️ Focusing Enhancements

• 🌡️ Temperature-based focuser compensation
• 🧮 Compensation calculator
• 📈 Charting with export options
• 🔄 Permanent focuser position memory — no need to park after a session

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🔭 Software Compatibility

• ✅ ASCOM Drivers available:
  • ASCOM Focuser
  • ASCOM Observing Conditions
  • ASCOM Switch
  • ASCOM Safety Monitor
• 🛠️ INDI Driver currently in development – planned release in Q3 2025

If you are looking for an astrophotography controller integrated with a computer, please check the AstroLink 4 Bee or AstroLink 4 Pi.

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📥 Latest software and downloads (ASCOM 7 platform only)

Device	Panel application	ASCOM driver	Firmware	Docs / other
ASCOM 7 and new software stack is recommended New software requires ASCOM 7 platform installed. Additionally, AstroLink ASCOM driver, panel and firmware in version 5.x.x are required.
AstroLink 4 Bee	5.0.14 Unified control panel manual [PDF] YT presentation	5.0.8	(5.0.1) 1.0.6	PDF / YT
AstroLink 4 MAX			(5.0.2) 1.0.6	PDF
AstroLink 4 micro			(5.0.1) 1.0.6	PDF
AstroLink 4 mini II			(5.0.3) 1.0.6	PDF
Software/firmware changelog

Other software
FTDI drivers	FTDI Virtual COM Port Drivers
CP210x drivers	Silicon Labs Virtual COM Port drivers
USBTreeView tool	https://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtreeview_e.html

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