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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

🖥️ 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.


🔧 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

🔭 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.


📥 Latest software and downloads (ASCOM 7 platform only)

DevicePanel applicationASCOM driverFirmwareDocs / other
New software requires ASCOM 7 platform installed, and new firmware, AstroLink ASCOM driver and AstroLink panels.
AstroLink 4 Bee5.0.14


Unified control panel manual [PDF]
YT presentation
5.0.81.0.4 (08.08.2025)PDF / YT
AstroLink 4 MAXPDF
AstroLink 4 microPDF
AstroLink 4 mini IIPDF
Software/firmware changelog
Other software
FTDI driversFTDI Virtual COM Port Drivers
CP210x driversSilicon Labs Virtual COM Port drivers
USBTreeView toolhttps://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtreeview_e.html

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