AstroLink 4 devices are multifunctional controllers for an astrophotography setup. They contain focusing motor controllers, 12V DC power switches, regulated dew heaters outputs, and regulated voltage outputs. AstroLink 4 controllers require a computer for work: can be a laptop, mini PC, or Raspberry Pi.
Some of these devices either contain an integrated 3 port USB 3.0 hub (AstroLink 4 USB) or can be easily stacked with an external 7 port USB 3.0 hub (AstroLink 4 micro).
Several sensor types can be connected to AstroLink, so they can monitor temperature, humidity, sky temperature/cloud coverage, and sky brightness, and display these values or automate workflow based on them.
Also, input voltage, current, and energy consumed are monitored, and peripherals may be protected against overvoltage or excessive current drain, or you may be alerted when the field battery energy is low.
Other AstroLink functionalities are focuser point temperature compensation and compensation calculator, charts with export option, and permanent focuser position (so it does need to be parked after the session).
Both INDI and ASCOM drivers are available: ASCOM Focuser, ASCOM Observing Conditions, ASCOM Switch, and ASCOM Focuser 2 (this last one is only for AstroLink 4 mini II). The second ASCOM driver is also available if you want to connect two AstroLink devices to the computer at the same time.
If you are looking for a simple focusing solution, please check the FocuserOne device.
If you are looking for an astrophotography controller integrated with a computer, please check the AstroLink computers.
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AstroLink 4 micro590.00 zł – 820.00 zł incl. Vat -
AstroLink 4 mini II660.00 zł incl. Vat -
AstroLink 4 USB790.00 zł incl. Vat
AstroLink 4 micro
This device can be integrated with a 7-port USB 3.0 hub. AstroLink 4 micro key features:
- three switchable 12V DC outputs
- two permanent 12V DC outputs
- two regulated 0-100% PWM outputs for heaters
- optional integration with 7 port USB 3.0 active hub
- microstepping control of focuser motors
- new sensors support (temperature and humidity, sky temperature, sky brightness)
- INDI driver development in progress
AstroLink 4 mini II
This is another revision of the first device in the family. AstroLink 4 mini II key features:
- three switchable 12V DC outputs
- one permanent 12V DC output
- two regulated 0-100% PWM outputs for heaters
- two focuser motors support (unipolar, bipolar, microstepping)
- 3-10V regulated voltage output (1.6A maximum continuous current)
- new sensors support (temperature and humidity, sky temperature, sky brightness)
- INDI driver available
AstroLink 4 USB
This device is integrated with an active UBS3.0 hub. AstroLink 4 USB key features:
- three switchable 12V DC outputs
- one permanent 12V DC output
- two regulated 0-100% PWM outputs for heaters
- integrated, active USB3.0 hub with 3 ports available
- galvanic and optical isolation between the analog and digital parts
- 5V regulated voltage output (3A maximum current combined with USB hub devices)
- microstepping control of focuser motors
- new sensors support (temperature and humidity, sky temperature, sky brightness)
- INDI driver is available
Key features and differences were presented in the table below.
| Feature | AstroLink 4 micro | AstroLink 4 mini II | AstroLink 4 USB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 155 x 50 x 25 mm | 122 x 86 x 28 mm | 162 x 92 x 29 mm |
| Weight | 115 g | 160g | 215 g |
| Supply voltage | 11-14 V DC | ||
| Power consumption | < 1W | < 1W | < 2W |
| Focuser stepper output | RJ12 unipolar, bipolar, microstepping | two steppers: DB9 and RJ12 | RJ12 unipolar, bipolar, microstepping |
| Sensors | Sensiron SHT3x environmental sensors, MLX sky temperature sensor, sky brightness sensor | ||
| Integrated USB hub | USB 3.0, 7 port hub available as option | not available | USB3.0, 3 ports available, galvanic and optical isolation |
| Regulated PWM outputs | 2x RCA 0-100%, 40W max | ||
| Switchable power outputs | 3 outputs DC 5.5/2.1mm, 5A max. single output | ||
| 12V permanent output | 2 outputs DC 5.5/2.1, 5A max. | 1 output DC 5.5/2.1, 5A max. | 1 output DC 5.5/2.1, 5A max. |
| Regulated voltage output | not available | 1 output DC 5.5/2.1mm, 3-10V, 1.5A max. current (2.5A peak) | 1 output DC 5.5/2.1mm, 5V, 3A max (combined with USB outputs) |
| Dedicated panel software | yes | ||
| ASCOM driver | yes, multiple connections available | ||
| Secondary ASCOM driver | available | ||
| Available ASCOM interfaces | Focuser, Observing Conditions, Switch | Focuser, Focuser 2, Observing Conditions, Switch | Focuser, Observing Conditions, Switch |
| INDI driver | development in progress | yes | yes |
Latest software and downloads
AstroLink 4 Pi and AstroLink 4 Bee software are on the dedicated page
| AstroLink 4 mini S | AstroLink 4 USB | AstroLink 4 mini II | AstroLink 4 micro | Focuser One | Focuser Link |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panel application | 4.2.3 | 4.8.0 | 4.9.2 | 4.6.12 | 2.4.0 (v2 only) | 1.0.0 |
| ASCOM driver | 3.2.8 | |||||
| ASCOM driver #2 | N/A | 3.2.8 #2 | ||||
| Firmware | 4.2.0.1 | 20231218 | ||||
| Documentation | ||||||
| Tutorials | YT | YT | ||||
| Enclosure model | STL | STL | STL | STL | ||
| INDI driver | INDI | INDI | INDI | INDI | INDI | |
| Other | Rotator driver | |||||
| FTDI drivers | FTDI Virtual COM Port Drivers | |||||
| CP210x drivers | Silicon Labs Virtual COM Port drivers | |||||
| Software/firmware changelog | ||||||
AstroLink gallery
