AstroLink 4 devices were designed and created to make astroimagers life easier. Currently, this family contains two members that have some common functionalities (focuser motor control, regulated PWM outputs, conditions monitoring, switchable outputs, advanced panel software with charts, compensation calculator, alert and protection) but also differ in some aspects.
Common functionalities covered by each family member are:
- focuser motor output (unipolar and bipolar )
- advanced temperature compensation with scripting support
- 2x PWM regulated output to control dew/mirror heaters, and fans (40W maximum power per output)
- 3x 12V switchable on/off power output to control setup components (5A maximum current per output)
- temperature and humidity sensors to monitor conditions and control regulated outputs
- monitor voltage, current, and energy consumed
- programmable overcurrent and overvoltage protection
- charts, compensation calculator, alerts
- ASCOM driver with multiple connections available (ASCOM Local Server)
- Second ASCOM driver if you want to connect two devices at the same time to the computer (ASCOM Local Server 2)
If you look for a simple focusing solution, please take a look at the FocuserOne device.
-
AstroLink 4 mini II630.00 zł incl. Vat -
AstroLink 4 USB790.00 zł incl. Vat
AstroLink 4 mini II
This is another revision of the first device in the family. Provides all the common functionalities, and additionally:
- two focuser motors support (unipolar, bipolar, microstepping)
- 3-10V regulated voltage output (1.6A maximum continuous current)
- 5V regulated output via a USB port (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. 3 ports are available. Provides all the common functionalities, and additionally:
- 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
Latest software and downloads
| AstroLink 4 mini S | AstroLink 4 USB | AstroLink 4 mini II | FocuserOne | FocuserLink | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panel application | 4.2.0 | 4.8.0 | 4.9.0 | 2.4.0 (v2 only) | 1.0.0 |
| ASCOM driver | 1.5.0 | 3.2.3 | |||
| ASCOM driver #2 | N/A | 3.2.3 #2 | |||
| Firmware | 4.2.0.1 | 20221110 | |||
| Documentation | |||||
| Tutorials | YT | YT | |||
| Enclosure model | 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 | ||||
Key features and differences were presented in the table below.
| Feature | AstroLink 4 mini II | AstroLink 4 mini S | AstroLink 4 USB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 122 x 86 x 28 mm | 145 x 92 x 28 mm | 162 x 92 x 29 mm |
| Weight | 160g | 190 g | 215 g |
| Supply voltage | 11-14 V DC | 11-14 V DC | 11-14 V DC |
| Power consumption | < 1W | < 1W | < 2W |
| Focuser stepper output | two steppers: DB9 and RJ12 | DB9 unipolar, bipolar | RJ12 unipolar, bipolar, microstepping |
| Focuser DC output | not available | RJ9 4 pin, 1.2A max | not available |
| Sensors | Sensiron SHT3x environmental sensors, MLX sensor, sky brightness sensor | DHT22 / DS1820 humidity and temperature sensors | Sensiron SHT3x environmental sensors, MLX sensor, sky brightness sensor |
| Integrated USB hub | not available | not available | USB3.0, 3 ports available, galvanic and optical isolation |
| Regulated PWM outputs | 2x RCA 0-100%, 40W max | 2x RCA 0-100%, 40W max | 2x RCA 0-100%, 40W max |
| Switchable power outputs | 3 outputs DC 5.5/2.1mm, 5A max. single output | 3 outputs DC 5.5/2.1mm, 5A max. single output | 3 outputs DC 5.5/2.1mm, 5A max. single output |
| 12V permanent output | 1 output DC 5.5/2.1, 5A max. | not available | 1 output DC 5.5/2.1, 5A max. |
| Regulated voltage output | 1 output DC 5.5/2.1mm, 3-10V, 1.5A max. current (2.5A peak) | 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 | yes | yes |
| ASCOM driver | yes, multiple connections available | yes, multiple connections available | yes, multiple connections available |
| Secondary ASCOM driver | available | not available | available |
| INDI driver | development in progress | yes | yes |
AstroLink gallery
