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Download and Installation Instructions (please read first)
It is always a good idea to close all your active programs and disable
your anti-virus program before installing any new program. If you have an
earlier version of the program, it is suggested that you uninstall it first.
If you have run any of the Optec control programs since your last reboot
then it is advisable to reboot the computer to make sure no associated process
is in memory which may cause install errors. The uninstall for the
program can be found in the START menu under the the program name.
When you click the download button, save the setup program file to your
desktop or other folder of your choice. RUN the program from your computer
and follow the instructions.
For each of the Optec Control programs, the installed program files are
placed in a folder called OPTEC found in the Program Files. The runtime
program shortcuts are placed in the START menu along with a README file,
HELP file, UNINSTALL program and link to
www.optecinc.com. After the program
is installed, you can delete the setup program.
All the Optec Control programs are 32-bit programs, but note that the
newer ASCOM drivers are available in two installation packages:
32-bit and 64-bit. Please select the appropriate version for your
operating system. Note that the actual ASCOM driver is identical
for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows versions.
NOTE: See the note at the bottom of the page for Windows Vista and
Windows 7 if you have problems running any program or with the HELP
files.
TCF-S Focuser Software Downloads:
Setup_TCF-S_v1,30.exe
(release date: 10/09/09)
Installer program for stand-alone TCF-S Control program Version
1.30 compatible with TCF-S and TCF-S3 firmware versions V2.40
and TCF-Si/TCF-S3i firmware versions V3.00.
Will also work with earlier versions with some loss of function.
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OptecTCF-S_Installer_x86(5.1.1.0).zip - Windows 32-bit
(release date: 05/04/2010)
32-bit
Installer program for the TCF-S ASCOM Driver version
5.1.1.0. Driver with advanced setup options for the TCF-S,
TCF-Si, TCF-S3 and TCF-S3i focusers. Includes new wizard for
calculating temperature coefficients and expanded help file.
NOTE: You will need to unzip this file into a
temporary folder to run the setup executable program.
Requires ASCOM Platform 5.5 or later.
TCF-S Firmware v2.40 or TCF-Si v3.01 recommended.
Driver copyright 2010 - Optec, Inc. (Free to distribute.)
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OptecTCF-S_Installer_x64(5.1.1.0).zip - Windows 64-bit
(release date: 05/04/2010)
64-bit
Installer program for the TCF-S ASCOM Driver version
5.1.1.0. Driver with advanced setup options for the TCF-S,
TCF-Si, TCF-S3 and TCF-S3i focusers. Includes new wizard for
calculating temperature coefficients and expanded help file.
NOTE: You will need to unzip this file into a
temporary folder to run the setup executable program.
Requires ASCOM Platform 5.5 or later.
TCF-S Firmware v2.40 or TCF-Si v3.01 recommended.
Driver copyright 2010 - Optec, Inc. (Free to distribute.)
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OptecTCF(4.1.0)Setup.exe
Installer program for the TCF ASCOM Driver version 4.1.0. Works with
original TCF-S focuser. NOTE: You
should also download version 4.2.0 update .dll
separately for use with TCF-S3 as shown
here.
Requires ASCOM Platform 5.0 or later.
Compatible with most older TCF-S firmware versions.
Driver courtesy Doug George.
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Pyxis Rotator Software Downloads:
Setup_PYXIS_V1,33.exe
(release date: 02/04/09)
Installer program for Pyxis Control program Version 1.33
compatible with Pyxis firmware versions V1.41 and V3.20
Will also work with earlier versions with some loss of function.
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OptecPyxis(1.0.4)Setup.exe
Installer program for the Pyxis ASCOM Driver version 1.0.4. Works with
original Pyxis and Pyxis 3-inch rotators.
Requires ASCOM Platform 5.0 or later.
Driver courtesy Dr. Eric Benson.
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IFW Intelligent Filter Wheel Downloads:
Setup_IFW_v1,10.exe
(release date: 04/28/08)
Installer program for IFW Control program Version 1.10
compatible with IFW firmware versions V1.11, V2.02 and V3.00.
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Optec IFW(1.1.0.1) Setup.exe
(release date: 10/12/09)
Installer program for the IFW ASCOM Driver version 1.1.0.1.
Works with IFW and IFW-3 using 5, 6, or 9 position wheels.
Requires ASCOM Platform 5.0 or later.
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SSP Photometer Software Downloads:
Setup_SSPDATAQ_v1,20.exe
(Release date: 07/05/06)
Setup program for SSPDATAQ.EXE, version 1.20. Instrument Control and Data
Reduction program for
the SSP-3/3a and SSP-5/5a Single-Channel Photometers with integrated photometry data reduction
for B-V photometry. Improvements over the previous version 1.13 include better
serial communication to eliminate occasional corrupted data when
using a USB-to-Serial
converter, additional COM port numbers and set the TRIAL command
to only 1 integration. |
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Perseus 4-port Instrument Selector Downloads:
Setup_4-Port_v1,00.exe
(release date: 03/29/09)
Installer program for the Perseus 4-Port Instrument Selector Control program Version 1.00 compatible
with Perseus 4-port selector firmware version V1.01 and later.
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Optec4-Port(1.0.0.0)_Setup.exe
(coming soon)
Installer program for the Perseus ASCOM Driver
version 1.0.0.0. ASCOM instrument selector device type is being
defined now and will be released with ASCOM Platform 6.
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USB-to-Serial Converter Driver Download:
FTDI_cdm_2.02.04.exe
(release date: 07/07/07)
Drivers for single and 4-port USB-to-Serial converter (Optec stock #17690
and #17691).
Remove any previously installed FTDI drivers using the Add/Remove Programs feature
in Windows. For Vista, Vista x64, XP, XP x64 and W2000 click the DOWNLOAD button and
run the setup executable for version 2.02.04 dated July 7, 2007.
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here for detailed installation instructions -
(Highly Recommended). Drivers for
other operating systems can be downloaded from the FTDI chip website located
at:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
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Known Technical Issues:
Language Issues with Liberty Basic complier.
NOTE: There is a problem with running any of the Optec control programs
on computers set for Chinese, Korean and Japanese localization. Until
the makers of Liberty Basic fix their compiler, your PC will have to
be set for ENGLISH.
USB-to-Serial Converter Issues.
NOTE: If a USB-to-serial converter is needed to interface to an Optec
instrument, it is necessary to confirm that the converter is compatible
with the Optec control software. Many low cost converters using the
Prolific chip set will not work with the Optec control software. We
suggest that the converter use the FTDI chip set for best compatibility.
The #17690 single port and the #17691 4-port USB-to-serial converter
sold by Optec uses the FTDI chip set.
Known Issues with Vista and Windows 7
NOTE: Unfortunately, with Microsoft VISTA there is a problem with running
the Optec control programs. It is necessary that the program be given
administrator rights otherwise the program will crash with a message
indicating that a file cannot be opened. The next release of Liberty
Basic is suppose to fix this incompatibility. To make it work now for
VISTA, find the program executable in Program Files. An easy way would
be to look at the target for the shortcut in your start menu. For example,
the TCF-S control program is named TCF-S.EXE and has the bow tie icon
associated with it. Right click on the program and select properties
and then the compatibility tab. Under the privilege level make sure
there is a check mark for "Run this program as an administrator". If
you want to be walked through, give us a call at Optec.
NOTE: Windows discontinued providing WinHlp32.exe with Vista.
Some of the Optec programs still use this older version of help and
may require this file be added back into the operating system.
For Vista users, click
here to download the WinHlp32.exe installer from Microsoft.
For Windows 7 users, click
here to download the WinHlp32.exe installer form Microsoft.