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Software Downloads

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.
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.)
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.)
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.

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.
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.

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.
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.

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.

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.
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.	Coming Soon...

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.
Click 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

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.

Site Menu:

only search Optec Website

Catalog Links:

• SSP Photometers
• NextGEN Telecompressor
• IFW Filter Wheels
• Filters and Wheels
• TCF-S Focusers
• Pyxis Rotators
• Instrument Selector
• Libra Dovetails
• Ultra-Wedge
• Telescope Adapters
• Camera Adapters

Version History:

TCF-S Control

'version history
' Version 1.30, October 9, 2009
' added LEARN mode for computing TC in this program for export to TCF-S
' added selection for adjusting brightness of Display or on/off LED in TCF-S2
' added reading firmware version and model type from PIC for ABOUT selection
' added model type in ABOUT selection
' fixed bug in SLEEP command when program crashes when disconnecting and quiting program
'
' Version 1.22, June 15, 2008
' added more COM port numbers
' add error control in serial connection
'
' Version 1.21, January 7, 2006
' added + and - sign for temperature coefficient
'
' Version 1.20, October 10, 2005
' added features for TCF-S3 and version 2,30 firmware
'
' Version 1.13, April 22, 2005
' added the option to turn off temperature control
'
' Version 1.12, April 2005
' corrected wrong label for Clear_Serial_Buffer
'
' Version 1.11, January 2005
' improved temperature and delay values input window
' added COM ports 8 and 9
'
' Version 1.10, October 2004
' added more commands
' changed pause to use SLEEP mode of kernel32
' made GIF smaller
'
' Version 1.01, December 2003
' small additions to titles and some bug fixes
' added COM ports 5,6 and 7
'
' Version 1.00, November 2003
' original program compiled with Liberty basic 3.03

TCF-S ASCOM Driver

Revision History:

5.1.1.0 - Added functionality for the IsMoving flag
- Fixed the StepSize property so that it reports the correct stepsize in microns
- Fixed a multithreading/serial timeout bug that affected older firmware versions
- Changed the Move method to allow requests beyond the focuser limits. The driver will now
cause the focuser to move to the limit and stop without throwing an exception.

5.1.0.0 - Initial Release

Pyxis Control

'=====version history
'
' 1.33 2/4/08
' corrected Type error when connecting
'
' 1.32 1/22/08
' corrected GETPA routine
'
' 1.31 12/9/07
' added CJxxxx command for turing off HOME on start up
' added update current PA when moving
' made finding Pyxis type automatic
'
' 1.30 2/5/07
' added new commands for new home position and setting default values
' added COM 17-20
'
' 1.21 10/30/06
' changed gear ratio for 3-inch Pyxis - 46080 steps per rotation
'
' 1.20 9/20/06
' corrected Julian date calculator for January and February months
' added Pyxis 3-inch compatibility
'
' 1.10 4/1/05
' added full/half step mode and step rate control
'
' 1.02 11/8/04
' added simple oncom error routine for opening COM port
'
' 1.01 added improved pause sub using kernel32 sleep command
'
' 1.00 original version written on 5/27/2004 with Liberty Basic 4.00
'

IFW Control

'=====revision history
'
'version 1.10, February 2008
' made compatible with IFW 3"
'
'version 1.03, January 14, 2008
' added more COM ports and improved serial communication
' changed default center steps
'
'version 1.02, October,2005
' changed Pause to include kernel32 sleep function
'
'version 1.01, January, 2004
' added COM ports 5, 6 and 7
' added centering menu selection
'
'version 1.00
' original version completed November, 2003
'

Perseus Control

'=====version history
'
' 1.00 original version written on 2/18/2009 with Liberty Basic 4.03
'

Other Resources:

Optec's Resource Page

External Links:

ASCOM Website

ASCOM Answers

INDI (Linux Astronomy) Website

FTDI Website

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