Product Overview
The Meade Stella Wifi Adapter enables wireless control of your telescope from a tablet or smartphone.
AUD $449.00
Product Images:A Meade Stella WiFi Adapter is shown attached to a telescope mount. A smartphone displaying the StellaAccess app is held nearby, demonstrating wireless control. The adapter features the 'STELLA' logo and 'WIRELESS SERIAL & USB ADAPTER' text. The Meade Stella WiFi Adapter is also shown individually. Another image displays the adapter alongside its packaging and a smartphone.
Key Features
- Wirelessly control your telescope from your tablet or smartphone.
- When paired with StellaAccess, allows you to view & learn about objects in the planetarium database, and have your telescope point to the object you're viewing on the app with the push of a button.
- Powered by AC adapter or the rechargeable battery & has a power saving mode, ensuring you will get the most out of your battery life.
- Works with all Meade telescopes that use AudioStar, AutoStar (non #494 versions), AutoStar II, and AutoStar III.
- Can create its own Wi-Fi hotspot; no need for internet connection, or join existing Wi-Fi networks.
- Contains a web server for configuring Wi-Fi parameters such as security, passwords, SSID (Service Set ID, allowing you to rename the network).
- Comes with velcro for affixing Stella to your telescope.
Meet Stella
The Stella adapter allows you to wirelessly control your telescope, eliminating concerns about handbox cord length. It creates its own Wi-Fi network or can join existing networks, facilitating communication and control for a smoother observing experience.
When paired with the Android and iOS app, StellaAccess, you gain a graphical interface for navigating the night sky. This adapter removes handbox limitations, providing a full-featured planetarium at your fingertips that works in conjunction with your telescope.
Designed for Meade computer-controlled GoTo telescopes, Stella utilizes the Wi-Fi capabilities of your iOS or Android device to point your telescope. Explore the skies with ease, as StellaAccess allows you to select a deep-sky object and have your telescope automatically point to it with a single button press. Stella provides remote control, allowing you to keep the handbox with the telescope and find celestial objects wirelessly.
How it Works:A hand holds a smartphone displaying the StellaAccess planetarium interface. The phone is connected wirelessly to a Meade telescope mount, which has the Meade Stella WiFi Adapter attached.
Technical Details
Internet Access
Stella does not require internet access to function. Unlike Bluetooth, it requires no pairing or special drivers. Supporting a DHCP server or client, Stella enables remote telescope control.
All that is needed is a Wi-Fi enabled device such as an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Android device.
Wi-Fi Network
Stella creates its own 802.11 wireless network, defaulting to an open network named "Stella". This network can be renamed and secured as desired. Connection is straightforward: join the network from your device, and as long as your device obtains its IP address via DHCP, no further network configuration is required.
Battery Life & Power
Stella uses a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, offering a typical battery life of 4-8 hours under continuous use. A "power-saving mode" is available to extend battery life. The adapter can also be powered from an external source, such as USB ports or a wall socket. Cables for both AC power (120V, 60Hz) and USB to micro-USB are included.
Compatible Telescopes
Meade Compatible Telescopes
Stella can wirelessly enable almost any telescope with a standard USB or RS-232 serial interface. Models that have been tested and are known to work with Stella include:
- Meade LX200 Classic and GPS
- Meade LX400 ACF
- Meade LX600 / 850
- Meade LS / LT
- Meade ETX (when equipped with #497 or AudioStar Controller)
- Meade LXD 55 / 75 / 650 / 750
- Meade LX 80 / 90
- Meade Magellan I
- Meade Magellan II
Note: Some Meade ETX models (60/80) ship with the Autostar #494 controller. To use Stella with these scopes, the #494 controller (which lacks a serial port) must be replaced with the AudioStar controller. Contact Meade for controller upgrade information.
Other Compatible Telescopes
- Celestron NexStar 5i / 8i / GPS / SLT / SE / Advanced GT
- Celestron AVX / CGE / CGEM / CPC series
- SkyWatcher SynScan
- Orion Sirius / Atlas / SkyView Pro / SkyQuest XTg / StarSeeker / HDX
- iOptron SmartStar / MiniTower
- iOptron iEQ45 with 8406 controller
- iOptron 8407 / 8408 controllers
- Astro-Physics GTO
- Losmandy Gemini
- Vixen SkySensor 2000
- Vixen StarBook / Sphinx
- Sky Commander
- Losmandy DSC
- StellarCAT ServoCAT
- Starmaster Sky Tracker
- SiTech Controller
- Takahashi Temma 2
- Bisque Paramount + TheSkyX
- Tangent Instruments BBox Encoder System (and compatible)
- Celestron AstroMaster
- JMI NGC Max
- Lumicon Sky Vector
- Orion Sky Wizard / IntelliScope
- Takahashi Super Navigator
*Due to continuous firmware updates by individual manufacturers, compatibility with non-Meade telescopes cannot be guaranteed.
Connecting to StellaAccess
To use StellaAccess as a telescope controller, your telescope must be connected to the Stella Wi-Fi adapter, and your mobile device must be connected to the Stella Wi-Fi network. Ensure your telescope has completed its necessary alignment procedures before connecting to StellaAccess. Refer to your telescope manual for alignment details.
Before tapping the “Connect” button in StellaAccess, review the "Settings" page to confirm the correct settings:
- Under "Telescope", select the telescope in use (Scope Type).
- Select the mount in use (Mount Type).
- Set "Stella Name" to "Stella" or "10.0.0.1".
- Set "Port Number" to "4030".
Once settings are correct, you can connect to your telescope. StellaAccess remembers the telescope's alignment until the app is quit, so realigning is usually not necessary after disconnection. Once connected, control your telescope using the directional arrows or the GoTo feature to point at a selected object.
If there is a discrepancy between the scope and software, you can re-align them using the "Align" feature. This synchronizes the scope to the coordinates of the selected object. A bullseye on the sky chart indicates where the telescope believes it is pointing. If this is incorrect, alignment is needed.
To perform an alignment:
- Physically center the scope on a real object in the sky.
- Select that object in the sky chart to make it the current target object.
- Tap the Align button.
When finished, tap "Disconnect" to end your telescope control session.
Additional Information
Specifications: N/A
Product page: https://www.sirius-optics.com.au/meade-stella-wifi-adapter.html
