Guidemaster

Guidemaster is a highly efficient Device Assistant developed by Matthias Garzarolli. It falls under the System Utilities category and is designed for automatic tracking of telescopes on equatorial mountings using a USB-Webcam. It supports a variety of webcams including SC1, SC2, SC3 modified webcams, Meade LPI camera, and other cameras compatible with VFW or DirectX. Users will find this tool helpful when utilizing Guidemaster, as it ensures seamless tracking and enhanced observations. The program file, Autoguider.exe, is notably user-friendly and supports other popular cameras through shoestring USB adapters.

Guidemaster is compatible with multiple Windows operating systems including Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11, ensuring a wide range of users can benefit from its capabilities. The software also supports various telescope interfaces such as the parallel port, ASCOM interface, serial port (with LX200 commandset), Shoestring (GPRINT and LXUSB), and the Pierro Astro, making it versatile for different setups. The program also includes features for serial interface for modified webcams and the Trifid Nugget Camera from Yankee Robotics.

With the 2.0 version of this software, download is straightforward and the program remains free, which adds to its appeal for amateur astronomers and professionals alike. Despite its strengths, users might need to spend some time familiarizing themselves with all supported devices and interfaces, which could be a minor inconvenience for some.

Pros:

• Free download and easy-to-use interface.
• Wide support for various camera types and telescope interfaces.
• Compatibility with multiple Windows versions.

Cons:

• Learning curve for using all supported devices and interfaces.
• Limited to specific cameras and interfaces, though it covers most popular ones.

Guidemaster by Matthias Garzarolli is indeed a robust solution for anyone looking to enhance their telescope tracking capabilities on various Windows platforms.

You may want to check out more software, such as EasyGPRS, Schmap or CyberPrinter, which might be related to Guidemaster.