It appears that the latest version of KStars cannot connect to iOptron CEM40 mounts.  I tried multiple cables, different cable configurations, different profiles, a profile with just mount and camera, and even different machines.  I simply could not connect.  Then I decided to install a copy of Kstars 3.5.0 for Mac, and that worked fine.  I'm not sure if this is the Indi driver or Kstars that is broken, but this is a big one.  Please fix ASAP!  Unfortunately I did not detect this until I drove 3 hours to my dark sky site.

FYI so the community is aware, as I didn't see forum traffic on this topic.

It appears Indi may have switched to iOptron "V3" commands.  On a whim I decided to try upgrading my mount and hand controller to the latest firmware, but that did not help either.  I still cannot connect to the mount.

Try setting communication speed to 115kbps

I believe I tried all the options, but settled on 9600. Jasem also asked if I tried 9600. Still no-go.

Also, this was a *brand new* wipe-and-reformat of StellarMate OS on RPi4, and I also tested with a clean install of KStars 3.5.2 on Mac. Both had the defaults for everything, which is 115200. That speed never caused an issue before. I'm fine with using lower speed, but NONE of them worked.  Note, I *think* Ekos will automatically try a lower speed if it can't connect the first time (I never really paid attention before).

Is there anyone out there with a CEM40 they can test with KStars 3.5.2? I'm surprised others haven't mentioned this yet. I'm pretty sure it's not me.

I am a Newbie. Have same problem. Cannot connect to CEM40 using current build. Cannot find DMG for prior build of KStars (3.5.0). Able to connect to the mount using INDIGO server but unable to use INDIGO server as external INDI - KStars immediately crashes when start hit start in EKOS. Would appreciate some advice/help. Can someone provide the previous build as DMG to try? Thanks!! Steve.

Steve, I might have lost my 3.5.0 dmg when I had to clear some disk space in the middle of the night. I'm not sure I have rights to distribute it, either. Maybe Jasem or one of the other developers could chime in with a 3.5.0 dmg link for MacOS.

Given how many breaking regressions are involved in these products, it would be wonderful if download links for N-3 versions would be available. The KStars 3.5.1 release for MacOS didn't even include the ZWO camera drivers due to a technical glitch, and we couldn't get a repaired version until 3.5.2 was released.

I am pretty sure the GEM45  is pretty much the same mount when it comes to software.
I have updated the mount to the latest firmware (the V3 command set).
I have updated to the latest Indi library.
The speed is set to 115,200.
On the Connection tab you should see that Indi is using "indi_ioptronv3_telescope" driver Version 1.3.

Has been working fine for me.

I always make a copy of my SD card before I do an upgrade. This way I can always go back to my last known good version.

 

I found a repository of archived / previous KStars installers (DMG) and was able to uninstall 3.5.2 and install 3.5.0. With that one, I able able to connect to the mount properly and can even set up using PHD2 for guiding! I will check the installed firmware. However, I am always reluctant to upgrade the firmware fearing that the upgrade could fail and render my mount unusable.
I also heard from Same Mutlaq who indicated that I should update the firmware and then choose CEM120 for the drive with the baud rate set to 115,200 and it should work in 3.5.2. It also became clear to me that I had previously set up the order incorrectly and that I needed to let EKOS in KStars control (Start) the INDI driver rather than starting it manually and then connecting via KStars which caused an immediate crash. It was not clear in the provided documentation the one MUST have EKOS do the initial controlling, in cases of using an external (non-KStar) INDO driver such as INDIGO SERVER. I am also intrigued by Stellarmate and controlling everything via WIFI / remotely. Stellarmate is currently out of stock on their hardware/software device but it appears one can install their software on a Raspberry pi machine. I have not worked much with Linux systems, Are there detailed instructions on how to use a generic Raspberry pi and load in the appropriate Stellarmate software? Which Linux OS is preferred? (Ubantu? Fedodra? BSD? etc...) Thanks! 

Here is the repository of prior builds incase anyone needs it:

www.fosshub.com/KStars-old.html

Steve

I didn't hear anything back on my support ticket, but in case it's useful to anyone, I was able to get a single rocky connection today.  It was slow and lots of functionality just failed.  I was able to slew, but it took several seconds and then wouldn't stop.  I was experimenting with a N.I.N.A. machine connecting via ASCOM, so I tried it with the CEM40 and it appears to work fine.2021-03-23T22:29:05: [INFO] iOptron CEM40 is offline.2021-03-23T22:29:05: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error.2021-03-23T22:29:01: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error.2021-03-23T22:28:45: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error.2021-03-23T22:28:41: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error.2021-03-23T22:28:38: [ERROR] Failed to set longitude.   (strange, since the mount did have a successful GPS location and the log shows KStars did receive it below)2021-03-23T22:28:38: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error.2021-03-23T22:28:35: [ERROR] Error setting local time.   (strange, since the mount did have a successful GPS location and the log shows KStars did receive it below)2021-03-23T22:28:35: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error.2021-03-23T22:28:32: [INFO] Device configurat2021-03-23T22:28:49: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error.ion saved. 2021-03-23T22:28:57: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error. 2021-03-23T22:28:32: [INFO] Saving device configuration...2021-03-23T22:28:32: [INFO] Device configur2021-03-23T22:28:53: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error.ation saved.2021-03-23T22:28:32: [INFO] Saving device configuration...2021-03-23T22:28:32: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error.2021-03-23T22:28:29: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error.2021-03-23T22:28:26: [INFO] Mount is unparked.2021-03-23T22:28:26: [INFO] InitPark: No Park data in file /Users/xxxxx/.indi/ParkData.xml: No park data found for this device2021-03-23T22:28:26: [INFO] Mount Longitude NNNN Latitude NNNN (redacted)2021-03-23T22:28:26: [ERROR] Serial read error: Timeout error.2021-03-23T22:28:23: [INFO] iOptron CEM40 is online.2021-03-23T22:21:30: [INFO] Scan complete. Found 4 port(s).

It sure would be nice if these forums would correctly interpret line feeds from the Mac, so my messages wouldn't get so mangled! Sorry for the bad formatting.

Have you tried changing the baud rate?

Sounds like an intermittent comms link, I had a similar issue when I started with a cem70g and with the help of Jasem, it came down to the baud rate. Needed to be higher.

Hope that helps, Richard.