MaxIm DL v6.20 is available now, with AO and Aluma updates

[Colin Haig]

Hi ACP friends, Diffraction Limited just released a new update - MaxIm DL V6.20 is available now.
(Even though I work there now, this is not intended as cheezy advertising, just letting you know).

This includes an update to the ASCOM Observing Conditions feature, with improved compatibility, and better logging and status display.

It also includes an update to the Aluma drivers and the SBIG AO control.

In MaxIm, select Help... Check For Updates.
helpcheckforupdates.png

As usual, if you have MaxIm questions or issues, we'll handle them over in the Diffraction Limited forum for registered customers:
http://forum.diffractionlimited.com/...omers-only.26/

For complete release notes please see:
http://www.diffractionlimited.com/he...ease_Notes.htm

If you have an Aluma camera, it includes updated DL Imaging drivers.
If you have an SBIG camera that you may have had issues with, you might want to check for firmware updates - we've done a few recently.
Cheers
Colin

[Bob Denny]

Thank you Colin. You're welcome to post from DIffraction/SBIG any time!!

[Brian Sheets]

at the risk of starting a Maxim flame war. I've been running Maxim 5 for about 10 years now. I have a Bisque MX+ and a ST10XME on a C14. Is there any compelling reason to upgrade?

[Colin Haig]

Glad to hear MaxIm 5 has worked well for you.
There are literally hundred of things that have been added and improved over the last decade.
Great question - Is it compelling enough to ugprade?
Customers that subscribe get the latest capabilities and full support.
Multi-threaded operation for greater efficiency, latest ASCOM platform and more device support, multi-star guiding, and a host of improvements help folks that are longtime customers and bring benefit if you are working with ACP. Once you have your images, there's a lot more you can do to get the best out of them.

Here's a short version of what's new:
https://diffractionlimited.com/help/maximdl/What_s_New_.htm

The release notes link will show you many more things:
http://www.diffractionlimited.com/he...ease_Notes.htm

If you are interested in upgrading, you can go here and click the upgrade tab:
http://diffractionlimited.com/product/maxim-dl/
Customers on older releases may be able to get an upgrade discount.

Or hit the demo tab to get a free trial version to play with on your desktop machine to test it out.

I think it's pretty compelling. I was a customer since the mid 90's, and just started working with Diffraction Limited in December 2018.
If you're on some version of 5, 5.24 was the best and final release. 6.20 is literally years ahead. And there's more to come.
The price of MaxIm 6 is probably less than 1-2% of the value that you have invested in your scope, mount, and camera.
For such a key ingredient, it's worth it.

If what you have is working optimally, and you don't need support, I encourage you to check out the demo, and think about when you might want to upgrade.

[Eric Dose]

Thanks Colin:

But could you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE prevail upon these people to put the Release Notes or a link to them right on their own Check/Download web page, instead of making every user hunt all over their inscrutable website for it, every release? Under no circumstances should Release Notes ever ever be separated from an update download page. It's just rude. I've asked but been ignored (after all I'm only a 10-year customer); maybe you can do better.

Thanks for whatever you can do!

[Colin Haig]

Ok, will work on getting that fixed. Thanks for sharing!

[Colin Haig]

Thanks Eric, really appreciate the feedback.
The What's New and Release Notes are now on there, so you can hit Check for Updates in MaxIm, and you will now see the web page like this:
checkforupdates.png

[Eric Dose]

Wowie zowie, does it ever help to talk to the right person!

Since "what does this update change?" is every sane user's first question about every software update, this makes sense.

Thank you, Colin!

[Bob Denny]

Yes, We are so lucky to have Colin working at Diffraction/SBIG, and they are even luckier to have him!!!

[Peter Prendergast]

Where did my posts go?????