Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
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Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
I'm new to this forum, so there may have already been a response to this issue.
I have a Celestron 8 inch NexStar GPS scope. I took it out the other night and attempted the GPS align. I had a bit of an issue initially getting it to find the GPS satellite. After powering off and then back on, it found the satellite.
Once the scope confirms the time of day, it started its alignment process. However, the stars it was looking for (except for Polaris) were not even in the sky at that time of night. They would only appear much later in the evening.
I tried this a couple of times, and same issue occurred.
For example, one of the alignment stars (Capella) was about 20 degrees above the horizon at the time I tried the alignment process. However, after slewing, the scope pointed almost straight overhead for that star.
Again, I tried a couple more times and the scope's pointing was way off.
I then tried a 2 start alignment - same issue.
Some other facts that may be pertinent. I was powering the scope with a fully charged, and relatively new, Celestron PowerTank Lithium battery. It was also cold - about 30 degrees. The scope and battery were sitting outside for over an hour to acclimate to the cold.
Any ideas what might be wrong here?
Thanks,
Jeff
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
The GPS will not change DST times, that has to be done manually.
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
1. Have you used it recently?
These I believe had a coin battery installed (GPS unit) and if it has run down you can try leaving the mount plugged in for 12-24 hours to see if it will re-charge.
If the information is still wrong then you may have to replace the battery. Some models had the battery soldered in place so you will need to de-solder the old before replacing.
2. If it is a Version 4
If needing the cfm file it is on Celestron site.
In the meantime if the time/ date is wrong but co-ordinates are right you can just change the time/ date manually
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
I went to look for the HCUpdate and it's giving me an error when I attempt to execute the *.exe file
Celestron HCupdate (1.1.14) is not allowed to run on Win (6.2)
Setup Aborted!
I have Windows 11 on my laptop - so I'm not sure what this error is telling me.
at any rate - no success.
I will plug in the scope for 12-24 hours to see what happens.
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
The version 4 updates can be downloaded to your computer then downloaded to the
cfm files you must be online.
In case you need to replace your battery here is the guide.
https://www.nexstarsite.com/Book/Updates/GPSBoard.htm
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
You indicate version 4 can be downloaded. Version 4 of what software? Isn't that the HCUpdate I mentioned that I'm having an issue with? Or is it something else?
When/if I get it downloaded to my computer, how do I download this to the
I've been looking through my telescope for years - so, I'm pretty knowledgeable about what's in the sky, etc.
What I'm a novice with is this type of stuff related to updating the software for the telescope and some of the terminology you are using.
Please provide clearer instructions.
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
If less than version 4 it is likely the
If version 4 you can upgrade both
If version 5 then you can download the proper files from Celestron site using the cfm files.
On nexstarsite it shows you which cable(s) you will need to download depending on version
Version 4 and Version 5 use different programming language so are not compatible with each other.
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
Version 4 only relates to the version of your hand controller (
Version 4 of thejruckgaber wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 2:23 pmYou indicate version 4 can be downloaded. Version 4 of what software? Isn't that the HCUpdate I mentioned that I'm having an issue with?
Follow the instructions from the link in the previous answerjruckgaber wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 2:23 pmWhen/if I get it downloaded to my computer, how do I download this to the HC or MC? What is the HC or MC?
After reading the Nexstar info, you should be a novice no longer. Additionally,jruckgaber wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 2:23 pmI'm a novice with this type of stuff related to updating the software for the telescope and some of the terminology you are using.
Cheers,
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
So with some trial and error, I got to the version screen and it shows: 1.1 4.5 4.5 10.1. Right after that is displayed, I get a screen that shows No Response with the number 1. When I press Undo, I get No Response with the number 110.1.
I don't know what this all means and the manual is useless.
Also, another problem, possibly.
If I click on the Menu button on the remote and navigate to View Time-Site, when I press the down button, I see GPS Linking Local = 10.40.56 - which is the correct time of day. But, when I press on the down arrow again, I get GPS Linking 04/13/03 - which is obviously the wrong date. But I'm unable to change that date. Could this be explaining my alignment issues?
Thanks for your help here. I hope I can get this resolved!
Jeff
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
Looking at the version numbers it seems your
Keep those numbers close as they will need to know those.
You may also be able to find a upgrade-able one on ebay or such.
The no response errors may be caused by the gps rollover so try changing the date and see what happens.
Hopefully you can get this worked out and use the telescope again.
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
Long story short, I spoke with Celestron technical support and they indicated that my handheld remote needs to be replaced. But the new model of the remote is back ordered till July 2023. I placed an order for it.
For now, he indicated I need to turn GPS off on the telescope and do a 2 star alignment instead. With that method, I can enter the correct date and time, and my latitude and longitude. He said I should be able to do the 2 star alignment after that. Its been cloudy / rainy the past 2 days, so no opportunity to get the scope out.
I also had ordered a replacement GPS battery, but the support person said it's probably not necessary and would need to be soldered in place. That's the last resort.
We'll see how this all goes.
Thanks for you help,
Jeff
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
Hopefully the two star alignment will do the trick and you can get some use out of the scope.
Be sure to give us a report on how things go!
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
Sad that it is such a long wait though.
In the meantime you could always look for a used
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
Disregard the iOptron
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
Hi! After a long time abroad I was finally re-united with my Celestron Nexstar 11 GPS telescope, but after my first attempt at using it I realized something was wrong with the GPS since we are definitely not in 2004.JayTee wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 11:28 pm I have a number of Celestron hand controllers. They are all interchangeable as long as you stay in the alt az category of mount. Two of these (labeled SLT at the bottom) were obtained on eBay for less than $50. They work perfectly.
20221117_134323.jpg
Disregard the iOptron HC, it muscled its way into this image. The point of the picture is to show you that they all look identical.
I read through multiple forums and everything seems to point to me needing to replace the hand controller. Your post indicates that the different controllers are interchangeable, but in Celestron's site it specifies that the Nexstar+ controller is not compatible with the NexStar GPS series (even though some of the reviews in the site say it works with this telescope).
Do you know if this is correct? I suspect Celestron just not list the GPS telescopes as compatible because of some physical mounting/cosmetic/feature limitation, even though it works, but since you seem to know your stuff you might be able to confirm whether I'm right or this is not the right controller for my telescope.
If this is the right controller, would I need to also replace the GPS chip inside the base? Otherwise, do you know what options I have so I don't have to forgo all the fancy electronics in my telescope and manually align it every time?
Thank you!
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
Some can be, some cannot. Then there are version 4 and version 5.
I believe the GPS telescopes were version 4 so you cannot use a version 5
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
The first thing you should do is find out which version of the hand controller you have. Unless you have a very old one before version 1.6 you can use the hand controller to find the version by pressing "Menu", "Utilities" and scrolling to "Version". You should get two lines of numbers. On the first line mine shows "2.2 4.4 4.4". This means I have a firmware version 2.2 hand controller. The other numbers are the motor control firmware versions for Alt and Az motors. Those are important too. My second line shows "2.2 2.2". I think those are serial bus firmware versions.
The best hand controller for the Nexstar GPS which still allows full GPS alignment is version 4.xx. There are many versions after that, but they do not include GPS alignment since that was eliminated due to a patent lawsuit by Meade. The most recent hand controllers are Nexstar+ units which have a micro USB connection at the bottom (instead of RS-232) and also have a button on the lower left with the Celestron logo. Those will probably work with the NS GPS, especially if you have serial bus version 2.x. I have a Nexstar+ controller and it does work with my NS GPS scope. However, instead of GPS align you must use newer alignment methods such as "StarAlign" which uses any three bright objects you choose. At least the GPS does provide correct time, date (GPS rollover was fixed), and I think location (haven't fully tested yet). I figured I'd try the NexStar+ since I got it from Amazon and have a 30 day return period. I've also been looking for a used version 4.xx hand controller but haven't yet found one available.
Back to the older hand controller. The earliest versions (I think 1.0 and 1.2) apparently cannot be easily upgraded. Version 1.6 can be upgraded to 2.2. 1.6/2.2 can be upgraded to 4.xx but only by opening up the hand controller and reprogramming the two flash memory chips inside.
The last motor control update for the NS GPS series was version 4.06 which is reported on the hand controller as "4.6". The earlier versions will work fine for visual observing, but for long term photography version 4.06 is the best one available. You can upgrade to 4.06 motor control if you have a 4.xx hand controller. I'm not yet certain if my 2.2 hand controller can upgrade the motor control firmware.
Besides the Cloudy Nights site, you can also go to nexstarsite.com which has excellent descriptions about Nexstar telescopes in general, including detailed descriptions about upgrading firmware. You can also downgrade the version which might be necessary for some NS GPS scopes by checking out how at the nexstarsite.com site.
Good luck and let us know what you find since I'm still trying to figure this all out as well.
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
When you say 2.2 is upgradable, you mean only by re-flashing the existing controller? Will that fix the gps rollover issue? Would I need a new GPS board as well?
Otherwise, can I buy a newer controller? E.g. a Nexstar+, which looks awfully similar to my original Nexstar but with a(n old) mini USB port? Would that give me the three -Star alignment algorithm?
Is there anything else I can upgrade to? Even the Nexstar+: looks a bit dated, with a two-line LCD display, so I wonder if Celestron has released anything newer that is still compatible with the motors on my Nexstar GPS.
Sorry about the many questions, I just want to make sure I don't mess up my beloved (if somewhat neglected) telescope.
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Re: Celestron NexStar GPS alignment issues
A Nexstar+ hand controller MAY work with your mount but will not restore the GPS Align function.
Check out https://nexstarsite.com for information about your specific telescope/ mount and applicable updates.
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