StevieDvd

I emailed Celestron before I a purchased used. They confirmed I could get a fresh code if I sent a picture of the actual scope. I took a picture of the scope box & packing, with the postage label on the box as it had my name and date on it. They sent me a new code.

I seem to recall someone saying that they had a similar problem which turned out to be a finger/thumb print on the phone camera. When cleaned the problem was resolved.

The accuracy of the Starsense depends on the alignment. I do a rough alignment on a local tv aerial when it's too light, use the zoom in on the phone to get the best alignment. Then later I re-align on a known star/planet and again zoom in for better accuracy on other targets. Last night I aligned on Saturn which was low down but still a good view. Managed to get the coat-hanger, Andromeda (very feint), Deneb, double-cluster to name but a few. Quite pleased as it was the first light for a new ZWO 2" eyepiece and a hastily re-configured base for the Starsense to fit the Lyra 102mm all of which worked well.

If you paid by credit card you have extra options. You can contact the card company and ask to raise a case, they can intervene to resolve or refund you. This is using the UK joint & several liability laws that you may have heard Martin Lewis (MoneySavingExpert) mention. I am surprised that you are having issues with RVO have bought from them many times and they have been very helpful when I've made purchases or just phoned for advice.

It's suprisingly good for such a light scope. Though I cannibalised my upgraded ST80 and swapped the tube rings and focuser with the Celestron 80AZ. The focuser is a GSO one and has a shorter drawtube so needs an extension or 2" diagonal. Even with those added it's still light and gave some good viewing, including Saturn, last week when a fellow SGL'er came over to see the Starsense in action.

Is it the pier or the mount? Once polar aligned place a strip of masking tape across the back of the mount where the alt axis is. Across the gap, so if this moves the tape will distort a little. Or you could just re-check your PA before you pack up. You may have some movement during use that you don't notice.

You need the 67.7mm backfocus. From this take off the camera (17.5) and add spacers (depends on what you have) then use the adjuster to make up the difference. See this thread here for more information.

You can just reset the camera as in the linked video - no so drastic and no download.

I don't think you can use the indoor test as a guide since the app usues plate-solving to identify where it's pointing. In a real situation the app can lose it's position (and it tells you so) but it quickly re-solves and updates. If it's a used phone you could try resetting the camera as shown here.

I would not heat the scope tube up that much - just a bit warmer than room temp, not hot to touch. It should not cause any issues as long as you don't go overboard with the heating. Yo would probably get the same effect from a dew heater wrapped around a scope and that's done by many people with all kinds of scopes.

You could try the old engineers hot/cold trick: If you put just the adapter part (not the whole focuser) in the freezer for an hour or two. And, just before getting it out, gently warm the end of the scope tube with a hair dryer. You may be able to insert the adapter, but they soon equalise to room temp so it needs to be done quickly if it works.

Has it got the correct adapter fitted? The current focuser would use one like this Baader 2957282 the earlier one had a quirkier adapter like here They are not interchangeable, as I found out when I bought the new adapter thinking it would improve on the old quirky one.

I got it used but this is the one The Starsense 80 focuser is a bit plasticky but has a long focus tube. Hence fitting another focuser may need the use of an extender or 2" diagonal. Waiting some clear skies to really try the Celestron out properly - it's a lot lighter than the Lyra 102mm achro I'm aiming to use the Sabre/Starsense setup with.

Extended my Altair Sabre/Tripod setup with an EQ6 extender from RVO: And an 'as new' Omegon 2" Diagonal from Ebay. May have been a demo product as pristine inside with just a nick in the nosepiece. Needed this to extend the focus length on the GSO focuser now on the Celestron Starsense 80 refractor. I had the focuser on an ST80 and moved it to the Celestron, together with some decent scope clamps, so the ST80 is back to its original setup. Apologies for extending this wet/cloudy weather period (it must end soon surely).

It should be there was a major discussion over at cloudynights where new NYX owners found that the Asiair did not support it though it used a supported standard LX200 protocol. If I recall correctly ZWO said this was a bug and not deliberate block and has now been fixed.

I don't think all focusers spindles have a flat spot, even some on the limited compatability list. Your focuser knob is currently held in place just by the grub screw tightened on the existing round spindle so the EAF would act the same. A picture of the fitting where, the focus knobs get in the way, would allow us to see if there is a way you can fit the EAF to your satisfaction. If I can find it there was a long list of fitting the EAF by end users on one of the ZWO support pages. ZWO obviously have not fitted an EAF to every scope/focuser design but end users may have done it. I fiited one on a new Evolux which was not on any list and had not found one dne before, but others on this forum had and we did not all do it the same way. Let us know how you get on with RVO in any case. HTH Steve

If you contact Celestron they can issue you with a new code as long as you provide proof of ownership of a Starsense Scope. I don't know if they store the device details but they do have the scope type and email stored. There is a link to find the codes associated with your email. From the Skysafari website "Lost StarSense Explorer unlock codes can be retrieved here: https://www.skysafariastronomy.com/retrieve/ " I have not checked the link so can't say what information is given back (presumably via email).

Could the problem be with the GL iNet AR300M router, rather than the NUC? I googled for GL iNet AR300M issues and found a few sites mentioning disconnects such as this one

Looks like a good solution for those new to lunar/solar/planetary. But perhaps if you can add what software will support the camera it would help them a bit more, or what you used to capture your examples. But in any case welcome to SGL. Steve

Sorry, the app is free but needs a code from the telescope/starsense pack to open it up to allow the full usage of the app to select and guide you to targets. You get to install the code on up to 5 devices. Celestron will replace/provide codes only on evidence of ownership of the scope.

New to me via postie from @Allanto Rowan Dual Vixen/Losmandy Clamp Very well packed and a nice update to my Altair Sabre. Though the clouds were here before I bought it, so don't blame me for the lack of clear skies. And now fitted:

For clarity Windows Pro version has the server software as an option to be enabled so acts as the server you connect to. The other WIndows computer can be a non-pro such as Home and uses an app (mstsc.exe) or Remote Desktop Connector. Many people online state that both Windows machines must be Pro version which is not true, but the mis-information is still being given out and people are updating to Pro needlessly. As per Microsoft as mentioned here And as many people may be aware the scammers that connect to victims computers can remote into them even if they are not a Win Pro OS. They get them to download apps like TeamViewer or AnyDesk.

I've printed a couple of adapters for the SS - designed via Tinkercad which can be a bit of a pain to get dimensions accurate, but it's free and fairly easy to use. This has 2 bolt connections (one in front shown and similar at the back) so you can bolt it to a dovetail or an adapter of your own. I used m4 brass threaded inserts & m4 bolts for the side bolts though it's a tight fit without them. STL file below SS_Adapterv1.stl The above was an adapter to raise the existing base. Made in 3 parts. The filler part was to use the existing base and allow you to connect parts to it, similar to a dovetail with a through slot for bolts. The middle part was an existing metal part I had that bolts to the first part. And then the finder shoe dovetail that screws into the metal middle column. Made for a 70mm scope adapter - not sure if the bigger scopes have a different curvature. STL file below StarSenseFillerV2.stl Those with a 3d slicer program or designer that can import the STL can see the 3d view of the parts better. Feel free to use/modify as you desire. StarSenseBase.stl this is a new untried plate I knocked up using the same design of a slotted fitment so a dovetail or findershoe can be fitted to the Celestron SS holder. Have yet to print it and do a test fit myself as I have to get my printer base level & auto-level sorted properly.

You don't need Windows Pro version on both, it's only needed on the server version.

With the Prime price (35% off) and a 5% voucher (which I hope is available to all) this drops the price down to £155.99 (£168.99 without the 5% voucher). There is also 45% off the bigger Explorer 1000 for those with more power needs or bigger wallets/pockets/purses. I have the 240 myself as I won a £150 discount from their online registration lucky dip.