Sharpe

Sad news. An inspiration to many.

Hey guys,

I just wanted to drop this in as general information to Celestron users that may find themselves in a similar situation to me. I recently purchased a Celestron Nexstar SLT as my first telescope a couple of weeks ago from Amazon (FLO was out of stock). Strangely, Amazon sent me a German version and refused to swap it for an English one without me paying to costs for pickup/delivery. Anyway, after much concern, surfing of the internet and some significant bellyaching I have found the following:

YES you can change the language on a Celestron Nexstar SLT Hand Controller (at least, you can change it back to English). But there are 3 things to note.

- The ‘original model’ handsets only come in English.

- The ‘latest model’ (the Nexstar +) allows you to change the language via the controller. Here is how (info via Celestron Solution Centre):

“If it is the Nexstar + hand control then Press and hold the Celestron logo key and power on the scope. It will ask you to choose a language. Press 0 for English and then press enter to accept”.

- If you have the ‘middle model’ (Nexstar *) you will need to do a flash update of your hand controller. This is the advice and method courtesy of the good folks at First Light Optics, coupled with observations from my own execution of the flash update (note; Celestron told me this was not possible – but it is!):

“Looks like you will need to re flash the handset to the English version of the firmware. You will need a cable to connect to the bottom of the hand set, this is a serial cable and unless you have a serial port on your PC, you will also need to buy a serial to USB converter cable”.

1^st Cable: http://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/serial-cable-for-skywatcher-and-celestron-mounts.html

2^nd Cable: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000067SNB/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

Go to the Celestron website and download the ‘Celestron Hcupdate’ (Hand Control Update) software and, IF YOU WANT to do it while your flashing the controller, the ‘Celestron Mcupdate’ (Motor Control).

Install said software and it will walk you through the update process which is (in short): Install software. Plug your hand controller into your telescope and the RS232 (serial) cable into your controller to your PC (via the serial/USB adaptor if needed). Press and hold the ‘info’ and ‘align’ button. Turn on the telescope and wait for the screen to say ‘initialising’. Once this shows up let go of the two buttons and it will read ‘data transmitting’. It is now ready for you to install whatever new software you select, changing the language back to English.

I hope this helps someone and clears up any future issues like the one I had - many thanks to First Light Optics

Hey guys thanks for the advice - i am away this wkend so will try it in the week when i get home - ill let you know how it goes

Not a good day to be honest,

Got my telescope a few days ago, tonight was my first outing with it. Sadly on packing up the arms on the hinges of the tray snapped in two places

Second, it seems I have been sent a german handset - how do I change the language options - does anyone know/have experience of this?

Wow that's great info and your advice mirrors the personal one to one service I have received from FLO over the last month as they have helped me with my decision. They are also offer their kit at prices that are significantly lower than everywhere else I've looked. Will defiantly be going with FLO now and in the future

Hey guys,

Other than minor cost variation and slightly different GOTO's is there any discernable difference between the performace of these two OTA's?

Celestron Nexstar 102 SLT GOTO http://www.firstlightoptics.com/slt-series/celestron-nexstar-102-slt.html

Skywatcher Startravel 102 GOTO http://www.firstlightoptics.com/az-goto/skywatcher-startravel-102-synscan-az-goto.html

I will be using this as a grab and go first telescope. I will upgrade to an NEQ6 PRO for AP in the future if I catch the bug. I appreciate the aperture is not perfect but there are no other alt/az GOTO's that fit a larger aperture with a fast focal length (the celestron is F6 and the skywatcher is F5).

NB: I dont want/cant have a Dob/reflector for varying reasons.

Any thoughts on which of these two is best?

Many thanks

-Sharpe