Andy ES

Today I’ve had a very successful afternoon updating the firmware on my Celestron Starsense Autoalign Hand Controller (HC) and Camera. This will be used on my CPC925. I thought I would write up some helpful notes in case you are going to attempt a similar  operation...

I purchased the Starsense Autoalign from a SGL member (thanks John). The unit is c2015 vintage and had not previously been updated. Looking on the Celestron web site it appears that a number of updates have been issued for the HC over the years, but possibly not for the Camera.

I got a lot of info from the Nexstar Resource web site which is extremely useful.

I downloaded the Celestron firmware manager (CFM) from the Celestron site. You have to extract the Zip file and must have java installed to then run it.

When  you run the CFM with nothing connected it brings up some on screen instructions, these get you to:-

Connect the hand controller and camera to the scope and PC with the scope turned off. I connected the kit together as per the diagram attached from Nexstar site. I had to buy a serial cable to USB for the hand controller as my unit has the original RS232 connector and the laptop doesn’t have a serial port. The cable was about £12 from Ebay.

Press and hold the menu and Celestron logo buttons while you turn on the scope, you then see Bootloader on the display.

The CFM should then find all the devices attached.

You can then press update and the devices are updated one by one, with a complete confirmation at the end.

I then switched off the scope and disconnected the PC.

When I switched the scope back on it all started normally and found the GPS time and location, so all looks good. You can then check the firmware versions on the handset against the Celestron web site. It appears that I have a later version than is listed on the web site

site: 01.22.21333 12/2021

scope: 01.22.22308 8/2023

Overall this was a lot simpler and easier than I would have hoped.

Now need some decent clear sky to test it out.😁

On 08/10/2023 at 09:24, AstroKeith said:

Messing with modern electronics requires some basic tools and knowledge. 

Mutlimeter - essential
Temperature controlled iron with narrow tip - essential
Sharp side cutters - essential
Calibrated wire strippers - almost essential
Solder sucker or soldering wicking material
Heat shrink sleeving - essential

Going to add:

Anti Static Mat with wrist band connector and Earthing Lead - essential

I’ve found that showing someone, who has never really experienced astronomy, some “wow” views from the scope is very invigorating and refreshes my enthusiasm.

10 minutes ago, IDM said:

just checked the C11 is 12.5kg, which is getting pretty heavy to lift.

I think the CPC925 is 26kg and CPC11 is 29kg😳

makes a C11 OTA seem ok to me and my back 😂

Just buy more kit and then you can look forward to using it in the future, eventually...😂

Ian,

I’m using a CPC925 XLT, which even in  my inexperienced hands has produced some half decent planetary images.

Visually I find it stunning and very easy to use.

The only downside is the weight. I’m  pretty strong and a reasonably  fit 57 year old and I personally wouldn’t want to go to 11” on a CPC mount. (At least not without someone to help put it on the tripod)

Probably ok on a different mount when it is just an OTA

Can’t really comment on the extra benefits of HD but reading posts not sure there is that much in it, but I have not had the chance to compare.

Good luck with your choice.

Andy

PS I think there is a CPC925 for sale on this site at the moment 

35 minutes ago, Nigella Bryant said:

The difference of good and bad seeing from me

Nigella, I think we have only ever seen good seeing from you.

On 26/09/2023 at 21:55, Zermelo said:

On balance, I think I'd take Dr. Becky on the canal.

Said the Bishop to the actress...😂

Fantastic image, also enjoyed my time in Genova this June 👍

12 hours ago, Cosmic Geoff said:

sole advantage of the 3-star align is that you don't need to be able to identify stars. 

I think that’s why I use it ! 😂

I can now hear many shouting:

“THATS THE PROBLEM WITH GOTO MOUNTS, YOU DON’T LEARN THE SKY!! “ 😂😂

guilty as charged...

11 hours ago, globular said:

The only time it fails to align is when I forget to take the lens cap off.

 

I watched a video where a chap who was doing the review for Celestron admitted to doing the same😁

12 hours ago, Cosmic Geoff said:

You'll find plenty opinion if you search for it. Opinions differ

Thanks I have had a look but wanted to get some up to date views. Hoping they have ironed out issues and installed new firmware that seemed to be previously an out of he box required upgrade.

Interesting that you would not fit it to a CPC, coming to that conclusion myself with the quick alignment (will try 2 star auto).

I presume the Starsense controller still accepts the CPC GPS info?

Also if you remove it and put it back on another night does it retain its physical alignment well enough to not need calibration? 

I would think it becomes pointless and more agro than any CPC alignment at that point.

Thanks.

Been interested in the above accessory for a while.

Wondering if anyone has any info on how it performs or how easy it is to use and is it worth getting.

Not sure if it’s really worth the (eye watering) money seeing as I can do a three star alignment with the CPC in about 10 minutes.

Also don’t think my viewing site has enough bright stars available 😁

Anyway would like to hear any views you may have.

Thanks

1 hour ago, callisto said:

Maybe so,  but it's always a step in the right direction to get 'Astro" related programs on TV 😉

Yes agreed, astronomy programmes will never be on mainstream TV if they aren’t made watchable by people who aren’t interested in astronomy.

My Mrs, who has a passing interest in looking through the telescope, Saturn in particular, actually put this programme on.

I was a bit surprised by this, but we both enjoyed it, even if it was quite light-weight.

It was all going well until I said we need to get the same massive obsession dobsonian (or what ever it was) he was using in Australia 😂

7 hours ago, Zermelo said:

with a few extra minutes at the end

Usually when the guests get their cup of tea😁

In our time best show on the radio been listening to it for years.

3 hours ago, Carbon Brush said:

Your post has reminded me that I must return.

My third visit and still found different things to look out, also did Pisa in the same day.

Just got back from a very pleasant week in the Med and while we were in the above Church in Florence Italy, we came across the Tomb of someone  you may have heard of...

He was re-buried in this tomb in 1737 some 95 years after his death clues below. 😁 

Saturn at opposition this weekend but not much chance of any observation tonight, still raining in Essex. ☹️

Tomorrow night looks better here.

4 minutes ago, michael8554 said:

A great achievement, but I wonder at the message it sends to the poor masses.

 

Yes, I am a bit troubled by this but I suppose the way I reconcile it is to imagine that this advancement in technology will improve skills, jobs and investment that may improve the lives of all in the country.

It must give a boost to national pride and standing in the world.

I believe that you can’t solve all your problems before you make new advances in technology.

However India  arming with nuclear weapons may not be money well spent.

4 hours ago, Knighty2112 said:

Ah, mythologies get plagiarised quite easily so one gets incorporated into another culture/religion/area which can crate a confusing kaleidoscope of turtles, cows and perhaps mice too over the centuries! Not heard about any salt though?   

Careful, I used the g word this morning and got instantly culled.

41 minutes ago, Cosmic Geoff said:

Your mount or handset might benefit from a software upgrade, especially if the GPS doesn't work, but remember the engineer's old saw "If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it." 🙂

Totally agree!

I think my CPC925 handset has an update available but I’m loathed to do it as it seems to work fine and I really don’t won’t to risk wrecking it.

@Julian MOne thing that I found helped make alignments a 7 minute job was to ditch the finder scope and just use  a red dot finder, which I find much quicker and easier to use and always accurate enough to get the star in the eyepiece ready for the final alignment.

Its a fine scope but watch your back when moving it! 😂

Hi

Has anyone got any suggestions regarding how to sort out this  problem please...

My Power Tank (like the one in the photo) is 3 years old and has performed well and has always held its charge and I have charged it regularly. I.e. I have been using it in the same way over the time I’ve had it.

Today I went to use it and it was completely dead and would not start. (Can’t remember when it was last charged)

I’ve  had it on charge all day but it it still won’t start when I try to switch it on. There are also no indicator lamps on while the charger is plugged in.

I checked the charger has a 16v output.

I don’t think the light has been left on to discharge it fully and I don’t think it’s been idle enough to just decay to zero charge.

Not sure if there is anything that can be done to get it to power up or accept a charge?

I’m assuming I will have to shell out for a new one.

If that is the case are there any better options? Looking back this one was crazy expensive.

The battery is used to power a Celestron CPC925 and a heated dew shield.

Thanks for any suggestions

PS I hold my hands up accept I may have been a complete numpty and killed it through charging miss management, but it doesn’t feel like i’ve used it any differently.

From FLO web site:

“Advantages of Celestron’s LiFePO4 Battery

Powered by Celestron's Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, PowerTank Lithium Pro is smaller, lighter, and safer than sealed lead acid batteries. The technology is also more environmentally-friendly since it does not use toxic heavy metals.

PowerTank Lithium Pro’s LiFePO4 chemistry holds up to 2000 charge cycles and has an un-recharged shelf life of up to 10 years. That means you won’t have to remember to recharge your battery every few months like with a sealed lead acid battery. Its 17-hour capacity and lack of maintenance make PowerTank Lithium Pro the ideal choice for an emergency kit. Store one in your home, your garage, and even your office.”

From Celestron Technical Support:

“Thank you for contacting Celestron.

Although the Celestron powertanks may last beyond the 2 year warranty period, we have no way of troubleshooting a unit when it has gone beyond the 2 year period and is no longer working to the specification.

We do not repair our powertanks, generally, when they fail, within the 2 year warranty, they are replaced by new units, that have never been used before.

Due to potential safety issues, we can only recommend that you use the unit until it expires completely, then discard it in a safe manner.

Thank you so much.

Celestron Technical Support

Although the Celestron powertanks may last beyond the 2 year warranty period, - I would have hoped they would have said should instead of may ! ☹️

25 minutes ago, Tomatobro said:

wish I had cut it out and kept the reply as it was a masterful rebuke of the waste of money comments

I expect there are lots of figures banded about, many of them inaccurate ( including possibly this one), but I think heard from a popular scientist that there has been a 7:1 return on expenditure during the Apollo period.

In terms of new technologies etc,

I just about remember Apollo, the Apollo applications project is more of a memory, and of course Skylab.

I can’t see the point of further Moon landings unless they lead to a mission to Mars, which I wholeheartedly support.

I think Kennedy said about Apollo something like,

”We do not yet understand the benefits these endeavours will give us”

Currently reading Andrew Chaikin’s “A Man  on the Moon” for the 3rd time, highly recommended.