DougQuaidHauser

My HC states: Ver: 01.16.16055 Bld: Feb 24 2016.

I think I've tried, no matter what I do or what drivers I install, it just never appears in device manager, no com port is shown, its like there is no com port to be found, even if I search for hidden, or legacy? Yes its probably a wacky idea to try, can do it cheaply as well, just have a hunch the PL2303 chip in the HC is faulty, so on the off chance a serial signal is still being sent out the HC, might work, slim chance.

Yes it is the first time I have tried to connect it to my PC for autoguiding last week (first attempt for autoguiding), is when I noticed it will not connect to my PC and the relevant software, I hadn't tried previously as the AVX and Starsense appeared to be working normally, other than not amazing tracking, but put it down to my probable amateur polar alignment. I am more used to connecting my Nexstar SLT mount to my PC with no real issues. I will be honest, currently I am scared to do a factory reset as Ive heard that you need HC firmware later than 01.15 or later to update using WIFI (if I have to get a Celestron WIFI module to update), and it says its currently 01.16 so worried I may lose that ability. Saying that I dont have a clue what it would revert to as not familiar.

Hello and thanks, all my windows systems are 64bit these days. I tried adding a driver by right clicking with no luck unfortunately, just always tells me windows is using the best driver already. I think my next plan is to use the cable to connect my non-USB Nexstar HC to PC and see if that works, it has a built in serial adapter. First I need to do a bit of jerry rigging as the end of the cable has a RJ22 connecter, and obviously this will not fit in a mini USB b port of the starsense HC. Need to buy a few parts first. And if that doesnt work, will have to bite the bullet and get the Celestron WIFI module and hope that works.

Hello, when I connect the starsense HC windows detects it as an unknown USB device (see diagram 2), as far as I can make out this should not happen when using a device via a PL2303 chip, windows should detect it as a serial com port, if it was detected the correct way (as a com port) then I am sure any driver would be accessible etc. I can plug the Starsense HC in via USB and even unplugged from the AVX mount it will be powered by the USB cable. I have tried it on 2 laptops, and my PC, all running different versions of windows and get the same result. I have a cable I use for my Nexstar SLT mount with an inline PL2303 chip and when connected to windows it triggers a com port (see diagram 1). When I try the same thing using my Nexstar HC via PL2303 cable when unplugged from the mount it is not powered by the USB cable. I am convinced its the PL2303 chip in the HC giving the problem.

Thanks, I tried it but no luck. I have no way of making changes in device manager as no USB serial port is being detected when the HC is plugged into the PC. I think if it was then could update it with the PL2303 software.

Greetings, I think the issue is that the Prolific PL2303 chip in the HC is simply not doing what it is supposed to do, possibly broken/faulty? An example would be my pre 2016 Nexstar+ HC that has a RJ22 connector. To connect it to my PC I purchased a cable with a RJ22 to USB and the housing contains a chip (FTDI) which creates a virtual com port (USB serial port) via USB. So when I plug just the unit into my PC a com port will appear in device manager. I am sure for newer mini USB b HC's this chip is in the HC (It is because I opened the HC to check) instead removing the need for a special cable, so plugging in the HC should trigger a virtual com port on my PC. For my HC this is not happening, the PC just detects it as an unknown USB device. I am getting the impression over the last day that this is not a one off problem for me alone.

Hello, I connect the HC to my PC with the AVX turned on or off, same story, the HC is treated like a faulty unknown USB device. I can plug the HC into the PC and it is powered by the PC via USB with the mount off even. I can't connect to CPWI or anything mount related as it stands. Thanks

Yes I've seen mention of Prolific PL2303 drivers, after installing they just never appear in my Device Manager ports tab, tried on a windows 7, 10, and 11 laptop and just never works like stated. Plugging in the HC to PC, it just gets treated like a faulty unknown USB device. Ive thought of bypassing the HC with the Celestron wifi module but I've heard that you cant update the firmware over wifi with older versions so would be wasting £160+ for nothing? PS Where would be a better area of the forum to post this? Thanks

I bought a used Starsense Autoalign recently for my AVX mount and noticed that the firmware version is from 2016 so I want to update it. The hand controller has a mini USB b connector on it, when I connect it to my PC the PC does not recognise it, neither does CFN. I have tried the Starsense hand controller on my Nexstar SLT mount with the same issue (So must be the HC and not the mounts). My old SLT mount HC has a RJ22 jack, I have a convertor cable so that I can connect with USB and it works just fine. I assumed the newer hand controller's with mini USB b connectors would be more simple.........obviously not. Anyone had the same issue? Cheers

Wow thanks, super helpful and very much appreciated the advice, the update sorted the issue, works a charm now

Thanks, but when I check the website it says 2.4.1 is the latest, it does not list 2.4.2?

Greetings people! I realised recently that linking my laptop to my Celestron 127 SLT mount using CPWI makes the Nexstar hand controller unusable whilst linked, a bit pointless if the laptop is inside away from the scope outside (For astrophotography). I discovered online that you can use a wireless gamepad to control the mount, perfect! The default controls make the Left stick slew the X axis, and the Y axis, fair enough, problem is pressing Left or Down moves the mount, but it can only move Left or Down, pressing Right or Up the mount does not move, even though you can see these inputs are being registered when making them. Completely bizarre and have tried with multiple gamepads. Am I being dumb? Cheers any help appreciated.

Hello, yes it is something I want to try as well, and to answer your question, I am a complete noob with regards to astrophotography at this stage. So far I have tried it this year without much success due to using a 127 Mak. Mostly done planetary imaging, post processing video up to now which has been a blast. I have a Canon 1000D DSLR but bought it used just the body so would need to buy a lens, but zero clue at this point which lens would be compatible as never been a camera person. Once researched I could buy a used lens and give it a go.

Hi and thanks for the input. Trust me my ambitions at this stage are really low, hell Id be happy seeing a bit of nebulosity etc in some images at this point, the fun is in the learning for me, dont want to be one of those 'all the gear, no idea' guys. My plan is to get a small APO now, and then get an appropriate mount for it in time. Could you clarify what EVAA means? Ive had a brief look in that forum. Thanks