A Brief Note On Changing the Language On A Celestron Hand Controller

[Sharpe]

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

[rwillitt]

THANK YOU!  I know this is an old post but I just got my Evolution 8 and, in the dark, accidentally got it set to German the first time I powered it up and couldn't figure out how to get it back to English.

[VNA]

Hello, old or new post your information are very helpful--thank you.

My new GTX was set up in Spanish?