Starsense and Hand-Control (Aux) Splitter

[SJP]

I've just bought a Starsense and found that I also need a splitter (CG-5 GoTo mount) - will a standard RJ-11 splitter suffice, or is the £25 Celestron version required?

[TonyM]

You can try a standard splitter, it might work,  but some CG5's need the Celestron one, dpending on the hardware version in the mount - For some versions I think it needs to do something clever as well as splitting the port.

[SJP]

You're correct Tony, the cheap RJ-11 splitter gave an error but the expensive Celestron offering works

[tekkydave]

You're correct Tony, the cheap RJ-11 splitter gave an error but the expensive Celestron offering works

I wish I knew what was inside these splitters. I'm sure I could make one for under a tenner. Probably wouldn't be able to sell them as I might get a call from Celestron's legal team.

[rolion]

Hello,

I have a 8" SCT and Advanced CG5-GT mount.

Can you help me "locate" a aux splitter cable  please ?

Where did you get yours ?

Thanks.

[tekkydave]

FLO have them http://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/celestron-aux-port-splitter.html but check with them first to see if it will work with your equipment.

[ratty]

I had this problem too with my Cg5, and was astonished by the price tag for the modified spliiter to make the cg5 Asgt work with starsense.  I contacted Celestron Customer services via their website and complained -- first about originally marketing starsense units that didn't work as sold with cg5 asgt mounts and a  standard 6p6c splitter, and second about the unbelievable price in the uk for the solution to the problem.

Following that I was most kindly supplied with a  modified splitter cable at no cost, except the import duty to the UK came as a surprise at the door, and was still a significant amount of money!

Not particularly impressed with the cable either. It works, but its not pretty. There appear to be a couple of extra components in line in the cable, covered with heatshrink.  Not good, hardly professional, especially for the price.  Id make my own neater solution if I knew what was buried in the cable, but that info isn't public as far as I can see.

[tekkydave]

I had this problem too with my Cg5, and was astonished by the price tag for the modified spliiter to make the cg5 Asgt work with starsense. I contacted Celestron Customer services via their website and complained -- first about originally marketing starsense units that didn't work as sold with cg5 asgt mounts and a standard 6p6c splitter, and second about the unbelievable price in the uk for the solution to the problem.

Following that I was most kindly supplied with a modified splitter cable at no cost, except the import duty to the UK came as a surprise at the door, and was still a significant amount of money!

Not particularly impressed with the cable either. It works, but its not pretty. There appear to be a couple of extra components in line in the cable, covered with heatshrink. Not good, hardly professional, especially for the price. Id make my own neater solution if I knew what was buried in the cable, but that info isn't public as far as I can see.

It's probably a pair of diodes but I dont recommend taking it apart to find out !!

[rolion]

Well...I have ordered from T-E.DE

Received the splitter today with many thanks and a small bag of sweets !

And surprise...all working fine.

Ran a full "twice" system upgrade with Celestron software and...waiting for the clouds to run away !

Not happening so far...going to bed and I will try tomorrow !

Keep you posted...

[rolion]

I don't know how to edit my post above, sorry!

Here is the latest version of software as per upgrade utility:

StarSense HC  StarSense HC on Link: SERIAL using Portal: SERIAL_PORT called COM1
Boot Version = 2.0.4078

StarSense Accessory Camera  Device: StarSense Accessory Camera on Link: PTE_SERIAL using portal: SSA camera
App version = 1.2.13343