StarSense and GPS

[New Young Star]

Can someone help as I have a StarSense and a GPS on a 8"SE Nexstar, yet I get Error come up on my handset saying cannot detect camera. How I got in touch with Celestron TEC TEAM ( dh David Hinds Ltd) and this is what I got back from them in my email  

Hello David

"I had a quick chat with the technician - apologies for the delay as it has been really busy catching up from over the long weekend.

A few things to try.

Using the original handset attached to the telescope (nothing else added) - update it to the latest Nexstar+ firmware and check to make sure the telescope operates as it should.

If all ok with the telescope replace the Nexstar handset with the StarSense Handset and connect the StarSense camera. Don't use the GPS module (actually the use of StarSense negates the need for GPS). Also try moving cables into different ports - e.g. Starsense camera in hand controller socket, and in aux port and swap them around just to see if there are no issues with the connection ports.

If the above does not help and the error persists you may need to go back to the dealer where you bought the StarSense from. However let me know how the above goes"

Best Regards,

Dr Lee Sproats

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My response 

Dear Lee. 

I did decide in the end to follow your instructions last night and it was very interesting, first I attach picture of firmware on the Nexstar, I don’t know if that’s an update as I did not check what was on there before I started.

 After doing that, I changed the hand set to the StarSense and fitted the camera, then press align then put the time /date, press back to StarSense and straight away it directed me to the home position of the Telescope, though it was inside the home I did press enter and it went through the procedure of trying to find stars, that was a good sign. So I took it outside and wait till dark. Still no GPS and started it up and went through the procedure again and yes asked me set the telescope to it home position, again a good sign. 

So I turned it off and I thought that I would fit the GPS, so I did, but once that was fitted it said “Error camera could not be detected” and so on. So it seems that one is fighting the other. But I brought the StarSync GPS because I thought that you would need that so as I did not have to put time/date/long and latitude in, particularly if one was traveling to somewhere different, the GPS would pick up I was and lodge in the necessary information. So are we saying I don’t need the GPS with the StarSense? Why, as the StarSense does not have a GPS inbuilt, I believe the Edge dose? 

I did not spend long outside because there was very little point, as it was cloudy. But it does seem as though it was working OK without the GPS. Maybe you can clear up the idea of why I have a GPS? 

Maybe you need it if you just had the Nexsrtar handset? 

I would have to wait for a few other nights to put it through its tests, but it did look promising.

What I could not work out is why others do have the GPS with the StarSense? Hence that’s why I brought one.

Just another point, how do you slow down the scrolling writing on the StarSense? I was able to do that on the Nexstar handset but can’t find anywhere on the StarSense handset to do the same thing.    

Kind Regards 

David

Can someone help me PLEASE?

 

 

 

[Mick H]

Hi David, check StarSense hand control version under menu.

There was a bug with StarSense HC and GPS that was fixed in the latest firmware update.

I think the latest is 1.20.19207

You need CFM:

https://www.celestron.com/pages/drivers-and-software

Edited April 15, 2020 by Mick H

[New Young Star]

Thanks Mick, I do have it look at attachment. I got another email from Dr Lee from above

[Mick H]

👍 Well at least your updated.

You could also try a factory reset, and start again (might help).

I don't have GPS, as I only view mainly from one spot.

GPS is good if you like to get out to other locations.

[New Young Star]

I have done that also Mick, clutching straw now Mick. I could do what you have said and not have one as I'm mainly from home but do travel 245 miles south to my brothers, but again once you have lodged in it's lodged in for good. May sell it if I don't get sorted out. Celestron Tec guys from above are on it. May have to see what they say.

But Thanks Mick for you input, much appreciated .

 

[Mick H]

One more David, <menu> <Starsense camera> <reset AIS camera> and hand control's Utilities menu and turn on GPS.

I hope you get it sorted.

 

Edited April 15, 2020 by Mick H

[New Young Star]

what is AIS? I have just done that and I pressed enter it says Timeout / Abort

[Mick H]

Go to Menu on the hand controller, Starsense, Reset AIS Camera. Once that is completed go to Menu. Hand controller, restore defaults. Second, recycle the power on the unit. then input your information all over again, date, time, location, timezone, and daylight savings.

[New Young Star]

Thanks Mick, Will do that later, also will tell you I've celestron Tec guy in touch and they are putting this to them on Friday this was there last message to me

 

David Hinds Ltd	10:34 AM (3 hours ago)
to me

 

Hello David

 

Thats ok - that splitter is the correct one.

 

I would try the following set ups:

 

1 - without the splitter - use the telescope with the StarSense and StarSense handset - see if that works ok.

2 - use the splitter to connect the Starsense but do not use the GPS - we want to see if the splitter is the cause.

3 - as in 2 but now connect the GPS. 

4 - you could try switching back to the nexstar+ handset (i.e. not using Starsense) and seeing if the GPS unit causes a problem.

 

Basically we are adding one accessory at a time to see at what point the problem arises - namely is the splitter a cause or the gps. 

 

There is no scroll text control at present. Celestron is aware of this missing feature and a future firmware release should address this.

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I sent them this reply

 

 

I have followed what you have said Lee

 

1, When the camera is corrected straight to the mount it worked I turned it off and turned on again and it worked.

2' I put the splitter on the mount and the camera did not work. I tried this twice and both times did not work. So at this point you would think that there is a problem was with the splitter?

Wrong, as I thought what if I connect the GPS to the splitter and the GPS worked on both ports of the splitter. I turn it off and on again and the GPS worked fine.

So the problem seem to be the StarSense Handset or camera or both. Pics below of what was said on the handset and a pic of the GPS working attached below, taken 20 mins ago and I had to resize them to download to you

I hope  we are getting nearer  

Sorry, I meant to say that I connected the camera to the splitter without the GPS and that did work on both occasion, then I just put the GPS to splitter and that worked. But when the GPS was corrected with the camera it would not work and the messages in the pictures is what I got on the handset and I have sent them to you.

and there reply was

 

Hello David

 

many thanks for the emails and the information. I will discuss this with our technician on Friday when he is next in our HQ. I will put this ticket on hold till then and will get back to you when I have discussed this with him.

 

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So you can see it's got them puzzled Mick but will try what you have said later

 

 

 

 

[Mick H]

David, I hope they can sort it out for you. 🙏

Oh and if you restore factory settings make sure GPS is set to on under utilities menu.

Good luck.

Edited April 15, 2020 by Mick H

[New Young Star]

Yes Mick I've done that, It's strange, when the Starsence is connected to the mount or through the splitter on it's own it fine it works lovely  but the minute you connect the GPS to the splitter the GPS works but not the Starsence camera. There something between the GPS and starsence that coursing a resistance, and in my opinion it the Starsence as the GPS is working fine with or without the camera.

But Thanks Mick for your input and time. I will let you know what they find or what the problems.

David 

[Mick H]

I have found this David it might help.

I can confirm that at least for my SE, you can plug the GPS unit into the Aux port and the StarSense into the GPS unit and it will work.  For some reason the Aux splitter does not work for me on the SE although I have not tried it in every port.

I too have the same issue with the hand controller port which is why I bought the splitter in the first place.

From Cloudy Nights forum:

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/613072-starsense-and-skysync-gps/

[New Young Star]

WOW!!! Where did you get that from Mick? sounds good will try tomorrow and I'll let you know. Surprised the Tec guy did not know that one. if it works I'll let the know, what ever way i'll let you know.

Thanks Mick 

[New Young Star]

Hi Mick, sorry to tell you that did not work ether, I will let Tec guys know I tried that and again did not work. I'd like to thank you Mick for you research on behalf of and the time you spent looking for answers. by the was it says your from Norfolk, though I'm living in Northumberland and have been since 2014 I lived and come from King's Lynn. just thought I'd let you know that.

[Cosmic Geoff]

If you can't resolve the problem I suggest just not using the Starsense and GPS together. It won't be a great loss.  If you hook up the GPS alone it will correct your location. Then use the Starsense alone till you change location. You will have to enter the time and date...

[Mick H]

Good advice from Geoff, this sounds like a cable error.

I occasionally get that cannot detect camera error, and have to jiggle the starsense cable.

Also David, Noah4x4 really knows his stuff, posts on here as well as CN.

I'm just hoping you get it fixed.

Oh it's not your fault that you originate from Kings Lynn 😉

[New Young Star]

That's what I have been doing Noah4x4 as I'm only viewing from one spot at the moment. I only need the GPS for location when I change  where I go.  I just hock up camera to the mount and off we go, it's fine, just a pity you can't have both at the same time. Well it's got the Tec guy going at Celestron as I've pointed it out to them that I'm not the only one who is having problems, so there should be a warning about the problem with this product and I will make that point to them Friday.

Mick! like you if I do have both on and play around with the cable it sometimes work but not always. I don't see how it's ever going to work but it worth having a pop at celestron over the issues and the cost of it. Also Mick I blame my parents for King's Lynn, 😁 

[New Young Star]

55 minutes ago, New Young Star said:

That's what I have been doing Noah4x4 as I'm only viewing from one spot at the moment. I only need the GPS for location when I change  where I go.  I just hock up camera to the mount and off we go, it's fine, just a pity you can't have both at the same time. Well it's got the Tec guy going at Celestron as I've pointed it out to them that I'm not the only one who is having problems, so there should be a warning about the problem with this product and I will make that point to them Friday.

Mick! like you if I do have both on and play around with the cable it sometimes work but not always. I don't see how it's ever going to work but it worth having a pop at celestron over the issues and the cost of it. Also Mick I blame my parents for King's Lynn, 😁 

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David

Celestron Nexstar 8SE with StarSense AutoAlign & GPS. 6.3 Celestron reduce, Eyepieces. Maxvision 40mm Explore 26mm, Baader Hyperflex 8-24 Zoom with 2.25x Barlow, Baader 21mm with 14mm and 28mm rings, Celestron X-Cel 7mm, 32mm Plossl, 2x Barlow.

Edited April 16, 2020 by New Young Star

[Shimrod]

1 hour ago, New Young Star said:

That's what I have been doing Noah4x4 as I'm only viewing from one spot at the moment. I only need the GPS for location when I change  where I go.  I just hock up camera to the mount and off we go, it's fine, just a pity you can't have both at the same time. Well it's got the Tec guy going at Celestron as I've pointed it out to them that I'm not the only one who is having problems, so there should be a warning about the problem with this product and I will make that point to them Friday.

Mick! like you if I do have both on and play around with the cable it sometimes work but not always. I don't see how it's ever going to work but it worth having a pop at celestron over the issues and the cost of it. Also Mick I blame my parents for King's Lynn, 😁 

Are you able to send the GPS module back for a refund? I would suggest using Skyportal WiFi instead. I use this with my AVX mount and you can send the location (and control your telescope) from your phone, tablet or laptop instead. It's also about £50 cheaper!

[New Young Star]

Picstop Digital accessory specialist, the shop where I brought it from have been in touch and are waiting for Celestron to get back to them, also Tec guy from David Hinds Ltd head guy will be in tomorrow. Going to put it to them, why when so many who are having problem with piece of equipment are not being warned about it. Got GPS from Amazon in Feb will have to check the date but I think it's to late? See Celestron say. 

 

[New Young Star]

I don't use skyportal, I can get what I want without using that, as I can use starsence OK on it's owe without the GPS. Plus I'm a pay as you go, £10 every 6 months😁  I'm not into Phone tecknowledgy

[Mick H]

I have and use SkyPortal Wifi, but find StarSense more accurate only using the hand control for some reason.

David I think the way you are going is with StarSense is the best scenario, but if you ever wanted to go the SkyPortal way it connects to the scope using it's own wifi. What I'm saying is it does not use up your pay as you go quota.

Also even though you brought you GPS in Febuary off Amazon, it should still be under warranty for something like a year. 

[Shimrod]

3 hours ago, New Young Star said:

I don't use skyportal, I can get what I want without using that, as I can use starsence OK on it's owe without the GPS. Plus I'm a pay as you go, £10 every 6 months😁  I'm not into Phone tecknowledgy

you don't need to use Skyportal to control your telescope if you don't want to, and as long as you download the app over wifi you will not need to use any of your data allowance. If you connect your phone to the mount using skyportal, the mount will take the location and time from the phone instead. You can then use Starsense to align your telescope.

Edited April 16, 2020 by Shimrod

[Shimrod]

2 hours ago, Mick H said:

Also even though you brought you GPS in Febuary off Amazon, it should still be under warranty for something like a year. 

I have just checked my Amazon account for some items I bought in February and they have a return window that closes end of May, so there is a good probability the same holds true for David - possibly Amazon have extended the returns window during the Covid-19 crisis.

[Mick H]

3 minutes ago, Shimrod said:

I have just checked my Amazon account for some items I bought in February and they have a return window that closes end of May, so there is a good probability the same holds true for David - possibly Amazon have extended the returns window during the Covid-19 crisis.

Also Celestron's warranty for SkySync GPS Accesory is two years.