Warning - Nexstar SE scopes

[noah4x4]

A problem has been identified with Celestron firmware updates using MCupdate that has caused a lot of grief. It has only manifested in the last month following an update to Nexstar + HC using CFM. I don't believe it applies to older HC models.

Do NOT update your SE motor firmware with your Nexstar + HC plugged in.

This process will brick your motor board and cause an error 17/18. Indeed, the SE (motor) currently does NOT need any updates. It has not had any for some years.

Only use CFM to update Nexstar + hand controller, which is desirable to fix a number of bugs.

If anybody has done this  and is baffled by error 17/18, there is guidance how to fix the problem on Mike Swansons excellent  Nexstar Resource website at www.nexstarsite.com 

Do note that MCupdate is only applicable to older Celestron scopes. All others use CFM. But the SE is still a retail model that DID use it and older instruction manuals still mention it. In future ALL updates to SE scopes will be offered ONLY via CFM.

Edited April 24, 2020 by noah4x4
Change heading to make Nexstar SE feature

[Beardy30]

👍🏼

[Louis D]

Makes me glad I have no electronics on my telescopes save for a 1990s era Skycommander DSC box.