Tracking on a celestron 127 slt

[Lipsmack]

13 hours ago, Paul M said:

I just had a gallop round my SLT handset.

It sounds like the OP has got everything covered that I can find. The main points being Tracking Rate = sidereal and Tracking Mode = Alt-Az.

I've found with my mount that rather than track incorrectly when the batteries get low, the handset reports motor faults and sulks.

Will be interesting to find out if only one or both axes are tracking when the sky clears up.

One of these day when the clouds clear I hope to test out to get more definitive answers. I think I will order ac adapter and try that. I just started using a 12 v power bank (weego 44). It never uses much power from that bank. The bank barely comes off the first light of a full charge with 3 hours of viewing. 

[Lipsmack]

17 hours ago, SaberJeff said:

You should upgrade the firmware of the handset to the latest version.

I have wondered about that. It has never been upgraded. Unfortunately that hand controller is a serial  connection. I don’t have a PC. Always been a Mac person. So I have no clue how to update it. Any advice would be appreciated 

[Bonamy]

I'm also new and learning to use the 127 SLT.

I thought I would share this trick I've been using, but first it is worth noting that this mount seems very sensitive to voltage drop on the batteries. From my last attempt at imaging I can confirm this, so if you can, get a power adapter.  

I found trying to align was quite hit and miss for me, so I came up with a way to practice on cloudy days inside. However it does require a couple of purchases (I had these since I plan to try some imaging with a DSLR).

1) Tripod Adapter Plate Dovetail Bar so I can replace the telescope on the mount with other equipment (this was about £30)

2) A phone adapter mount so I can attach my phone to the plate and hence to the mount

Once connected, I then fired up a star map application on my phone, and used it as a simulated telescope.

This then allows me to go through a Star Align routine in the warm and trouble shoot any issues. I realise it is not going to be accurate, but the mount does lock on to a target, and I can leave it running to see how well it tracks.

It may not fix your problem, but at least you can try again before the next clear skies?

 

 

 

 

[Mick H]

9 hours ago, Lipsmack said:

I have wondered about that. It has never been upgraded. Unfortunately that hand controller is a serial  connection. I don’t have a PC. Always been a Mac person. So I have no clue how to update it. Any advice would be appreciated 

I use a MacBook Pro and have successfully updated the firmware for MC/HC, but I have usb connecter not serial.

But you can get one from Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-93920-NexStar-Interface-Cable/dp/B0000665UZ

You will need to download CFM and install java.

Mike Swanson has an excellent guide found here, just click on the NexStar SLT series:

https://www.nexstarsite.com/Firmware.htm

[Mick H]

Edit sorry you need a USB/Serial cable found here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-18775-RS-232-Converter-Cable/dp/B0006O4DR6/ref=pd_lpo_421_t_0/258-0525508-9013146?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0006O4DR6&pd_rd_r=4286e15a-1b99-4f71-8852-382a111949ad&pd_rd_w=xSYdI&pd_rd_wg=f8wDm&pf_rd_p=5f46aaad-3d39-458b-be15-624123b74416&pf_rd_r=5MR7C7GCP3SBXNX3M83N&psc=1&refRID=5MR7C7GCP3SBXNX3M83N

 

[Lipsmack]

14 hours ago, Bonamy said:

I'm also new and learning to use the 127 SLT.

I thought I would share this trick I've been using, but first it is worth noting that this mount seems very sensitive to voltage drop on the batteries. From my last attempt at imaging I can confirm this, so if you can, get a power adapter.  

I found trying to align was quite hit and miss for me, so I came up with a way to practice on cloudy days inside. However it does require a couple of purchases (I had these since I plan to try some imaging with a DSLR).

1) Tripod Adapter Plate Dovetail Bar so I can replace the telescope on the mount with other equipment (this was about £30)

2) A phone adapter mount so I can attach my phone to the plate and hence to the mount

Once connected, I then fired up a star map application on my phone, and used it as a simulated telescope.

This then allows me to go through a Star Align routine in the warm and trouble shoot any issues. I realise it is not going to be accurate, but the mount does lock on to a target, and I can leave it running to see how well it tracks.

It may not fix your problem, but at least you can try again before the next clear skies?

 

 

 

 

Oh wow! This is some food for thought. I ordered the celestron ac adapter just to check. I’ve never thought of using the phone as a simulated telescope. I don’t seem to have too many issues with acquiring alignment. It just seems to be the actual tracking. I’ve only had once that alignment failed several times. Once it got darker and I was able to lock into different stars it worked. My 12v power tank should have plenty of power to power the mount but I am definitely going to try the ac adapter. 

[Lipsmack]

7 hours ago, Mick H said:

I use a MacBook Pro and have successfully updated the firmware for MC/HC, but I have usb connecter not serial.

But you can get one from Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-93920-NexStar-Interface-Cable/dp/B0000665UZ

You will need to download CFM and install java.

Mike Swanson has an excellent guide found here, just click on the NexStar SLT series:

https://www.nexstarsite.com/Firmware.htm

Thank you. I have not been able to find or talk with anyone who actually used a mac and the same hand controller.  Always seems to the the nexstar + or a different mount. It got confusing trying to translate the differences in the mounts and scopes. This is my first scope and only one I am familiar with. 

[Lipsmack]

7 hours ago, Mick H said:

Edit sorry you need a USB/Serial cable found here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-18775-RS-232-Converter-Cable/dp/B0006O4DR6/ref=pd_lpo_421_t_0/258-0525508-9013146?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0006O4DR6&pd_rd_r=4286e15a-1b99-4f71-8852-382a111949ad&pd_rd_w=xSYdI&pd_rd_wg=f8wDm&pf_rd_p=5f46aaad-3d39-458b-be15-624123b74416&pf_rd_r=5MR7C7GCP3SBXNX3M83N&psc=1&refRID=5MR7C7GCP3SBXNX3M83N

 

So the make sure I understand you need both. The first one goes from the hand controller to the serial connection on the second cable. And the second cable connects that to the Mac USB. In essence the serial connection on one is male and the other is female and would be in the middle of the cabling rig. 

[Lipsmack]

10 hours ago, Mick H said:

I use a MacBook Pro and have successfully updated the firmware for MC/HC, but I have usb connecter not serial.

But you can get one from Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-93920-NexStar-Interface-Cable/dp/B0000665UZ

You will need to download CFM and install java.

Mike Swanson has an excellent guide found here, just click on the NexStar SLT series:

https://www.nexstarsite.com/Firmware.htm

I was wondering if this cable would do the same - avoiding buying two cables to go from 6p6c to serial to serial to usb. Any thoughts? 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Domoticz-Raspberry-FR232R-Kaifa-Sagemom-ISKRA-AM550-xs210/dp/B07JW75BZ7/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=6p6c+to+usb&qid=1615681756&sr=8-3

 

[Mick H]

12 hours ago, Lipsmack said:

I was wondering if this cable would do the same - avoiding buying two cables to go from 6p6c to serial to serial to usb. Any thoughts? 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Domoticz-Raspberry-FR232R-Kaifa-Sagemom-ISKRA-AM550-xs210/dp/B07JW75BZ7/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=6p6c+to+usb&qid=1615681756&sr=8-3

 

Yeah Lipsmack, that cable looks like what you need.

This one is more expensive but dedicated for Celestron Hand sets, also you could control scope from your Mac.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-mounts/lynx-astro-ftdi-usb-to-serial-adapter-for-celestron-handsets-5m.html

 

[Lipsmack]

On 13/03/2021 at 08:04, Mick H said:

I use a MacBook Pro and have successfully updated the firmware for MC/HC, but I have usb connecter not serial.

But you can get one from Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-93920-NexStar-Interface-Cable/dp/B0000665UZ

You will need to download CFM and install java.

Mike Swanson has an excellent guide found here, just click on the NexStar SLT series:

https://www.nexstarsite.com/Firmware.htm

I guess I must be complete daft. I don't see in this link how you can install it using a mac. The HCUpdate for a version 4 hand controller is still a windows exe file.

[Mick H]

You are not daft, but looks like you are out luck updating version 4 hand controller on a Mac unless you have a friend with a Windows PC.

Your other alternative is finding a NexStar + HC but is it worth it with that scope.

Just trying to help.

[doublevodka]

Maybe have a look at this video, my gut says the mount is not quite level, I've a similar mount and had similar problems when quickly setting up.

 

The bubble levels built into the mount are not exactly accurate, better to use an external level if you can, from what I've read you seemed to have covered everything else 👍 (of course I may be wrong and you may have it properly level already) 

 

[Lipsmack]

On 17/03/2021 at 07:10, Mick H said:

You are not daft, but looks like you are out luck updating version 4 hand controller on a Mac unless you have a friend with a Windows PC.

Your other alternative is finding a NexStar + HC but is it worth it with that scope.

Just trying to help.

I’ve kind of came to the conclusion about the NS+ hand controller  upgrade. I am going to borrow a pc and see what I come up with. 

[Lipsmack]

On 17/03/2021 at 07:39, doublevodka said:

Maybe have a look at this video, my gut says the mount is not quite level, I've a similar mount and had similar problems when quickly setting up.

 

The bubble levels built into the mount are not exactly accurate, better to use an external level if you can, from what I've read you seemed to have covered everything else 👍 (of course I may be wrong and you may have it properly level already) 

 

Thanks.  I have kind of wondered lately about that and will check it next time out. I just get a headache thinking Of trying to align with only up and right keys. I’m have anxiety thinking of it.  Lol!

Edited March 20, 2021 by Lipsmack

[doublevodka]

10 hours ago, Lipsmack said:

Thanks.  I have kind of wondered lately about that and will check it next time out. I just get a headache thinking I’d trying to align with only up and right keys. I’m have anxiety thinking of it.  Lol!

It depends how fussy you are tbh lol, sometimes you overshoot a little, if it's on the horizontal you can just wait for the star to drift into the right place.

 

If I'm being fussy with the setup it still takes less than 10 mins, usually less than 5 though and a rough setup is fine for the brighter objects as you can always dial it in with the finder or even replace alignment stars later on in your observing session

[Lipsmack]

On 18/03/2021 at 16:20, Lipsmack said:

Thanks.  I have kind of wondered lately about that and will check it next time out. I just get a headache thinking Of trying to align with only up and right keys. I’m have anxiety thinking of it.  Lol!

 

On 18/03/2021 at 16:20, Lipsmack said:

Thanks.  I have kind of wondered lately about that and will check it next time out. I just get a headache thinking Of trying to align with only up and right keys. I’m have anxiety thinking of it.  Lol!

I checked the bubble level against three other levels and it may be a tiny bit off than dead center. But it is within the circle marker but just a little off center. I updated the hc and mc firmware. Wish me luck. We have clear skies today. 

[Lipsmack]

On 18/03/2021 at 16:15, Lipsmack said:

I’ve kind of came to the conclusion about the NS+ hand controller  upgrade. I am going to borrow a pc and see what I come up with. 

Yay! I successfully updated the hc and mc firmware. Clear skies this weekend. Wish me luck.  I had an old Mac at work that was running windows 7 thru vmfusion. I found a video online of the same archaic setup.  Lol. Thanks for all your help. 
 

 

[happy-kat]

Hope you have an enjoyable observation session