Nexstar Hand control with Skywatcher 250p auto

[plk2012]

Hi, I was hoping someone could help me! I have a Skywatcher Skyliner 250p auto Dobsonian which has a tracking only hand set, I want add a goto function so I've been looking into getting a Celestron Nexstar hand set:

Celestron Nexstar Hand Controls Flash Upgradeable NXS0403 [Celestron-NXS0403] - £132.07 : 365Astronomy: Discovery for every day!

The guy at the store said that it's not compatible however I am sure I've read somewhere is can?!

if not does anyone know the cheapest was to add a goto function to my 250p

TELESCOPE SUPPLIERS - SKY-WATCHER TELESCOPE

Thanks.

[Psychobilly]

Isn't it the Skywatcher Synscan handset that you need...?

[WayBig]

there were a few threads on here while back about this here is one of them, I dont have a lnk to the other that I remember, though I recall it did have some lovely pictures of the dob that had been modified to goto.

http://stargazerslounge.com/equipment-discussion/85173-goto-skywatcher-flextube-auto-dobs-reality.html

As I remember, the consensus seemed to be that plugging in a skywatcher synscan handset would make your dob goto - as long as you use an alt/az handset, not an equatorial one, but there were concerns about the accuracy on small percentage of scopes due to there being some play in some of the gears

[Psychobilly]

That link takes us back to this thread?

perhaps you mean this one...

http://stargazerslounge.com/equipment-discussion/85173-goto-skywatcher-flextube-auto-dobs-reality.html

Which is definitely using the Skywatcher handset not a Celestron one....

[WayBig]

Doh, wrong link, try this one

http://stargazerslounge.com/equipment-discussion/85173-goto-skywatcher-flextube-auto-dobs-reality.html

[Psychobilly]

Again its a SKYWATCHER SYNSCAN HANDSET thats used not a Celestron one...

[WayBig]

yes it is, here's another similar thread (if I get the link right) http://stargazerslounge.com/equipment-help/88727-advice-dobs.html

there was also something interesting a few weeks ago about using a wixey for alt, and sticking an az scale onto the dob mount, that combined with your auto-tracking and stellarium (or similar software) to get the alt/az of whatever you're looking for might work

[johninderby]

The handset was one I took from a SkyWatcher Alt-AZ GOTO mount. It was a direct plug-in with no mods needed at all. Apparently the EQ handset can be used with some rewiring but I haven't tried it myself. The EQ uses an 8 pin plug and the Az uses a 6pin plug.

John

[plk2012]

Thanks everyone thats a great help!

[brantuk]

I have the 12" flextube auto and followed Johns advice - all you have to do is get the AZ Synscan handset - flash update it to the latest version and bingo it works on the flextube. Best thing I ever did with mine.

Hope that helps