10 replies to this topic

[spasticnerd97]

Hi all,

 

I picked up an old Celestron Nexstar 130GT today for $30 cad. It didn't come with any hand controller but it seems to be in good shape. I was just wondering if there was any way in hell I could connect it to my computer without the hand controller.

 

I figure I should be able to use PWI or something similar to control it but any other suggestions would be well appreciated!

 

Would I be able to rig up some sort of RJ12 to usb connector in order to control it or is there something else that I could do instead? I figure that I will order the controller anyways, just curious to see if there is something I could do with it in the meantime to test it out.

 

Thanks,

Matthew

[Bean614]

That happens to be an excellent lightweight GoTo Alt-Az  out, with better gearing than its successor.  Just post a 'Wanted' listing for a NexStar 'NEX' (Alt-Az) Hand Controller,  or wait until one pops up in Classifieds.  Version 4.xx, or later will control your mount, AND enable it to connect to SkySafari on iOS or Android. 

  I've had my GT for about 10 years now, my most used by far, and after a simple Sky Align, and connection to SkySafari,  it's one of the most accurate mounts I've ever used ( and I've owned hundreds of mounts!).

  Go for a used HC--- it will be well worth it down the road!

[spasticnerd97]

That happens to be an excellent lightweight GoTo Alt-Az  out, with better gearing than its successor.  Just post a 'Wanted' listing for a NexStar 'NEX' (Alt-Az) Hand Controller,  or wait until one pops up in Classifieds.  Version 4.xx, or later will control your mount, AND enable it to connect to SkySafari on iOS or Android. 

  I've had my GT for about 10 years now, my most used by far, and after a simple Sky Align, and connection to SkySafari,  it's one of the most accurate mounts I've ever used ( and I've owned hundreds of mounts!).

  Go for a used HC--- it will be well worth it down the road!

Now this is what I like to hear! I found a controller on ebay for ~$75 cad shipped so I picked that up, did you do any extra tuning to your mount to get it to be so accurate or was it kind of just good to go right away. I do still have some funds that I am willing to allocate to this (especially given the price that I paid) so if there are any addition upgrades that I could make I'm all ears!

 

Thanks,

Matthew

[Bean614]

I fine-tuned/dialed-in the 'Backlash' settings in the HC.  And I use 'Sky Align' for alignment, as opposed to '2-Star' or 'Auto-2-Star'.  Michael Swanson's 2 'NexStar' Books are a terrific help for you.

Additionally, after connecting to SkySafari, you can ADD up to 7 more (Total of 10!!!) Ailignment Stars!

[Bean614]

Oh, yeah---- I HIGHLY Recommend getting the SkyFi Adapter (Instead of Celestron's SkyPortal WiFi Adapter).  SkyFi works with about 60(!) different Brands of Mounts, both EQ and Alt-Az, allowing connections to over 200 Different Mounts, and you can switch back and forth between ANY of them!

[MJB87]

Moving to the Celestron Computerized Telescopes forum for a better fit.

[spasticnerd97]

Oh, yeah---- I HIGHLY Recommend getting the SkyFi Adapter (Instead of Celestron's SkyPortal WiFi Adapter).  SkyFi works with about 60(!) different Brands of Mounts, both EQ and Alt-Az, allowing connections to over 200 Different Mounts, and you can switch back and forth between ANY of them!

Great thanks for the suggestion, I'll be sure to check this out!

 

10 alignment stars seems crazy, will definitely try that as well. The telescope is pretty dirty so I will take it all apart and clean/ re-lubricate everything. Do you know exactly how accurate you were able to get your mount? Also are you using it guided or unguided?

 

Matt

[Bean614]

I use it mainly for Visual, though I've done some EAA with it.  Unguided, and never 'measured' how 'accurate' it is. I'm 75, have owned over 400 scopes, 200 mounts, and can fairly accurately visually discern how accurate a mount is tracking.

[Minuam]

I think there is a PDF file here about the scope.

 

http://www.cloudynig.../nexstar130.pdf

[spasticnerd97]

I use it mainly for Visual, though I've done some EAA with it.  Unguided, and never 'measured' how 'accurate' it is. I'm 75, have owned over 400 scopes, 200 mounts, and can fairly accurately visually discern how accurate a mount is tracking.

Sounds good, I am definitely super excited to give it a shot. When I get it up and running maybe I will have to measure the accuracy, just to entertain my curiosity!

 

Thanks again for all of your help!

Matthew

[Daiserina]

Now this is what I like to hear! I found a controller on ebay for ~$75 cad shipped so I picked that up, did you do any extra tuning to your mount to get it to be so accurate or was it kind of just good to go right away. I do still have some funds that I am willing to allocate to this (especially given the price that I paid) so if there are any addition upgrades that I could make I'm all ears!

 

Thanks,

Matthew

Hi, a year later, how do you know if a controller is compatible? I have a broken controller for a Nexstar 130 gt and I see you have this as well.