54 replies to this topic

[mlord]

i'm planning on using this guide to extract the boards vs sending the whole mount.

https://nexstarsite....lutionMount.pdf

There's no need to disassemble the gears or bearings or anything, so just STOP once you can get at the screws to remove the PCB.  The various wire connectors are all labelled on the UNDERSIDE of that PCB, but still take photos and label the plugs as you undo them.  10-minute job.

 

I need only the main PCB by itself, nothing else.

 

Cheers

Edited by mlord, 13 April 2025 - 11:04 AM.

[HalfEazy]

He's probably referring to the WiFi generation: SkyQLink-xx vs Celestron-xxx.

Anyone with the former should be using a cable for the update, as it's old enough to likely still have older firmware with a WiFi bug that makes firmware updates very risky over WiFi.

Does it mean anything if mine is "Celestron-FDA" instead of numbers?

[mlord]

Does it mean anything if mine is "Celestron-FDA" instead of numbers?

"FDA" actually is "numbers".  It's in hexadecimal notation (base16) rather than decimal (base10). 
 

[DrMorbius]

Performed my latest firmware update to my Evolution mount (purchased in 2015 and still running OK).  Never received an email from Celestron about this even though I'm supposed to be on their notification list.  The only reason I checked the update history is that I just purchased a new AVX and wanted to check the firmware updates for it (needed an HC update which I did flawlessly through a USB-A cable on Windows 10).

 

The update on CFM for the Evo was a 90-minute adventure.  Tried to update according to the document Celestron has made available.  Failed on both an Intel and M1 Mac using the wi-fi procedure.   My Evo uses SkQLink as its SSID.  The Celestron instructions say nothing about that.  Attempted again using wi-fi on a Windows 10 PC.   Several iterations getting the latest Java Environment to load (PC thought .jar files should open in Adobe Acrobat).  CFM took three more iterations (did not extract all the files it needed).  Finally checked Devices and Options in the CFM menu--made some tweaks there and it worked using the wireless link.  I'm going to test the mount later this month--I use StarSense.  Will report on the results.  This Evo update had no changes for either the Nexstar+ HC or StarSense.

 

Concerning the possibility of a wi-fi bug in older Evo mounts, my 2015 edition was probably manufactured in 2014.  In these Evos, the 802.11 antenna was placed in such a position to cause frequent connection drops when using a smartphone with SkyPortal.  I prefer the tactile feel of the HC buttons when I'm looking in the eyepiece anyway so I just turn off the wi-fi when I'm using the mount.  

Edited by DrMorbius, 08 May 2025 - 08:13 AM.

[rcooley]

Also have a 2015. Never really had a problem with the wifi or using either sky Portal or Sky Safari.  And only do alignment on ipad or plate solving with asiair.  As for this latest firmapware update. I also am on their email list. I also did not receive an email encouraging me to update. Thank goodness for that, I suppose tho.  Honestly I can't imagine why so so much micro managing is necessary to do a simple firmware update. Something must possibly be amiss. I mean I update my iPhone in five minutes. I update my Concept 2 rower in five minutes. I update my Epson printer's firmware in five minutes. Why, oh why, must one jump through so many hoops to update the firmwaremon an EVO?  It's a rhetorical question. No need to reply. Cheers...