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Issues With SS7 Pro + SynScan App After Latest Update (Solution: Use Gideon's Workaround For Now)

Since the 7.1.5 SF7 Pro fix of the non-responsive Scope Controls I am not able to get SF7 Pro to “talk” to Synscan to obtain alignment data. Not sure if my current issue is related?? I use iOS via an iPad 10th Gen running iOS 16.1.2.

The scope controls will connect and I can move the scope, however SF7 Pro seems to have it’s own agenda, and its GoTo does not correlate with the Synscan alignment. Prior to the problem with non-response of Scope controls, all I had to do was perform a 3 star alignment using Synscan through the Skywatcher WiFi adaptor, then do a Polar Algnment.

Once those two tasks were complete, I simply left Synscan running on the iPad, and booted up SF7 Pro. I merely had to hit the Scope / Connect buttons and the SF7 App would center its “bullseye” exactly on the object that the telescope was pointed at. SF7 Pro no longer does that. It points the telescope randomly to virtually empty space??

I must be doing something wrong ,or have incorrect settings I guess. Anybody had this problem or maybe have a solution??

 

Stewart

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44 comments

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    Keiron Smith Official comment

    DevOps reference: https://starrynight.unfuddle.com/a#/projects/7965/tickets/by_number/2515

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    Barbara Harris

    I have the same issue with ipad mini 6th gen ios 16.2 and iphone 14 pro. I submitted the problem about 4 hours ago but I guess it got loss in some black hole. I have ipad pro 12.9 5th gen running Sky Safari pro 7 v7.1.3 and Synscan Pro and Sky Safari7 pro are working normally with no issues so I am not updating Sky Safari on that ipad.

     

    Barbar

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    Stewart Blackshaw

    Wise move. At least I can take some comfort in knowing the problem is not just me, and that it may well relate to the issues from a week ago?? I hope someone can get back to us. Very frustrating issue!

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    Barbara Harris

    I spent an hour yesterday trying to get the two communicating! It worked well once so I knew it could be done. I slew too many objects in Synscan pro and tried to align on the last object from the Synscan app but it would not align in Sky Safari. And when it works with Sky Safari 7.1.3 on my ipad pro I knew the problem was Sky Safari

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    Stewart Blackshaw

    Based on what you did, it sounds like the issue lies with SF7 Pro. I will try to check it out more thoroughly tomorrow. Off to sleep now and hoping the gremlins sort it out overnight.

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    Keiron Smith

    Barbara, Stewart,

    Please follow these set-up guides written by Jamie and Mike Atkins

    [### User Guide ###] SkyWatcher + SynScan Pro App Configuration With SkySafari 7 Pro

    [### User Guide ###] How To Connect SS7 Plus & Pro To The Orion SkyQuest XXG and SkyWatcher SynScan Dob On Android OS

    And, we can discuss further if there is an issue related to the latest 7.1.5 iOS app update.

    Thanks!

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    Barbara Harris

    I have gone through this setup and it works on ver7.1.3 on my ipad pro but doesn’t work on iphone and ipad mini running ver7.1.5(it ran on these devices when running earlier version of Sky Safari 7 Pro)

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    Stewart Blackshaw

    Kieron, I also have followed these instructions. They do not work since 7.1.4, and do not work after release oh 7.1.5. I use iPAD 10. HELP PLEASE.

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    Stewart Blackshaw

    Also meant to ask if I can perhaps roll back to version 7.1.3? Everything was working fine until I updated to 7.1.4.

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    Keiron Smith

    Hi Stewart, Barbara, 

    We need to clarify if the issue is with the latest SS7 update, or the latest version of iOS.

    Stewart, you have listed 16.1.2 as your iOS version on the device that does not work. Is that correct?  Do you have any other iOS devices for testing?

    Barbara, you have listed 16.2 as your iOS version on the device that does not work.  Is that correct?  Do you have any other iOS devices for testing?

    Thanks!

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    Barbara Harris

    The issue is with the SS7 update.  When I updated SS7 to 7.1.5 I was on iOS 6.1.1 on both my iphone 14 pro and ipad mini. Both devices ran into the problem of SS7 not syncing properly with SynScan Pro app after that update. Prior to upgrading to SS7 everything ran fine with perfect syncing between the apps. When I saw that there was a problem and that there was an iOS update, I updated both devices to iOS 6.2 to see if that would help. It did not. Still SS7 was not syncing with SynScan pro. I have an ipad pro 5th gen running iOS 6.11 and SS7 7.13 and everything is working on that ipad. SS4 is syncing with SS7.

    Hope this helps.

    Barbara

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    Barbara Harris

    That last line should be SynScan pro is syncing with SS7

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    Stewart Blackshaw

    I am running iOS 16.2 on my iPad 10. When this issue first started with SS7 (7.1.4), I was running iOS 16.1.2, that has since updated to iOS 16.2. I have an iPhone 13 running iOS 16.2 but have never used it with Synscan and SS7 - only the iPad. I can try installing SS7 and Synscan Pro on the iPhone but cannot see how the device makes a difference??

    The issue of the scope controls being totally unresponsive was caused by release of 7.1.4. Then the release of a “fix” – being 7.1.5 – resolved the issue of the scope controls not responding, however the current issue is that SS7 cannot understand where Synscan has pointed the scope after the usual star alignment and polar alignment procedures. If I now get SS7 to GoTo a selected object, it heads off in weird directions, even pointing down at the ground, or in virtually the opposite direction to the actual location!!

    I asked earlier if it is possible to rollback to 7.1.3 which worked perfectly.  Is it??

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    Barbara Harris

    The problem is where can you get a copy of 7.1.3. The app store only has the latest version

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    Stewart Blackshaw

    It must exist, but if the app store only has 7.1.5, then it may be impossible. I have uninstalled and reinstalled both apps today, and went through them both as best as I could looking for anomalies. No real luck. Might have few gaps in the clouds tonight so will run through the process once more!

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    Barbara Harris

    I have done that several times: deleted and reinstalled Synscan pro app and Sky Safari Pro 7. Same results. Sky Safari is not syncing with the Synscan pro app. My ipad pro is still running Sky Safari 7.1.3 and everything works there. Sky safari syncs with Synscan Pro. I don’t know how I can get the copy of 7.1.3 to my ipad mini

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    Stewart Blackshaw

    I only ever had the apps installed on one device. I am now stuck with having to use Synscan as my GoTo app - a poor substitute and lacking information. Let’s hope someone works it out. If not I will have find another GoTo app.

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    Barbara Harris

    I do a lot of variable star photometry. Unfortunately, they are not in the Stars database of Synscan Pro. It was easy to search them in Sky Safari then Go-to. I can get around that by adding them to the user objects of Syn Scan Pro. The problem is that if I am using multiple devices I would have to add each star on each device. It would be nice if there was a way to sync the app between devices

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    Stewart Blackshaw

    Being able to sync apps is too easy, so no one will allow that to happen. I am seriously thinking of buying SS6 which is still in the App Store for $30 AUD (I think?)

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    Barbara Harris

    I had Sky Safari Pro 6 and decided to install that to see if it would sync with SynScan pro. No luck. Same behavior as Sky Safari 7.1.5 ☹️

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    Stewart Blackshaw

    Thanks. Saved me $30.

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    Keiron Smith

    Barbara,

    If SS6 can not sync with SynScan Pro App then the issue is not with the latest 7.1.4/7.1.5 update.

    Thanks for all the info, developers are reviewing the discussion.

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    Barbara Harris

    I just looked at the time of the last version release for Sky Safari Pro 7 and the Synscan Pro app and they were both released 1 week ago. My iphone 14 pro and my ipad mini is running the most updated versions of iOS(6.2), SynScan Pro(2.1.11), and Sky Safari Pro 7(7.1.5). Both of those devices have the problem of Sky Safari Pro not syncing with Syn Scan Pro.

     

    I have an iPad Pro running IOS(6.11), Sky Safari Pro 7(7.1.13), and Synscan Pro(2.1.7) and everything is working well. I can test to see if the problem is the SynScan Pro app by updating that to the current version and see if I can duplicate the problem.

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    Keiron Smith

    Thank you, Barbara!

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    Barbara Harris

    Well, It looks like the problem is with the Synscan Pro app. I confirmed that everything was working properly then I updated Synscan Pro from v2.1.7 to v2.1.11 and got the same behavior happening on the other devices (iphone 14 pro and ipad mini). So sent an email to Skywatcher and hope they can resolve the issue.

    Thank you for your help.

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    Gideon5019

    Hi,

    I too have had the same experience as Barbara. My current workaround is to use the handset to do the alignment, then connect the WIFI dongle to the scope (EQ-6 pro), then connect with either SkySafari 6 or 7. The scopes position is then successfully loaded into SkySafari.
    Tom

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    Barbara Harris

    When I email Skywatcher here is the response that they sent:

     

    Hello
    Thank you for contacting Sky-Watcher USA technical support

    We certainly understand your concern.

    Given the recent proliferation of 3rd Party software in the astronomy industries, it is not possible for us to guarantee compatibility with software from other manufacturers. In many cases, the best recourse is for customers to visit the 3rd Party software support pages or contact the software authors and request confirmation of compatibility with Sky-Watcher products. You will often find that those software companies are quick to showcase their compatibility with Sky-Watcher mounts, telescopes, microscopes, and other accessories whenever they can.

    Sky-Watcher USA strives to provide up-to-date software support for all of its products and even for many that have been discontinued in the recent past. Whenever possible, the recommended software will be available on the individual product page on our website or kept on the Drivers and Software page here: https://www.skywatcherusa.com/pages/firmware-and-software, or alternately here: https://skywatcher.com/download/software/

    Here are some of the most common issues that customers experience relating to communication between their Sky-Watcher device and third-party software:

    Sky-Watcher USA’s astronomy products designed for usage on a Windows-based PC follow the ASCOM driver standards and will require installation of the latest ASCOM platform from https://ascom-standards.org/. For updating hand controllers, you will also need a Prolific USB-Serial Driver for either Windows (http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41) or Mac OSX (http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=229&pcid=41).

    Clear Skies,

    Alex
    Technical Services Representative
    Sky-Watcher North America
    475 Alaska Avenue | Torrance, CA 90503
    www.skywatcherusa.com

    Have you checked out the "What's Up” Webcast?
    Check out all our episodes on the Sky-Watcher USA YouTube channel!





    Ticket Details

    Email ID: PHS-385-46491
    Department: Sky-Watcher Support
    Type: Issue
    Status: Pending Reply
    Priority: Normal

    Helpdesk: https://celestron.kayako.com

     

     

    I responded that I had contacted Sky Safari support and they helped to trouble shoot and realize the problem is your app. I have not gotten another response. It sounds like they are blowing me off. They responded as if they never read my initial email describing the problem and the troubleshooting I had done! Maybe if several people flood them with the same problem it would get their attention.

     

    Barbara

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    Stewart Blackshaw

    Barbara, I also emailed Skywatcher with s detailed description of the issue several hours after you did. I expect that their response to me will be the same - “ we are too busy to care” - that seems to be the message. When the weather improves I will try the workaround suggested by Gideon. I seem to have managed to get Stellarium talking to Synscan but cannot test it as yet.

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    Gideon5019

    I got too received the same email from SkySafari support  this morning. I have just sent in a support request to Skywatcher. 
    Tom

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    Barbara Harris

    Just received this from Sky Watcher support:

    Hello BG
    Thank you for contacting Sky-Watcher USA technical support.

    It looks like there could be an issue with
    Curriculum Corp. Sky Safari running on
    the new Synscan update.

    I will let the developers know.

    Clear Skies,
    Alex
    Technical Services Representative

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