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SkySafari 5 Plus on OS X + Celestron Evo 8 + StarSense = USBserial Only

Alexander Shkabarnya

November 21, 2017 05:49

Answered

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I have recently purchased SkySafari 5 Plus For Mac to use with my Celestron Evo 8 (with StarSence). I have MacBook Pro 2016.

I have 2 issues:

- When I connect the scope to MacBook via usb cable (starsence has a mini-usb port), SkySafari doesn't see the telescope at all (at least I was not able to figure out how to make it see the telescope). 

- When I connect the scope via Wifi, SkySafari doesn't offer StarSence alignment (I have SkySafari on my iPad as well, where it picks up StarSense and offers to perform alignment, so I would expect the desktop version to behave in similar manner)

Can someone advise?

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6 comments

• 
  Keiron Smith November 21, 2017 16:42 Official comment

  Hi Alexander, 

  On Mac OS X, you must install an OS X driver to support the USBserial connection.  DId you install an OS X driver?  If you have the OS X driver installed then you will see "USBserial" available as a connection type in SkySafari.  Do you see "USBserial"?

  On Mac OS X, StarSense integration is not available through SkySafari.  At this time, StarSense integration is only available through SkySafari on iOS and Android.

  Thanks!

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  Alexander Shkabarnya November 23, 2017 01:36

  Hi Keiron,

  I assume that I have the driver, as the following device is shown in USB Device Tree In System Report-> Hardware-> USB:

  USB 3.0 Bus: USB Serial Controller D (Prolific Technology, Inc.)

  I don't see any USBserial options in SkySafari.

  If it is not the right driver, can you please advise on where I can get the right driver.

  Best regards,
  Alex

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  Keiron Smith November 23, 2017 01:58

  Hi Alex, 

  if USBserial is not an option then the driver is not installed correctly, or the driver is not compatible.

  This is what you need to see:

   

  On OS X, with the USBserial, you will have to align using the StarSense hand controller and then connect with SkySafari.

  Unfortunately, it is not possible to connect and control a Celestron Evolution using Celestron WiFi + StarSense, because on OS X StarSense must be aligned using its hand controller.

   

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  Keiron Smith November 23, 2017 02:00

  Hi Alex, 

  Make sure you get the latest Prolific USBserial OS X driver, specifically supporting your version of OS X, from here:

  http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=229&pcid=41

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  Alexander Shkabarnya November 23, 2017 02:37

  Hi Keiron,

   

  I've downloaded the driver and see USBserial option now. 

  Can you please advise on what Scope Type should I use? When I choose "Celestron Wi-Fi", it doesn't show USBserial option. The option is shown when I choose "Celestron NexStar GPS/SLT/SE". 

  Is it ok if I use "Celestron NexStar GPS/SLT/SE" scope type with Evolution 8 scope?

  Thanks!
  Best regards,
  Alex

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  Keiron Smith November 23, 2017 20:41

  Yes, Celestron NexStar GPS/SLT/SE should work for you scope.