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Communication problem Skyfi 3 to CGX Mount

OK, so new (to me) Celestron CGX mount, HC: GEM 5.31.9200, MC: 7.17.0025, running SkySafari 6 Pro and Skyfi 3 to IpadPro 11",  and I am getting the ever popular

error popup: "SkySafari 6 Pro can make a wireless network connection to the scope, but the scope is not responding......"

I have done an alignment, HC confirms saying "Alignment sucess", double checked the scope type setting "Celestron AVX/CGE/CGEM/CGX", and mount type

"Alt-Az Goto", tried both 2 or 4 per second readout rates, port#4030, and 3 different USB cables between the Skyfi and the hand controller. The only possible glitch I have seen is the Auto-Detect Skyfi sometimes says "not found" and other times the correct IP address 10.0.0.1. Not certain where to go from here, so suggestions would be appreciated!

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14 comments

  • 0
    Avatar
    Mark Presley

    OK, so for grins I went ahead and downloaded SkySafari 7 Pro, to see if the problem persists....it does. Now, when I go to setting the network connection options, "Auto-Detect" cannot find the Skyfi, but using "Manual Configuration" using 10.0.0.1 and port 4030, I get "successfully connected" . However, when I try and access the Skyfi settings web page, on the iPad, nothing appears. I did change my desktop to connect with the Skyfi Settings web page, and was able to do so...so perhaps this is an issue with my iPad???

    Hopefully, Bill, you will see this and be able to offer suggestions. The Skyfi 3 is brand new, and I today updated the CGX Mount and the Hand controller firmware.

    Thanks in advance for any help here....the Skyfi and SS6 always worked well with my old Obsession/ServoCat drive.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Mark Presley

    Keep trying different stuff here....just went through the Skyfi settings, and the webpage finally opened on the iPad in SS after 2 minutes or so.....battery 99%..SSID SkyFi,

    wireless mode: access point, IP address 10.0.0.1, MAC address DC:F5:5:5C:A4:43. When I take a look at my iPads's wifi settings for SkyFi, I see "WiFi Address: 80:5F:C5:3E:D1:66....should these match?? Can't change either one in any case!

    Bollocks!

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Mark, 

    Please see here:

    [iOS 14 Update Issue?] Why Can't SkySafari 6 Pro Connect To SkyFi 3 Using iOS 14.0.1? (Answer: iOS Settings > Privacy > Local Network > SkySafari 6 Pro > Enable)

    Thanks!

  • 0
    Avatar
    Mark Presley
    Thanks, Keiron...that post is now about a year old, so not sure if this will help as it refers to IOS 14.0.1.
    I just downloaded IOS 16.2 ,but same response.
    I used this exact iPad with SkyFi 3 on my ServoCat powered Odyssey, so I thought sure it should work with the new mount...
    Oh, yes I did check the privacy settings on the iPad, and the SkyFi is there and turned on....really too bad, I guess I will have to see
    if my Android tablet will run SS7....looks like SS no longer works with IOS from 14.0.1 on...
     
    Thanks,
    Mark
  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Celestron CGX is an equatorial mount so please try using the eq-go to mount option.

    Alternatively, have another look at the USB cables you are using to connect the SkyFi 3 to the hand controller.

    The cable must be capable of data-transfer.  Not all cables are equal.

    The error message "SkySafari 6 Pro can make a wireless network connection to the scope, but the scope is not responding......" suggests everything is fine with SkySafari and SkyFi 3.  The issue is with the mount - which in this case can include the usb cable.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Mark Presley

    Thanks much, Keiron, again, yes I changed the scope type yesterday afternoon after spotting that mistake. I have tried 3 different USB cables, one

    of which I recall using on an older digital camera to transfer photos to the desk top. I will scrounge some more, as I may have yet another cable in my cable stash......

  • 0
    Avatar
    Mark Presley

    Well, I went ahead and bought SS6 Pro for my android tablet, and I am now a little closer....the scope shows as connected, and when I select an object and hit GoTo, the cursor moves to the object, but the mount does nothing. I double checked, and the hand controller works as expected, moving the mount to selected targets on the HC, so perhaps there is something wrong with the usb interface on the Nexstar controller???

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Are you sure you don't have the ScopeType set to "Demo"?

  • 0
    Avatar
    Mark Presley

    Well, the android tablet this morning now is displaying the “SkySafari 6 Pro can make a wireless network connection to the scope, but the scope is not responding......" message as well. I did manage to find a 4th usb cable to try, but no joy on either tablet…….hard to imagine all 4 of the cables I’ve tried are not useable , but I ordered a new, data specific usb to try. If that fails, I’m guessing a new hand controller is the last option……Thanks much for your help!


  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    This one is know to work for sure.

    Get Your Data Transfer USB-A-To-USB-Mini Cable For Celestron USB Mounts Here (Amazon Link Inside)

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Please also read the Celestron manual, make sure there is no setting is hand controller that should be configured for computer control.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Mark Presley

    Thanks, ordered one!

    Just downloaded the CPWI software from Celestron, and connected the HC directly to the dektop, and got essentially the same message..."unable to find any Celestron Devices"....so, either bad cable(s), OR bad HC! I'll report back which! Will try the new cable 1st...only$10....new HC, $139.00!!

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Fingers crossed.

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Mark, 

    Did you get this resolved?

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