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SkySafari 6 Pro | Celestron CGE + SkyPortal Wifi Module = GoTo Fail (Solution: Celestron WiFi MUST Scope Align Using SkySafari)

Dpippel

April 12, 2018 14:23

Answered

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Greetings folks. I'm along-time Sky Safari user and I've just purchased a new Celestron CGX mount and SkyPortal wifi module. So here's my problem, and I think I know what the issue is:

I align the mount using the hand controller. Easy peasy. I then connect Sky Safari 6 Pro running on my iPad Pro to the mount. They talk with no issues. HOWEVER, when I use Sky Safari to control a goto on the mount, it is ALWAYS off by about one degree.

My settings on both the mount and in Sky Safari all appear to be correct. Is this problem being caused by the fact that I'm not using a SkyFi module with a hard connection to the hand controller? I know that's an issue with Celestron's Evolution mount. Same thing here? Sky Safari can't talk to the computer in the mount over a wifi connection? I sure hope not, because using Sky Safari to align the mount is a PITA. Using touch controls on a flat piece of glass to make small mount movements is much more difficult that using hard buttons on a keypad.

Any assistance would be most appreciated. Thanks!

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4 comments

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  Bill Tschumy April 12, 2018 14:37

  Unfortunately, it is the case that you can't align using the hand controller and then connect to the scope using the Celestron WiFi module.  SkySafari does not get access to the alignment model that way.  The model is stored in the hand controller and you are bypassing that when connecting via the Celestron WiFi module.

  You will either need to (1) do the alignment from within SkySafari or (2) you will need to use something like SkyFi that connects through the hand controller and is able to use the alignment model stored there.

  This is just the way Celestron designed the feature.  Sorry.

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  Dpippel April 12, 2018 14:45

  That's what I figured Bill. Thanks Celestron.

  Another question which I probably already know the answer to ;). If I connect Sky Safari to the mount via wifi and do the alignment via the app, can I use the directional buttons on the hand controller to center my alignment targets or will that also result in accuracy problems? I'm assuming not, and that the only way to use your app with this configuration means I must use the touch controls from within Sky Safari to center my alignment targets. Is that correct?

  Is the SkyFi 3 capable of connecting to the USB port on the CGX hand controller? I don't see this mount listed in the compatibility table for your wifi module.

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  Bill Tschumy April 12, 2018 15:38

  I've gotten different accounts from Celestron.  Originally they said you could use the hand controller to move the mount as long as you never did an alignment with the hand controller (or tried to do GoTos from the HC).  More recently they have told me not to use the HC at all, even just to move the mount using the slew buttons.  I think this is a bit over cautious.  I've not seen any problems except that if you hold the slew (or move) button down for more than 30 seconds, the mount will stop.  You have to lift up and push the button again to keep it moving.  This is what I reported to them and that is when they said you really should not be using the HC at all when connected via Celestron WiFi.

  Yes, the SkyFi 3 is able to connect via the mini-USB connector on the bottom of the new Celestron hand controllers.

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  Dpippel April 12, 2018 15:43

  Thanks for all of the valuable info Bill. I'll do some experimentation this weekend and come back here to post my results. Being able to use the directional buttons on the hand controller during mount alignment with the app would be a huge boon, if it works.