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Issues With Scope Control Arrows On SkySafari 6 Pro + Celestron CGX mount + Celestron WiFi Module (Solution: Celestron Replaced The WiFi Module And Everything Now Works)

Skaiser3

December 21, 2018 05:02

Answered

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Bill

Please note I tried these experiments with the 2 different Ipads.

Equipment/software

skysafari 6 pro v 6.3.0.0 running on

ipad pro 11",(MTXR2LL/a),  IOs v 12.1.1

ipad pro 10.5",(MPDY2LL/a),  IOs v 12.1.1

Celestron CGX mount

Celestron Skyportal WiFI module 93973

NexStar+ hand control (USB interface version )

CGX software at latest rev.

 

 I know I have experimented in the past and corresponded with you on the JOG arrows response on a Ipad while moving a CGX mount.

With the bad weather lately I decided to experiment some more to see if I could determine some conditions that would improve  the Jog functions while using Skysafari 6 pro.

NOTE:

 My CGX mount was turned on only once for this entire experiment.

 All run away jogs were stopped without shut down of the CGX.

 I would alternate running  Skysafari on each Ipad, doing only a "Connect" without Align.

 (To switch Ipad control I would "Disconnect" in Skysafari and Disconnect the WiFi in the Ipad setup)

 

Here is something new I have found with the operation of your software and Ipads.

1. I was always able to get the Jog arrow pads on Both Ipads to lock in the ON (Highlighted ) mode 3 to 4 times over a 10 minute testing time of pressing the pads to jog the scope back and forth in either axis. Usually the Jog would discontinue on its own, but sometimes it continued until I pressed a jog arrow on the NexStar+ pendant. The Ipad Jog pad would remain Highlighted during this runaway mode.
2. I switched the Skysafari software over to the "Tilt to Slew" mode.

Testing the Tilt to Jog mode over a 10-15 minute time with Both Ipads, I Never had a runaway Jog condition occur.

This makes me wonder if there is something hanging in the Touch software interface on the Ipad since the Jog communications interface with the CGX WiFi should be the same for Touch or Tilt .

This might also indicate the interface to the Celestron software is solid.

I wonder if you or your team can look into this.

I really enjoy using your software and hope you can find a solution to this annoying glitch.

Take care and hope you have a nice Christmas and New year.

Stephen

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9 comments

• 0
  
  Bill Tschumy January 03, 2019 20:47

  Stephen,

  I don't see those issues when I''m connected to Celestron Wi-Fi from my iPad.  I can move around between the four slew arrows without it ever hanging or running away.  I'm not totally sure why you get a better result with tilt-to-slew.  We do make exactly the same calls to the mount in this case.

  Generally when the arrow stays locked in the ON position after lifting your finger, this is because the mount is taking a long time to respond from the last command we sent it.  This often means there is something wrong with your Wi-Fi dongle.  I know Celestron has replaced quite a few of them.

  If you try the SkyPortal app, do you see the same issues there?

• 0
  
  Skaiser3 January 04, 2019 04:03

  Hi Bill, Happy New year.

  I have not tried this test with the Skyportal app but will do so and let you know the results.

  I wondered about the Celestron Skyportal WiFI module, but, as I correctly assumed, and you confirmed,  your software uses the same I/O calls to the WiFi module whether the Ipad is in the Touch or Tilt mode.

  I imitated my Touch move commands In the Tilt mode, trying both quick tilt motions and long tilt and stop motions and never had the run-away condition occur. This is why I wonder about the Touch interface module , and how it handles the input response. Is the polling routine for touch, hanging up or being interrupted in some way that doesn't happen in the Tilt detection module?  

  Again , I will check this out with Skyportal and report back here.

  Thanks for your consideration on this.

  Stephen

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  Skaiser3 January 05, 2019 19:01

  Bill

   It probably is a WiFi module issue that I am seeing.

  I just finished trying the Jog experiment with Skyportal using jog arrows and again with Skysafari 6 pro in the Tilt to move mode.

  I was able to get the "stuck in motion" condition in both cases. Really strange how the response can be so solid sometimes then go so wrong.

  I apologize for doubting the integrity of your software.

  Just to clarify, You are using a Celestron WiFi module to test your software ?

  Fortunately Mine is still under warranty so I will be talking with Celestron on this.

  Thanks for your patience on this.

  Take care

     

• 0
  
  Bill Tschumy January 07, 2019 15:47

  Yes, I am testing with the Celestron Wi-Fi module.  

  It is not out of the question that there is a problem with our software.  However, this is just not something I am able to reproduce.

• 0
  
  Skaiser3 January 11, 2019 13:21

  Bill

   celestron agreed to replace my WiFi module.

  i will run the same tests when I get the new one and let you know the results.

  just in case.

  would you or your techs know of a simple way to monitor the WiFi message traffic to/from the module so I might diagnose this in more detail?

  take care

   

• 0
  
  Bill Tschumy January 11, 2019 15:10

  All we have available is our scope logging facility.  But that just shows the communications between the app and the mount.  It does not show any low-level communication failures.

  However a scope log file might be interesting to see if you continue to have problems.  The Help on the Telescope Communication settings talk about how to capture this.

• 0
  
  Skaiser3 January 11, 2019 21:38

  Thanks Bill

   After some digging around in the Skysafari pro settings I found under Telescope / Setup a switch called " Save Log File"

  I assume this is what you are referring to ? I don't think I ever used this before. 

  I finally found the description of this setting in your "Scope Setup Help"  listing.  Interesting, the description mentions emailing this log file to "Southern Stars" for troubleshooting. Is this a partner company of yours?

  Looks interesting. I will give this a try when I receive the new WiFi module. 

  Out of curiosity, are these logs time stamped along  with the communications  sent/received . This might help identify lags in responses to/from the scope and app.

  Anyway, hopefully I will have a new WiFi module in a week or two and we'll see how thing work out.

  If the new module doesn't help, then if I buy one of your SkyFi modules, can I use it the same way as the Celestron module? Will it plug into the same hand control port on the CGX? 

  Take care

   

• 0
  
  Bill Tschumy January 11, 2019 23:48

  Southern Stars was our company before we were bought by Simulation Curriculum.  I'm amazed there is still a reference to it in the Help.  I'll get that fixed.  You can email any log file to me at "bill@simcur.com"

• 0
  
  Skaiser3 February 01, 2019 00:15

  Hi Bill

   Hope you are able to stay warm up there!

  Glad I moved to Texas....

  Anyway, wanted to let you know I received my new Skyportal WiFi module from Celestron.

  I have run it through the same tests as before and NO problems.

  Rock solid communications, no pauses, no runaway moves from button presses on the Ipad.

  So , its nice to have your software performing so well.

  I believe I saw some information  that Celestron is now getting their WiFi module chip with a new, well known manufacturer, and I might believe that with the performance difference I'm seeing.

  Sorry to doubt your software.

  Take care