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Skywire issue with Skysafari 5 Pro and Celestron 5SE scope

Mike D

May 31, 2020 17:41

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Hello- I'm having an issue with the skywire. In short, I can connect and control my telescope. However, when I try to invoke the "goto" function ins SkySafari, the scope does not move/respond. I do see that the software "thinks" it is controlling the scope but nothing happens. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Mike

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11 comments

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith June 01, 2020 16:00

  Hi Mike, 

  What ScopeType option have you selected?  Demo?

  Thanks!

• 0
  
  Mike D June 02, 2020 01:00

  Hello Keiron,

  Thank you for your reply. Scope type is set to a Celestron Nexstar GPS/SLT/SE.

  Appreciate the help or any advice that you may have.

  -Mike

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith June 02, 2020 17:22

  What do you mean by:

  I do see that the software "thinks" it is controlling the scope but nothing happens.

• 0
  
  Mike D June 03, 2020 00:11

  The scope shows as connected. The up/down & left right arrows move the scope. When I select a planet or constellation and then "goto", "goto" changes to "stop" as if the software "thinks" it's tracking to that planet or constellation but nothing is happening (i.e. scope is not moving). I hit "stop" and then choose another planet  or constellation and the same happens.

  Thanks,

  Mike

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith June 03, 2020 01:51

  Please attach screenshots of the following:

  1. The scope shows as connected.
  2. "goto" changes to "stop" as if the software "thinks"

  Please attach photos of the following:

  1. The connection of SkyWire to the iOS device
  2. The connection of SkyWire to the serial cable connected to the scope

  And, please tell me what alignment process you are using before connecting with SkySafari.

  Thanks!

• 0
  
  Mike D June 03, 2020 18:42

  

  Thanks Keiron.

  Note attached images as requested.

  I use the sky align approach with the scope (set date & time/GPS coordinates/3 bodies)

  Thanks,

  Mike

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith June 03, 2020 18:56

  When you plug SkyWire into the iPhone do you see a message on the screen saying something "...connected"?  Maybe there is a sound too.

  Is the RS-232 cable made for use with Celestron scopes?  It must be.  You can't just use any random RS232 cable.

  Please attach a picture of the SkyWire cable connecting the phone to the scope.  Thanks.

• 0
  
  Mike D June 03, 2020 19:16

  I see the message on the screen when it connects, yes. It makes a ringing noise.

  The RS-232 cable is the cable that came with the Celestron scope. As mentioned, the up/down and left/right controls move the scope.

  Attached are the two images. Piece not visible is the additional SkyWire cable length.

  Thanks,
  Mike

  

• 0
  
  Mike D June 03, 2020 19:19

  To clarify, the skywire cable goes from the phone into the Celestron RS-232 cable. The other end of the RS-232 cable goes into the Celestron hand controller. The Celestron hand controller goes into the motorized mount of the scope (default configuration).

   

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith June 03, 2020 20:09

  Hi Mike, 

  Please generate a telescope log file. Look in the Settings --> Set Up --> Save Log File.

  Connect SkySafari to your scope and use the arrow keys to control the scope, then try a goto, then use the arrow keys again - then quit.

  You can find the log file in the app's Documents directory using iTunes File Sharing. Copy the file to your desktop and attach here via a file sharing link (i.e DropBox) or email to me ksmith [at] simcur.com

  The capture of the log file and how to use iTunes File sharing is described in the Help > Settings Help > Scope Setup Help. Look near the bottom of that page.

  Please also make a copy of your [CurrentSettings].skyset and also attach or send that too.

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith June 03, 2020 20:14

  Please also confirm what version of iOS you are running.