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Why When Celestron Backlash Is Set To Zero (0) Do The SkySafari Alt/Az Button Work Intermittently? (Answer: Backlash Set To Five (5) Works Properly, Consult Celestron Support)

Rockwoodhtc

June 15, 2020 03:25

Answered

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Both v5 Plus and v6 Plus of SkySafari and the Celestron SkyPortal Apps received Updates within the last 36hrs . After the Updates the Alt/Az Buttons on the iPad work until the Calibration is finished then become intermittant and then stop controlling the Mount completely . Nothing has changed in my Setup since the last successful evening except I allowed the Update of these three Apps from the Apple Store . This is a Celestron NexStar Evolution Mount and is up to date since the Winter .

I tried shutting everything down including WiFi and clearing the Cache on the iPad . Everything then reconnects , Aligns with StarSense and works normal for maybe a minute then the buttons stop working . They change colour when pressed but the Mount does not move . I also cannot change the slew speed using the numbered bar across the botton of the Screen .

Is there any way to go back to the previous versions ? Has anyone else reported anything like this ?

iPad Air Model MD786C/A ; SkyPortal v3.3.1.1 ; SkySafari 5 Plus v5.4.1.0 ; SkySafari 6 Plus v6.7.2.4 , IOS v12.4.7

Thanks in advance ,

Scott.................

Update 18June2020 ; Just an update in case anyone ever reads this Post . I've narrowed the problem down to what appears to be a single issue across all three Platforms since the Software App Updates . If I touch the iPad screen anywhere on the sky and attempt to move or resize the image to look for a future Target , the screen will freeze as will the buttons . If I persist on trying to move the sky image the WiFi will drop . If I do not attempt to use the Program in this way , the buttons work and the WiFi stays connected . I used to be able to do this . I'm still hoping that there is a bug in these latest releases as this would mean that this could be fixed . /SRK

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11 comments

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  Kelly Weger June 29, 2020 13:03

  I just got my telescope and have only been using the remote (no app yet), but I'm having the same problem that the Directional Buttons work to staralign, then work intermittently. It's extremely frustrating as a newbie to not be able to get the most basic functionality to work consistently. I've been testing it for 2 weeks and there's no pattern to when it fails. 

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  Rockwoodhtc June 29, 2020 13:40

  Hello Kelly ,

  If I may suggest , in an effort to assist the Developers , please include the App type that you are using , Standard , Plus or Pro , and the version number of the Software .

  Also what System you are using it on , iOS or Android etc . , otherwise they won't be able to compare the issues .

  Let's hope we can get a response soon .

  Scott.................

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  Keiron Smith June 29, 2020 17:37

  Hi Rockwoodhtc, 

  SS5 Plus did not receive any update recently.  Are you experiencing the same issue with SS5 Plus?

  Thanks for your in-depth report and troubleshooting!

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  Keiron Smith June 29, 2020 17:50

  Kelly, 

  When you say "using the remote (no app yet)" what are you referring to?  What remote?

  Thanks!

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  Rockwoodhtc June 29, 2020 19:47

  Hello Keiron ,

   

  My bad on SS5 . It appears I have SS6 Plus and SS6 AR which received the Update to 6.7.2.4 . SS5 has not changed . I went and looked further back in my Updates List

  I know the problem happened on SS5 as well because after SS6 and Skyportal gave me this grief I tried SS5 too . FYI , I did not have the Hand Controller plugged in . That will give me a whole different kind of issue .

  Is there anything you would like me to try or any other Information I can send you ? Just let me know .

  Scott....................

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  Keiron Smith June 30, 2020 00:01

  If the issue also occurs with SS5 then the originates with Celestron WiFi or the iOS version.  I suggest try the following:

  1. Confirm the issue is on SS5 as well.
  2. Align with the StarSense hand controller.  Confirm everything works properly just using the hand controller.
  3. Move the scope to a different position, and try SS6 again, as perhaps there is something interfering with the WiFi connection.

  Thanks!

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  Rockwoodhtc June 30, 2020 22:46

  Hi Keiron ,

  I will try what you have suggested . Bear with me as we are not expected to get clear skies for quite a few days .

  I will update this page when I have some new Data .

  Scott...................

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  Rockwoodhtc July 04, 2020 17:14

  Hi Keiron ,

  As promised , here is an update for you . Clear skies last night so I had an opportunity to try out the suggestions and I think I may have narrowed it down a little .

  First , the StarSense Hand Controller works perfectly , Calibrating and GoTo working as expected as do the Alt/Az Buttons at any of the Slew Speeds .

  However , with SS5 , SS6 or SkyPortal I can get a different outcome and it seems to be only the Left Az Screen Button that causes the grief . If I press the Left Arrow Button , the button colour changes and then it stays changed for up to 15s . The Mount does not move . This happens at any of the Slew Speeds . The Right Arrow , Up Arrow and Down Arrow Screen Buttons all work as expected at any of the Slew Speeds with the Mount responding accordingly . I use the iPad in "landscape" mode with the Home Button on the left . I tried reversing the iPad and also using it in "portrait mode" all with the same result . I thought I might have a sensitivity issue on the iPad Touch Screen .

  I also checked the available memory on the 32Gb iPad and I have 19.42Gb free so I don't think that is related .

  One thing I just noticed while typing this reply is that I have the RA/Az and Dec/Alt button selections set to Reversed . I did not notice that last night otherwise I would have tried setting the default and trying the buttons again . I will do that as soon as I get a chance .Don't need clear skies for that Test .

  Also , same behaviour if the screen is repeatable tapped while the Left Button is waiting to time out . It is still possible to lock up the App or worst case drop the WiFi . Same too if the Sky Image is moved with your finger left or right while it is tracking . It is still possible to lock it up or have it drop the WiFi . If after starting a Session I leave the iPad sit quietly I will get a perfect evening , like last night , without any hiccups . 

  Let me know what you need next .

  EDIT : I've just been following some Threads and Posts regarding setting Backlash values on Alt/Ax Mounts and I'm wondering if this might be related as a Button press would take into account a Backlash Setting . I currently have all three Apps with "0" as the Backlash Setting . I will try changing these values and observe how the Buttons behave . Maybe the Left Az Button doesn't work with a value of 0.00 ?

  EDIT Update : I've now tried all three Apps by just connecting the Scope to the iPad , no StarSense Align , and all the buttons work normally and are responsive as is the Scope at any Slew Speed and with or without Backlash values . I'll now have to wait for clear skies again so I can do a StarSense Align and THEN try the button testing again . Interesting eh ?

  Scott.................

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  Rockwoodhtc July 10, 2020 18:14

  Hello all ,

  Just a bump up to keep the Thread active in case my Edits aren't alerting the "New Post" flag .

  Scott...........

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  Rockwoodhtc July 16, 2020 17:34

  Hello all ,

  Got a clear night finally , calibrated with StarSense , Backlash set to 5 for both Alt and Az settings . All buttons worked normally on SkyPortal , SS5 and SS6 .

  Changed the Backlash back to zero , 0 , and the left Az button began working intermittently again on all three platforms . Still waiting on Celestron to provide an updated Procedure on properly setting the backlash control using these three Apps . For now I can leave it at 5 although I know this is not a good value based on the Images I got that night . Oh well , it was a nice evening to be outside .

  Cheers ,

  Scott......................

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  Rockwoodhtc September 02, 2020 18:52

  It looks like this Thread has been marked as "answered" but that is only based on one semi-positive comment...from me !

  The issues with the Alt/Az Button working intermittently still exists . I've been trying numerous combinations associated with their functions in "my" attempt to solve this issue . I wish someone else had seen this or had noticed it more recently .

  The most recent discovery , and probably my last if Simulation Curriculum cannot confirm this issue and resolve , is the the Reverse Button selection in Settings does not work in either SkyPortal or SS6 Plus as of the latest updates . I have tried this function at all of the available Slew Speeds as suggested in the Help Manual .

  I cannot reverse the Button function for the Azimuth Controls in which I am also seeing button freezing and no response as well as reported above .

  Do you not think that this is related ? Have you tried to duplicate the problem ? Has anyone else seen this issue ?

  I really don't want to give up the flexibility , of the iPad as a Controller , for my Laptop and obviously different Controlling Software but I need something that works reliably .

  Please let me know if there is anything you need from me or if there is anything you can do .

  Scott...................