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How Come SkyFi Is Unable To Communicate With A CGEM II Telescope Mount Using A Celestron USB Hand Controller? (Answer: Ensure The USB-to-USBmini Cable Supports Data Transfer)

I recently purchased a Celestron CGEM II mount.  The mount came with a Nexstar+ hand control with a USB port at the bottom.  SkySafari 6 and 7 Pro are both able to connect with SkyFi but SkyFi is unable to communicate with the telescope.  I am able to update the hand control firmware (which is the latest version) and connect and control the telescope with TheSkyX with a USB cable connected to the hand control.  I also have an older Nexstar+ hand control with a RJ11 serial port at the bottom.  With this hand control connected to the telescope I am able to connect and control the telescope with SkySafari 6 and 7 Pro. 

Suggestions for getting SkySafari to work with the new Nexstar+ USB hand control?

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17 comments

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    Keiron Smith

    Mark, 

    The issue is likely the USB-to-USBmini cable you are using.

    The cable must be able to transfer data.  Some cables are for charging only.

    Please try another cable.

    Thanks!

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    Mark Orvek

    I've tried two different USB-A to USB-B mini cables.  Note again, I am able to update the firmware on the USB Nexstar+ using the cable.  And, the cable works with TheSkyX which seems to verify that the cable is able to do data transfers.  Is there a way to identify a supported cable?

    Mark

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    Keiron Smith

    What error message are you seeing?

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    Keiron Smith

    And how do you have the cable connect?

    Please post a photo.

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    Mark Orvek

    The USB-B mini end is connected to the bottom of the Nexstar+ hand control.  The USB-A end is connect to the USB port on the SkyFi.  See attached photos.

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    Keiron Smith

    Your scope is aligned?

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    Mark Orvek

    Yes, via "Quick Align".

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    Keiron Smith

    What ScopeType is selected in SkySafari?

    And, please try a fake 2 star-alignment.

    Thanks!

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    Mark Orvek

    The ScopeType selected is "Celestron AVX/CGE/CGEM/CGX".

    I will try a fake 2 star alignment in about an hour or so.  I have to leave for an appointment.

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    Keiron Smith

    Everything looks correct.

    Unless the 2-star alignment makes a difference this seems to be a USB issue.  And, again I would point at the cable.

    I know you said it works with other mounts.  But, still...

    If it's not the cable then it may be one of the USB ports.  But, it is never one of the USB ports.

    It is always the cable.

    Thanks!

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    Mark Orvek

    I tried a "fake" 2-star alignment but it didn't make a difference.  I tried a 3rd USB cable (one with a choke at the end of the USB-B mini end).  It didn't work.  I removed the choke, no difference.  I believe the USB ports on hand control and SkyFi work because I have used both.  On the hand control to update the firmware and on the SkyFi to connect to an older Nexstar+ serial port hand control using a USB-to-serial cable.  I will look for / buy another USB-A to USB-B mini cable but am doubtful.  If that doesn't work, the alternative solution for me is the use the older Nexstar+ serial port hand control for connecting to SkySafari (which does work).

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    Mark Orvek

    I bought a new USB-A to USB-B mini cable on Amazon (iAgelant) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09F8SNRZN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

    Included in the description of the cable is the following:

    "[High transmission speed]: USB to Mini USB Cable has high-speed transfer at Up to 480Mbps. And USB Mini Cable supports transmission and charging simultaneously."

    As before, SkySafari is able to connect to SkyFI but SkyFi is unable to communicate with the telescope.  Also, as before, using TheSkyX I can communicate with and control the telescope with this new cable directly connected to my MacBook Pro and the USB port on the NexStar+ hand control.  At this point, to use SkyFI I'll have to use my older NexStar+ with a serial port.

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    Keiron Smith

    Have your tried both SkySafari 6 and SkySafari 7 with the new cable?

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    Keiron Smith

    If this does not work with SkySafari 6 Pro then the issue is, I think, with iOS.

    What version of iOS are you running?  Is it 15.2?

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    Mark Orvek

    I had not tried SkySafari 6 pro with the new cable when I posted my previous reply.  I have tested SkySafari 6 Pro a few minutes ago and got the same error.  I am running iOS 15.2 on my iPhone 13 Pro and iPadOS 15.2 on my 2018 iPad Pro.   Both give the same error on either device.  When I originally posted this issue, I believe I was running iOS 15.1.

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    Keiron Smith

    OK, so this may be an issue with the latest version of iOS, not sending data.

    Do you have any other telescope control app running on the iOS device?

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    Mark Orvek

    No, there is no other telescope control app running on the iOS or iPadOS device.  Is there any diagnostics I can enable that would supply a log of the telescope communication with SkyFI?

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