Thank You for explaining . I ve had a 8SE for at least 10 years or so and always have issues with aligning . You have now motivated me to revisit the night sky again . Thank You
Downloaded and played around with this software last night. Would have never known about it if not for this channel. Having some alignment issues with the software. Hoping tonight will be better.
USB cable type clarification: both ends of that USB cable are "USB A" -- which confusingly comes in three sizes/shapes. Standard, mini, and micro. The cable he is using is: "standard" to "mini." FYI, USB-B is the large square-ish size that is often found on the back of printers. USB-C is the modern oval-shaped one that is conveniently (and finally!) a reversible USB plug (no more accidentally trying to plug it in upside-down").
Wish I had found this channel before! Just bought a 6 SE and spent a fun evening aligning using the handset, but now with these instructions, very clear and straightforward it worked beautifully. Cannot wait for clear skies.. THANK YOU..
Mike…thank you for all the great videos. I just bought an 8SE, and I’m planning on doing some light Astrophotography with a Canon T8i. Everything you’ve covered in your videos is helping me prepare to do that. This is my first “good” telescope and I can use all the help I can get. Thanks again!
A friend gave me his recently and I'm the worst newbie you've ever seen. No concept of why this morning for the eclipse I lined up on north, tried to Castor and the silly scope went to exactly the wrong part of the sky. I think maybe I need to change my settings to make it an alt-az mount. But watching the eclipse (manually controlling) and even seeing sunspots was really cool. New subscriber
Love your videos. I thought I saw you tell how to bring the Mount Slew Control tap back up once things we aligned. I loose the tap sometimes and can not find it again. I know there are hot keys, but the little tap is nice. I thought you mentioned it once in one of your videos but I can not find it. Thanks again. Clear Skies !
I managed to upgrade my firmware wirelessly via a wifi module. Downloaded cfm, switch to the celestron wifi, start cfm.jar, switch cfm to wifi mode, run upgrade button, don’t touch the hand controllers while running upgrade. When finished exit cfm, enjoy!!
My 8SE is ten years old. According to the manual, the handset has a RS232 connection, however looking at the handset it appears to use an RJ11 (telephone) jack. I switched to Macs many years ago and one piece of software that is mentioned many times is 'The Sky Serious' which costs $195.
My red dot finder was useless. Would not align properly. Just got the telrad. Now just waiting for clear skies. Love the cable rap option. Already damaged mine from rapping. Thanks.
I got a (new to me) 5se this morning. I've spent the day watching your videos and reading the manuals. These are just right - straightforward, no jargon, in a logical order. Great job! One question though: is there laptop software for a MacBook? Thanks!
you keep mentioning the airplanes heehhehe its ok . it doesnt really both us on videos. thanks so much for your videos. i'm a beginner star gazer and getting my kids into it. got a 6SE and learning a lot from your videos. cheers mate. hoping you can do a video on filters too... stuff u recommend .
When I try to follow this, “hand controller” does not show up as an option under “connection,” as seen at 3:45. It only displays “Wi-Fi” and “USB.” I have the driver installed. Any other suggestions as to what might be wrong?
I have the 6SE and using a USB connection with CPWI is a much more stable solution compared with the WiFi-iPad route. The one thing I don’t like about this setup is that the directional arrow keys on the hand controller (HC) are disabled. Since the StarSense HC has the plate-solving circuitry, I use it to connect to CPWI and use the extra HC for fine alignment as needed. Works like a charm.
One other dumb question. I live in Illinois and it's getting cold out. If I purchased a 50ft USB A to Mini B cable to reach into my kitchen table, do you think that would work?
Hi Mike...good tutorial but you mention using Polaris (or a compass at video time 7:57) to find north. What you need to align is true north (Polaris only)...not magnetic north as with a compass unless at your particular location where true and magnetic are the same. There are some parts of the US where true north and magnetic north can vary up to +-30 degrees. Thoughts?
Great video Mike! Very helpful. Does the software force you to use only the mouse and on-screen directional keys, or can you use the arrow keys on the laptop as well? BTW, I love my Nexstar 8SE.
Great video. One question. When you have finished alignment and GOTO an object which proves not to be centered in the field of view, how do you re-position it? The slew buttons seem to disappear after alignment is done.
Thanks so much for all your hard work in making these videos. I just have one issue. When I try to save or accept the wrap cord option within the CPWI software - under configure mount, it doesn't work. The mount keeps rotating clockwise in one direction only. Any help would be appreciated.
@@AstroExplorers Thanks for the reply. I think I am missing something in the open dialogue box in the mount configuration. When I scroll down within that specific box, there are two options available at the bottom of the window, “Accept” and “Reset” - I do not see a saved feature. I will try again tonight. In addition, when I researched the manual for the telescope under the hand controller, page 24 of the Celestron 6SE & 8SE Instruction Manual (2016 version); there is a option under MENU-SCOPE SETUP-CORDWARP and your can toggle this feature ON or OFF. I set it to ON. After that, regardless of the software setting the telescope worked properly and reversed direction as to avoid wrapping the cord. Just FYI! Keep up the great videos. PS - will look at the software again for the “save” button.
Greetings Again, no "save" option just "accept" which doesn't work. I will have to email Celestron support. In addition, you must toggle on the cord wrap using the hand controller before you plug in the usb cable and connect to the computer.
@@stephenbaldassano3788 CPWI does not ACCEPT the cord wrap option from one session to the next. At the end of your session, after you disconnect, the cord wrap has to be ACCEPTed again when you START CPWI at the next session.
I find it easy to use the laptop to align, but I am wondering if l, once aligned, I could switch to the app and use the goto function. The app has the ability to track satellites and comets, where the laptop does not.
Since I'm an Apple guy, I'm guessing that I would need to buy the WIFI adapter and use the app with my iPhone? Is the iPhone app the same thing as the PC version?
Thanks, Mike, for your posts. An alternative to connect is the SkyFi Wireless Telescope Controller (SCC) used with Starry Night Celestron SE 8. Any experience with this option or post from AstroExplorers that I missed? Thanks,
Omg!!!! I have been trying for a week trying to figure this out. No sooner had I installed CWPI I was up and running. No ASCOM drivers, no other installs. To everyone else , ymmv. Clear skies tonight so we'll see how it goes. No I have to get NINA up and running.
Help would be much appreciated! when i connect to mine, "hand controller" is not available. the only options that i have are USB and Wifi. any idea why i am having this issue? if it makes a difference, i am working with a 4SE not an 8SE
Hello I've been watching your videos. Mu son has gotten into star gazing. We purchased a celestron SE 6. We have a Sony ZV E10. What adapter is needed.
Enjoyed the video, sir! Still learning, and this was helpful. I just received my 8SE two days ago, and it brought rain and bad summer Oklahoma weather with it. So, I’m still waiting. 🤷♂️ I had a quick question though (2 parts) that I’d like to run by you: Once the scope has “gone-to” the object, will it track continuously (for EAA purposes)? And, would I be able to run CPWI for scope control, and open/use SharpCap for ZWO camera/live stacking? Any advice or experience you have is greatly appreciated. Just retired from the Air Force, and wife told me to get a hobby. I chose this. 😃 (I grew up not far from Dallas, so I know about the weather! 👍 Same here in OK. Thanks for your helpful videos!)
Great video. I've been doing the hand controller thing and taking pics with a dslr. I ready for the next step in using my laptop and the scope. I have down loaded the celestron software and the software for my camera. I want to do visual on my laptop and simultaneously control the scope by splitting the screen on my display. Have you gone down this road? Suggestions?
I use a program called NINA, for my imaging capture on the laptop. It works very well, and I'll be doing a video on it down the road as I go through all the processes.
Hey, sir. Have you used the altitude limit function yet? I think I saw that while selecting the cord wrap option, and was wondering if you’d used it, or ever had an issue while automatically slewing to a target and having the eyepiece or camera ever bump the base of the mount. Enjoyed the video. Probably watched it 6-8 times now, and waiting on favorable weather to get outside. Have a good one!
I'm new to Celestron 8SE and have looked at most alignment tools, cellphone, laptop. My question is that you seem to always be in alignment. Do you ever have to touch the scope focus knob? Can you touch and play with the focus knob at all since youre giving directions to the scope from the cell or Laptop?
Sir, I have CPWI and SharpCap installed, among other software (prefer those two so far). Am new to EAA, and wanted to ask - If I use CPWI to align the scope (8SE on original mount), can I do that and then work camera using SharpCap concurrently? Nothing but crap weather here (Oklahoma) in the evenings, so no telling when I’ll get to try it. Or .. how do I run camera from CPWI? I’ve tried looking up camera control in the software manual, but it only seems to reference Star Sense Camera .. nothing for imaging. Have a good one!
with the newest version of CPWI I cannot connect my laptop. I see no option to use the handheld controller. Only 2 options, USB and Wifi neither of which work? I've been at this for 3 weeks now and it's driving me nuts
hi , can you use this software on a Celestron CPC 1100 just trying to connect the hand piece now and the 3 icons at the top left just keep spinning and the next star + hand piece does not connect. A message comes up USB not connected I'm in Australia and the hand piece does not take a USB A I think its called a serial port. Any help would be appreciated.
I have aglined it well on a couple of nights now (Thanx for the grate video). My problem is: it doesn't continue to track the object. Is it supposed to with the laptop software? Is the a feature I need to turn on?
Yes, if you're using the go to functionality in the software, it should follow along. Unfortunately, there can be some drift after 5 to 10 minutes depending on how closely you centered the objects you used for alignment.
I'm not sure what extra drivers you would need. I was able to run it with just the install. You should not need active Internet to run it after it's installed.
It's to make sure the tripod legs stay splayed out. Last thing you want to do is kick a leg in in the middle of the night and topple over your telescope.
Hi Mike - I connected to my C8 no problem with the usb cable, but after a minute or so the the connection between my laptop and C8 stops working and I have to start again, any idea what's happening?
Hi Mike - when you click onto a planet can you see the planet on the laptop? or do you have to use two laptops i.e. one to click the planets and the other laptop to view, if that makes sense.
I bought a Celestron Nexstar 8SE mount but I am having trouble connecting it to my PC which is running Windows 11. I Installed the prolific driver and CPWI and the firmware updater CFM. I could not get them to communicate with the handset which I attached to the computer with a USB cable. I reinstalled the Prolific Driver {PL23XX_M_LongoDriver_Setup_408_20220725}, and CPWI. Still did not work. So I downloaded CFM updater again and ran the CFM Jar file. It says it recognizes the USB ports on the computerbut that the telescope is not connected. I get the same message in CPWI (Celeston's telescope software). I followed the suggestion in the firmware update CFM: I turned off my telescope and plugged the hand controller into the computer. The hand controller says Verifying packages, then initialize. I turn on the telescope power while holding down the Celestron button and #7. The hand controller says “Menu, Tracking” not “Bootloader” as it is supposed to. So neither the CFM nor the CPWI can communicate with the hand controller. Could something be wrong with the hand controller? When I turn the telescope on with the hand controller only plugged in it seems to work fine. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks - can't wait to try this out. One question: after you do this setup, can you unplug the laptop & controller and will the scope keep the alignment? (and you would use the hand controller from there)
There is a PARK setting in CPWI. I always park it in the same place which is on the horizon and facingTRUE North. CPWI will remember that and if you do not move the telescope, the next time you connect the laptop and power up both laptop and 8SE, and START on CPWI, it will carry on from where you left off.
When im trying to connect my telescope to cpwi it says on the controller "BOOT LOADER serial pass through 19.2k". What does this mean? How can i fix it?
I'm a bit confused. I installed the Prolific driver and then CPWI and then ASCOM. I went back and did some searching and found that ASCOM should have been installed first. Do I even need it? I'm reasonably certain you have to have the Prolific driver. In any event I could not connect. I'm going to try again with CPWI *only* without ASCOM and then I'll reply with the results. There is a terrific amount of conflicting information, likely due to the fact that the serial programmer's cable is no longer needed.
Ok, we're connected. I had a hardware problem. I'm going to be using an Insignia 4 port USB 3.0 hub instead of WiFi (for now) and that weird SATA 2-pin connector to the hub, the same type that WD uses on its external HDs, kept coming loose and dropping - actually it wouldn't establish a clean connection. I gorilla-taped that sucker so it wouldn't come loose and voila, we're golden. The software other than the Prolific drive had to be installed in the following order: Java - ASCOM - CPWI and it finally worked.
The other issue with connectivity is that the Surface Pro 8 has USB-C ports instead of USB-A and MS's implementation of USB-C on that device has known issues. That said, at some point I'll be going with the ASIAir.
Yes, the software is free. I'm fairly sure you will not need the internet, I've not tried it out myself, but the data should be saved in the software itself.
Thank You for explaining . I ve had a 8SE for at least 10 years or so and always have issues with aligning . You have now motivated me to revisit the night sky again . Thank You
Absolute Legend. I never knew this software was available. Thank you very much.
Downloaded and played around with this software last night. Would have never known about it if not for this channel. Having some alignment issues with the software. Hoping tonight will be better.
USB cable type clarification: both ends of that USB cable are "USB A" -- which confusingly comes in three sizes/shapes. Standard, mini, and micro. The cable he is using is: "standard" to "mini." FYI, USB-B is the large square-ish size that is often found on the back of printers. USB-C is the modern oval-shaped one that is conveniently (and finally!) a reversible USB plug (no more accidentally trying to plug it in upside-down").
I just bought a 5SE. I also bought a Celestron NexImage 10 camera. I like this laptop software control. Thanks for the video..
Wish I had found this channel before! Just bought a 6 SE and spent a fun evening aligning using the handset, but now with these instructions, very clear and straightforward it worked beautifully. Cannot wait for clear skies.. THANK YOU..
This is the best video for this telescope I've seen. Super helpful. Thank you!
Thankyou so much for all of your very helpful information. I am still learning alot about my 8se, and there are no telescope groups in our area.
Thank you for all the great content. Waiting for some clear nights around here... at least I can learn something on youtube and prepare myself!
Very well done, all questions answered!!
Waiting on my USB cable to come in the mail and then I'm going to try this software out. Thanks for the great tutorial on this.
You're welcome!
I've just purchased one thank you for the information
Mike…thank you for all the great videos. I just bought an 8SE, and I’m planning on doing some light Astrophotography with a Canon T8i. Everything you’ve covered in your videos is helping me prepare to do that. This is my first “good” telescope and I can use all the help I can get. Thanks again!
Awesome! Glad I can help!
A friend gave me his recently and I'm the worst newbie you've ever seen. No concept of why this morning for the eclipse I lined up on north, tried to Castor and the silly scope went to exactly the wrong part of the sky. I think maybe I need to change my settings to make it an alt-az mount. But watching the eclipse (manually controlling) and even seeing sunspots was really cool. New subscriber
Love your videos. I thought I saw you tell how to bring the Mount Slew Control tap back up once things we aligned. I loose the tap sometimes and can not find it again. I know there are hot keys, but the little tap is nice. I thought you mentioned it once in one of your videos but I can not find it. Thanks again. Clear Skies !
How and when did you put the telescope in focus? Thanks for your posting. Your posts are my Go-To how-to.
I managed to upgrade my firmware wirelessly via a wifi module. Downloaded cfm, switch to the celestron wifi, start cfm.jar, switch cfm to wifi mode, run upgrade button, don’t touch the hand controllers while running upgrade. When finished exit cfm, enjoy!!
Im going to download and try it tonight. Great video.
You should do a video using SharpCap Pro! Great videos!
My 8SE is ten years old. According to the manual, the handset has a RS232 connection, however looking at the handset it appears to use an RJ11 (telephone) jack. I switched to Macs many years ago and one piece of software that is mentioned many times is 'The Sky Serious' which costs $195.
Great job! Gives everyone from beginner to advanced an easy way to enjoy visual astronomy!
Glad you think so!
My red dot finder was useless. Would not align properly. Just got the telrad. Now just waiting for clear skies. Love the cable rap option. Already damaged mine from rapping. Thanks.
Yeah, I've had to quickly stop or unplug a couple times. Honestly should be on by default!
I got a (new to me) 5se this morning. I've spent the day watching your videos and reading the manuals. These are just right - straightforward, no jargon, in a logical order. Great job!
One question though: is there laptop software for a MacBook? Thanks!
Just downloaded time to start learning if the fog ever lifts. I am a newbie also with a 8se thanks for your help.
Not a problem, glad you're enjoying the videos!
Te escribo en español para que practiques, muy buen video, muchas gracias..
really cool tutorial, you made me make the desicion beetween the telescopes i wanted
you keep mentioning the airplanes heehhehe its ok . it doesnt really both us on videos. thanks so much for your videos. i'm a beginner star gazer and getting my kids into it. got a 6SE and learning a lot from your videos. cheers mate. hoping you can do a video on filters too... stuff u recommend .
thank you for your very helpful video
When I try to follow this, “hand controller” does not show up as an option under “connection,” as seen at 3:45. It only displays “Wi-Fi” and “USB.”
I have the driver installed. Any other suggestions as to what might be wrong?
I have the 6SE and using a USB connection with CPWI is a much more stable solution compared with the WiFi-iPad route. The one thing I don’t like about this setup is that the directional arrow keys on the hand controller (HC) are disabled. Since the StarSense HC has the plate-solving circuitry, I use it to connect to CPWI and use the extra HC for fine alignment as needed. Works like a charm.
thank you!!!! it was super super helpful!!!! thanks again
One other dumb question. I live in Illinois and it's getting cold out. If I purchased a 50ft USB A to Mini B cable to reach into my kitchen table, do you think that would work?
I'm thinking you will go with the Celestron Power Tank Lithium because its compact.
Great video, thanks for posting, Next time, please some editing to make it shorter and on the spot. 1.5x did the job
Thank you. Excellent video.
Hi Mike...good tutorial but you mention using Polaris (or a compass at video time 7:57) to find north. What you need to align is true north (Polaris only)...not magnetic north as with a compass unless at your particular location where true and magnetic are the same. There are some parts of the US where true north and magnetic north can vary up to +-30 degrees. Thoughts?
After at the target, can you do slow adjustments to move the scope
Great movie. Greetings from Poland
Thanks!
Thank you. I’ll be purchasing this scope and this is very helpful
I'm glad I could help!
@@AstroExplorers could you recommend eye pieces?
interesting, easy to search for objects in the sky 👍👍👍👍
Great video!
Thank you for doing this
Great video Mike! Very helpful. Does the software force you to use only the mouse and on-screen directional keys, or can you use the arrow keys on the laptop as well? BTW, I love my Nexstar 8SE.
What a great video!!! I just got a 4se as a gift, I am hoping it has similar software
I'm not 100% positive, but I do believe the same software should work with it.
Amazing video. Thank you.
Thanks!
Super helpful. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
What does Sky Portal do that this doesn’t? Great vids btw!
Great video. One question. When you have finished alignment and GOTO an object which proves not to be centered in the field of view, how do you re-position it? The slew buttons seem to disappear after alignment is done.
There should be an option to pull up the slew buttons in the software. You can also use the hand controller.
Can you connect the computer wirelessly?
great illustration! can we use computer and hand controller simutaneously?
Thanks so much for all your hard work in making these videos. I just have one issue. When I try to save or accept the wrap cord option within the CPWI software - under configure mount, it doesn't work. The mount keeps rotating clockwise in one direction only. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks! Are you scrolling down and pushing the save button? If that's not working contacting Celestron might be the next step.
@@AstroExplorers Thanks for the reply. I think I am missing something in the open dialogue box in the mount configuration. When I scroll down within that specific box, there are two options available at the bottom of the window, “Accept” and “Reset” - I do not see a saved feature. I will try again tonight. In addition, when I researched the manual for the telescope under the hand controller, page 24 of the Celestron 6SE & 8SE Instruction Manual (2016 version); there is a option under MENU-SCOPE SETUP-CORDWARP and your can toggle this feature ON or OFF. I set it to ON. After that, regardless of the software setting the telescope worked properly and reversed direction as to avoid wrapping the cord. Just FYI! Keep up the great videos. PS - will look at the software again for the “save” button.
Greetings Again, no "save" option just "accept" which doesn't work. I will have to email Celestron support. In addition, you must toggle on the cord wrap using the hand controller before you plug in the usb cable and connect to the computer.
@@stephenbaldassano3788 CPWI does not ACCEPT the cord wrap option from one session to the next. At the end of your session, after you disconnect, the cord wrap has to be ACCEPTed again when you START CPWI at the next session.
Thank You for the great videos, do I need to have internet to the laptop 💻, please let me know.
You should not need an active Internet connection
Awesome video. Thank you. Following you 🖖🏼
Thanks!
I find it easy to use the laptop to align, but I am wondering if l, once aligned, I could switch to the app and use the goto function. The app has the ability to track satellites and comets, where the laptop does not.
Since I'm an Apple guy, I'm guessing that I would need to buy the WIFI adapter and use the app with my iPhone? Is the iPhone app the same thing as the PC version?
Fantastic. Thanks for sharing 👏👏😍
My pleasure 😊
Thanks, Mike, for your posts. An alternative to connect is the SkyFi Wireless Telescope Controller (SCC) used with Starry Night Celestron SE 8. Any experience with this option or post from AstroExplorers that I missed? Thanks,
Omg!!!! I have been trying for a week trying to figure this out. No sooner had I installed CWPI I was up and running. No ASCOM drivers, no other installs. To everyone else , ymmv. Clear skies tonight so we'll see how it goes. No I have to get NINA up and running.
Glad I could help!
Help would be much appreciated! when i connect to mine, "hand controller" is not available. the only options that i have are USB and Wifi. any idea why i am having this issue? if it makes a difference, i am working with a 4SE not an 8SE
Same here I am using the 8se
I went ahead and chose the usb option and it ended up working fine
Hello I've been watching your videos. Mu son has gotten into star gazing. We purchased a celestron SE 6. We have a Sony ZV E10. What adapter is needed.
amazing video, thank you so much. One question, Do you know if there is a CPWI equivalent on Mac?
Unfortunately I'm sure if there is.
is there any way ofbbeing able to use the handset buttons? it is unbbearable use the pc controls all the time whilenobserving!!!
Enjoyed the video, sir! Still learning, and this was helpful. I just received my 8SE two days ago, and it brought rain and bad summer Oklahoma weather with it. So, I’m still waiting. 🤷♂️
I had a quick question though (2 parts) that I’d like to run by you:
Once the scope has “gone-to” the object, will it track continuously (for EAA purposes)? And, would I be able to run CPWI for scope control, and open/use SharpCap for ZWO camera/live stacking?
Any advice or experience you have is greatly appreciated.
Just retired from the Air Force, and wife told me to get a hobby. I chose this. 😃
(I grew up not far from Dallas, so I know about the weather! 👍 Same here in OK. Thanks for your helpful videos!)
Great video. I've been doing the hand controller thing and taking pics with a dslr. I ready for the next step in using my laptop and the scope. I have down loaded the celestron software and the software for my camera. I want to do visual on my laptop and simultaneously control the scope by splitting the screen on my display. Have you gone down this road? Suggestions?
I use a program called NINA, for my imaging capture on the laptop. It works very well, and I'll be doing a video on it down the road as I go through all the processes.
digiCam Control is also a good FREE program to use.
can you show how to put a zwo camera on your 8 se?
Can you connect Wi-Fi to a camera to view remotely on the laptop?
Hey, sir. Have you used the altitude limit function yet? I think I saw that while selecting the cord wrap option, and was wondering if you’d used it, or ever had an issue while automatically slewing to a target and having the eyepiece or camera ever bump the base of the mount.
Enjoyed the video. Probably watched it 6-8 times now, and waiting on favorable weather to get outside. Have a good one!
I'm new to Celestron 8SE and have looked at most alignment tools, cellphone, laptop. My question is that you seem to always be in alignment. Do you ever have to touch the scope focus knob? Can you touch and play with the focus knob at all since youre giving directions to the scope from the cell or Laptop?
how far away can the laptop be from the scope when connected through wifi?
Sir,
I have CPWI and SharpCap installed, among other software (prefer those two so far). Am new to EAA, and wanted to ask -
If I use CPWI to align the scope (8SE on original mount), can I do that and then work camera using SharpCap concurrently? Nothing but crap weather here (Oklahoma) in the evenings, so no telling when I’ll get to try it. Or .. how do I run camera from CPWI? I’ve tried looking up camera control in the software manual, but it only seems to reference Star Sense Camera .. nothing for imaging.
Have a good one!
with the newest version of CPWI I cannot connect my laptop. I see no option to use the handheld controller. Only 2 options, USB and Wifi neither of which work? I've been at this for 3 weeks now and it's driving me nuts
hi , can you use this software on a Celestron CPC 1100 just trying to connect the hand piece now and the 3 icons at the top left just keep spinning and the next star + hand piece does not connect. A message comes up USB not connected I'm in Australia and the hand piece does not take a USB A I think its called a serial port. Any help would be appreciated.
QUESTION: before doing all these things do I have to align the telescope to three stars manually?
do you still need wifi in your laptop or the WiFi Module on your telescope? thanks
I have aglined it well on a couple of nights now (Thanx for the grate video). My problem is: it doesn't continue to track the object. Is it supposed to with the laptop software? Is the a feature I need to turn on?
Yes, if you're using the go to functionality in the software, it should follow along. Unfortunately, there can be some drift after 5 to 10 minutes depending on how closely you centered the objects you used for alignment.
Usb to usb B mini
does this method work with the phone app?
My name is William I'm new at this what drivers do I got to download to work cpwi software and do I need internet to run
I'm not sure what extra drivers you would need. I was able to run it with just the install.
You should not need active Internet to run it after it's installed.
So you just plugged it in and it worked automatically
I am not seeing "hand controller" for connecting. Just seeing UBS and wifi?
Does anyone know if this software will work with an Orion Atlas EQ-G GoTo mount?
Question, where did you buy your Celestron 8Se? Can’t seem to find it locally!
Can I connect my Celestron Nexstar 5 to a Google Chromebook ?
Quick question is the piece under the tripod that holds eyepieces needed for balance
It's to make sure the tripod legs stay splayed out. Last thing you want to do is kick a leg in in the middle of the night and topple over your telescope.
The software I downloaded did not have the laptop as an option? Please advise
Hi Mike - I connected to my C8 no problem with the usb cable, but after a minute or so the the connection between my laptop and C8 stops working and I have to start again, any idea what's happening?
Getting this message on connecting the Nextstar+ (6se) with laptop "Boot loader serial pass through 19.2k". Please help
My 8se connection shows only USB and Wifi. There is no handcontroller conncetion.
What problems? usb cable pboblem??
Thanks,,,,
Hi Mike - when you click onto a planet can you see the planet on the laptop? or do you have to use two laptops i.e. one to click the planets and the other laptop to view, if that makes sense.
I bought a Celestron Nexstar 8SE mount but I am having trouble connecting it to my PC which is running Windows 11. I Installed the prolific driver and CPWI and the firmware updater CFM. I could not get them to communicate with the handset which I attached to the computer with a USB cable. I reinstalled the Prolific Driver {PL23XX_M_LongoDriver_Setup_408_20220725}, and CPWI. Still did not work.
So I downloaded CFM updater again and ran the CFM Jar file. It says it recognizes the USB ports on the computerbut that the telescope is not connected. I get the same message in CPWI (Celeston's telescope software). I followed the suggestion in the firmware update CFM: I turned off my telescope and plugged the hand controller into the computer. The hand controller says Verifying packages, then initialize. I turn on the telescope power while holding down the Celestron button and #7. The hand controller says “Menu, Tracking” not “Bootloader” as it is supposed to. So neither the CFM nor the CPWI can communicate with the hand controller. Could something be wrong with the hand controller? When I turn the telescope on with the hand controller only plugged in it seems to work fine. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks - can't wait to try this out. One question: after you do this setup, can you unplug the laptop & controller and will the scope keep the alignment? (and you would use the hand controller from there)
No, you'll still need to use the laptop for all the go to functionality. The hand controller does not keep the alignment from the laptop.
There is a PARK setting in CPWI. I always park it in the same place which is on the horizon and facingTRUE North. CPWI will remember that and if you do not move the telescope, the next time you connect the laptop and power up both laptop and 8SE, and START on CPWI, it will carry on from where you left off.
Does this work on the nexstar 127 slt
problem scope will not align nevada help please
When im trying to connect my telescope to cpwi it says on the controller "BOOT LOADER serial pass through 19.2k". What does this mean? How can i fix it?
I don’t have a usb connection on my telescope its rj-11 😢
Thank You, But I use Mac and CPWI is not compatible with Mac. Any other software you recommend which works with Macbook?
Unfortunately, I don't know other software right now that would be able to be used.
I'm a bit confused. I installed the Prolific driver and then CPWI and then ASCOM. I went back and did some searching and found that ASCOM should have been installed first. Do I even need it? I'm reasonably certain you have to have the Prolific driver. In any event I could not connect. I'm going to try again with CPWI *only* without ASCOM and then I'll reply with the results. There is a terrific amount of conflicting information, likely due to the fact that the serial programmer's cable is no longer needed.
Ok, we're connected. I had a hardware problem. I'm going to be using an Insignia 4 port USB 3.0 hub instead of WiFi (for now) and that weird SATA 2-pin connector to the hub, the same type that WD uses on its external HDs, kept coming loose and dropping - actually it wouldn't establish a clean connection. I gorilla-taped that sucker so it wouldn't come loose and voila, we're golden. The software other than the Prolific drive had to be installed in the following order: Java - ASCOM - CPWI and it finally worked.
The other issue with connectivity is that the Surface Pro 8 has USB-C ports instead of USB-A and MS's implementation of USB-C on that device has known issues. That said, at some point I'll be going with the ASIAir.
How is this scope in the winter and colder months? I’m from Boston
I leave mine out in the shed, has been down to about 8 degrees Fahrenheit. Works just fine when I pull it out again.
@@AstroExplorers good to know. Just got my 6se. I caved and got the smaller. I’m glad I did. What a monster of a scope lol
So, I guess the software is free, correct? Also, I am assuming you will need internet to make it work? Thank you for the great videos!
Yes, the software is free. I'm fairly sure you will not need the internet, I've not tried it out myself, but the data should be saved in the software itself.
Can a tablet be used instead of a laptop?
Thanks! Too bad the software does not run on MAC.
I know. Are there any alternatives for macOS?
can you do the same with Celestron NexStar 5SE?
Yes, you should be able to do that with the 5se
@@AstroExplorers thank you 😊 ❤️