What do you Need to Connect your Celestron Telescope Mount to a Computer? (Part 2 of 2)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ค. 2024
- This video is part two of two in a beginner series on how to connect your computer to your Celestron telescope mount. In this video I show you how to download and install ASCOM. I also discuss what ASCOM is and explain why it is useful. After the ASCOM download, I give a brief overview and demonstration of CPWI software that was installed in part one.
Links:
ASCOM: ascom-standards.org
CPWI and other Celestron software: software.celestron.com
Part 1 of this video: • What do you Need to Co...
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Thanks! This (and Part 1) really helped. I am an older guy (71), but I am not intimidated by computers. I have been working with them since 1989. But some of the logic behind the relationships of software, computers and telescopes can be a little daunting to me sometimes. These videos cut through all of that. I have to say I have been following you for some time and you have really improved in your presentations. Thanks again!
Cody, I have an SE8 and a 2022 laptop with windows 11. If it wasn't for your two part instruction on how to install CPWI I would have never figured it out.
Thanks for putting this together, your a lifesaver.
To anyone wanting to use CPWI follow this to the letter and you'll have no problems.
The only correction I had to make for the computer to speak to my telescope is: I had to repair my Prolific file.
I just followed your step-by-step instructions. It works like a charm. Thank you so much for all this. You rock Sir!
My ASCOM was all messed up, I appreciate what you're doing.
I watch many you tube tutorials for all sorts of things. I am an experienced astrophotographer with all new top line equipment. I have to say that your two videos are hands down the most professional, informative, and easy to follow of any I have seen. I actually sat at my desk with you on my desktop while my laptop was next to me. I have a StarSense but decided to try the CPWI and ended up here. I am extremely impressed with your videos and will actively look for more. Well done, or as we say in the military Bravo Zulu!!!
I Like you watch many tutorials and am totally impressed with Tony's Presentations...Patrick - I will be trying Tomorrow all that I learned from AstroBlender tonight...But I Picked up on That of Which You Spoke..Trying CPWI instead of Starsense...I have StarSense but will do as you mentioned and experiment with CPWI...Which before AstroBlenders Presentation I did not know Running......USAF 1968
Cody, thanks so much for this. I’ve just bought a Nexstar 6SE and had no idea how to hook it up to my laptop. Part one was excellent too. Cheers 👍
You rock. Wonderful explanation in both videos. Would have totally been lost otherwise. Clear skies from Germany.
Btw great pair of videos! These along with the vids on the focus motor installation made my evening go very smoothly. Thanks for posting!
very helpful i would have no idea without this video
This saved me DAYS!! Thanks for a great and easy to follow
This saved me YEARS but I am from the South and slow..(:
Great explanation and info. ASCOM was a mystery to me before your vid. Thx.
Very helpful, thank you. New too all this and followed your links, lol couple steps to find software were edited out but found it. Thank you for the jump start on computer to telescope. Very helpful
Great info which will be very useful soon. Eagerly awaiting arrival of my back ordered C8 Evo EdgeHD with StarSense!
Thank You, Thank You! Your videos are so helpful!
This video was very helpful. I am a new user of Celestron Telescope se6 learning the features so I can do some astrophotography.
Awesome video!!
Thanks for doing this. Very informative.
I'm glad it was helpful and you found it informative!
Steve Rogers, he's alive! Thanks for your explanations Cap!
Excellent! Thank you so much!
Again and again I wonder why there is no way to give more than one „thumbs up!“ in TH-cam ... would have given it at least 10 of them! Thanks for the time and effort you put into these videos! Sincerely Stefan from Switzerland in the heart of europe, living next to lake constance.
I agree Stephan...Tony the Astroblender is THE BLENDER
Cody, thanks for the two parter. Consider updating these two posts. The app interfaces have changed. I over came the difference after replaying each of your posts several times. I am a proud owner of a Celestron NexStar 8SE. I'm looking forward to put the apps into use as soon as skies clear in SoCal.
It's hard to imagine it is 2021 and we are having to configure stuff like this. And with no guidance from the manufacturer.
I know right? It’s almost like those telescope companies don’t want you to get into Astro photography!
Thank you !!!!!!!👍
Thanks man !
I hate to ask this from you but can you perhaps show a tutorial as to how to connect the cameras? I have 2. ZWO ASI120MM mini that's connected to the guidescope and ZWO ASI290MC connected to the telescope. but not sure how to connect the wires or even need both cameras. I'm not so advanced as to astrophotography yet.. I'm just looking to take picture of the moon and perhaps planetary. I would very much appreciate your time if you can do it
I guess you need Ascom to get CPWI to work... nice video
thank you bro
Thank you for your videos, they are extremely helpful and instructive. I see that you are using ASIAIR, and was wondering if CPWI has any relevance when using the AIR? Also, I’d love to see a video setting up the AIR with a Celestron mount (I have the AVX).
Thanks a lot, you made it simple for an old redneck
I tried to run my Nexstar C8 through the Skyportal Wifi (V2) without the hand controller (as illustrated in this video for the Advanced VX), and it went haywire. Apparently, the hand controller for my setup is needed to manage the bus traffic. Also, when going through the alignment procedure, using CPWI to move the scope and look through the eyepiece is a challenge, as you have to balance a notebook and push the slew buttons in the app with one hand while looking through the eyepiece and turning the focus knob on the scope with your other hand. So, its best to do everything through cameras. Still, I noticed I could press the direction buttons on the hand controller, and the mount would move for a short moment, but only for a short moment. I guess the bus was getting overwhelmed and couldn't handle the additional traffic. Still, mount movement by the hand controller was picked up by the encoders and passed on to the CPWI, so I could see the movement by the hand controller reflected in the CPWI software. Maybe other, higher end mounts (or perhaps V3 of the Skyportal Wifi) will be able to handle more bus traffic.
Hi Cody. You mention at 7:38 ‘if you download a camera program, or something like that’. Can you please expand a bit on that and perhaps provide an example of what software you’re referring to? Not even sure what to google at this point. Thanks!🙏
You don’t need to download ASCOM drivers to connect a CPWI-compatible Celestron mount/focuser to CPWI; CPWI has mount driver support already built in. Also, for those with the Celestron motorized focuser, it’s better to connect to PC via the focuser USB port (Type A to Type B cable) which will allow PC control of the focuser *and* mount; still need to connect focuser to mount aux port for this ability. Connecting direct to the hand controller USB/serial port disables the hand controller (goes into boot loader mode), negating hand controller functions whereas connecting via the focuser USB port allows hand controller use, great for initial alignment and focusing while at the hand controller when/if needed during the night.
Chip That is correct, but useful to have ASCOM regardless if using other software which is likely. Your comment on the Focus Motor is good too. That’s why I was using the Celestron WiFi module to control it. :)
Hi. I tried it on, but The hand controller doesn’t appear as an option. Only USB and WIFI. I did not have the hand controller connected at his moment.
Does the “Hand Controller Option” only appear if the hand controller is connected???
I'm having trouble connecting my motorized focuser to my nexstar 8se. I just bought it last week and I'm frustrated because when I connect the focuser to the mount my telescope doesn't work. It says incompatible device, but I see many videos that have installed the focuser to their 8se. What I'm I doing wrong? I did update my hands controller by the way. Although I can't update the starsense controller, but that's a whole different story. Hope you can help, please. Thank you
Hi! I have a bit of a problem with my setup. I`m trying to connect my Celestron CGEM to my laptop via an Lynx Astro USB to Serial adapter that is plugged into the HC. I keep getting an error message in CPWI when I try to connect the mount. It says: Unable to communicate with the mount: Please verify that the USB or USB to Serial cable is connected to the mount. I have been struggling with this for 2 days now and I still haven`t found a fix for it. Any help is much appreciated, thanks.
When I've finished for the evening can I park it ready for the next time, or do I have to go through the realign stage on CPWI?
Wat about Mac users?
Does CPWI have a night time mode for the screen? The normal screen is probably way too bright for having it sitting next to a scope out in the dark. If there is a night time mode - I have not found it. Can anyone advise? Sincere thanks
Hi cody
Just wondering if i need to enable the sub folders in net frameworks to complete the install.
I have an AVX rig and use the handset to connect to my PC and then CWPI. Is it necessary when turning on the mount power to then set up the date/time/location via the handset or can I just ignore that and as long as the scope is pointing towards north enter the date and time via CWPI and go from there? Many thanks.
Awesome job👍 I have one question: does the focuser have to be a Celestron or will it work with a Sesto Senso, which is what I have? Thanx
HI, Do you need ASCOM to use CPWI and starsense? I have installed ascom and CPWI doesn't want to find my hand SS controller . Thanks for any help.
I followed the instructions except it's 2022 and some software versions are different. It is not connecting to my NexStar Evolution 9.25 with starsense, I just get an endlessly spinning icon under the connection tab which says DewHeater for some reason. Everything has been updated through Celestron Update. Trying to connect through hand controller on a Win 10 laptop. Any help?
Hi,
You have the wifi adaptor connected to the mount. what do you connect the focus motor to? and also a camera, they come with USB 3. I do not think they have WiFi.
look forward to your answer.
I have been having problems with connecting my Celestron model GPS with the CPWI software. I does not change to my latitude (seems to only remember Los Angeles which is the default). Do you know what to do about that?
Can you do you do a video of all of the telescopes you have?
Ha!
what lap top you using and would you recommend?
Can i also connect a canon t2i this way?
Question? Can this use the starsense cam without using the skyportal app? That is my set up soon and I need to know.
Is the software you featured downloadable on an iPad?
Hi. Thank you so very much for your very helpful two videos. I would have been utterly and completely lost without them. I was able to successfully follow all the steps until I attempted to connect to CPWI. I have a Nexstar4 SE telescope. I am unable to connect and get an error message that says Boot Loader serial pass through 19.2k. I have searched for guidance on this issue without success. I even uninstalled Ascom and CPWI and re-installed them in case something went awry during that process. Are you able to guide me? Thanks so much!
Hi This is really very helpful, QQ, if you can let me know the details of eyepiece, I like that and what to have the same. I have Celestron 8se with wifi portal
Also CPWI - connection is showing the USB & WIFI (its not showing the Hand Controller), Further I was not able to connect the Wifi Module even though the my laptop was connected to the Wifi Module (my laptop is few weeks old and having the windows 11). Please advise. I want to use the Wifi module with laptop (the way you showed in your clip)
Hi Cody, do you know if is possible to connect the telescope with Skyportal wifi interface via Stellarium?
Thank you so much for your videos!!
PLEASE how to connect AVX for Mac ?
Im trying to connect my AVX to my pc over hand control but the mount is moving super delayed, gives me errors, keeps going when i let loose of slew arrows. any help? mounts works fine without being connected to PC
Question to any who can answer. So I’m picking up either the 8SE or EVO variant. I’m leaning EVO. I just ordered a MacBook Pro my question is can I use the Mac to run all this required software like ASCOM and the other related Celestron available software?? Thx
hello everyone im new to the hobby and just bought a celestron nexstar 6se. my question is do i need a sky portal module to connect my scope to my computer? also can i do an alignment with somekind of help this red dot finder isnt that good please help i appreciate it
So, I can use the Skyportal Wi-Fi dongle with CPWI/ASCOM, and it’ll connect wirelessly (Windows 11-based PC, not iOS or Android)?
If I’m doing EAA and streaming the feed into my PC, I still need a cable from camera to laptop, correct?
I ask because I just spoke with Celestron tech support today, and it sounded like the dongle was only good if using Skyportal app .. no other apps. If that’s true, I have to return the dongle because I decided to use windows-based laptop instead of phone or tablet.
Thanks, learning a lot from your videos.
Hi, I just install ASCOM, but it cannot connect with my CGEM DX mount, can you help me？
For a total beginner. Is this the best setup for bang for buck and results?
Question. How to set Park in CPWI.
I try to control AVX via CPWI with NINA. Everything work fine: slewing, polar alignment, plate solving, slewing and centering, guiding; except Park. When sequence is finished, command Park is not executed. If I want to start sequence from telescope in home position (looks to North Pole), it doesn’t move.
How to set Park in Celestron-AVX?
Thanks
Dude wow and thank you. Question... Nextar 90 slt with old not plus or star sense hand controller. It dont work. OK the question- if I buy a nexstar plus hand controller, 134 dollars, will this then work? Thx
Can you control the autofocus wirelessly? I'm running ASIair Pro.
The ASI Air Pro can't run the Celestron Focus Motor. It will only run the ZWO motor focuser. I believe ZWO is working on an autofocusing feature for the Air Pro, that will work with the ZWO focus motor.
How well does the AVX do handling the C8? I was considering that combo, maybe eventually with a hyperstar or with the evolution mount. The evo mount seems to be a more solid and stable platform but is alt-az, could that be overcome for astrophotography with hyperstar, meaning short exposure times overcome the limitations of an alt-az mount as compared to an EQ mount?
Hello David, I have personnaly a Celestron EdgeHD 8 with an AVX mount, along with my DSLR, the Celestron OAG and a guiding camera. The mount still works well with all that equipment so far.
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.
Hi, i followed all your videos of installing ascom drivers and then updates for my AVX mount and controller but after an update i see error 17 on hand controller. Mount can be controlled fron the cpwi program but hand controller can mot move the motors any more. I've reset it to the factory's settings but the problem is still there. I don't know what happened,is it a driver problem or some electrical circuit on the mount board.
👍🏻
Hi, is it possible to control the Celestron mount by Starry night ?
If yes, can you show how to do it, because I have searched on TH-cam and did not find nothing about it
can i ask.. what does using CPWI have to do with ascom? as you did not explain Ascom..
CPWI then needs to be configured as an ASCOM hub
How do you view the telescope eye piece on the laptop?
You need to add a camera and download software. I use a Nikon DSLR and NINO.
One more issue...PHD2 shows my cgx mount..I think...but I get a "no Port Defined" error???Sheesh will this ever end??
Have you found CPWI slowing down computer by a lot? Just downloaed and everything is slow.
Great video. What Celestron mount is that?
I believe he said Celestron GEM
Sorry...CGX...
Hi Cody, love your tutorial videos!
I have a Celestron Evolution 8 HD with StarSense and a Celestron motor focus. I got a bit fed up with trying to operate the 'scope via the phone, it's not reliable enough for me. This, however, working with ASCON via a laptop, works like a dream, and I just prefer having the hand control connected too. It even works ok as a Wifi connection, so I will try this too. One thing I was wondering about. I have a ZWO ASI178MC camera that I am still learning to image with. So far I have just used SharpCap, but I have Firecapture installed too. My question is this. Is there a simple and inexpensive way to connect the Camera to the mount too, so it keeps connections down to the minimum, which is what ASCOM is all about? The mount I currently have is the standard Alt/Az GOTO mount without a wedge.
Cheers.
This is very misleading and you might pull it down. CPWI does not need ASCOM. It works directly with Celestron scopes.
CPWI does not need ASCOM driver at all.
I guess this does not work with a mac??
My display on the hand controller scrolls so fast it looks like gibberish.. Has anyone seen this? Can you slow down the scroll speed on the controller?
Yes you can, In the hand controller settings, menu button.
You're lucky. U hv many telescopes to observe the sky in covid
hi does ascom allow cameras to be added and viewed on laptop?