Firmware Versions on the Celestron CGE Series
Celestron CGE scopes have two sets of processors. There are processors in
the hand control (HC) and there are processors in the base of the scope in a
section known as the motor control (MC). The MC firmware can be updated by
the owner (read
this). Hand controls prior to version 4 can NOT be updated,
but if you have a version 4 hand control (owners of older versions read
this
for info on purchasing the upgradeable hand control),
the firmware can be updated (read
this).
For additional details about features on newer versions, check the
Manuals section of this web site.
Please
email me if you have a scope with different versions than listed here.
HC Versions
- 4.13 - This version allows the motor control (MC) firmware to be upgraded
via the port on the bottom of the hand control.
- 4.12 - The most significant change in this version is variable brightness
control for the display and buttons - values are from 0 (off) to 8 (full
brightness). There is also a fix that reduces (but does not eliminate)
the chance that the display comes up blank the first time you power up, a
problem much more prevalent in cold weather. The fix on those occasions
when it does still come up blank remains the same - turn off the power, wait a
couple of seconds and turn on the power again. The Version menu item has
been changed - it now displays the mount model after displaying the HC and MC
versions.
- 4.10 - The most significant change in this version is Sync and multiple
mount calibration stars. Sync is available both via the hand control and
via PC software (TheSky, Starry Night, etc.). This provides very
accurate GoTo pointing in the area of the sky where the Sync is performed and
it allows the PC software to match with the actual position the scope is
pointed to. Multiple mount calibration stars take the place of the
previous use of one calibration star for determining cone error and the Dec
switch/index mark offset resulting in much improved pointing accuracy.
Other new features: a display of the polar alignment error, Solar System
Align routine, the Sun is now available as a GoTo and alignment object, "RA"
and "Dec" are used in most places in the menus rather than "Alt" and "Azm",
and the new ability to start PEC playback and proceed with normal use of the
hand control.
- 3.01 - Original version on the CGE mount.
- 3.0 - A version which seemed to have leaked out on accident - thus far
seen on only one scope. Differences between this and 3.0 seem to be
minor. This version may be slightly less accurate during the Polar
Alignment routine, the Dec Switch calibration value may occasionally display
incorrectly and the Version command on the menu will display the minor version
of the MC firmware with only one digit instead of two - in other words, 5.06
will be displayed as 5.6.
MC Versions
- 5.14 - Corrects a potential problem with the cordwrap prevention feature.
- 5.07 - An official version. Rate 1 is now 50% of sidereal while rate
2 is 100% of sidereal. This is the first version to support Celestron's
free
PECTool utility.
- 5.06 - An official (non-beta) version available for download from
Celestron. Improved anti-backlash, improved PEC performance, slight
improvement on sidereal tracking rate.
- 41.36 - This is a beta (test) version. Improves PEC performance.
- 5.05 - Reportedly fixed autoguider problems including runaway slew when
autoguiding. Also reportedly fixed occasional runaway slew during
regular GoTo operations. That said, it is believed these problems were
not actually fixed until version 41.36 .
- 40.43 - This is a beta (test) version which probably became official
version 5.05. It was available for a short
period of time on the Celestron web site and was removed when 5.05 was
released.
- 5.02 - Original version on the CGE mount.
- 5.0 - A version which seemed to have leaked out on accident - thus far
seen on only one scope. It is definitely recommended the mount be
updated to the latest MC firmware.
Determining Versions
Use the Version option on the Utility menu.
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