Firmware Versions on the NexStar 5i/8i/8i
Special Edition
These 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. 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. Other new features:
Calibrate Goto (help to improve GoTo accuracy) and general pointing accuracy
improvement.
- 4.03 - Minor change from 4.02. Shipped with the NexStar 8i Special Edition
with SkyAlign (N8iSE-SA) from September 2005 on. This version is
compatible with the 5i/8i as well, either through
NexRemote or the user-upgradeable hand control, sold separately
(owners of older versions read
this). Click
here for more details on the features in version 4 of the hand control.
- 4.02 - First available for use
on NexStar "i" series through use of
NexRemote. This version provides several new features. First, the physical 4.02 hand control is the first version that can be upgraded
to new firmware by the user. It also introduced the new alignment methods -
SkyAlign, Solar System Align and One Star Align. Also added are Precise
GoTo, Identify, Constellation Tour and few other new features. Click
here for more details.
- 2.3 - Version originally shipped with the NexStar 8i Special Edition.
This version is compatible with the 5i/8i and also the NexStar GPS scopes, but
it was not shipped with those scopes. Differences are mostly in the
alignment procedures and are discussed in my
overview of the NexStar 8i Special Edition.
- 2.2 - Original version for the NexStar 5i/8i. Note that this version
is not compatible with the NexStar 8i Special Edition.
MC Versions
Though two versions of firmware are available, Celestron has not as of this
time made them available for download. In any case, the main reason for
these version has been to support new mounts, not to introduce improvements or
new features.
- 40.3 and 41.3 - Original versions on the NexStar 8i Special Edition. There are
actually two MC processors, one for the azimuth axis, the other for the
altitude. The NexStar 8i Special Edition is currently shipping with MC version
40.3
on the azimuth axis and 41.3 on the altitude axis. This version is not
used on the NexStar 5i/8i.
- 30.1 and 31.1 - Original versions on the NexStar 5i/8i. There are
actually two MC processors, one for the azimuth axis, the other for the
altitude. The NexStar 5i/8i are currently shipping with MC version 30.1
on the azimuth axis and 31.1 on the altitude axis.
Determining Versions
Use the Version option on the Utility menu.
|
