|
Although many of the NexStar hand controls (HC) are identical in
appearance, they are not universally compatible. Following are the various
NexStar hand controls that have been available since the introduction of the
original NexStar 5.
- NexStar+ Hand Control
- In February 2012, Celestron introduced a new NexStar+ hand control -
read
this
for more details. This hand control is visually identifiable by
new labels on some buttons (for example, the bottom left button is now
the Celestron symbol) and a "+" next to the NexStar label just below the
LCD display. This hand control is
compatible with all Celestron computerized mounts except
the original NexStar 5/8, the NexStar GT and the Ultima 2000.
One caveat, the original CGE may have intermittent problems with
this hand control depending upon the version of electronics hardware in
the mount - the reported symptom is intermittent NO RESPONSE errors on
the NexStar+ hand control. Note
that the correct version of firmware for each
specific mount must be loaded into the hand control for correct
operation - see the Firmware Version section of this web site for
details. The firmware version displayed by this hand control is Version
5.
As of February 2012, this hand control is available for purchase
separately and ships with all current mounts.
- NexStar Version 4 Hand Control
- In February 2005, Celestron announced the CPC series, followed
shortly thereafter by the SE and SLT series, all of which
included this user-upgradeable hand control. This hand control is compatible with all
Celestron computerized mounts except
the original NexStar 5/8 and the Ultima 2000. From February 2005
through February 2012, all mounts shipped with this hand control.
Note that the correct version of firmware for each
specific mount must be loaded into the hand control for correct
operation - see the Firmware Version section of this web site for
details. The firmware version displayed by this hand control is Version 4.
As of January 2006, this hand control was available for purchase
separately (read
this).
- NexStar 5/8 Hand Control
- The original NexStar hand control, it is only compatible with these
two scopes.
- NexStar GT Hand Control
- this hand control has been sold with several different versions of
firmware (see the Firmware Versions section of this web site for more
info). This hand control is only compatible with the NexStar GT,
Celestron StarSeeker and Tasco StarGuide telescopes (any model of optical tube). At one time, this
hand control was
offered for sale separately as Celestron part number 93961. Note
that the NexStar Version 4 hand control (above) can also be used with
the NexStar GT mount.
- NexStar GPS and "i" Series Hand Control - Versions 1.2 and 1.6 are
only compatible with the NexStar 8/9.25/11 GPS scopes. Version
2.2 is compatible with the NexStar 8/9.25/11 GPS and NexStar
5i/8i - at one time this hand control was offered for sale separately
as Celestron part number 93962 and was also known as the "iComp" hand
control. Version 2.3 is compatible with the NexStar
8/9.25/11 GPS and NexStar 5i/8i/8i Special Edition. Note that all
of these mounts are also compatible with the NexStar+ and NexStar
Version 4 hand controls (above).
- CGE Hand Control -
Version 3.01 is the original version shipped with the CGE and is
only compatible with the CGE mount. Note that the CGE mount is
also compatible with the NexStar+ and NexStar Version 4 hand controls
(above) and towards the end of its run, shipped with the Version 4 hand
control.
- Advanced Series with GoTo (AS-GT)
- Versions 3.03 and 3.04 were the original versions shipped with
the AS-GT and are only compatible with the AS-GT mount.. Note that
the AS-GT mount is also compatible with the NexStar+ and NexStar Version
4 hand controls (above) and more recently shipped with either of those
hand controls.
|
