Possible Fixes for Hand Control MisbehaviorIf your NexStar GPS, CPC, SLT, "i" series, CGE or AS-GT hand control starts to act strangely or won't run through the alignment procedure correctly, a potential solution is to use the "Factory Setting" option on the "Utilities" to reset the hand control to its default settings. This has even been reported to work on new scopes and replacement hand controls received directly from Celestron. Do note that this will erase stored settings such as Filter Limits and Slew Limits. For the NexStar 60/76/80/102/114/4/130 GT scopes, reselecting the model resets the hand control to factory settings (note that if you have the N130GT, you should select NexStar 114 as the model). If you have or suspect you have the old version of the GT hand control (or the Tasco StarGuide hand control), be sure to read the model selection information here. Another common cause of misbehavior is low power. See this article for power source suggestions. Another potential problem is on hand controls with socketed circuit chips. If the chips are not seated well, all manner of odd behavior can occur. Open the hand control (there are six small screws on the back of the hand control) and push the two medium-sized circuit chips firmly into their sockets. Note that newer hand controls do not have socketed chips and this does not apply. Also, insure all the cable connectors are firmly seated in their sockets. Prior to touching the electronics, it is best to touch a piece of grounded equipment such as the metal frame of a computer or washing machine. When reassembling the hand control, be careful not to tighten the screws too much or you may strip the plastic case. If the backlight on the display lights up but no characters appear (or they are very faint), open the hand control and insure the flat cable leading from the LCD panel to the circuit board is firmly seated in its connector. Prior to touching the electronics, it is best to touch a piece of grounded equipment such as the metal frame of a computer or washing machine. When reassembling the hand control, be careful not to tighten the screws too much or you may strip the plastic case.
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