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New Upgradeable Hand Control Available from Celestron

January 2006

Celestron is now offering the new user-upgradeable hand control for owners of older telescopes.  This hand control was introduced with firmware version 4 and is compatible with all NexStar GPS, CPC, i Series, SLT, GT, StarSeeker, Tasco StarGuide, CGE and AS-GT telescopes.  The only NexStars this hand control will not work with are the original NexStar 5/8 (non-i Series). 

The correct firmware must be loaded for the particular model of telescope you are using - in fact, you can share the same hand control with different telescope models by re-programming between uses.  When you order the hand control from Celestron, to insure it has the correct firmware pre-loaded, you should specify the model of your scope and select the correct hand control:

• GPS, CPC or i Series:  hand control NXW210-NXS0403 - NOTE: When used on the GPS models, the new hand control requires motor control firmware 4.06 or higher.  After checking the version on your scope, if you need to upgrade, read this.  Note that GPS scopes with motor control firmware lower than version 3 cannot be upgraded by the owner - more details at the link just referenced.
• CGE or AS-GT:  hand control NXW210-GEM0410
• GT, StarSeeker or Tasco StarGuide:  hand control NXW210-GT0403 - note: Celestron was previously offering part number NXW210-GT; that hand control was NOT a user-upgradeable hand control, it was version 104.0.  This newer part number is recommended as it is the user-upgradeable hand control with the GT firmware pre-installed.

Previously, these hand controls were only available directly from Celestron.  The cost was $150 for a replacement hand control or $75 if you traded-in your old hand control.  As of May 2007, they seem to have discontinued this offer.  Currently, the new hand control is available for direct purchase from Celestron dealers.  Search a dealer's web site for "NXW210" and see what turns up.  (As of August 07, it is still difficult to find this for sale - www.starizona.com does have it available.)  Likely they will only be selling the NXW210-NXS0403.  That means it is preloaded with the firmware for the GPS/CPC/i Series.  If you have a different model, you would need to load the correct firmware for your scope prior to use.

After receiving a new hand control, you may wish to familiarize yourself with the process for upgrading the firmware - click here.  You may also need a manual addendum or my user's guide for the new features - see the Manuals section of this web site for the latest available.

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