Firmware Versions on the NexStar GT,
Orion StarSeeker and Tasco
StarGuide
NexStar GT, StarSeeker and Tasco StarGuide 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 motor control is not upgradeable and in any case, Celestron only created
a single version. 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.
| As of mid-2012, the NexStar GT models sold through special
resellers (Costco NexStar GTs, the Orion StarSeeker models and
NexStar GTs sold in Japan) have the NexStar 4/5 SE motor control
board and are sold with the NexStar+ hand control. If your
NexStar GT has the NexStar+ hand control or displays MC version 5.0
or higher, please
refer to the
NexStar 4/5 SE firmware page for versions applicable to these
models. |
HC Versions (firmware files are named GT)
- 4.04 - created for the NexStar 102GT sold only at Costco (model #22903).
IMPORTANT - this version only supports the mounts with the larger drive
gears - the NexStar 4, 102, 114 and 130 GT. Removed the model
selection at start up and in the menu (this is the reason it only supports
the mounts with larger drive gears) - it is advisable that you check the
Slew Limits after loading this firmware to ensure the optical tube does not
make contact with the mount or tripod. Added the Abell list and Index
Catalog (IC objects) - there no reason to upgrade to this version unless you
need either of these catalogs.
- 104.0 and 4.03 - Just prior to discontinuing the general sale of the GT series (they have been
replaced by the SLT series though there are some GT models still being sold
overseas or at some US retailers), Celestron upgraded the hand control to include
the features found in their latest scopes. Version 104.0 shipped with
all of the StarSeeker scopes and the last of the GT series beginning in
October 2005. Version 104.0 is not a user-upgradeable hand
control. Version 4.03 is available for GT scopes by purchasing the
user-upgradeable hand control separately.
This version greatly improves tracking accuracy, keeping objects in the
field of view for as long as you care to view them. The tracking is still
suited mainly for visual and perhaps web cam imaging as the necessary
corrections made by the hand control are significant and don't lend the
scope to imaging. Also, this version supports the more advanced serial port
control commands. This allows programs like
NexRemote and NexStar
Control Pad to
work with the GT/StarSeeker scopes. New features include SkyAlign,
Solar System Align, Auto Two Star Align, One Star Align, Identify and
Constellation Tour. Read
this for more information on the new hand control.
- 101.0 - An updated hand control with all features described in
this review. If you have the original GT hand control or version
100.7, contact Celestron for a replacement or purchase the user-upgradeable
hand control - read
this for more information.
- 100.7 - This hand control was mistakenly shipped with several scopes in
early 2004. Basically it is the same as version 101.0, but, it does have
a problem in the Two Star Align routine. If you start the Two Star
Align, you will find that you are only offered alignment stars starting with
the letters A through F. Also, this version does not support the use of
24-hour time during alignment - you must use AM/PM. Contact Celestron
about upgrade options if you have version 100.7 OR purchase the
user-upgradeable hand control - read
this for more information.
- Original GT - We don't actually know the version number of the original
hand control, but it is easily distinguished due to the fact that it only
offers the Auto Align routine - no Two Star Align and no Quick Align.
This is the hand control shipped with the GT scopes made before December 2001.
The Tasco StarGuide hand control is basically this same version. See the
Odds and Ends section for a list of problems with this version. Contact
Celestron about upgrade options if you have the original GT hand control OR
purchase the user-upgradeable hand control -
read
this for more information.
MC Versions
- 1.0 - We don't actually know the version number of the MC firmware on the
GT and StarGuide scopes, but there has only been one version, so for now I'm
calling it version 1.0.
Determining Versions
As noted above, we do not know the version number for the MC firmware.
For the HC, first check for the Version
option on the Utility menu - this will report HC version numbers on
version 104.0 and 4.03. If you do not find a Version option, check to see if you have the Two Star Align option after
powering up the scope. If you do not, you have the original GT hand
control. If you do have the Two Star Align option, after starting the
alignment you will see that the
hand control displays the name of the first available alignment star - Achernar.
Press the Up button (6 on the number pad). If the display shows Fomalhaut,
you have version 100.7. If the display shows Vega, you have version -
101.0.
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