how to install firmware updates on celestron telescope

It took a few minutes to update each firmware version. Like MCUpdate, HCUpdate also let me download the latest firmware version from the web:Īfter clicking “Begin programming”, the software again showed me the progress of the firmware update:įor me the whole procedure was completely painless. But in order to update the hand control firmware, I had to hold down the INFO and UNDO buttons on the hand control while turning on the power. Updating the Hand Control firmware was very similar. It took a few minutes to complete, during which time the hand control was in a locked state. I had to connect to COM3 in order to communicate with the telescope, but your COM settings may differ.Īfter clicking on “Begin programming”, the motor control firmware was updated. You can see how this looks further below, where I describe the hand control firmware update, which uses a very similar procedure. MCUpdate allowed me to download the latest version via the web.

After installation, I started with the motor control update. One to update the motor control firmware (MCUpdate), the other to update the hand control firmware (HCUpdate). I downloaded two installers from the Celestron site. Here you can see how that cable connects to the hand control: I got my rs232-to-handcontroller cable at our local Celestron dealer. You also need an rs232 cable that connects to the bottom of your hand control. I bought a Plugable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Rev D Chipset) on for $12.95. With my Macbook Pro, I had to opt for the latter. To update the telescope’s firmware, you either need an old computer that still has an RS232 serial port, or a USB-to-serial adapter.

So I decided to update my telescope’s firmware via Parallels for OSX, since I am using a Macbook Pro with OSX.įirst I had to get the correct cable(s), though. The Celestron firmware update software is available only for the Windows operating system. And amazingly, my NexStar is now more quiet than it was before! A very good reason to have updated the motor control firmware indeed! Read all about it here if you are curious. Why would you update your firmware to begin with? You can be sure that your telescope will run with more precision and less bugs with a newer version of the firmware.

You can find the versions of your telescope’s firmware via the Utilities – Version menu: In case you didn’t know: the Celestron NexStar 5SE contains two separate computers that each run their own firmware version. Have you ever considered updating the firmware of your Celestron NexStar? My hand control was running version NXS 4.13 and my motor control was running version 5.13, so updating my firmware was long overdue.

How to install firmware updates on celestron telescope