Celestron NexRemote Telescope Control Software Kit

Comments about Celestron NexRemote Telescope Control Software Kit:

Replicates NexStar hand control on your computer and expands it tour functionality.

Comments about Celestron NexRemote Telescope Control Software Kit:

I'm really enjoying NexRemote with my GPS 11. I've disconnected the HC and using the Computer port on the base. This is *not* the standard serial cable. The HC will be a good backup in case I have computer problems. I keep NexRemote at version 2.2 because that is what I'm used to but you can easily try out the newest HCs (if your MC board supports them).

Setup was easy. I purchased a usb to serial adapter for my win7 laptop. Com5 was assigned to the serial port. In addition, I'm using SkyTools 3 Pro and it connects to virtual Com6 set in NexRemote so I can use both at the same time.

It is inconvenient to use NexRemote and try to view through the eyepiece without a game controller. I'm using the LogiTech Rumble 2 wireless and it all works real well together.

I like how the speech synth tells me where I'm at in the menus. It often means I don't have to look at the computer screen.

Powering up the laptop means you may have to look at additional battery power at remote sites. Running the whole setup on my 28-Ah battery ran things down in about 4 hours. The telescope alone is good for 8 or more hours (haven't reached the limit).

Comments about Celestron NexRemote Telescope Control Software Kit:

Product worked well with StarShooter USB Camera, had both screens side by side on desktop. NexRemote controls and handles just like having the handheld keypad in hand. Voice is excellent especially in the dark. Recommend this product to anyone wanting to have control and work like a pro with their telescope.

Comments about Celestron NexRemote Telescope Control Software Kit:

Great addition and allows control from your computer (same as hand controller for functions), use with split screen for astrophotography from a distance.

Comments about Celestron NexRemote Telescope Control Software Kit:

The NexRemote bundle provides the end user the ability to sit comfortably in your chair and control your scope, schedule and plot and save your viewing targets for upcoming evenings, and allows you more distance from your motorized scope while it's slewing around. The greatest part of this kit is the RS232(serial) to USB adaptor cabling provided in the bundle. Most modern laptops don't have serial ports anymore. The hand controls on the celstrons don't stretch very far at all, and if you do any astrophotography with a CCD, your camera is likely hooked to your laptop. It's nice to be able to manipulate the scope and camera from one device and without being so close to the scope that you'd get hit in the head as it slews around.

The ONLY thing missing from this package is the ability to use the planetarium application to slew the scope by pointing and clicking a target. However, despite this one con, having the planetarium application and tour schedule is excellent, because if you do not know the catalog ID for the target you want to view, you can reference it in the planetarium and figure it out. Otherwise, with just the handcontroller, you're stuck guessing which M or NGC object it is you're trying to aim for.