Celestron StarSense AutoAlign

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After initial disappointment that the auto align continually failed and that the Celestron Firmware Product software would fail to load properly on my iMac, a firmware update via a windows laptop and hey presto success. Since then i've auto aligned using both the hand controller and the SkyPortal app, both take less than 5 mins to align and then i'm off exploring the galaxy, well at least when the weather permits.

So some clearer instructions from Celestron to check for firmware updates when initially installing would have been helpful. Otherwise i'm impressed by the ease of use and accuracy of the StarSense AutoAlign.

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Fantastic piece of astronomy equipment! It has cut my time down to just a few clicks and I just watch it go. My daughter says if I give it wheels, my telescope will become a robot hell-bent on astronomy. Next step, WiFi!

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Firmware needed updating, which required a bit of time and third party software downloads to run the Celestron updater but other than that the jobs a good 'un!

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Am really pleased PicStop offered this Celestron product at a competitive price. Delivery was prompt, Now its time to put it to the test!

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If you want to use the handset that comes with this you have to update the software to work with telescopes post 2016. And it is a right rigmarole! Thankfully you can still use the Skyportal app instead - but this is not the point. Once set up with the app it is fabulous to behold the telescope going directly to the specific object you choose.
Still, I wish that it was updated before being sent out - it is 4 years out of date!

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I am extremely happy with the Celestron StarSense AutoAlign tool.

It has made setting up my alignment much, much easier and quicker than if I did the three star alignment by hand. (Around 3 to 5 minutes).

Due to the layout of my garden i don't always get to see Polaris or some of the brighter stars, so to have the StarSense seek out more distant and dimmer stars is really great.

Setting up the system is very easy, although there is an initial setup where you do need to know your astronomy, or at least have downloaded the rather excellent Celestron SkyPortal app on your phone. (Please remember that if you are using an earlier Celestron NexStar, like my 5SE, you will need the Celestron SkyLink WiFi dongle and a Celestron Auxiliary Splitter to enable you to use both tools). Both of which are available at PicStop I might add.

Do yourself a big favour and get yourself one and spend more time marvelling at the night sky than finding those elusive three stars...

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A great product which made using my Telescope so much easier.