Can you use the Celestron StarSense without the phone?

#1

Posted 13 September 2020 - 06:33 PM

Índice Show

#2 mikenoname
#3 Noah4x4
#4 robodan
#5 Michael Harris
#6 Terrybythe sea
#7 robbieg147
#8 bcarney
#9 robbieg147
Do you need GPS with StarSense?
Can you take pictures with the Celestron StarSense?
How does StarSense app work?

Is Celestron's StarSense and SkyPortal useable in an area that doesn't have cellphone access? The videos I've watched appear to indicate that the software gets time and location from the cell network. If it requires that, can the telescope/software get that info from the SkySync GPS accessory? Thank you.

#2 mikenoname

Posted 13 September 2020 - 06:46 PM

StarSense and SkyPortal do not get that info from a cell network. They are not cell enabled. They either get it from you entering it into the HC or your PC if it is connected or from SkySync.

#3 Noah4x4

Posted 14 September 2020 - 01:15 AM

StarSense and SkyPortal do not get that info from a cell network. They are not cell enabled. They either get it from you entering it into the HC or your PC if it is connected or from SkySync.

Not entirely so.

Starsense takes user data from the control device, be that HC, Tablet/phone or laptop (CPWI). If cellular location services are enabled and accessible then the latter devices do secure such data from the Internet and it works just like GPS. But if at a dark site where there is no Internet access then manual date/time/location entry might be required. Just remember to take with you a watch, and know the latitude and longitude coordinates of your location. If no Internet, you can't look up this data for manual input.

"Skysync" GPS works by accessing satellite data. This should work at dark sky sites.

"SkyPortal", confusinly describes either the skymap software used on tablets/phones or the Celestron WiFi dongle. Both simply connect telescope to control device. Data input is required by all devices (HC, Tablet/Phone or laptop) but if not from Internet location services, manual user data input is always feasible.

#4 robodan

Posted 14 September 2020 - 10:52 PM

Are they making there own Hotspot, as mine says connected but not to the internet? So a closed wifi connection between phone or tablet only and its not on the internet?

Edited by robodan, 14 September 2020 - 10:52 PM.

#5 Michael Harris

Posted 16 September 2020 - 07:41 PM

Are they making there own Hotspot, as mine says connected but not to the internet? So a closed wifi connection between phone or tablet only and its not on the internet?

That is correct if you are using a “wifi enabled” scope like the Evolution or have added a wifi dongle to the mount. The wifi network created is entirely local, although when you use the scope in the vicinity of your own home network it is possible to connect the mount and the app both to the home network and control it that way. I have never been that fancy with it. In either case you do not need the Web to control the scope, just a reliable source of time, date, and location. If you are going to an area without phone service, look up the GPS coordinates before you leave home. I think a smartphone will keep time even if not connected, but a little digital watch is enough. The time and date demand more accuracy than the location.

#6 Terrybythe sea

Posted 17 September 2020 - 03:14 PM

If you have SkySafari Plus or Pro on a phone or tablet, it will automatically send the time and date to the scope when you connect to it, along with latitude and longitude coordinates.

As Noah4x4 mentioned, with no internet you'd have to look up the coordinates beforehand, but the app can save more than one location, so you'd just switch from 'Home' to 'RemoteSite' and you'd be done.

#7 robbieg147

Posted 18 September 2020 - 06:51 PM

I never had much luck using my phone, the range is so small if you wander a small distance away the connection will drop out.

Use a laptop with a cat 7 cable and hub now.

#8 bcarney

Posted 20 September 2020 - 03:50 PM

Thanks for all the insight, everyone!

Terrybythe sea likes this

#9 robbieg147

Posted 20 September 2020 - 04:18 PM

You can get your GPS location from a Smartphone with no signal several apps can do this, though I gave up using phones too unreliable.

Do you need GPS with StarSense?

The StarSense module does not include a GPS function. For each observing location, you need only enter the date, time, and location (by city or by latitude and longitude) once.

Can you take pictures with the Celestron StarSense?

No. The StarSense app is used to in conjunction with the phone holder and mirror to examine the sky to see where the telescope is facing - it is not actually using the telescope to look at the sky. If you want to take pictures, you will need to connect a camera to the eyepiece using the necessary adaptor.

How does StarSense app work?

StarSense Explorer uses image data captured by the smartphone's camera to determine its pointing position. The app captures an image of the night sky and then matches the star patterns within the image to its internal database in a process like fingerprint matching or facial recognition.