NexStar Cruiser

"NexStarCruiser" is software for the Pocket PC which controls a wide range of Celestron NexStar telescopes via a serial port on the Pocket PC. More details further down this page.

PocketNexStarCruiser, hereafter referred to as PNSC, is software for the Pocket PC which drives a Celestron motorized telescope to objects in its database. PNSC is believed to support the NexStar GT (hand controls made after Dec 2001), NexStar 5i/8i, NexStar GPS, Advanced Series with GoTo and Celestron CGE telescopes. However, PNSC is tested with NexStar GTs (hand controls made after Dec 2001) and the NexStar 5i/8i Series only. PNSC will slew to a selected object without the added complications of a laptop computer. This function requires a free RS232C port on the PocketPC most commonly provided by a serial CF card. PNSC does not currently support telescopes other than those listed.

PNSC is self-contained NexStar scope control software for the Pocket PC and partly replaces the hand control by using all available (or known) high level commands. It comes with a database of Solar System objects, stars, exoplanets, binaries, deep sky objects and more categories. PNSC automatically scans the PocketPC for a free RS232C port and checks whether a scope is properly connected. When using PNSC with a scope make sure to uncheck the power off timer in the Pocket PC (Settings/System/Power...). A button on the setup screen of PNSC allows you to go directly to the system's Power Management Setting but may not work for all Pocket PCs, in which case please go to System/Settings.

Interfacing a Pocket PC with a Telescope
Most Pocket PCs do not provide a free RS232C port. Some use serial connection to ActiveSync and could be used to interface with a telescope, however a null modem and gender changers are required to couple Pocket PC and scope. While this is the cheaper solution, more expensive serial CF cards have a RS232C sub-9 connector and plug into the CF slot of the Pocket PC. The RS232C end of the adapter is connected with the serial control cable of the scope.

That are two cables for the interfacing job. Now, if you cut the RS232C connector of the serial CF adapter, it is possible to solder a 4C/4P modular jack cable directly to the card. Do not cut if you do not know the cable's wire assignment. Now, that would be a single-cable connection, which can be outperformed only by a wireless connection or telepathy (with two Pocket PCs an infrared connection could be realized, but would not lead far...in more ways than one).

Unfortunately, with a price tag of ca US$130 a serial CF card is surprisingly expensive. On the other hand, it may be useful for other RS232C compatible peripherals. The Rex CF60 card works well with an HP iPAQ h2210 Pocket PC, but it has an annoying disadvantage. There is no way to grab the card for pulling it out of the device. It must be removed by carefully pulling the cable connector. Not very thoughtful for 130 bucks. A serial CF card for less money with a 4C/4P modular jack at its end wired to fit a Celestron NexStar or Meade Autostar scope is still a small market niche (until scopes will be equipped with a Bluetooth, WLAN, or ZigBee transceiver). Please read an early study about Bluetooth scope control.

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