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Orion Telescopes
Orion StarSeek Wi-Fi Telescope Control Module
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  • Allows you to control your GoTo telescope wirelessly from an iPhone, iPod touch with WiFi, or iPad running the Orion StarSeek or StarSeek Pro astronomy app!
  • Module creates a small local wireless network that converts WiFi signals from the mobile device into serial commands that drive your GoTo telescope
  • Enables automatic pointing of a telescope to any of 31,000+ celestial objects in the Orion StarSeek app's database
  • Works with Orion motor-driven GoTo telescopes and equatorial mounts as well as many other brands
  • Runs on four on-board AA batteries (not included)


Learn more
Item #  05685

Exploring the universe with a computer-controlled "GoTo" telescope just got a whole lot cooler! Because now you can drive the telescope wirelessly right from your Apple iPhone or iPod touch! All you need is the Orion StarSeek astronomy app (available exclusively by download from the iTunes App Store) and the StarSeek Wi-Fi Telescope Control Module.

The StarSeek Wi-Fi module works by creating its own local wireless network, leveraging the Wi-Fi capability built into the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. When coupled to the serial port on your telescope?s GoTo mount, StarSeek Wi-Fi converts the Wi-Fi signal from the mobile device into serial commands used by the mount to drive the telescope automatically to any of more than 31,000 celestial objects in the StarSeek app?s database. You polar-align and initialize your telescope for GoTo operation using the standard procedures for your telescope. StarSeek works with all Orion motor-driven GoTo telescopes, including the Atlas EQ-G, Sirius EQ-G, StarSeeker GoTo and both SkyQuest XTg and XXg GoTo Dobsonian lines, as well as with many other GoTo telescope brands.

Nearly all GoTo-enabled telescopes use serial commands to drive their electronics. StarSeek Wi-Fi serves as a WiFi-to-serial adapter, plugging into the telescope mount?s serial (RS-232) port, which on some scopes is located on the mount itself and on others is found on the (cabled) GoTo hand controller. A short DB-9 serial cable compatible with Orion GoTo mounts is included with the StarSeek Wi-Fi. (The included cable will also connect to the serial cable supplied with many other brands of GoTo telescopes.) The local Wi-Fi network it sets up has a communication range of well over 100 feet, depending on conditions!

StarSeek Wi-Fi is not currently compatible with telescopes that utilize a USB interface. But we expect to offer a StarSeek Wi-Fi USB solution in the future.

Unlike Bluetooth devices, StarSeek Wi-Fi requires no pairing, and no special drivers. It uses standard TCP/IP networking protocols. Once powered on, StarSeek Wi-Fi creates its own 802.11 wireless network. By default, this is an open wireless network called "StarSeek Wi-Fi," but you can rename and secure it later on. Join this network from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and you?re good to go!

The StarSeek Wi-Fi module is compact, barely larger than an iPhone. It can be easily attached to your telescope?s mount or tripod with the included hook-and-loop adhesive strips. StarSeek Wi-Fi runs on four on-board AA batteries (not included), and has a typical battery life of 8 to 12 hours under continuous use. It can also be powered from a 12-volt DC field battery or an AC wall outlet. An AC (120V, 60Hz) power adapter and DC cable with cigarette-lighter plug are available from Orion.

Compatibility of the Orion StarSeek Wi-Fi Telescope Control Module

The StarSeek Wi-Fi Telescope Control Module and StarSeek iPhone apps are compatible with the Apple iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS, 3G, and original iPhone; iPad 2 and iPad, and iPod touch. Both the StarSeek Standard Edition and Pro Edition apps enable wireless control of the following Orion telescopes/mounts:

  • Atlas EQ-G
  • Sirius EQ-G
  • SkyView Pro GoTo
  • StarSeeker GoTo
  • SkyQuest XTg and XXg GoTo Dobsonians


Orion StarSeek Wi-Fi Telescope Control Module is also compatible with the following other brands of telescopes/mounts. Please note many of these telescopes/mounts will require either the RS-232 cable supplied by the manufacturer (often included with the mount) or a custom serial cable with correct pinout arrangement.

  • Astro-Physics GTO
  • Celestron NexStar 5/8, 5i/8i, GPS, SLT, SE
  • Celestron CGE, CGE Pro, CGEM, CPC, EdgeHD
  • Celestron Ultima 2000
  • Losmandy Gemini
  • Meade LX-200 Classic and GPS
  • Meade LX-90, ETX, LXD, LX-400 ACF with AutoStar controllers
  • Meade Magellan I and II
  • SkyWatcher mounts with SynScan controllers
  • Takahashi Temma 2
  • Vixen SkySensor 2000
  • ServoCAT, Argo Navis, Sky Commander, Losmandy DSC

The only models that do not work with the StarSeek Wi-Fi module are those that lack an RS-232 serial interface. Such models include:

  • iOptron SmartStar and MiniTower mounts with GOTONova controllers
  • Meade ETX-LS
  • Vixen mounts with StarBook controllers

These telescopes have USB interfaces, which cannot be physically connected to StarSeek Wi-Fi at the present time.

Take a giant leap into the future of telescope control! Point your GoTo telescope to any of thousands of celestial objects with a couple of taps on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Download the Orion StarSeek iPhone app from iTunes, and purchase the StarSeek Wi-Fi module. Then you?ll be all set to experience the night sky in a whole new ? and much cooler ? way!

Apple, the Apple logo, iPod, iPad, iPod touch, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Warranty

Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-676-1343.

Product Support
Visit our product support section for instruction manuals and more
Orion StarSeek WiFi Telescope Control Module
Three attachment cables
Mini Null Modem Adapter
Hook-and-loop material for mount attachment

Orders received by 1pm Eastern Standard Time for in-stock item the same business day. Order received after noon will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS APPLY FOR THIS PRODUCT

This product is available to ship Standard delivery within the 50 US states, APO/DPO/FPO addresses and US territories/protectorates. Delivery is not available to Canada.

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