Nexstar11 GPS Rumor Mill
Overview
This page was created because I just love rumors... Sometimes they are right, sometimes they are wrong... I will do my best to pass on the latest rumors right or wrong. I have no inside connections to any scope maker, nor person "in the business". In this case all rumors are just that, rumors only. None of these items are statements of fact, nor should they be construed to be a statement of fact. These are RUMORS and nothing more... They are unverified, unchecked, and for all intense and purposes for entertainment only!
IF YOU HAVE A RUMOR PLEASE MAIL IT TO ME AT rumor@nexstar11.com
Credits: To protect the innocent, (or guilty), no credit will be given to anyone for any rumor on this page.
New focuser for the Nexstar 11 possibly coming out?
01/04
This rumor came true...
Several people are claiming to be sworn to secrecy are stating that Celestron is in the process of finishing a product that will be some sort of device to stop mirror flop, and assist in focusing...
Possible new hand controller for the Nexstar 11 coming out in early Summer
04/02/02
This rumor came true...
It is reported via email that a new hand controller may be released by CI containing the following features:
This controller is supposed to be released in the Summer of 02, and supposedly it will be a free replacement item.
04/04/02
Someone has emailed me a correction to the above... I have been told that CI has told someone that the hand controller "might" be available in May. The person was only told of the fix for item 3 above though...
Fastar Optics for the Nexstar11 may not come out on time
04/03/02
This rumor came true...
I am told that some users have gotten email from Celestron indicating that the Fastar optics for the Nexstar11GPS will not be arriving until late May, not early May as predicted.
04/04/02
I have been told via E-Mail that the Fastar optics may be made by a fellow in the Tucson AZ. area. Not the same vendor making the Fastar optics for the 8 and 14 though. The date seems to have been pushed back because the latest version of the unit did not pass muster and CI pushed it back to the vendor...
Bee in a Can
04/11/02
This rumor came true...
Another rumor via e-mail: Celestron will be releasing a correction to the motor control software for the Nexstar11 to reduce the "Bee in a can" noise to something that folks will put up with.
More focuser rumors for the Nexstar 11...
04/11/02
01/04/04
This rumor came true...
Yet another email rumor: An e-mail arrived describing a new focuser for the C14, coming as an after market product. I'm told this focuser has one of those 10:1 adjustments... The email further states that the focuser could be made automatic...
More rumors on the new Hand Controller/Fastar Optics, and the price of Fastar 11
04/18/02
This rumor came true... But not the Fastar item...
A reliable source says that the Magnetic Deviation fix will be included in the new hand controller release for sure! The same source says that the early summer is still the release timeframe for the Handcontrollers. They most likely will be handled in the same way as the Motor board return was handled. Your scope WILL be unusable while the hand controller updates are made. A chip will be replaced. No word about the Internet Download. The same source indicated that the Nexstar 11 Fastar optics set will be available in late May 2002. The Fastar will cost around the same as the C14 Fastar set. That retails for $650.
More rumors dealing with the cost of the Nexstar 11 GPS and the Nexstar 8 GPS
This rumor came true... But not the Fastar item...
05/06/02
A second source has mentioned that the cost of the Nexstar 11 GPS may increase shortly. Also the price of the Nexstar 8 may be reduced...
New data on the upcoming Handcontroller Swapout and Version 4 software for the Nexstar 11 GPS
05/15/02
This rumor came true...
New data has come to light from a person claiming to be a beta tester from Celestron! If true this could be the lineout we all wanted... Remember BETA testing means that a feature MIGHT be made available, not that it WILL be made available. Anyway, some of the features which MAY be included are as follows:
Celestron fails to ship some scopes this week
05/16/02
This rumor came true...
Email tells me that Celestron has failed to ship some scopes this week to the dealers!! Rumor is that there is a software change being implemented in the Nexstar handcontroller and they are holding the scopes back until it is finished! Same email said that Celestron Tech support knows nothing about this...
Guess: The next version hand controller software will start showing up with scopes shipping now. All they need is to create the plan to upgrade the existing ones.
Tasco sold for parts, Celestron put up for sale!
This rumor came true...
05/31/02
Notice on the Celestron www site indicates that Celestron is up for sale! Tasco has been officially sold for parts. Various rumors abound about who the buyers are. It seems, (told via email, and news groups), that the current management of Celestron is offering to purchase Celestron. Given that CI has been continuing to offer upgrades, and is today, and given that they are still talking about Hand Controller upgrades, and given that they have just released a number of NEW scopes, the general guess is that they will remain as a company! My hope is that the Managers have made sure that the company is worth much more as a whole, (new scopes coming out, new NX11 new handcontrollers, upcoming release of the Fastar Optics, etc.), than if it were parted out. So... We will see what develops...
This just arrived via Email from someone that has had good information in the past...
13:38
===CUT===
Don't worry about Meade buying out Celestron and cornering the market...the FTC just issued a ruling which specifically said that they will NOT allow that for the same reason they didn't allow it a few years back..elimination of competition. Celestron is in very good shape so you can bet they are a plum for a new buyer... Celestron has been sold 4 times thus far so this is nothing new. Heard that the existing management wants to buy the company.
===CUT===
More rumors on Celestron's Sale and the Hand Controller swap...
05/31/02
This rumor came true...
Just arrived via E-Mail...
The Fastar was slated for May but a slight delay will push it into June. A new controller with the features also mentioned in one of these rumors is going to be available to all existing owners for free after July. From that point forward most updates will be downloadable from Internet and user selectable...some may be at cost...others free..they are still deciding how this will work. The change out of the hand controller requires replacement of a chip and reprogramming the unit. Version 4 motor controllers are now going out...friend got his...don't think there are any specific improvements mentioned...mostly cleaning up the board. In future updates to the motor controller will be downloadable evidently.
Celestron senior management stands a good chance of owning CI after this is all over...
06/14/02
This rumor came true...
I have been told that senior management stands a very good chance of being the winning bidder, and that there were several bidders for CI after Tasco tanked.
Fastar delayed again...
06/14/02
This rumor came true...
The Fastar which was slated for May but a slight delay pushed into June will be delayed again. It seems that the US source for whatever reasons is no longer available. Rumor has it that Fastar is now pushed overseas for construction and should be out towards the end of July, or mid August.
Second company producing Fastar Optics for Nexstar11GPS scopes...
06/21/02
This rumor came true...
Email says that a second company is working a Fastar optical system for the Nexstar11GPS and will beat Celestron to the punch for a release. Indications are that it will be better in quality than Celestron's release. Email indicates that Celestron's Fastar will be constructed overseas. Yet more Email indicated that the creator of the non-Celestron version is in Arizona... Hmmm Who could that be... Lets see... Could it be a company named Stara... Oh never mind...
More email about a new focuser being almost ready for market
07/11/02
01/04/04
This rumor came true...
Email has arrived that indicates that the new focuser mentioned in April's rumor section is undergoing testing as you read this... I would be looking for a new focuser from an unexpected source. Should be ready for announcement shortly...
Possible new Wedge for Nexstar11
07/11/02
Email arrived mentioning that someone has actually seen a new wedge for the NX11. Seems this email describes the wedge as "smooth" adjustable latitude, via a nice wheel...
10/14/02
Fastar for the Nexstar 11 GPS delayed yet again...
This rumor came true...
Email arrived indicating that in a discussion with Celestron, the Fastar lens assembly came up. When asked when the release could be expected, next year was suggested as the possible release time...
10/20/02
Possible release of the downloadable updates software within weeks?
Rumor has it that the downloadable software for the Nexstar will be available shortly. It will consist of a software program you run on your computer, which communicates to the telescope, and to Celestron. The software will first download the updates from Celestron's web site, then allow you to update the telescope at your convenience. Another rumor says that you WILL be able to downgrade to the previous software if you dislike the new version.
10/23/02
Software download revisited...
A second person has reported that the update software could be released "any day now". Don't know if that is true, but with two different people reporting the same thing it looks interesting.
10/31/02
This rumor came true...
Starlight Express cameras to be fitted to Starizona Hyperstar
This came i a few days ago, but I sat on it to be sure it was about the Nexstar11, it was. Email has it that Starizona is working on an adapter that will allow the Starlight Express CCD cameras to fit on the Hyperstar setup they provide.
02/11/03
This rumor came true... Only it was a C20 DK!
Word on the street... C18!
02/14/03
This rumor came true...
Celestron announces new scopes
Word on teh newsgroups is that new Scopes from celestron are coming!
A selection of Advanced Series Computerized go-to telescopes available direct from dealers starting this summer. A robust German equatorial mount (also available separately), dual axis DC drives, and a go-to computer hand control with a 40,000+ star and object database.
Models available:
As of 1/1/2003 Celestron has extended the warranty on their telescopes to two years.
02/19/03
Lumicon appears to be back
This rumor came true...
The folks on the Yahoo groups are discussing what looks like Parks Optical's new venture... Lumicon!
05/19/03
This rumor came true...
Celestron to release new tripod, same as CGE series for Nexstar11's
Rumor has it that Celestron will be selling an adapter plate that will allow the Nexstar11 to use the new CGE tripod! A major improvment over the stock tripod.
05/21/03
This rumor came true...
Rumors have it that a new piece of software will be released shortly, from a company OTHER than Celestron, features include:
07/30/03/03
This rumor came true...
Celestron to provide aftermarket upgrade to XLT coatings
Rumor has it on the yahoo lists that Celestron will be providing an upgrade path for older scopes, after production has settled down on the new scopes.
09/18/03
This rumor came true...
Celestron releases version 4.5 of the HC controller software
Rumors are that new scopes are being shipped with version 4.5 of the new motor controller software, Rumor has it that it fixes a small problem with setup and does not address any tracking issues.
09/18/03
This rumor came true...
Celestron releases version 4.5 of the HC controller software
Rumors are that new scopes are being shipped with version 4.5 of the new motor controller software, Rumor has it that it fixes a small problem with setup and does not address any tracking issues.
09/26/03
Celestron will be providing upgrades for older scopes to the XLT coatings
12/01/03
This rumor came true...
Rumors are that Celestron will provide "upgrade" service to older Celestron scopes for the new XLT coatings. Further rumors are that you will need to send in your scope to get this service, and it will not start soon. They want to let the dust settle from the release first.
10/09/03
Several small rumors are starting to float about a new line of APO's from China
01/01/04 Orion announced new APO...
This rumor came true...
A few posts on SAA and Yahoo are making refernece to a new line of APO's that will start showing up from China in a few months...
10/15/03
New Player coming in teh wedge, heater, and counterweight market
01/01/04 APT
This rumor came true...
Rumor is that a new company is getting into the game for Celestron Wedges, counterweights, and Dew removal systems...
11/11/03
Good possibility that a new version of AIP4WIN will out this next Summer...
Richard Berry eluded to this at the ITS, (Imaging the Sky), meeting this year...
Finally the end of teh Focuser rumors, Starizona did it! (See 04/11/03 rumor)
12/06/04
Word is that Starazona is putting the finishing touches on a wireless focuser for the SCT scopes... Works on both the SCT focuser, and a Feathertouch. ASCOM compatable, also with MaxiumDL! Codenamed: Microtouch
Celestron to move to a new facailty
1/10/04
This rumor came true...
Word is that Celestron Support is to move to a totally new, and increased in size facality!
Celestron to release new software package
03/09/04
Word is that Celestron is about to release a new software package for the Nexstar scopes...
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26th, 2003
Last modified on Monday, 22-Mar-2004 22:09:22 PST by
DCC