Product Description
The original Celestron SkyQ Link was a Sky & Telescope Hot Product for 2013. This new SkyPortal WiFi Adapter improves on that original Hot Product.
The new Celestron SkyPortal WiFi Adapter uses Celeston's SkyPortal planetarium app (available for free at the Apple App store and Google Play) to give you WiFi access to the Universe.
The SkyPortal app itself is an easy-to-use astronomy application for your iPhone or iPad that locates and identifies virtually any celestial object visible in the night sky. Developed in collaboration with the experts at SkySafari, SkyPortal offers an intuitive user interface with a robust database of more than 100,000 celestial objects. You can even plan your observing session before you set up your telescope, viewing lunar transits and other notable events up to 100 years into the future.
By itself, the SkyPortal app is a fun way to enjoy the night sky with your bare eyes or binoculars. But . . . plug this lightweight and compact SkyPortal WiFi Adapter into your Celestron go-to telescope's Hand Control or AUX port and connect to its wireless signal with your iPhone or iPad. Instantly, the SkyPortal app becomes a wireless hand controller for your telescope, guiding you through the alignment process and slewing to any celestial object with a simple tap on your device's screen.
As the SkyPortal WiFi Adapter slews your telescope to an object, you can listen to hundreds of included audio descriptions on your device, which explain the history, mythology, and key features of the most popular celestial objects.
Activate the Sky Tour feature and your iPhone or iPad displays a list of the best objects to view based on your exact time and location. There's no need to input GPS coordinates or set the time and date - the SkyPortal WiFi Adapter takes this information directly from your iPhone or iPad.
The Celestron SkyPortal WiFi Adapter is completely self-contained and does not require any batteries. It was tested to work on the following Celestron mounts and scopes: the Advanced VX; CGE Pro; CGEM; CGEM DX; CPC; NexStar SLT; NexStar SE; LCM; SkyProdigy (although with no automatic alignment); and the CG5 go-to mount (requires an optional auxiliary port splitter cable).
If you have a Celestron go-to telescope and an iPhone or iPad, the SkyPortal WiFi Adapter and free Celestron SkyPortal app will get the most out of both of them by letting them work together wirelessly and seamlessly. The SkyPortal WiFi Adapter is something telescope users of all ages and skill levels, from kids to advanced users, will enjoy using every time they observe.
Tech Details
| Weight | 3 oz |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 years |
Reviews
Review by: gjb49
I wanted to use this on my C-11 HD but it would not pair with my Samsung phone or tablet. I retried multiple time to pair to no avail. Looking at reviews elsewhere this item is hit or miss for working. Looking for something better (Posted on 8/18/2023)
Review by: William
Poor connections no matter how far or close your device is to it. Even worse if you connect it to your home network. Constantly drops connections and then refuses reconnects, often have to unplug and replug it.
Does NOT allow usage of hand control and wifi apps (Posted on 10/14/2019)
Does NOT allow usage of hand control and wifi apps (Posted on 10/14/2019)
Review by: Babard
I’ve been using this with my AVX and with SkySafari. Great little product, and easy to set up. It fun to use and educational. It’s great to show folks on my Android any object, and then hit GoTo and watch my telescope move to the object in real-time and then look at in my eyepiece. (Posted on 1/14/2019)
Review by: Demorcef
I bought this to use with my Celestron NextStar 127SLT. Works like a charm right out of the box. The wifi connection to my phone is very solid, and the SkyPortal APP on the phone is really easy to use and works great! (Posted on 1/4/2019)
Review by: David
I have tried this with both Celestron's iphone app and SkySafari Pro. I was able to get both to work. With SkySafari, you have to select 'Celestron WiFi' as the scope model. It connects as advertised and works. (Posted on 1/2/2019)
Review by: Mitche
I got this so I could run my AVX 6” Newtonian from my computer, iPad or even my iPhone. It works and works well. I actually get better alignment using this and my iPad than using my hand controller. The range could be longer, but it’s enough, and at Star parties, longer range is not better. Well worth the money. (Posted on 1/1/2019)
Review by: joegeiger
I tried one of these but ended up going with the Sky-Fi III at 2x the price because the connection was much more reliable. I like that it's powered from the mount and doesn't need to be charged. I used it with Sky Safari and when it was connected, it worked well but it was very flaky connecting to my iPad or iPhone. Would not recommend this. (Posted on 12/24/2018)
Review by: Kristopher
This is a lot of fun to use at the scope, and can make certain aspects of use much easier. However the lack of tactile feel of physical keys can make fine movement difficult especially at high magnifications. The Celestron App is severely lacking in database objects and features, but the SkySafari App is much better. My biggest complaint is the occasional lag is response from the mount, it takes a while to start moving and can overshoot objects after releasing the touch screen. (Posted on 12/22/2018)
Review by: Terry
Even though my SkyPortal works it could b e a lot better. The range on mine is a whopping 10ft. What the... Celestron you CAN do better then that. (Posted on 12/8/2018)
Review by: Terry
Even if it IS able to link up all the time it would be nice if it's range were extended. Literally every time I have used mine it's been able to link up with my PC. I'd really enjoy being able to use my AVX from a little farther away then 10ft. but it is better then nothing and it isn't that expensive of an option. (Posted on 12/8/2018)
Review by: Mario
I used this briefly when i owned an AVX mount. It performed well with my iPhone to control the mount once it was aligned. If you're looking for wireless control of your Celestron mount, this will serve you well. Good for outreach to quickly locate targets for EAA. (Posted on 12/3/2018)
Review by: David
I purchased this adapter so that I could control my cgem mount with my iPhone. It certainly works for that purpose. I have found, however, that aligning with it is not as easy, and it sometimes becomes disconnected. If that happens, you'll be starting over. I have used it more successfully on my 102slt mount. I can recommend this for visual only on alt-az Celestron mounts, but not on a cgem. It works but hasn't been very useful to me. (Posted on 11/25/2018)
Review by: cevoner
This product makes an Ipad useful to slew to stars & planets in a matter of minutes. I use SkyPortal to activate the wifi and control the telescope with the Ipad which is very useful. it connect to my Nexstar mount so I do not have to use the handset. They will not work at the same time. Its either/or usage. Occasionally it may lose connection but generally it does what its suppose to do. (Posted on 11/14/2018)
Review by: nate
this has made finding targets and slewing to them a breeze, it has the added benefit of displaying the constellations and showing all of the celestial bodies around them. great for finding targets and for educational instruction. (Posted on 11/4/2018)
Review by: Darren
As long as you're buying this primarily for the "wow" factor of controlling your telescope wirelessly, you'll be happy with this product. When you need accurate control over the movement of the mount, however, you're better off sticking with hand controller. (Posted on 10/15/2018)
