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• Celestron Starsense Manual
• Celestron Classic 8 Telescope Manual

I'm attempting to date my Celestron C8 and have been drawing up a list of serial numbers and manufacturing years off the internet. I've read that Celestron can't help and the serial numbers themselves don't translate to much, but I was hoping that if I can collect enough serial numbers, I can find the one closest to mine to get a rough year of manufacture. My idea has been to attach a second R-Pi to control Scope 2. But if I do, how on earth could I set up a Scheduler sequence that uses Scope 2 (attached to R-Pi number 2) AND control the mount and the guiding (attached to R-Pi number 1)? These are available separately at our website here: Serial cable for Skywatcher and Celestron mounts (Choose the 'Celestron' option). Many newer computers come without an RS-232 port so to use this cable you will need a USB to RS-232 adapter which we can also provide: Celestron USB to RS-232 Adapter.

Telescope/Mount Drivers

Ascom 2X Mount Adaptor (Paramount, etc., 6.1) for TheSky X (external link)

This is supplied by Software Bisque and is available from the Downloads section of the Software Bisque site, the file is called Ascom 2X Mount Adaptor Setup.exe

Installs a driver that connects to Software Bisque's TheSky X/6/5 Astronomy Software and makes it look like a standard ASCOM telescope. This allows ASCOM-based astronomy software to use TheSky (including TPOINT and ProTrack) as a smart telescope controller.It is required for the Paramount mounts, and may be used with TheSky controlling any other of its supported telescope types, or via its built-in outbound ASCOM support, and then using ASCOM telescope drivers. This driver provides Telescope V3 support, 100% conformance, and compatibility with TheSky X (10.2.0 or later).

Celestron Unified (6.1.7350, Feb 2020) Telescope & Focuser

Installs a driver for all computerized Celestron telescopes, now including the new Celestron Focuser. NOTE: Focuser moves are prevented if the focuser is not calibrated. Calibrate the Focuser before anything else! Also this driver does its best to compensate for the extra time needed for final approach in slews but which is not reported via the Celestron controller. This driver has passed the Conformance Checker tests. See the help file and release notes(!), installed as part of the driver, for a full description.

This driver does NOT support Synta mounts. Use the Sky-Watcher drivers listed below.

Meade Universal Driver Project (June 2014)

Celestron Starsense Manual

1. These knobs will fit orange tube C8 models made prior to 1980. The secondary has factory set-style collimation screws with a fourth central screw in the secondary housing.
2. Two sets of knobs, each with a different screw length, are included with your order. Use the length that fits your telescope best. There should be two or three screw thread turns above the secondary housing and the dust cover should fit without contacting the knobs.
3. Do not adjust the center screw; this is the secondary pivot screw.

1. These knobs will fit C8 models made prior to 2005 (except pre-1980 orange tube; see Item A above), and most post-2005 models with silver factory collimation screws.
2. Most models with black Phillips factory collimation screws require C8 metric knobs (Item C below). However, a few post-2005 scopes have black Phillips collimation screws with standard threads. Here are some hints to help determine which screws your telescope has. Make sure the knob threads match the factory screw threads before installing the knobs.
3. We provide spacers to raise the knobs slightly for easier use, but the spacers can be omitted if the knobs contact the inside of the full-aperture dust cover. Spacers are required for knobs installed on the Fastar secondary with silver collimation screws for proper clearance.
4. Some telescope versions have a small plastic cover over the factory collimation screws. This cover must be removed and set aside when Bob's Knobs are installed. The cover is cosmetic only and will not affect operation of the scope.

1. Most models with black Phillips factory collimation screws require metric knobs. A few post-2005 scopes have black Phillips collimation screws with standard threads. Here are some hints to help determine which screws your telescope has. Make sure the knob threads match the factory screw threads before installing the knobs.
2. Some C8 scopes have metric collimation screws that are 10mm long rather than the more common 8mm, and you should install knobs without the white spacers.
3. These knobs will fit themetric Fastar versiononly if it does NOT have EdgeHD optics. Scopes with EdgeHD optics require different knobs (Item D below).
4. Black oxide steel (shown in photos) is for dry environments. Lightly oil the knob top and knob serrations periodically as an anti-corrosion measure. Stainless steel provides better corrosion protection in coastal or high humidity areas, or in places where dew or other condensation is common.
5. The factory dust cover will fit normally with Bob's Knobs installed.
6. Some telescope versions have a small plastic cover over the factory collimation screws. This cover must be removed and set aside when Bob's Knobs are installed. The cover is cosmetic only and will not affect operation of the scope.

Celestron Classic 8 Telescope Manual

1. These knobs will fit only the Celestron 8” SCT with Fastar secondary and EdgeHD optics. These telescopes are marked “EDGEHD OPTICS” on the corrector ring. Do not use these knobs on the non-EdgeHD Fastar secondary; the screws on these knobs are too long. Be sure to check that the thread length on our knobs matches the thread length on the factory collimation screws.
2. Black oxide steel (shown in photo) is for dry environments. Lightly oil the knob top and knob serrations periodically as an anti-corrosion measure. Stainless steel provides better corrosion protection in coastal or high humidity areas, or in places where dew or other condensation is common.
3. The factory dust cover will fit normally with Bob’s Knobs installed.

1. These knobs are taller than our other metric knobs to compensate for the countersunk factory screws in the Hyperstar secondary conversion kit.
2. Black oxide steel (shown in photo) is for dry environments. Lightly oil the knob top and knob serrations periodically as an anti-corrosion measure. Stainless steel provides better corrosion protection in coastal or high humidity areas, or in places where dew or other condensation is common.
3. The factory dust cover will fit normally with Bob's Knobs installed.