[APML] request for information on a Celestron Hand Controller

["Paul M. Rybski" <rybskip@idcnet.com>]

Dear colleagues,

     Apologies for cross-posting this request . . . .

     I am looking for the hand controller to use with an earlier Celestron
C-8 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, no longer manufactured by Celestron.  A
colleague who has since passed away purchased this telescope in 1997 or
1998.  It has no visible model number or name anywhere on the OTA or the
mount.  The telescope has the conventional C-8 horseshoe mount, an RA motor
driven by a 9-volt battery, Ultrabrite coatings and an enigmatic
telephone-cord-like input for a Hand Controller.  Since the telescope has
no built-in Declination slow-motion motor (that I can see), I assume such a
motor would have to be added to the Dec slow-motion knob found at the base
of the horseshoe mount.  How the Dec motor would be controlled by the Hand
Controller is not obvious.

     I have looked through the webpages of all of the dealers in Celestron
accessories I could find, but a Hand Controller was nowhere in sight.  I
believe the modern version of this controller is Celestron's #60212, but I
do not know if this controller would work with my telescope.  Celestron
lists #60212 as a currently available part.

     Hopefully, some one of you will be able to help me with this problem.
Any information concerning this Hand Controller and adding slow-motion
controls to this telescope's mount for astrophotography would be greatly
appreciated.

Yours, sincerely,

Paul Rybski, Physics, UW-Whitewater




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