TELESCOPE Error Message That Spells Disaster

Automatic telescopes require a lot of parts to work just right. So the scariest message for GoTo telescope users is this:
Both axes...
No response!
However, don't give up hope! This video demonstrates all of the possible causes of this problem, from cheapest to most expensive.
#telescope #synscan #error
NOTE: Orion seems to have discontinued or backordered new Synscan controllers.
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//HELPFUL VIDEOS://
How to update firmware: • PART 3 - GIANT Telesco...
//ORION FIRMWARE UPDATES://
www.telescope.com/Orion-SynSc...
KZbin NOTES:
1) This video complies with the KZbin Community Guidelines and Terms of Service.
2) All products shown were purchased by me with my own money.
3) Soundtracks were used with permission from my video editing software, Camtasia.
4) The scream sound effect was created by me, Reflactor.
Notes:
This video addresses how to fix the somewhat rare error message that shows up on Orion Synscan handset controllers that say "Both axes... No Response!"
#goto #dobsonian

[@cliveroberts415]

Skywatcher synscan v5 is the same and still available new (here in UK anyway)

[@reflactor]

This is excellent news! I'm going to pin your comment to the top.

[@robscorner7012]

Just had this happen on my Orion XX12G this weekend. I had watched this video earlier in the week, so I ceaned the controller. Fixed. Thank you kind sir.

[@reflactor]

That's great news! I'm glad to hear you're back in business. Enjoy the heck out of that telescope.

[@conchobar]

Took a gamble on a malfunctioning 8' goto SCT and it took 3 months to diagnose and repair it. It came with the wrong hand controller and needed a new Azimuth motor decoder. Could not have done it without Cloudynights. I got lucky.

[@reflactor]

Cloudynights is an incredible resource of very knowledgeable astronomy folks. Glad to hear your telescope is back in order.

[@niteman555]

I bought a used avx that had a bad motor control board. Luckily, celestron is apparently better about selling replacement parts. I just had to wait several months while it was on backorder at highpoint

[@reflactor]

That's good to know. Celestron does reply which is half the battle.

[@jons2447]

Hello, Mr. Dreese; Great video, sir, *THANK YOU!* BTW, I would pay for a trouble-shooting/repair guide for the push-to for my Orion. (Just so you know, I think you could write it.) The information we need for using these is (mostly?) in the manual but! Anything beyond that seems to be 'hidden'. I recall when I got my 1st 'scope, I couldn't see anything, initially. But being too ignorant to have any 'quitting sense' & by research I learned 'how' to 'see'. Fortunately, I've since been able to help others begin to observe the heavens. I appreciate your channel & your videos, "THANK YOU!" Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!

[@reflactor]

Thank you for the kind words - I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. I'm a huge huge fan of the Orion PushTo's. They have many of the benefits of the GoTo, but without all the parts that eventually break.

[@Loopy01]

Had this problem once. And it turned out to be the most expensive cause (control board got fried when i accidentally shortcircuted the system). Luckily my mount was still under warranty so i ended up sending it to Sky Watcher and the only cost was the shipping fee. Turnover time was roughly 2 weeks.

[@reflactor]

Sky Watcher has excellent customer service. So does Explore Scientific. I've worked with both with very positive outcomes.

[@strat1960s]

I don't own an Orion scope, but you have given me an idea that I will consider in the future. I own a 12 inch Zhumel dob and would love to convert it to goto/motor driven. I wander if I could buy a goto/motor driven base, modify my Zhumel tube and use it that way. Hmmmm. I'll do some more research down the road. Right now looking at the cost to replace my roof after a hail storm and that may jam up my funds for a while. Gotta love livin in NE Texas.

[@MatthewHolevinski]

have you looked into the onstep controller and motor setups?

[@reflactor]

I have the Zhumel 12" Dob and love it. If I was in your situation, I would consider buying/building an equatorial platform (not equatorial mount). It would skip a lot of the trouble. Set your big Dob on it an it would track the night sky targets good enough for astrophotography - even spinning the tube! As a fellow Texan, we also had cough up the money to get our roof fixed about three years ago. No fun!

[@strat1960s]

@@reflactor This is a roof we replaced last year.

[@AmatureAstronomer]

If the Sky Watcher GTi mount is under warrantee, you can send it back to Sky Watcher for repair, as I have done twice. If not under warrantee, like my Celestron 6" SCT, you have to disassemble it and make repair. Sounds like you hand controller is not under warrantee.

[@reflactor]

Sky Watcher has excellent customer services. This was an Orion Synscan controller.

[@juliosuitinob]

Excelente video, el problema que yo tengo es que a la hora de hacer la alineación a dos estrellas, la primera estrella hace bien el GO TO, pero cuando va hacia la segunda estrella seleccionada hace el GO TO donde le da la gana. Espero poder solucionarlo. Muchas gracias por tus videos. Un abrazo

[@reflactor]

Gracias por ver. Utiliza las ligeras correcciones de ambas estrellas para sintonizar el sistema, por lo que incluso la segunda estrella estará un poco fuera de lugar. Si parece ir en direcciones locas, parece que el disco codificador está suelto. Eso es lo que le pasó a mi primer telescopio GoTo. Apreté el tornillo de fijación en el eje del codificador y eso lo arregló. ¡Cielos despejados!

[@juliosuitinob]

@@reflactor Muchas gracias por tu respuesta, haces unos videos increibles. Se me olvido poner en mi consulta que el dobson que tengo es el Orion XX14g GoTo... Un saludo

[@reflactor]

¿Has tenido algún problema con los motores que hacen pequeños movimientos bruscos? En realidad, solo se nota con grandes aumentos.

[@andreasberthold1853]

I had the same problem just now, with the same error message

[@reflactor]

I hope the video helps you. As the video mentions, Orion stopped selling new handsets a few months ago. Good luck.

[@WilliamBlakers]

Are there any arduino work arounds for replacing the control board ?

[@reflactor]

The user manual has a lot of detail about the serial port commands for controlling the system, so an arduino might work well.

[@nicolasmariotti]

I wonder if some electronics/old computer hardware/retro gaming enthusiasts might find a fix to an electronics malfunction...that might be useful in the worst case scenario...

[@reflactor]

That would be a great service now that Orion no longer sells new handsets.