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Olivier Biot
Amused

Reged: 04/25/05

Loc: 51°N (Belgium)

Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope
#4604199 - 05/26/11 12:12 PM

Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope With An Apple Device

By Eric Planalp.

Post Extras:

Daniel Mounsey
Vendor - Celestron

Reged: 06/12/02

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Olivier Biot]
#4608513 - 05/29/11 12:14 AM

I never thought I'd go to software programs, but this program with my IPAD is by far the most amazing telescope control program ever. Nothing compares IMO. It's doesn't have so many features, that is cluttery. It has all you need to enjoy the night sky in a new and revolutionary way. Truly amazing!

Edited by Daniel Mounsey (05/29/11 12:15 AM)

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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan

Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Daniel Mounsey]
#4609423 - 05/29/11 02:39 PM

I'll second that. I'm using it on a couple of different mounts with an iPod touch. It works really well, even with the small screen of the iPod touch. I can imagine how much better still it would be with the larger screen of the iPad.

It was a very nice review too, by the way, and I would agree that this is, indeed, a revolutionary product.

Regards,

Jim

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dramodt
super member

Reged: 09/06/10

Loc: So. Utah

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: jrbarnett]
#4610328 - 05/30/11 01:38 AM

Too bad you didnt wait and do the review with version 3! Its great! But I have huge frustrations with the Skywire.

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PLANALP1
sage

Reged: 12/16/07

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: jrbarnett]
#4611671 - 05/30/11 07:07 PM

Quote:

I'll second that. I'm using it on a couple of different mounts with an iPod touch. It works really well, even with the small screen of the iPod touch. I can imagine how much better still it would be with the larger screen of the iPad.

It was a very nice review too, by the way, and I would agree that this is, indeed, a revolutionary product.

Regards,

Jim

Glad you liked the review. I didn't think it offered a whole lot of information, more like an introduction than a review, but decided to do it after I figured out how to save images from the iPod screen so I could show folks how it looked.

Maybe an iPad one of these days....

Post Extras:

shahgazer
member

Reged: 04/09/05

Loc: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: PLANALP1]
#4615665 - 06/01/11 09:22 PM

I have been using SkySafari for my outreach program and it is a great educational tool, especially when we can 'show' the stars with the compass on.

However, i would like to know if anyone had tried controlling a skywatcher mount, eg HEQ5 or EQ6?

The feature that i really need is the Sync function. Does it really work? I've a friend telling me it does not work as it claim. Unfortunately I don't have any hands-on example nearby to test it out.

Post Extras:

Daniel Mounsey
Vendor - Celestron

Reged: 06/12/02

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: dramodt]
#4616314 - 06/02/11 09:32 AM

Quote:

Too bad you didnt wait and do the review with version 3! Its great! But I have huge frustrations with the Skywire.

What is it?

Post Extras:

calibos
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/18/07

Loc: Ireland

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: shahgazer]
#4616415 - 06/02/11 10:38 AM

Quote:

I have been using SkySafari for my outreach program and it is a great educational tool, especially when we can 'show' the stars with the compass on.

However, i would like to know if anyone had tried controlling a skywatcher mount, eg HEQ5 or EQ6?

The feature that i really need is the Sync function. Does it really work? I've a friend telling me it does not work as it claim. Unfortunately I don't have any hands-on example nearby to test it out.

Just got a push notification of the upgrade on my iPhone and one of the new features it mentioned was something to do with Celestron and Skywatcher mounts and the local sync function being 'broken' but that there is a feature in SS3 to replace it in these mounts. Worthwhile going to the website and digging through the features list for version 3 methinks.

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amys
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: calibos]
#4616579 - 06/02/11 12:27 PM

I just won an iPad 2

, which arrived yesterday. I have downloaded sky safari 3 and I hope to try controlling my CG-5 with it using the Skywire soon.

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Nile
member

Reged: 05/18/11

Loc: Tucson, AZ.

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: amys]
#4618590 - 06/03/11 02:33 PM

Whoa Amy! How did you win it? Congratulations!! :-)

Edited by Nile (06/03/11 02:34 PM)

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amys
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Nile]
#4618738 - 06/03/11 03:53 PM

Our local public radio station had 3 of them to give away in their latest fund raising drive as a stimulus to get people to call in. It worked -- I was driving in the car when I heard that and immediately pulled over and called to renew my membership.

I'm having a blast with it. I have an older iPod Touch and SkySafari looks sooooo much better on the iPad.

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Nile
member

Reged: 05/18/11

Loc: Tucson, AZ.

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: amys]
#4619045 - 06/03/11 06:14 PM

Awesome! I need to find cool radio stations now! ;-) Have fun, I am J!

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RobTeeter
Vendor (Teeter's Telescopes)

Reged: 09/30/04

Loc: Rockaway, NJ

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Nile]
#4619275 - 06/03/11 08:46 PM

This may be slightly off-topic, but I can't wait for Southern Stars to come out with a USB version of either their SkyWire or SkyFi systems. I use a Truss Dob with SkyCommander and ServoCat, but unfortunately neither the SkyWire or SkyFi will talk to the ServoCat because the Generation3 ServoCat that I have uses a USB PC connection. Previous versions of the ServoCat, which utilized a Serial Port instead of USB, will talk to an iPad just fine using the SkyWire or SkyFi. I spoke with the Southern Stars guys at NEAF about all of this and they assure me something is in the works, but they don't have an estimate on a release date yet.

Being able to sit at my Dob and pan the sky on my iPad and then tap any galaxy, cluster or nebula, and then watch the scope to slew to it is an awesome idea. All you non-ServoCat drive guys make sure you enjoy this toy, but just know there are others of us out there waiting for Southern Stars to make the switch to USB (or at least offer USB as an option).

Take care,

Post Extras:

JimP
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 04/22/03

Loc: South Carolina

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: RobTeeter]
#4638821 - 06/14/11 03:02 PM

How well do you have to be polar aligned for this to work? Is there a way to synchronize an object?
Can you touch a star on the screen and have the scope turn to it (one that you may know is a Carbon star or a double)?

best,

JimP

Post Extras:

PLANALP1
sage

Reged: 12/16/07

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: JimP]
#4639952 - 06/15/11 10:00 AM

Quote:

How well do you have to be polar aligned for this to work? Is there a way to synchronize an object?
Can you touch a star on the screen and have the scope turn to it (one that you may know is a Carbon star or a double)?

best,

JimP

I've found that the SkySafari system is just as accurate as the Autostar controller itself. As long as you do your alignment to the point where the Autostar finds objects accurately, the SkySafari will do the same. I just use my ETX-125 in the plain old alt/az mode.

I haven't paid much attention to how comprehensive the library of stars is as I usually go after other targets, but I would imagine there are thousands of recognized individual stars that would be available for go-to's.

Post Extras:

dramodt
super member

Reged: 09/06/10

Loc: So. Utah

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Daniel Mounsey]
#4641257 - 06/15/11 11:46 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Too bad you didnt wait and do the review with version 3! Its great! But I have huge frustrations with the Skywire.

What is it?

It disconnects each time the iOS device sleeps. And the SkyFi is just as frustrating, no... more!

Post Extras:

amys
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: dramodt]
#4641520 - 06/16/11 06:47 AM

Can you change the sleep setting so it doesn't go to sleep?

Post Extras:

Daniel Mounsey
Vendor - Celestron

Reged: 06/12/02

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: dramodt]
#4648121 - 06/19/11 10:07 PM

That problem has been fixed already in version 3.

Post Extras:

Daniel Mounsey
Vendor - Celestron

Reged: 06/12/02

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: amys]
#4648124 - 06/19/11 10:09 PM

Quote:

Can you change the sleep setting so it doesn't go to sleep?

Yes, you can. You guys will want to update to version 3 if you havent already.

Post Extras:

amys
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Daniel Mounsey]
#4649234 - 06/20/11 02:13 PM

I just tried to find my version number but couldn't. Can you direct me to it?

Thanks

Post Extras:

Daniel Mounsey
Vendor - Celestron

Reged: 06/12/02

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: amys]
#4650249 - 06/20/11 11:53 PM

Sure Amy,

http://www.southernstars.com/products/skysafari/index.html

That's the new version of the program. Also, Tim is a really wonderful guy. He has answered all my questions and has addressed some of the quirks from version 2. I can't speak highly enough about this program.

Post Extras:

amys
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Daniel Mounsey]
#4650520 - 06/21/11 07:34 AM

Thanks. I just downloaded version 3.

Post Extras:

gatorengineer
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 02/28/05

Loc: Hellertown, PA

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: RobTeeter]
#4651686 - 06/21/11 07:52 PM

Quote:

This may be slightly off-topic, but I can't wait for Southern Stars to come out with a USB version of either their SkyWire or SkyFi systems. I use a Truss Dob with SkyCommander and ServoCat, but unfortunately neither the SkyWire or SkyFi will talk to the ServoCat because the Generation3 ServoCat that I have uses a USB PC connection. Previous versions of the ServoCat, which utilized a Serial Port instead of USB, will talk to an iPad just fine using the SkyWire or SkyFi. I spoke with the Southern Stars guys at NEAF about all of this and they assure me something is in the works, but they don't have an estimate on a release date yet.

Being able to sit at my Dob and pan the sky on my iPad and then tap any galaxy, cluster or nebula, and then watch the scope to slew to it is an awesome idea. All you non-ServoCat drive guys make sure you enjoy this toy, but just know there are others of us out there waiting for Southern Stars to make the switch to USB (or at least offer USB as an option).

Take care,

Rob works great with Argo Navis........ Which would drive servocat....

Post Extras:

RobTeeter
Vendor (Teeter's Telescopes)

Reged: 09/30/04

Loc: Rockaway, NJ

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: gatorengineer]
#4652638 - 06/22/11 11:14 AM

Ahhh...that's the connection I thought of first, since ArgoNavis has two Serial Ports, one of which would need to go to the ServoCat and the other could go to the SkyWire.

However, in my discussions with the guys at Southern Stars and with Gary at StellarCat, the way the system has to be connected in order to function properly (ie. when you push the "Goto" button on the iPad it will cause the ServoCat to slew to the selected object) is that the SkyWire (or SkyFi) has to be connected directly to the ServoCat's PC Port (USB on Gen3 units) and cannot go through an intermediate step (ie. ArgoNavis).

So we're back to finding a direct connection between the SkyWire's (or SkyFi) Serial connector and the ServoCat's USB port. It does not sound as if Gary at StellarCat is willing to "downgrade" a ServoCat box to bring Serial back in, so we're waiting for Southern Stars to "upgrade" to a USB connector.

Post Extras:

Bill_Marq
member

Reged: 06/07/11

Loc: California and Arizona

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: RobTeeter]
#4653429 - 06/22/11 07:30 PM

I am told that a serial-to USB adapter (with driver installed) does the trick. Is this not correct, or am I missing something? I didn't have this issue as my old LX200 has a serial port so SkyWire works fine using the cable I built from Meade's instructions in the manual. This extra cable is necessary because the telescope's serial port is a telephone type connector, not a DB-9.

Post Extras:

RobTeeter
Vendor (Teeter's Telescopes)

Reged: 09/30/04

Loc: Rockaway, NJ

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Bill_Marq]
#4653526 - 06/22/11 08:33 PM

The problem is "with driver installed"...as far as I know, there is no way to install drivers on an iPad. When I first bought the SkyWire, I rigged up a Serial-USB adapter, but got connection errors between the scope and the iPad through the SkyWire. If there is a Serial-USB adapter out there that does not require drivers it might just do the trick, but I haven't found one yet (Southern Stars and StellarCat couldn't recommend one either). I'll gladly bestow the honorary position of "Chief of IT for Teeter's Telescopes" on someone if they can find such an adapter.

Take care,

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: RobTeeter]
#4657601 - 06/25/11 08:38 AM

This sounds wicked cool, and would be huge for outreaches here at my WSO observatory, especially for the kids...

But, I don't have an iPhone, or iPod touch... or iPad...

I'm a BlackBerry guy, and have the new BlackBerry Playbook... so I'm out of luck...

hmmm maybe a "dedicated" iPOD touch is in order...

Post Extras:

denodan
professor emeritus

Reged: 10/06/04

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#4661552 - 06/27/11 02:28 PM

I got Skyfi, and works well, the great thing is no wires, so I could run my scope from inside my house, if I had a wireless electronic eyepiece.

I have an ipad 2, and an ipod touch 4th gen, but I prefer the ipad, the much larger screen is so much easier to use.

I do find the slew slider on the telescope control panel does not work to well, so use my hand controller to make the fine adjustments slewing my scope.

Does anyone know the difference between Skysafari, and Starseeker? They look the same.

Post Extras:

EricRemy
member

Reged: 09/24/08

Loc: Quebec, Canada

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#5033851 - 01/23/12 12:03 PM

Quote:

But, I don't have an iPhone, or iPod touch... or iPad...

I'm a BlackBerry guy, and have the new BlackBerry Playbook... so I'm out of luck...

hmmm maybe a "dedicated" iPOD touch is in order...

Same here. Almost regret buying it. Hardware is awsome but the developement of astronomy and other apps is not happening. Thinking of selling it and getting an ipad instead.

Post Extras:

EricRemy
member

Reged: 09/24/08

Loc: Quebec, Canada

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: denodan]
#5033858 - 01/23/12 12:07 PM

Quote:

Does anyone know the difference between Skysafari, and Starseeker? They look the same.

They are the same. It's Orion's rebadged Skysafari. Read about it on the app store.

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: EricRemy]
#5034402 - 01/23/12 06:32 PM

My wife and I both got iPads for Christmas this year... I am now all set and ready to go with Skysafari and sky wire, just waiting on a clear night!

Post Extras:

Kriky
journeyman

Reged: 01/07/12

Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#5037060 - 01/25/12 12:21 PM

I have a Orion SkyQuest XT10i IntelliScope. Is there anyone that can confirm if the Skywire/Skysafari will work with the Intelliscope system?

I know it says that "push-to" telescopes will work but I was hoping someone can confirm this before I spent the money on the cable. I know I need to get an adapter to connect the intelliscope to PC serial (I was told it can be bought at Radio Shack) which then connects to the Skywire or SkyWifi.

I thought I would start here to see if anyone has it up and running with the intelliscope.

Thanks
Kriky

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Reid W
member

Reged: 10/06/10

Loc: Shreveport, LA

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Kriky]
#5048796 - 01/31/12 09:03 PM

I'm thinking that you'll need the Orion Intelliscope to PC RS232 Connector Cable.

I use SkyFi/Starseek with my Argo Navis. I have a dedicated RS232 adapter for the AN. For the push-to units to work with Safari, they need to have the ability to show direction arrows when in catalog from external source; such as planetarium mode on the Argo Navis. I cannot find that info on the intelliscope. Orion would know.

Post Extras:

michalh
member

Reged: 11/30/09

Loc: Midwest, USA

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: amys]
#5050714 - 02/01/12 10:21 PM

I've had SkySafari and SkyWire for several months, using my Ipod Touch. The only question I have is when will the big boys port their planetarium programs to WiFi? Seems like all the folks out there appreciate wireless connections (haven't tripped over my WiFi yet :-). Astroplanner on my MacBook Pro also works using the SkyWire connection.

Post Extras:

Jason Martin
super member

Reged: 10/22/06

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Daniel Mounsey]
#5051966 - 02/02/12 03:40 PM

It might have been addressed, but I don't know about fixed. I just received my starseek unit early last week and was excited to use it for our club's monthly public outreach star party. Using a first generation Ipad and an lx90 with the newest version of skysafari pro, it lost connect twice in a row when the Ipad went to sleep, and refused to reconnect without a complete restart and resync with the wifi signal. I got frustrated and just used the autostar control for the remainder of the evening and have yet to try further troubleshooting. Grrrrrr

Post Extras:

denodan
professor emeritus

Reged: 10/06/04

Re: Southern Stars SkyWire: Controlling Your Telescope new

[Re: Jason Martin]
#5054453 - 02/04/12 12:42 AM

Sky fi and Skysafari now work on Android phones, so no need now for and ipad/iphone, or touch.

Post Extras:

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