Kagoshima
journeyman
Reged: 08/26/07
Posts: 5
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Hello All,
I was just wondering if anyone knows whether or not the Vixen Skypod allows the user to input RA/DEC coordinates of objects off the beaten track or if you are bound only to their database? And, has anyone ever compared this mount to the iOptron cube?
Thanks a bunch for any information,
Chris
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1175
Loc: The Garden State
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Quote:
Hello All,
I was just wondering if anyone knows whether or not the Vixen Skypod allows the user to input RA/DEC coordinates of objects off the beaten track or if you are bound only to their database? And, has anyone ever compared this mount to the iOptron cube?
Thanks a bunch for any information,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Yes, the Skypod does allow the user to input RA/DEC coordinates of objects. In the CHART setting, the RA/DEC coordinates will be displayed for the center of the crosshairs when you hit the display key. The CHART setting is used for locating objects in the sky, so set the crosshairs for coordinates you want(you will see them displayed) and let the mount skew to that location.
If someone would like to send me an iOptron Cube, I will be more than happy to compare the two. 
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
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Terrance
sage
Reged: 08/11/04
Posts: 269
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Well, my recollection of the Skypod I used for a while, was that I did not see a way to input actual coordinates, but if you know the coordinates you want to goto, you can slew the scope until the coordinates shown match what you want.
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Terrance
Celestron 9.25 SCT
10" f/5 X-Class Dob
SV 102ED
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1175
Loc: The Garden State
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Quote:
Well, my recollection of the Skypod I used for a while, was that I did not see a way to input actual coordinates, but if you know the coordinates you want to goto, you can slew the scope until the coordinates shown match what you want.
Hi Terrance,
You are right from the perspective of inputing numbers, but if you think about it, the Vixen method accomplishes the same thing, only differently. Either way you still need to know the coordinates. As a matter of fact, if you have only a rough idea of the coordinates, the Skypod method is rather intuitive since you can simply point to your guesstimate and have the mount slew to the location.
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1175
Loc: The Garden State
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Hi Terrance,
Did you use the Skypod with the SV102 that you own?
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
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Kagoshima
journeyman
Reged: 08/26/07
Posts: 5
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Hi Again,
Thank you all for responding to my post about the Vixen Skypod. The fact that you can simply (in Chart mode)move to different RA/DEC coordinates and then hit the GOTO key and the scope merrily goes off to that point in the sky is of course very important. That way you are not limited to the databases only. I never realized that point, so thanks. I printed off the Skypod manual and read it. It seems fairly easy to align and use. I do have a GPD2 mount but I would like a Grab and Go mount. I do not have the GPD2 set up for GOTO yet eventhough it can be. Has anyone seen any Skypods used or "cheap/cheaper" anywhere? If you did see one that was used, how much would you think it would go for? Also, has there only been one version of the Skypod? In other words, do the newest Skypods and the ones that first came out two years ago contain all the same hardware and software? By the way, I live in Toronto.
Thanks again,
Chris
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1175
Loc: The Garden State
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Hi Chris,
I don't have any answers concerning price. Since I had mine drop shipped, the vendor gave me free shipping. I haven't seen any come up for resale. There has been only one version of the Skypod that I know about. I haven't checked for any software updates. Thanks for reminding me.
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
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Terrance
sage
Reged: 08/11/04
Posts: 269
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SteveC:
Yes, I did use the SV102 with the Skypod and it was ok but not great. Certainly acceptable for visual observation, in my opinion. Damp down time after rapping on a leg was about 3 seconds as I recall, and a little less when on vibration pads.
--------------------
Terrance
Celestron 9.25 SCT
10" f/5 X-Class Dob
SV 102ED
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1175
Loc: The Garden State
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|
Quote:
SteveC:
Yes, I did use the SV102 with the Skypod and it was ok but not great. Certainly acceptable for visual observation, in my opinion. Damp down time after rapping on a leg was about 3 seconds as I recall, and a little less when on vibration pads.
Hi Terrance,
Thanks for responding. Did any of the clutches slip? I'm interested because I'm considering a larger grab and go scope and I'd like to know it my initial estimate of a 90mm scope max. is correct or not for the Skypod.
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
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Kagoshima
journeyman
Reged: 08/26/07
Posts: 5
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Hi,
Thanks for the information so far. I was wondering also how you store your Skypods. Did the mount come in a case or just a box? Also does anyone have the VMC110 that is often offered as a package with the mount? Also has anyone bought the half pillar and the counterweight? Is there only one counterweight as well, the 1 kg?
Thanks again,
Chris
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1175
Loc: The Garden State
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No, I don't store the Skypod.
A box.
I don't have vmc110
No, and I'm not sure
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SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
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Terrance
sage
Reged: 08/11/04
Posts: 269
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My clutches never slipped using the SV 102 with a 2" diagonal and 9x50 right angle finder with SV's clamshell and awkward 2 ring 6 point finder mount. This rig weighed about 12 pounds. However I would probably not want to put a rig much heavier than that on it. I had their aluminum tripod. I think Vixen actually rated its weight limit when used with their own tripod as 15 pounds-so if you used a scope that pressed their own weight claim, you might be disappointed. However I am only speculating here as I didn't use it with anything heavier. You might be able to use it with a heavier scope if the scope were shorter than an SV102, since length is sometimes more important than weight when it comes to mount stability.
--------------------
Terrance
Celestron 9.25 SCT
10" f/5 X-Class Dob
SV 102ED
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SteveC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/15/06
Posts: 1175
Loc: The Garden State
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Hi Terrance,
Thanks, I might upgrade to a 102mm.
--------------------
SteveC
TEC 140
Intes Micro 715 deluxe
WO Zenithstar 80 FD
SolarMax 40
Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini, DM-6 w/Sky Commander on SV wood tripod, Vixen Skypod
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Kagoshima
journeyman
Reged: 08/26/07
Posts: 5
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Thanks to all those who have responded and I hope that this small thread has answered some questions for others. I have been eagerly watching the threads about the new iOptron Mini tower and hope that it is all that people hope it to be.
Take care,
Chris
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