Telescope Reviews: Aftermarket Push-To systems

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Atl
sage

Reged: 04/13/12

Aftermarket Push-To systems
#5532299 - 11/21/12 01:40 PM

Are there any commercially produced push-to systems to put on home made dobs out there that anyone knows about?
Thanks

Post Extras:

Dave Ittner
sage

Reged: 05/29/12

Loc: SF Bay Area, California

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Atl]
#5532391 - 11/21/12 02:31 PM

Not that I am aware of but have you researched putting setting circles on your dob and then adding an inexpensive digital angle gauge?

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-angle-gauge-95998.html

Google setting circles for a dob. Someone in our club did this for his 8" dob. I have pictures if you are interested.

Post Extras:

City Kid
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/06/09

Loc: Northern Indiana

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Atl]
#5532393 - 11/21/12 02:31 PM

Sky Commander from Sky Engineering is one.

Post Extras:

Traveler
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 08/19/07

Loc: The Netherlands

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: City Kid]
#5532401 - 11/21/12 02:34 PM

Wildcard's Argo Navis is another (controller). They also making digital setting circles.

Post Extras:

Gastrol
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 11/04/11

Loc: los angeles

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Traveler]
#5532426 - 11/21/12 02:52 PM

If your ground board is round you can easily add an azimuth setting circle. You use your smart device to locate objects.

Post Extras:

dan_h
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/10/07

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Atl]
#5532494 - 11/21/12 03:29 PM

Quote:

Are there any commercially produced push-to systems to put on home made dobs out there that anyone knows about?
Thanks

I recently picked up a used but very useable NGC MAX down in the swap shop on CN. Lots of documentation on the net.

dan

Post Extras:

beatlejuice
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 04/05/11

Loc: Hamilton, ON,Canada

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Atl]
#5532644 - 11/21/12 04:57 PM

Check out the Halo in the vendors forum

Eric

Post Extras:

Atl
sage

Reged: 04/13/12

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: beatlejuice]
#5533128 - 11/21/12 11:23 PM

Anyone use these?
http://www.astronomy-shoppe.com/ScopeScout.htm

Post Extras:

jgraham
Postmaster

Reged: 12/02/04

Loc: Dayton, Ohio

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Atl]
#5533144 - 11/21/12 11:40 PM Attachment (18 downloads)

A possible alternative is a laser Point-To system. Briefly… take an el cheapo GoTo system and add a laser pointer to it. Use the el cheapo GoTo system to point the laser at your target, and then follow the beam out to the end with your scope. I was originally going to use a spare ETX system for mine, but I ended up putting together a system from spare parts; a #884 tripod, DS-2000 mount, 2045S scope, and an Orion laser pointer. I put this together to help me point my homebuilt 16.5” f/6.5 Newtonian, but the beauty of it is that it works with any scope. I’ve recently been using it with my LightBridge 16 and it works like a charm.

Edited by jgraham (11/21/12 11:58 PM)

Post Extras:

csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Dave Ittner]
#5533154 - 11/21/12 11:48 PM

Quote:

Not that I am aware of but have you researched putting setting circles on your dob and then adding an inexpensive digital angle gauge?

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-angle-gauge-95998.html

Google setting circles for a dob. Someone in our club did this for his 8" dob. I have pictures if you are interested.

There is a thread that is a Sticky at the top of this forum with many showing how they put "degree/setting" circles on their dobs.

Degree Circles

The HALO actually was born partially due to this thread.

Post Extras:

Dave Ittner
sage

Reged: 05/29/12

Loc: SF Bay Area, California

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5533257 - 11/22/12 01:26 AM

Thanks Carol. I completely spaced out and missed posting a link to that sticky post.

Post Extras:

tezster
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/14/09

Loc: Missisauga, Canada

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Atl]
#5533545 - 11/22/12 08:50 AM

As a slightly different option, you can take a look at Astro Devices' wireless interfaces; they can be connected directly to encoders.

This then allows you to wirelessly connect to an Android tablet or iDevice running compatible planetarium software (SkySafari, for example) and use that as your "DSC" computer.

Post Extras:

Achernar
Postmaster

Reged: 02/25/06

Loc: Mobile, Alabama, USA

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Atl]
#5533880 - 11/22/12 12:32 PM Attachment (20 downloads)

Sky Engineering offers their Sky Commanders, JMI offers digial setting circles, and there there are those offered by Argo Navis. All can be fitted to Dobs and I know the Sky Commanders and JMI's can also be mounted on equatorial mounts as well. I use JMI's on my 10-inch and Sky Commanders on my 15-inch. The JMI's are good, the Sky Commanders are better. I do not have any experience with the Argo Narvises, but they are much more expensive the the other two choices. You will be fine with the Sky Commanders.

Taras

Post Extras:

audioaficionado
sage

Reged: 05/24/12

Loc: Medford, Orygun, USA

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Achernar]
#5543055 - 11/27/12 11:14 PM

The aforementioned HALO Setting Circle-Leveling Base looks interesting, but I don't have much confidence in composite that thin with the full weight of a dob plus accessories sitting on it.

Post Extras:

Mike B
Starstruck

Reged: 04/06/05

Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: jgraham]
#5543175 - 11/28/12 01:07 AM

My observing group has used John's "laser Point-To system"... or a version of it; we used my Dob, having both SkyCommander *AND* a green-laser! I'd cue the object on the SkyCom, find it in the scope's view, then "light-it-up" with the GLP... and all my buddies would aim their scopes down my GLP's beam.

We called it "cheating". Was eminently more fun than playing fair.

An "el cheapo" GoTo scope from WalGetCo, having funhouse optics & plastic eyepieces, but a functional computer-locator, would make a marvelous platform for mounting a GLP... & spend hours cheating one's way thru the heavens!

Post Extras:

John Carruthers
Skiprat

Reged: 02/02/07

Loc: Kent, UK

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Atl]
#5543419 - 11/28/12 08:47 AM

I like the Manortronic 'AstroFix' 2 axis locator for Dobs, around £87/$139

http://www.manortronics-force-gauges.com/Astro

Post Extras:

rick-SeMI
sage

Reged: 01/08/11

Loc: Michigan - USA

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Atl]
#5543431 - 11/28/12 08:56 AM

Look ma no wires

http://www.astrodevices.com/products/BETI/BETI.html

SkyCommanders encoders and arms may work with this system.
In Fact you may be able to use their cable also since the BETI uses an 8-pin RJ-45 too.

And a cheaper route would be to use the CUI AMT-102 capacitive encoders.
I got a PAIR of them from Digi-Key for around $48 when I built my Dave Ek, Bluetooth capable DSC's, for the DobStuff 16" depicted here.

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=atm&Nu...

Edited by rick-SeMI (11/28/12 09:28 AM)

Post Extras:

tezster
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/14/09

Loc: Missisauga, Canada

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: rick-SeMI]
#5543853 - 11/28/12 12:57 PM

Quote:

Look ma no wires

http://www.astrodevices.com/products/BETI/BETI.html

SkyCommanders encoders and arms may work with this system.
In Fact you may be able to use their cable also since the BETI uses an 8-pin RJ-45 too.

I can confirm this does work - it's the exact setup I use

Post Extras:

Project Galileo
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/14/07

Loc: Jefferson County, Colorado

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: tezster]
#5543966 - 11/28/12 02:17 PM

If you have a droid with GPS try Skeye. It is available at the google play store for free or there is an upgraded pro version for $9. It works quite well. The free version is loaded but the pro version is well worth the $9. I use with with my telescope mounted as a push to devise and as a mobile planetarium much like google sky map. It is really an amazing app. Check it out.

Post Extras:

orion61
Vendor(Clear Edge Optical)

Reged: 10/20/07

Loc: NW Iowa BURRRR

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: Atl]
#5544222 - 11/28/12 05:01 PM

Quote:

Are there any commercially produced push-to systems to put on home made dobs out there that anyone knows about?
Thanks

JMI (Jims Mobile Inc) makes a great system
The JMI Max, I still have a MiniMax no longer available but going strong. works great!
Also makes the Micro Max. they can be used for virtually any type of mount.
just choose from the menu EQ, az Alt, Dob.
I have owned 2 and they are very accurate, mine centers in the field every time at 2000mm FL! better than my LX200!

Post Extras:

Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: Aftermarket Push-To systems new

[Re: John Carruthers]
#5544379 - 11/28/12 06:44 PM

Quote:

I like the Manortronic 'AstroFix' 2 axis locator for Dobs, around £87/$139

http://www.manortronics-force-gauges.com/Astro

Some one was selling these out of Arizona a few years ago. At the time, the issue was the accuracy of the azimuth measurement. Have you used one?

Jon

Post Extras:

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