14 replies to this topic

[Connor Walls]

Call me stupid, but I don't know what it is!

[BoriSpider]

The SkyScout is a device that can identify and locate objects in the sky.

[Connor Walls]

Could it be used with a telescope to help locate objects?

[Vondragonnoggin]

Could it be used with a telescope to help locate objects?

Yes - check out the scope scout - here

That's what I plan on doing with mine. the sky scout has helped me locate quite a few objects.

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

Cab be used just like XT8i. Mainly, Locating celestial objects or identify object in the sky.

Say, you have the excellent dark sky and you looked at M31 as a fuzzy patch. You do not know which DSO are you looking. So, Turn on the skyscout and let it aquire the GPS co-ordinates which usually takes about a minute or less. Then point to the fuzzy patch and hit identify. It will tell you the DSO you are looking along with few other objects close to it (because of zero finder FOV is 1.15 degree)

The other thing you can do it to align with the instrument you have and hit locate button. It will show you just like XT8i dobsonian scope (arrows where to move the scope). You simply move the scope as per instruction and there you go!

There are so many things in it like locating constallastion and fact about the object you wish to see.

[BoriSpider]

Plus a SD card slot for more info.
Only 2 cards available at this time.

They need to open-source this product so we can make our
own cards and maybe attach a bigger screen

[skeetgirl]

One thing it also does, Connor, that I didn't see anyone mention in the replies, is talk to you about what different objects are (kind of like those audio-guide tours in museums). It is a fun gadget; it doesn't magnify anything like a telescope, but for naked-eye stargazing is nice (and it is nice to have along when observing to give to the person patient enough to sit outside with you while you fiddle with a telescope so they have something to do, too ).

[tonydel77]

It is a fun gadget; it doesn't magnify anything like a telescope, but for naked-eye stargazing is nice (and it is nice to have along when observing to give to the person patient enough to sit outside with you while you fiddle with a telescope so they have something to do, too ).

Been thinking about this gadget for some time now, trying to justify the cost. Laura, your comment just did that for me. Excellent idea! Thanks for that.

[Vondragonnoggin]

I ordered a scope scout standard to use mine with my big refractor. Will posts some results when I get it setup and get to try it. Such a cool gadget, why not use it as my telescope computer finder.

[orion61]

Or you can do the real thing and use star charts and really get to know the sky and star hop...

I'm sorry to sound negative, but the time and "effort"
used to be the purpose of this hobby.
Counting M objects in one night used to be fun and challenging.. now it is GO TO, loosing any Scientific
learning,
I constantly see want ads now for "needing new PCB boards" needing slew motors,etc..
It has even gotten to the dobs..
My manual G.E.M. Cave Astrola keeps chugging away, no need for firmware, upgrades, patches...etc..

[Gastrol]

^^^^Yeah, but that's true with most any other hobbies out there. We 'paid our dues' and learned from scratch sort of say to stay and enjoy these hobbies but that's only because these new gizmos were not available to us back then.
IMO, star charts for one turn off lots of newcomers interested in this hobby.

[rmollise]

Or you can do the real thing and use star charts and really get to know the sky and star hop...

I'm sorry to sound negative, but the time and "effort"
used to be the purpose of this hobby.
Counting M objects in one night used to be fun and challenging.. now it is GO TO, loosing any Scientific
learning,
I constantly see want ads now for "needing new PCB boards" needing slew motors,etc..
It has even gotten to the dobs..
My manual G.E.M. Cave Astrola keeps chugging away, no need for firmware, upgrades, patches...etc..

Finding an object via star hopping is not "science." The professionals have not used star hopping in _well_ over a century. If you like to find things manually, have at it. Some of us prefer the looking to the finding.

[rmollise]

Plus a SD card slot for more info.
Only 2 cards available at this time.

They need to open-source this product so we can make our
own cards and maybe attach a bigger screen

I hoped this would happen...but...I don't think it will because I rather doubt the SkyScout will be around too much longer. Oh, I've had a fine time with mine, and found several uses for it. B-U-T...a modern smartphone running SkySafari can easily locate objects as well as a 'Scout, has a prettier display...and everybody has one.

One recent night out with my university astronomy students, I was gonna amaze 'em, as I have several years worth, with my SkyScout. Before I could do that, a couple were already having a ball identifying stuff with their iPhones...

Ah, well .

[whirlpoolm51]

the whole point of this is to se the universe for what it really is and i would rather spend 2 hours looking at one object than spend 2 hours finding it if you ask me

[whirlpoolm51]

not being rude just sayin lol if y9ou know your way around the constellations you ar epretty much set to go this isnt a hobby for me its a way of life no matter how you do it weather star hoppin computer boppin go toin and gaas powered telescopes hahahaha atleast you are recognizing the universe for what it realy is

clear skies my friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1