14 replies to this topic

[donald41]

is the sky commander push to system still available and if so, who sells them. i don't use a cell phone or other small computer gadgets so this system would be suitable for a push to system for my dob. i use to have the Intelliscape from Orion but i find them to not be really accurate over time observing. the nexus push to system would be ok but not interested in spending that much $, just something like the Intelliscope locator that's not too complicated to use but dependable. if i was younger i would probably go all out but age has a way of slowing you down. so, I'm just looking for something easier to use. thanks, don  

[truckerfromaustin]

Im afraid that the Sky Commander system has not been available since 2021 or 2022. You might be able to find one on ebay or you could place a wanted ad on CN Classifieds or astromart.com. It's a shame since it's a simple system that works well. I have the digital setting circle set up on my 8 inch dob.

Clear Skies,
Greg

[Raginar]

https://github.com/h.../telescope-sync

 

I was thinking about giving this a try someday... I 3d printed a scope and wouldn't mind some pointing help.  I'm sure there are some other DIY options out there.

[donald41]

i purchased a tcl phone at Walmart in order to use it as a finder for my dob. i did some research and discovered that you can use a smart phone for finding objects with an application called astrohopper but i can't seem to find a place to download it, anyone know where to do this. thanks, don 

Edited by donald41, 03 October 2023 - 03:08 PM.

[Starman1]

is the sky commander push to system still available and if so, who sells them. i don't use a cell phone or other small computer gadgets so this system would be suitable for a push to system for my dob. i use to have the Intelliscape from Orion but i find them to not be really accurate over time observing. the nexus push to system would be ok but not interested in spending that much $, just something like the Intelliscope locator that's not too complicated to use but dependable. if i was younger i would probably go all out but age has a way of slowing you down. so, I'm just looking for something easier to use. thanks, don  

The Nexus is WAY easier to use than the Sky Commander.

 

Changing object numbers uses a 10-key pad instead of an up or down arrow scrolling for each number.  A hugely smaller number of keystrokes.

 

In the SC, you have to change to catalog mode to find an object, then change to Guide mode to get directions.

With the Nexus, you only have to enter numbers to go to the next object, and only change screens to select a different catalog.

 

The SC works only with up to 10K digital encoders, and even then, only with external power.  The Nexus works with capacitive, digital, and magnetic encoders up to 100 million ticks.

 

The Nexus has an OLED screen in red that can be read at super low brightness (256 levels of brightness), versus a green LCD screen that is still too bright at minimum brightness.

 

The SC's screen fades out and becomes unreadable near freezing and below.  The Nexus screen works at -40°.

 

If you want something cheaper, try finding a used JMI NGC Max.  It still requires a huge number of keystrokes, but the red LED screen can be made dim enough and is readable at sub zero temperatures.

You will still need an encoder/hardware/wiring kit that fits your scope.  Again, limited to digital encoders of 10K or less.

 

Another way to go is the Nexus-II, which is an interface box that communicates wirelessly with a computer program on your phone, like Sky Safari, so all alignment and finding is done with the phone.

You still need the encoder kit to go with the Nexus II wireless interface.  But Sky Safari has 1000x the capabilities of the Sky Commander or JMI units.  And you already have a cell phone anyway, right?

Edited by Starman1, 04 October 2023 - 08:39 AM.

[luxo II]

OP for examples of a push-to rigs with the Nexus equipment, see the AstroDevices website, Serge has a gallery of examples and sells DIY kits to fit many scopes.

 

Here's one I assembled some years ago with Nexus II. https://www.cloudyni...s-ii-skysafari/

I now have a smaller setup both an SV M2C mount https://www.cloudyni...60324-p1150020/

 

It is dead-easy to use, and quick to set up. The key to accurate pointing is to minimize flexure in your rig, from the ground up.

Edited by luxo II, 03 October 2023 - 04:21 PM.

[truckerfromaustin]

i purchased a tcl phone at Walmart in order to use it as a finder for my dob. i did some research and discovered that you can use a smart phone for finding objects with an application called astrohopper but i can't seem to find a place to download it, anyone know where to do this. thanks, don

Astro Hopper is available for Android phones in the google play store. It's not available for the iphone at this time.

Clear Skies,
Greg

[artik]

Astro Hopper is available for Android phones in the google play store. It's not available for the iphone at this time.

Clear Skies,
Greg

AstroHopper is web app that runs on both Android and iPhone - you don't need Play/App store. Just browser.

 

Go to the link: https://artyom-beili...strohopper.html

 

It install for offline use refer to the manual

Edited by artik, 04 October 2023 - 01:53 AM.

[clearwaterdave]

You can also DIY.,

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[Binofrac]

AstroHopper is web app that runs on both Android and iPhone - you don't need Play/App store. Just browser.

 

Go to the link: https://artyom-beili...strohopper.html

 

It install for offline use refer to the manual

I've been using Astrohopper successfully for a while now for both telescope and binoculars.

 

While I'm here, I have a question for Artyom-

Would be possible to add a setting to allow a default vertical rather than horizontal position? I know it can be `aligned` that way but it can be awkward. It would be easier when mounting the phone to binoculars so that the screen faces you, rather than having to look down on it.

[artik]

Would be possible to add a setting to allow a default vertical rather than horizontal position? I know it can be `aligned` that way but it can be awkward. It would be easier when mounting the phone to binoculars so that the screen faces you, rather than having to look down on it.

Technically yes, I need to change several equations for that (I need to recall where :-) )

 

However my concern is different. I noticed that the accuracy of the sensors is best when the is facing upwards, on a side it may be far less accurate.

[Anony]

There is also of course starsense. Buy an LT80 (or 114), rip off the phone mount, attach to dob.... good to go (so long as your phone is starsense compatible).

[Doug Culbertson]

There is also of course starsense. Buy an LT80 (or 114), rip off the phone mount, attach to dob.... good to go (so long as your phone is starsense compatible).

That’s what I use on my dob but, more often than not, I just stick a magnetic digital inclinometer on the tube and use SkySafari to get the alt/az of an object. It’s easy to push the scope in azimuth to the general area and then pan around a bit. 

[Anony]

That’s what I use on my dob but, more often than not, I just stick a magnetic digital inclinometer on the tube and use SkySafari to get the alt/az of an object. It’s easy to push the scope in azimuth to the general area and then pan around a bit. 

I used to do that pre-starsense, but my inclinometer thingy was never quite accurate. Probably more of QC issue and I just bought a clunker.

 

Benefit to starsense though is it allows for 'wandering'.  Not sure about others, but sometimes I just like to wander around in the sky randomly. And if I run across something interesting... a blob... cluster... smudge... whatever... I can look down at starsense and see what it is.

[Neanderthal]

.... And if I run across something interesting... a blob... cluster... smudge... whatever... I can look down at starsense and see what it is.

Indeed, a very helpful feature of using a StarSense Explorer-assisted scope. Probably doesn't carry much weight for those that already know the sky, but for folks that haven't been at it long, it sure is nice to have.