2 replies to this topic

[Thuesen Star Tracker]

Effortlessly Control Your Panther Mount with SkySafari

Read the full firmware update here: TTS-160 Panther Mount 355 Firmware Update

New Skysafari Integration

We are excited to share the latest feature from the TTS-160 Panther Mount’s Latest Firmware Update: integrating the SkySafari app on your mobile device! This allows you to align and control your Panther Mount easily from your phone, with an intuitive interface and a vast catalogue of celestial objects just at your fingertips.

Why Combine the Panther Mount with SkySafari?

With SkySafari, you can seamlessly switch between app control and the Panther Mount’s handpad. While SkySafari shines in object selection and tracking, the handpad offers fine, precise adjustments. The combined power of both devices makes for a fully customizable, comfortable observation experience—whether you’re quickly aligning on stars or meticulously slewing across the night sky.

What You’ll Need

To get started, ensure you have:

•     TTS-160 Panther Mount
•     NEXUS-II Wi-Fi Adapter (included with every Panther mount)
•     SkySafari app on your smartphone or tablet

Be sure your Panther Mount firmware is version 355 or later to ensure compatibility.

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Quick Guide to Aligning Your Panther Mount with SkySafari

Setting up with SkySafari is a breeze! Just follow these steps:

1.     Set up the mount as normal. Telescope pointing south and horizontal (approximately – compass or bubble level not needed)
2.     Connect the Handpad and Nexus-II adapter and power up the mount and Nexus-II
3.     On the handpad select Align from PC and then Start 2* align
4.     Now the mount is ready to be aligned from SkySafari and the handpad can be stored on the magnetic holder.
5.     Connect SkySafari to the mount.
6.     Decide on the first… Read the full article here

We’re thrilled to help make your stargazing nights even smoother. If you have any questions about using SkySafari with your Panther Mount, please don’t hesitate to reach out by replying to this email or by writing to Niels at nth@trackthestars.com.

 

To read the full breakdown of the set-up procedure read Niel's latest article on telescopemount.org

Effortlessly Align and Control Your Panther Mount with SkySafari on Your Mobile Device

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TTS-160 Panther Review
"Sceptical at first, we contacted Niels about our concerns and requirements, eager to find out if his product would be the answer to our problems. Very generously, Niels took the time to address our astronomy issues and tailor-made a package that would meet our astrophotography needs." - Read Tom from Australia’s full review here

 

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Thanks for reading.

Read the latest Alt-Az articles on Telescopemount.org.

 

Thanks again and clear skies - Torsten from Track The Stars.

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Ps. If you have any questions regarding the TTS-160 Panther Mount, or something else. You can always contact me at torsten@trackthestars.com or Niels at nth@trackthestars.com.

Edited by Thuesen Star Tracker, 01 November 2024 - 05:59 PM.

[lwbehney]

Hi Torsten,

I appreciate that you are mentioning this new feature on the CN forum. So if I understand matters correctly, if I set up with the mount facing facing due south and close to horizontal and order a GOTO slew to the first alignment star should I expect to be close enough to the target to find this star within the 7º field of view of my finder scope?  I also presume I can repeat the same process and slew to a second alignment star using GOTO from Sky Safari and then precisely align on this second star. Will SkySafari recommend a second alignment star based upon the first one I chose?  Also, could you tell me if  my Panther mount will use the internal clock and the location I stored in the Mount's memory to roughly locate its pointing direction at the sky, or will the mount be using the Sky Safari app on my tablet to give the mount the information about the time and my location?

 

I am currently using an old SkyFi III wireless unit to connect my TTS-160 to Sky Safari and I am using Sky Safari 6 Pro. To use the new Sky Safari integration, will I need to change to SS 7 Pro and get the new Nexus II Wi-Fi adapter or can I get by with just updating to SS 7 Pro and the firmware update? And one more question please - If not using plate-solving, can I get by with just downloading the new 355 firmware update? 

 

Thank you.

[nielshaagh]

Hi,

The precision of the first goto from the start-up position depends on how precisely you point towards south and have the OTA set horizontally. Getting within 7º should be possible.

After the first alignment star has been set in SkySafari you can slew to another star and align on it. SkySsafari will not suggest an alignment star so you must pick yourself (you can also use the first target of the evening).

The mount uses the internal clock and location settings.

You should be able to use the SkyFi III you have you just need to update the mount to firmware version 355. Using the SkySafari integration does not involve the Ascom driver.

 

Hi Torsten,

I appreciate that you are mentioning this new feature on the CN forum. So if I understand matters correctly, if I set up with the mount facing facing due south and close to horizontal and order a GOTO slew to the first alignment star should I expect to be close enough to the target to find this star within the 7º field of view of my finder scope?  I also presume I can repeat the same process and slew to a second alignment star using GOTO from Sky Safari and then precisely align on this second star. Will SkySafari recommend a second alignment star based upon the first one I chose?  Also, could you tell me if  my Panther mount will use the internal clock and the location I stored in the Mount's memory to roughly locate its pointing direction at the sky, or will the mount be using the Sky Safari app on my tablet to give the mount the information about the time and my location?

 

I am currently using an old SkyFi III wireless unit to connect my TTS-160 to Sky Safari and I am using Sky Safari 6 Pro. To use the new Sky Safari integration, will I need to change to SS 7 Pro and get the new Nexus II Wi-Fi adapter or can I get by with just updating to SS 7 Pro and the firmware update? And one more question please - If not using plate-solving, can I get by with just downloading the new 355 firmware update? 

 

Thank you.