6 replies to this topic

[PlanetNamek]

So I have an Evolution 9.25 and the Evo scopes come with the wifi module that after owning the scope for 4 years I just got to work 2 months ago. Now, I'm thinking there MUST be a way to send my GPS location to the scope through wifi or maybe a different way from my phone if I have my GPS enabled on my phone. The scope is already wifi connected so surely there should be a way to send my GPS location without needing the module? I'm 35 so I know a thing or two about tech but not so much when it comes to telescopes. Anyone every look into this or wondered the same thing?

[plunk111]

Can you enter your lat/long manually? I haven't used an Evolution, but usually all software has an option for manual entry. You could just get the lat/long from your phone and type it in.

[triplemon]

You really don't need your position with any kind of accuracy at all. The information is only used to roughly tell which stars are below the horizon or above. And possibly also tell what timezone your local time entry refers to. All star alignment and tracking is entirely independent of your location information.

 

So you can safely enter a rough guesstimate of your location by hand, To the nearest full degree is more than enough precision. In the scope setup menu, under time/site. You can also choose your location by city name there, making this even easier. And as long as you don't move the telescope by more than a hundred miles, you don't even have to ever change, as it remembers it between runs.

Edited by triplemon, 18 March 2025 - 09:04 PM.

[mlord]

"The scope" or "mount" never gets GPS information. It's the alignment controller that needs it (normally the hand-controller).

If one is using WiFi, then normally one also uses a smart-device app (eg. SkyPortal app) as the alignment controller, and the app will get that info from Location Services on the smart-device.

[Noah4x4]

You really don't need your position with any kind of accuracy at all. The information is only used to roughly tell which stars are below the horizon or above. And possibly also tell what timezone your local time entry refers to. All star alignment and tracking is entirely independent of your location information.

 

So you can safely enter a rough guesstimate of your location by hand, To the nearest full degree is more than enough precision. In the scope setup menu, under time/site. You can also choose your location by city name there, making this even easier. And as long as you don't move the telescope by more than a hundred miles, you don't even have to ever change, as it remembers it between runs.

I don’t  get this assumption unless a visual astronomer that doesn’t require the precision necessary for astrophotography. Location must, of course make a difference. I live 60 miles from “London” and when I chose “city” for location selection everything was marginally inaccurate and tracking was problematic. I then input my precise latitude and longitude and these issues vanished. I reckon you ideally need minimum location accuracy better than 10 miles varience and the closer the better.
 

As regards the OP question, if one uses CPWI or SkySafari etc hence your controller is a laptop or tablet, accurate time and location can be sourced from Internet Location Services. You don’t need a GPS accessory. 

[Jimmerson]

Reading this, I think I have my answer. I just received the Wi-Fi module and the GPS sensor for my SE8. Sounds like I should be able to return the GPS sensor and let the Wi-Fi module take care of date time and location through my phone. Is this correct? If so, it’s going to save me around $200 to put towards that Astro eye. 😳

[mlord]

Yes. No use for the GPS module if using a controller app over WiFi. It gets totally ignored.