6 replies to this topic

[Melissa Throgmorton]

I am very interested in the Pi Finder push to system.  I have the Nexus II on an ES 12" truss Dob and I am considering selling the whole push-to system.  My concern is removing the magnetic strip from the altitude bearing.  After it is removed will it still be usable on another scope? Can it be glued on?  I guess there is a sticky system to the azmuth encoder as well.

Clear Skies

[Melissa Throgmorton]

If anyone is interested that viewed this post this is the response from Astro Devices:

Thank you for your question.

To be honest I doubt the magnetic tape can be re-used - most likely the adhesive will be already hardened and will not stick to a new surface.

Should you need a new magnetic tape it can be bought directly from us and it is priced at US$30 plus shipping.

Edited by Melissa Throgmorton, 06 May 2025 - 09:51 AM.

[triplemon]

Yep, its using acrylic PSA adhesive. Its a  bit different from garden variety double sided tape in that it when againg it hardens into glass like, non sticky film. Rather than turning into a squishy sticky mess. This type of PSA can be dissolved slowly with acetone, but resists alcohol. So its likely far from just "peel it off", depending on how long it was on there and surely not re-useable after.

 

So *IF* you manage to get it off undamaged, any buyer could conceivable glue it on with something else. But it would require the buyer to figure out what works for him and take your word that the strip you are sending hasn't been damaged in the course.

Edited by triplemon, 06 May 2025 - 01:33 PM.

[Melissa Throgmorton]

Yep, its using acrylic PSA adhesive. Its a  bit different from garden variety double sided tape in that it when againg it hardens into glass like, non sticky film. Rather than turning into a squishy sticky mess. This type of PSA can be dissolved slowly with acetone, but resists alcohol. So its likely far from just "peel it off", depending on how long it was on there and surely not re-useable after.

 

So *IF* you manage to get it off undamaged, any buyer could conceivable glue it on with something else. But it would require the buyer to figure out what works for him and take your word that the strip you are sending hasn't been damaged in the course.

Right.  Not worth the hassle over $30.  But now that the PiFinder is sold out for the time being I guess I'll wait a bit.

[smroid]

Also take a look at the Hopper e-finder at www.cs-astro.com. Like PiFinder, it adds push-to capability to your telescope with real-time plate solving.

 

Clear skies,

-Steven

Right.  Not worth the hassle over $30.  But now that the PiFinder is sold out for the time being I guess I'll wait a bit.

[PIEJr]

Also take a look at the Hopper e-finder at www.cs-astro.com. Like PiFinder, it adds push-to capability to your telescope with real-time plate solving.

 

Clear skies,

-Steven

Found this with your information, Steven.

 

Humm, looks a lot like Celestron's offering. Star Sense?

Edited by PIEJr, 10 May 2025 - 10:40 AM.

[smroid]

You're right, Hopper's case design is somewhat similar to StarSense.

 

The functionality is pretty different though. StarSense plugs into a Celestron computerized scope and helps it get its celestial bearings so you don't have to do manual star alignments.

 

Hopper works with any telescope and provides a complete push-to solution using your smartphone or tablet. LMK if you have any questions!

 

Clear skies!

-Steven

 

Found this with your information, Steven.

 

Humm, looks a lot like Celestron's offering. Star Sense?