Quote:
Originally Posted by moonunit
As a new owner of a 16" meade lightbridge, do I need to purchase the communication and power cable options, what do I need as a minimum, also does AN drive the scope or is that what Servo Cat does, I don't mind starhopping and pushing the scope so how does AN help in that regard if I don't know where I am going, another thing does the 'stalk' get in the way, and how is AN powered, I have a battery for the fan and a dew heater do I need another power supply, i'm interested but I have questions, of all the photos I see of AN, I never see any diagrams or drawings, or have I missed something?
|
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the post and congratulations on the new 16".
When combined with a pair of optical encoders, Argo Navis provides what some
refer to as a "PUSHTO" system.
What we refer to as a "Bundled Special System" which includes the Argo Navis,
a pair of encoders that provide 10,000 steps resolution per axis, an encoder cable
and the encoder mount hardware specific to a Meade LightBridge 16" can
be purchased online here by selecting "Meade LightBridge 16"" under the
"Bundled Special" pulldown and entering a "1" in the corresponding Qty box.
See
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/purchase.html
That will then provide you with a system that can assist you in locating
and identifying celestial objects.
The encoder mount hardware is very easy to install and does not require any
special tools or skills. You can find a copy of the altitude encoder hardware
instructions here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com....ges/lb_alt.pdf
and the azimuth encoder hardware instructions here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/images/lb_az.pdf
The altitude encoder is designed to be quickly and easily removed so you can
transport the scope.
As mentioned, an encoder cable that plugs into each encoder and in turn
goes to the Argo Navis encoder port is provided with the Bundled Special.
Align on any two objects you know, typically a pair of bright stars, and Argo Navis
"knows" where you are pointing. Dial up one of the approximately 30,000 objects
in the preloaded catalogs by name and the Argo Navis display shows you how much
to move the scope by in each of its axes in terms of degrees. As you move the scope,
the numbers update in real-time and when they reach zero, you look through
the eyepiece and there's your target.
Or you can work in an inverse mode and ask Argo Navis what it thinks an object
is based on filtering criteria you select.
You can even take a tour of objects based on your own filtering criteria.
For example, a tour of all galaxies in Virgo of, say, magnitude 14 or brighter or a tour of
all globular clusters within, say, 15 degrees of where you are pointing and so on.
Argo Navis is powered by a set of four alkaline AA batteries. Typically they
will provide you with enough power for a couple of weekends of observing.
The External DC power cable option allows you to power your unit from an
external DC power source, such as sealed lead acid battery to save on AA cells.
Argo Navis can accept an external power source of between 8V and 16V DC.
So your existing battery is perfect.
Argo Navis comes with a CDROM which includes a software utility we call
Argonaut. It allows you to upgrade your firmware and to download the
orbital elements of asteroids, comets and satellites. It also gives you
the ability to load about 1100 of your own user defined objects. That's
on top of the in-built 30,000 objects already in there. You can even
add your own comments and observing notes. And when you are finished
with those objects you can erase them and load another 1100. All of our
firmware upgrades are free and can be downloaded from our web site.
The serial cable, part number pn-ser-cbl, that connects between the Argo Navis and
a computer, brings about all these benefits and in addition it allows you to
interface to your favourite planetarium program to get a tracking cursor display.
If your computer only has a USB connector, we also stock USB Serial Adapters.
As mentioned, Argo Navis on its own provides a PUSHTO system.
However, it can also be interfaced to a ServoCAT servo motor controller
and this combination provides for full motorized slew and track capability.
A single cable interfaces between the Argo Navis and the ServoCAT "black box".
Dial up an object on the Argo Navis front panel, press the GOTO button on the
ServoCAT handpad and the scope then slews to the target and when it reaches
it, starts tracking. Argo Navis performs all of the object offset and tracking rate
calculations on behalf of the ServoCAT.
Whereas Argo Navis is designed and manufactured here in Sydney by Wildcard
Innovations, the ServoCAT is designed and manufactured by StellarCAT in
Texas. We have a close working relationship with them.
The ServoCAT itself has a pair of cables that goes to each of the two servo
motors and a second pair of cables that interface to each of the servo feedback
loop encoders on the motors shafts.
One beauty of the system is that you can disengage the motors if you so choose,
push the scope manually and Argo Navis still knows where the scope is pointing.
Re-engage the motors again later and your alignment is still good.
Argo Navis comes with a mounting cradle that allows you to mount it in
a variety of ways. You can slip the unit out of the cradle and hold it in
your hand if you so choose. Some users mount their units on top of a stalk
at about waist height. Because the stalk rides around with the rocker box,
it is always in the same place with respect the eyepiece and in that regard,
never gets in the way.
The Argo Navis User's Manual is available online from here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com....mentation.html
Thanks again for the post and I am sure you will have more questions so
please don't hesitate to telephone me during business hours on 02 9457 9049
or drop me an email at
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au and I would be
more than happy to answer them.
Best Regards
Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au