Quote:
Originally Posted by seanliddelow
I have an Idea. I might use a wireless webcam to put on each eyepiece and use the argo navis to control the telescope (That is outside) when I am in side. What is the range of the remote? I will then get the wireless webcam to send video feed to a laptop in doors. That laptop will be connected to a projector or tv so I can view the telescope in a home theatre room with popcorn  . I will have this project up and running by at least this time next year. Can you set the argo navis to go to a series of objects?
Sean |
Hi Sean,
Thanks for the post.
Keep in mind that on its own, Argo Navis does not directly drive stepper or servo
motors. Instead, you fit a pair of optical encoders on each axis and manually
push the scope. Some people refer to this as PUSHTO.
Having said that, Argo Navis can interface to a couple of third party servo
motor controllers including the ServoCAT and Sitech controllers. Argo Navis
then performs all the object offset and tracking rate calculations on behalf
of the servo motor controllers and then provides for full slew (GOTO) and track.
Some customers then use wireless interfaces to the servo controllers and
many of the planetarium programs (e.g. TheSky and ASCOM compliant
packages) support the ability to perform a remote slew and track by clicking
on an object on the PC screen in exactly the way you describe.
Some customers use wireless solutions such as the WirelessRS232 unit that
StellarCAT, who manufacture the ServoCAT, sell. This enables them to control
the scope up to hundreds of feet away.
Argo Navis is popular on just about all types of scopes from the smallest
(even a pair of bincoulars on a binocular mount) to some of the largest
(e.g. 48" 'monster' Dobs). However, the servo motor controllers solutions have
price points that tend to be optimized for scopes in the 14" to 48"+ class.
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