Over the past few weeks I have been putting together an Android Tablet based Pushto system for my new 16" GSO dob. After the final field trials last weekend at Bretti Reserve I can say it is finished and working like a charm. The component list is:
Two US Digitial 10,000 step encoders for the Azimuth and Altitude,
Astro Devices Nexus Wifi box, along with their supplied encoder cables, power plug etc.
My Android tablet
Sky Safari Plus application (download from Google Store for $13.99) and worth every penny.
A 12V 7AH house alarm battery, and a 12V three way power plug.
The beauty of this system is that for many people it leverages off of equipment you may already have - like the Android tablet, and yes it will run on an Android phone as well I believe but the display maybe a bit cramped. The Nexus device also works with an Apple IOS device like Iphones and Ipads!
The Sky Safari Plus application is the middle version of three and it is required so that you can get the Pushto/Goto functions. This system will also work as a Goto system if you interface ServoCat or ServoCat Jr to it - it will drive the servos.
Sky Safari is a great pictorial app with a large data base, and provides two star alignment, and telescope targeting and lock functions. It's great to be able to follow the scope target across the sky on the way to your next object selected.
All of this gear is mounted on my new light-weight collapsible dob base that I made out of marine ply (see photos below).
All up cost for the Nexus, cables, encoders, was around $420. I also bought a couple of new pivot bolts from the US for my new mount and to get the encoder shaft head bolts. There was a little work to mod the Alt bearing on the GSO, but it was pretty easy.
Sorry I didn't get any feld photos last weekend (forgot the camera) but below are some from the shed (and yes, that's the little brother 12" in the background). Future plan is for swapability of the Nexus between the two scopes but for now the 16" is my main toy.
Thanks to Serge of Astro Devices for all his advice and assistance.
Last edited by glend; 08-11-2013 at 04:25 PM.
Reason: Change one photo
Hi All,
I have a similar setup, AOK AYO II mount with 5000 step encoders, Nexus and SkySafari+ on my iPond touch.
Two star alignment and I get almost anything within a 1-1.5 degree field.
With additional alignment on a bright object, close to the target area, pointing is easily improved.
A very economical solution I find, and with the integrated encoders of the AYO mount this look very clean.
Cheers,
Peter
