Southern testers for free android app. Synscan initialization helper.

[monaghan]

Hi everybody,
As new owner of a telescope I was wondering if an android application already existed to fill quickly all the requested fields of the synscan.
I did not find anything. I finally realized by myself this application; SynscanInit2. Available on google play for free.
I specially added a reticule with Octans stars for south locations.
Actually I need to test it in south hemisphere (I am French...). If you can do that and provide me with your feedback I will be happy.
hopefully it will be useful for you.

:thanx:

[skysurfer]

I tested it but saw different scales for the north and south reticle. And how does it work ? Which stars are shown at the South Pole ? BQ Oct or Sigma ?
Actually, it should automatically choose the correct reticle for the respective hemisphere.

[monaghan]

Thank you Skysurfer for your answer.
Actually I corrected the reticule with partial Octans view in terms of orientation and I also added the letter T (Tau Octans) on one of the star as it is on skywatcher polaris scope.
Concerning the scale, both reticles come from what you can see on skywatcher polar scope.
In fact the purpose of this application is mainly to provide information needed during Synscan initialization. The alignement reticles are just shown here to illustrate the polar angle or octans orientation.
196967
see attached image.
Octans stars used for south alignment. cassiopea and big dipper for north alignment.
So my concern is to have feedback from a southern tester to see if this app is useful for you.
thanks again for your help.

[monaghan]

New version 1.9 improved for using reticle in southern hemisphere. Hope it works for you guys!
thank you for your feed back in case of issue.
clear Sky!

[LewisM]

That's actually pretty handy! Thanks.

I'll give it 5 stars.

[OICURMT]

Northern Hemisphere

A line from Merak to Dubhe should point to Polaris.

It looks like you have Polaris positioned where Pherkad is.

[monaghan]

I'am happy LewisM that it works in the southern hemisphere. I have no opportunity to test this app over there.

Correct OICURMT ! (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/member.php?u=8799)
But the purpose of this view is only to give some rough information to make sure you are doing the right set up.
The most important thing is to place polaris with the good angle and the right location on the polar finder.
By the way...Are you lost on this Australian forum? :0)
Nice Sky!

[Allan_L]

Thanks Monaghan,
I have been using this for a couple of months now, and I love it.
Sure, its simple, and all the info is available from other sources, but to have it all in one spot, in the right format, and right order, just makes the setup process so much quicker and accurate.

Brilliant! 5 Stars!

The only thing better would be if it provided the best alignment stars (in pairs) for your position and time (based on altitude, position in respect of the meridian, and separation degrees, etc. for Skywatcher Synscan to optimise alignment)

Thanks again and Regards

[monaghan]

Thank you Allan for these nice comments.
It motivates me to improve my app.
Thank you also for your suggestion. I agree with you that the second point on which we spend to much time is the choice of alignment stars.
I am thinking about a way to ease this phase.
I am more interrested in having a simple map of main stars availability and where we can see them in the sky.
WIP.
:thanx:

[monaghan]

Hi all,
I just modified my app Synscaninit 2 to use the skywatcher reticle properly in southern hemisphere. I hope this will help you to align on Octan stars.
Thank you for your feed back if something wrong.
Clear skies

[xelasnave]

Great idea but on my phone the elevation is hidden by the bottom of the screen.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Also I cant get anything other than the info screen which does not show any hint of a reticle.
Maybe your update has caused problems?
Hope you get it to work as I think it would be very handy..I have to write a little note to take out to the mount with the info so your app would be most useful.
Alex

[xelasnave]

My phone is a Samsung Galaxy J1 6
Alex

[xelasnave]

Whats the point of asking for testers if you fail to check for feed back.

I need it working by the weekend☺
Alex

[monaghan]

hello

Thank you for your answer.

Effectively J1 seems to have less pixel than emulator I use to test the app.
I will see what I can do to fix that. The issue is that if you cant see the button allowing to go to reticle view. this button is under elevation data.
Thanks for this feed back.

[monaghan]

Actually the workaround is to turn your phone to landscape orientation. Then you should have to access to the "goto polaris view".
Let me know if it works

[xelasnave]

Turning the phone on its side only shows the screen down to day light save.

Thanks for getting back.
Alex