Yet another DSC query

[drmorbius]

Hi all,

I'm starting to put together my list for Santa and right at the top is a set of DSC's for my dob. Unfortunately Santa isn't made of money so I want to do my research first.

I know there's a big Argo Navis crowd here but my interest is not really in a standalone unit with built in database, but with interfacing encoders to a software package on my notebook like Cartes du Ciel. What can I say? I'm a visual kind of guy ;).

I've researched Dave Ek's work a bit and while that's a consideration (it's been a long time since I had the soldering iron out), I wanted to get opinions and/or experiences on other options for interfacing encoders to a PC.

Thanks...

[gary]

Hi Randall,

Argo Navis will not only interface out-of-the-box with Cartes du Ciel,
but with every known planetarium program.

This then provides a tracking cursor display on the laptop/PC/PDA/Pocket PC
screen. Many of these programs allow you to specify a depiction of the
current FOV by way of a circle that moves as you move the scope and
combined with the ability to zoom in and out, allows you to seek other
targets of opportunity.

Many observers use their Argo Navis in combination with a graphic
display in precisely the manner you are seeking. Third party products,
such as the Bluetooth AirCABLE serial adapters, also intergrate with Argo Navis
should you seek a purely wireless interface.

All available today, no soldering required, designed and manufactured
in Australia.

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

[[1ponders]]

If I can work out how to do it Randall you are welcome to check out the setup at Ron's next time.

[drmorbius]

Thanks Gary... the AN is definitely on my wish list :thumbsup:.

Hi Paul... I didn't realise yours was a DIY, I'll certainly have a look.

My understanding is that the tough (and expensive) part is converting the encoder signals to info the PC software can digest. My naive thinking is that if you don't include the object database, it should be cheaper.

Are there products that only do the conversion and don't have the object database? Has anyone had a go at the Dave Ek project?

[gary]

Hi Paul,

Here are some instructions to allow Argo Navis to communicate
with Cartes du Ciel on Argo Navis SERIAL PORT 2.

Set the SERIAL 2 BAUD to 9600 on Argo Navis.
Set the SERIAL 2 STARTUP to meade.
Power off Argo Navis and then power it back on.

The following assumes Cartes du Ciel v2.76 and ASCOM 4.0.2.
In Cartes du Ciel, select Telescope->Select-Scope Interface->ASCOM.
Select Telescope->Configuration panel.
On the Configuration Panel dialog, click on Select.
When the ASCOM Telescope Chooser pops-up, use the pull-down to select
Generic LX200 Type Scopes.
Press Properties to select the appropriate COM port.
Press OK on the Properties dialog and OK on the Telescope Chooser.
Hit Connect on the Configuration Panel.
The Red indicator on the panel should change to Green.
Use the Hide button on the dialog and then select Telescope->Show
Scope position.
After you ALIGN the Argo Navis, Cartes du Ciel then tracks the
movement of the scope.

You can also use the Meade Plugin v1.51g which also works fine.
It can be downloaded from here -
http://astrosurf.com/astropc/cartes/prog/cdcmeade.exe

Thanks again for the post and I hope the above is helpful.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.

[[1ponders]]

Thanks Gary. I could have probably have found it and worked it out from the manual, but somehow I knew you'd wander along and help me out. :D