PDA + Encoders

[frogman]

Im looking at getting myself a descent Ipaq PDA and im wondering if i could use it (with some type of software??? ) and conect it to some encoders on my dob to create a push - to !!?!?!?!?

[Starkler]

I use a pda for this very purpose except mine cost me about $60 on ebay. Its a palm IIIx .

The beauty of old palms is that they come with a real serial port, instead of a usb connection where you will have to mess around with usb to serial adapters which may or may not work.

I run palmDSC and a Dave Ek decoder box. A forum search will turn up the links for you.

[Howzat]

iPaqs run windows so palmdsc won't work. I don't know any freeware astro programs for pocket pcs but there are several commercial programs like Thesky Pocket Edition (http://www.bisque.com/Products/TheSkyPE/TheSkyPE.asp)
I use a Zire 71 which are fairly cheap now the 72 is out and comes with an inbuilt camera (no good for astrophotography)
Or you can do what Geoff did and get a Palm of Ebay

[frogman]

Hope i get out bid then huh
The zire 72 is about to go for $150

[Starkler]

Even a lowly palm m100 will run palmdsc if you decide to go that way. Beats paying $600 for an argonavis thats for sure.

[iceman]

You'll need to buy the encoders + a mounting kit, or construct your own way of getting the encoders fitted on your dob. I can show you mine on May 7, westsky made them himself.. but it really depends on whether you have access to the tools required.

You could try buying a second hand SkyCommander, or a palm like the others have said. The argonavis is clearly the best of the bunch, but at $600 for the computer it may be out of your budget.

[frogman]

For sure ....$600 is just too much i was going to buy some sort of PDA for mmy info ,music and run some sort of map while im out in the field (introduced to "The Sky") and if it were capable of running a pushto i may as well get one that is compatable.

Its not an urgent thing ill just slowly build up a kit

Anthony

[ving]

I paid $80 for my m500 on ebay :)
just need encoders... from somewhere.... for free....

[Thiink]

I was going to start something like this when my Dave Ek board and programmed PIC turned up from FAR (hopefully next week). Anyone who's ordered from FAR before, how long did yours take to arrive?

So; do any of you Palm guys have a basic list (or able to quickly write one up) of Palm units that are able to run PalmDSC? I just want the cheapest, nastiest unit that can run it properly so I can keep an eye on ebay.

[ving]

what is this FAR of which you speak thiink and the palm pilot aside what is this costing you... I am so interested if it is cheap :)

[Thiink]

You might have different plans, but I am going the Dave Ek DSC (http://home.earthlink.net/~david.ek/digicircles/) route myself. I'm just waiting for the board and programmed PIC to arrive from FAR Circuits (see above website for details), and then I can order the other parts I need from Jaycar/DSE. Then I just have the mounting hardware, encoders and Palm to go!

[netwolf]

Do you thing we could maybe convice Jaycar to carry a kit for this?

[ving]

wouldnt it be grand!

[frogman]

Let me get this right

PDA |$200
The Sky or eq. | $49USD
circuit board PIC| ????
DOB Encoders | ??????



Yeah ????

Anthony

[Smokey]

I,m in the process of sourcing all the bits together for one of these DSC for my 10" GS Dob.
Encoders from US Digital = $150(Aus) + shipping
Mounting Kit = approx $90(Aus) (Bintel are actually the most expensive @ $100)
Interface = ? Depends on which way you go. Check THIS THREAD (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1274&perpage=20&pagenumber=2) for price on the components.
I,m getting a fellow Iceinspacer to make the interface for me. Then you need a Palm or Laptop or such to connect to the interface.
So you would still be looking at a few hundred $ all up.
If anyone knows where I can get the mounting Kit and encoders cheaper please let me know.

[Thiink]

BATSC (http://www.batsc.com.au) sell them for $75ea (http://www.batsc.com.au/TR/TR_BTS.NSF/All/B6F8101D824C06B54A256F1B0000BB09?Op enDocument)($150 for the pair), but I guess that was where you got the price from.

So far I've ordered:
- board and PIC from far: ~$30
- crystal clock oscillator from mouser (I got a spare one): ~$24

When those two arrive I am going to start getting the rest from Jaycar/DSE. I've done a quick total for Jaycar/DSE and it should come to around $12.42 or so. Then encoders, PDA and mounting from where ever you can get them from.

[Smokey]

Unfortunately BATSC have sold the for 4 pairs of encoders that they had for $75 each :(
The ones I quoted were from the US DIGITAL (http://www.usdigital.com/products/s1s2/) site.

[Thiink]

O man that sucks!

Did you ask if they are getting more in? I'm going to need a set too in the next month or so. Tell them we have at least two people wanting them! :)

[frogman]

Am i included in thoes two people ?

[frogman]

this might help.

http://www.amsky.com/atm/accessories/mouse/encoder.html

no i know its not a hyperlink sorry... NO I DID IT ON PURPOSE.

[Thiink]

My package from mouser turned up today. Took a total of 5 working days to get here!

Only problem is my order with FAR seemingly has not been processed yet, which really sucks. I think they have lost my original order, and I have been waiting almost a week to see if they need the order re-submitted (originally ordered 7/4). :(

I want to start putting this stuff together!

[Astroman]

I have ripped apart a mouse and used it as an encoder before. I put it on the scope and warked great until I movedthe scope again, the mouse encoders have a tendancy to skip counts. I tried several different methods without success, each time they missed the beat. Maybe someone had better luck, but from personal experience it may be better to buy commercialy.

[ausastronomer]

Gary Kopff from Argo Navis is selling the 10,000 step (as opposed to 8192) US digital encoders for $AUS80 each. These new encoders offer a 49% increase in resolution over the older 8192 step encoders.

http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/encoder_10000_describe.html

CS-John B

[Thiink]

All the parts bar encoders and mounting hardware have turned up. I have to try and figure out where to get them from.

Wildcard have kits (encoders, mounting hardware and two cables) available for the GSO 10" dob for $297 ($313.10 delivered), but that seems a bit rich to me. US Digital encoders can be had for around $75 each (if they ever come into stock again), and the mounting hardware around $89. That equates to $239 without shipping, but then I would have to make my own cables/connectors etc so it may be worth it. I have emailed Bintel to see if they can supply the kits as well.

At the moment I am planning on using the kit on an old P133 laptop that has a serial port on it until everything works and I buy a PDA, which should simplify the cable for the moment (would an old serial modem cable work?).

How is everyone else going with their projects?

[h0ughy]

Anthony

Sell your soul and get a Meade SCT, it has encoders built in, and expensive palm sized computer and a really nice whirring noise when it goes to something and after you push the button:P :astron:

[Thiink]

Got an email back from BATSC; they sold out of the other four pairs of S2 encoders they had last Friday.. argh.

Also got an email back from Bintel; apparently they normally only sell the Hardware to people who buy their scope and Argo Navis directly from them, but said the Hardware cost $120.

Looks like I'm going to be ordering the kit from Wildcard for simplicity sake. Now I have to wait until after rego. :mad2:

[Smokey]

Hi Simon.
I asked Bintel about the mounting kits 3 or 4 weeks ago....they emailed back and said they were $100 for the 10" Dobs. (Still to expensive).
In the latest AS&T mag, Sirius Optics have them advertised for $79.00 (page 19). They call them "Southern Cross Argo Navis Fitting Kits" and they include encoder brackets, centre bolts and screws.
Also......I rang BATSC about the encoders at least 3 weeks ago, probably more, and they had sold out of the 4 encoders back then.:confused:

[Thiink]

They had run out a few weeks back, but last week the website showed they had four more. This is the email I got back:



As for the mounting Hardware $79 isnt bad at all, thanks for that! I might order that now and worry about the encoders later.

[gary]

Hi Simon,

The Southern Cross Argo Navis mount hardware kit is for the Synta mount, but according to your signature, you appear to have a Guang Sheng.

We do not recommend this particular kit for use on the Guang Sheng.

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
wildcard@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[frogman]

http://www.helix-mfg.com/accessories.htm

Sky Commander - Digital Setting Circles
Complete - postage USD $429....