Argo Navis.. Bartel..

[programmer]

Hi all

I'm about to hit the button to purchase an Argo Navis but I've decided to muddy the waters at the last minute :P

I'd love goto/tracking on my dob but wasn't really considering it due to $$$. If I were to pick up a second hand Bartel system, would that fit the bill? I know the simplicity of the Argo Navis is part of its appeal, and that the Bartel is more complicated, going through a laptop (Dos/Win 3.1 at that).

What are people's thoughts? Is Bartel a world of hurt and frustration compared to the Argo (different beasts I know, push-to versus motorisation) or would I get the best of both worlds? I don't intend to go Bartel + Argo due to cost.

Have read some of the old threads, but would like some 2008 opinions :)

Thanks in advance

[iceman]

Argo, easy call :)

Don't need a computer/laptop. All self-contained. Push-to is easy, accurate and fast.

[programmer]

Nice and succinct, thanks Mike.

My finger is getting closer to the Argo button.

[rmcpb]

Argo!!

[DJVege]

I have one....Argo!! (Dunno what the h3ll a Bartel is tho ;))

Argo is brilliant, and I haven't even had time to fully test all the functionality yet!!!!

[goober]

I'm a Argo owner of about 4 weeks - used it 3 times, love it. Fast to set up, simple to use in the dark, and (providing your encoders are ok) very accurate.

[programmer]

I hope my encoders will be ok as they will be part of the GSO Dob package.

[programmer]

The Bartel system adds motors for tracking and slewing to targets. Also has GOTO via a very old-fashioned interface running on a laptop, from what I understand.

[programmer]

Sorry to spam my own thread, but one question. I got a quote from Bintel Melbourne (not sure who I spoke to) who said they make the mounting hardware themselves. So do you get different stuff ordering from Wildcard Innovations versus Bintel? i.e. the mounting hardware.

Thanks

[gary]

Hi,

Firstly thanks to those who recommended an Argo Navis. We appreciate it.

With regards the encoder mount hardware for the GSO Bintel Dobs, this kit
is manufactured for us by Bintel, as per the footnote on this web page -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/kits/pn-bintel-252-spec_describe.html

The encoders, encoder cable and Argo Navis unit are supplied by Wildcard
Innovations.

Should you ever migrate to a larger mount in the future, perhaps that dream
20" truss pole Dob, you can always consider a ServoCAT slew and track controller
which you use in conjunction with the Argo Navis. In fact, the Argo Navis performs
all of the object offset and tracking rate calculations on its behalf. There is
a ServoCAT Jnr which is optimized for scopes in the 8" to 18" aperture class
and the ServoCAT which is optimized for scopes in the 16" to 48"+ class.
It's nice to know that you can migrate to a different scope and have these options
in the future and yet still retain your Argo Navis.

Thanks again and don't forget that you can contact us at any time with
queries such as this.

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

[programmer]

Thanks Gary. I wish all companies were so proactive!

ServoCat... mmmm...

Anyway, I don't think I can prevaricate any longer. :)

[gary]

Thanks and you are welcome.

You may have possibly been talking to Anthony or Roger down at Bintel
there in Melbourne. Both own and use Argo Navis units on their own telescopes.

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

[programmer]

All done! Hope to pick it up early next week! Sorry for all the exclamation points!!

Thanks for the unanimous vote for the Argo. Can't wait.

[gary]

Thank you and if you haven't done so already, you might want to grab a copy
of the User Manual from our web site -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/documentation.html

The first 30 pages of text cover everything from installing the batteries, to
the establishment of the one-time setup parameters, to alignment right
through to an example of touring galaxies in Fornax.

The rest of the Manual contains detailed reference information on each
mode of operation of the unit for those that really want to know.

Installation instructions for mounting the encoders can be found on our
web site here for the Alt axis -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/images/gs_alt.pdf
and here for the Az axis -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/images/gs_az.pdf

Also don't forget to join the Argo Navis User's Group if you haven't done
so already - http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/argo_navis_dtc/

Welcome to the extended family of Argo Navis owners.

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

[programmer]

Thanks, I'll be reading those ahead of time.