Argo Navis - if you're happy and you know it clap your hands... [Archive] - Page 2

gary

07-05-2010, 08:51 PM

Hi Liz,

I've just come back in from outside and your 24 degrees in Townsville sounds
much more agreeable than the cool, clear, night we have here in Sydney
at the moment.

It certainly would not require any arm bending to have Mai and I wish we
were up in your part of the world again right now. ;)

Here is a quick synopsis of the alignment steps you would have performed.

1) Power ON unit.
Unit will initiliaize and show MODE FIX ALT REF.

2) Push optical tube to mechanical vertical stop.
At this position the Optical axis is approx. parallel to the Az axis.
i.e. if the scope were on level ground (and it need not be) it would be pointing toward the zenith.

3) Push ENTER button. If need be, spin the dial until display shows ALT REF=90 AUTO ADJUST OFF.

4) Press ENTER. Display will show for two seconds WARP=ALT REF OK

5) Press EXIT. Dial up MODE ALIGN STAR. Press ENTER. Dial up first alignment star by name.

6) Center first star in eyepiece and then press ENTER.

7) Spin dial and select second alignment star.

8) Center second star in eyepiece and then press ENTER.

9) Display will show WARP=xx in lower line of display for two seconds where xx is
a numerical value. Next time you get out, please let me know what WARP value you received
after aligning on the second star (the WARP factor after the first star you can ignore).

Best regards

Gary

Liz

08-05-2010, 07:53 AM

Thanks Gary, yes, am sure it will work on Monday night when I'm free again. :thumbsup:
You guys are welcome up here any time!!

erick

08-05-2010, 06:48 PM

Might be driving past around solar eclipse time!:D

Liz

08-05-2010, 08:50 PM

:lol::lol: that did cross my mind!!

NJB

11-05-2010, 06:41 AM

Hi Everyone.

I owned an Argo Navis for a few years, using it on an 8" Celestron dob and on an 8" Meade LX50. I loved the AN. Then I sold the dob, and moved the LX50 out of its forks onto a SkyWatcher HEQ5Pro mount. So I sold the Argo Navis at the urging of my wife. That was a few years ago now.

About a year ago, I got a 12" SkyWatcher Collapsible Dob. And now I've ordered a brand new Argo Navis to put on to it! Can't wait!

Has anybody else used an Argo Navis on the Sky Watcher Collapsible Dobs? Any pitfalls?

Noel

NJB

26-05-2010, 02:36 PM

My brand new Argo Navis arrived Monday. Thanks Gary!! :hi:

I've now made a "Bunnings Stalk" similar to that suggested in http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=375810#post375810. (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=375810#post375810) I used a standard extension pole from the paint section with a pull pin to allow height adjustment and a Pro-edge paint trimmer with an adjustable knuckle to allow the angle to be adjusted. These two ideas came from Garin on the Argo Navis Yahoo support group.

Now all I need is for the clouds to go away and some free time at night. Can't wait!!!
:stargaze:
Noel

gary

27-05-2010, 02:05 PM

Hi Noel,

Thanks for the post.

It is always great to hear that when a customer loves their Argo Navis they come
back a second time. Thank you and we appreciate your support. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the photos and I see you have installed the SkyWatcher Dob encoder kit
and look good to go. The "Bunning's" stalk is nicely executed as well! I note the
metal clips you used along the length of the pole to both affix it to the side of the
rocker and which double to help dress the cable. These are most clearly seen in
your last photo. Did you also source these from your local Bunnings and do
you have a handle on what they were called? It is always great to be able to point
people to solutions such as these.

Once again, thanks for purchasing an Argo Navis again!

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

JethroB76

27-05-2010, 09:02 PM

:lol: Wow, there must be a lot of these getting around now attached to scopes

NJB

31-05-2010, 05:45 PM

Thanks for your comments Gary. Yes I did get the metal clips from Bunnings too. I have thrown the pack away, and I can't remember what they were called.... no, wait... I've found the receipt. They are listed as (quoting exactly what's on the receipt) "CLIP TOOLS SIDDONS 30MM CD4 VIC0030" at $5.97 for a pack of 4, if that is any help. They were clips for hanging brooms and tools from. I was just lucky they were 30 mm ones which was just the size of the paint extension pole. The three clips hold the pole quite firmly, but I can still remove it if I have to. And yes, they do provide a nice place for the cables to run through.

I'm hoping tonight's the night I can finally get the telescope out and test it out.

Regards,
Noel

gary

31-05-2010, 11:28 PM

Thanks Noel,

By posting that information here, anyone who wants to improvise their own stalk knows
they can walk into a Bunnings and likely find those style of clips as well. Great stuff. :thumbsup:

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

NJB

01-06-2010, 09:20 AM

At last I got a night when I could try out the Argo Navis. Just after twilight, I did the align. (That took a while to get right because I was trying to remember how to set the FIX ALT REF. So I took my laptop outside to look up the manual, but forgot I had been using it on battery previously. It lasted just long enough to read the relevant section, and work out the rest.) I aligned on Antares and Acrux, had a look at the Blue Planetary NGC 3918. Then it was left on while other family things were done - dinner, time with my daughter, putting her to bed, etc. Finally, I came out about 12:30, and selected M4 and M80, both of which appeared within a 15mm eyepiece. Great stuff. Then I looked at NGC 5128, but the moon was too bright and it was washed out. I tried some other things before going to Neptune. Beautiful. Then I left it and came out about 3:30 to look at Jupiter and Uranus, but the AA batteries in the Argo Navis had run down, so I just had a look at Jupiter and its one equatorial band, then called it a night. Now to wait for a better night without the moon. But I am very pleased with the Argo Navis and how well it works. Thanks Gary for a great device! :thumbsup:

Noel

erick

01-06-2010, 10:40 AM

Ain't it marvellous, Noel?

Better get some top quality lithium AAs, or better still, power from a 12V sealed lead acid battery (instructions in the manual and cable available from Wildcard Innovations http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/pwr_cbl_describe.html ). As it gets cooler and you will want the LCD heater coming on, you'll need plenty of power. The right size battery will ride happily on your base.

Wait a minute - "Qld" - OK, you'll need the power to drive a personal cooling fan for the observer :D

NJB

01-06-2010, 09:17 PM

Hi Eric.

I do have the power cable and a couple 12v batteries. It was just a first run to make sure that everything was working properly and that the alignment and setup was good enough to last the night. When a moonless clear night comes, I won't be jeopardising the night by relying on AAs only!

And I am looking forward to taking the setup to Qld Astrofest.

Noel

erick

02-06-2010, 08:29 AM

:thumbsup:

GrahamL

04-09-2010, 11:23 AM

Hi

I was wondering if anyone had experianced something similar to my problems I encountered the other night.

I did my usual set up but could not get it up and working.

I checked a few things and found when I checked the alt encoder angle
set up shows 90*parking the scope after trying to locate ,back at 90*, showed 79* or sometimes 96*.

Anyone have any ideas, Only thing I've done recently was silicon the the encoder cables into the mounting pole , I was thinking maybe a cable switch , but would that wouldn't change the angle readings intermitantly would it ?

cheers graham

ausastronomer

04-09-2010, 12:05 PM

Hi Graham,

The first thing I would check is that the grub screw on the altitude encoder shaft is tight. You need a little allen key to re tighten it. I would then perform the Daytime encoder test as explained in the user manual. Not sure what page because I dont have a manual with me.

Cheers,
John B

gary

06-09-2010, 02:04 PM

Hi Graham,

Thanks for the post.

Firstly thanks to John B for the follow-up which is exactly as I would recommend.
Look for any possible slippage in the encoder coupling.

With regards cables, exercise the mount in Alt whilst watching the display in
MODE ENCODER and see if there is any apparent hesitation as the numbers
tick over. Also watch carefully for any ALT ENCODER ERR message which
is an indication that there has been a state change violation in one of the
encoder outputs, possibly from an intermittent open circuit on one of the wires
on your Alt encoder cable.

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

GrahamL

08-09-2010, 07:08 AM

Thanks guys I'll look into it .

I've been thinking over what you suggested for a few days now John
and there is something a little differant recently I've noticed about my encoder alt encoder shaft in that its a tight fit into its mounting sleeve
,it used to be an easy fit.

I did have a counterweight go for a little slide recently in my mirror box (where my alt encoder is stored I hope it didn't hit the encoder pin ?
Though the tight fit might just be a little surface stuff on the brass sleeve it fits into as it didn't get used much with the wet weather earlier in the year.

And as I've tidied up my cableing recently I'll check all the that and see if I havn't pinched something along the way as well.

It was quite late the other night when this all unfolded, I was convinced I was miss identifing kaus australis through the trees for a while ,
but eventually found the alt encoder angle wasn't holding .

anyway cheers guys I get back to you shortly :)

Acrab

23-09-2010, 04:44 AM

Hello,
This is my first post in these foums, excuse my english, I'm spanish. Recently I bought a second hand Argo Navis was installed on a Meade LightBridge 16 ". I have to say I got in touch with Gary in order to clarify some doubts, their responses were always fast and detailed.
I think that his customer service is simply excellent.
Finally I have adapted the system in my dobson 16 "f5 self built test pending in the open field.

Victor Martinez

erick

23-09-2010, 11:05 AM

Hi Victor, thanks for saying hello. I hope your AN works well. Post elsewhere and tell us what you are observing.

gary

23-09-2010, 12:20 PM

Hi Victor,

Thanks for your post, your kind words which are very much appreciated
and greetings to you there in beautiful Spain.

Welcome to IceInSpace. :welcome:

We wish you many great nights of observing ahead.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

Acrab

24-09-2010, 05:48 PM

Anyone know if the EQ6 Pro mount serial cable, could be used in the ArgoNavis command?
Best regards
Víctor

gary

26-09-2010, 08:48 PM

Hi Victor,

Thanks for the post.

If you mean, will the serial cable that is supplied with the EQ6 Pro mount be
compatible with the Argo Navis for interfacing to a PC, then the short answer
is that off-hand I am not familiar with the EQ6 serial port pin assignments,
however, chances are they will be different to that of the Argo Navis.

I will try and have a look for you.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd

Acrab

27-09-2010, 05:38 AM

Ok, Gary thanks. the problem is that I haven't the Argo Navis serial cable scheme for comparison with the use by EQ6 Pro mount
Best regards
Víctor Martínez

CraigS

27-09-2010, 07:09 AM

Gary;
I apologise if this question has been asked previously (this is a huge thread).

When used with ServoCat, (or other equivalent), does the Argo issue continuous/periodic drive 'instructions' to the mount, in order to correct for pointing errors during tracking ?

Cheers

gary

27-09-2010, 10:51 AM

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the post.

Argo Navis has an in-built feature called TPAS - Telescope Pointing Analysis
System. TPAS can analyze and potentially compensate for a range of common
geometric, gravitational flexure and eccentric bearing errors that occur in mounts.

In the Argo Navis/ServoCAT architecture, Argo Navis performs all the object
offset and tracking rate calculations on behalf of the ServoCAT. The ServoCAT
requests object offset or tracking rate information multiple times per second.
The Argo Navis pointing kernel applies any corrections that exist in a TPAS model.
Tracking is simply the first differential of pointing and so the same corrections
take place during tracking. The nature of these types of errors are that they tend to
vary only slowly whilst a scope tracks. The ServoCAT ensures
that the motors are turning at the tracking rates commanded via the motor's servo
loop. Each servo motor is fitted with an optical encoder on its shaft which feeds
information back to the ServoCAT so that it can ensure the motor has arrived at
a commanded position and is turning at the correct rate.

Argo Navis does not provide for any corrections for phenomena such as
periodic errors in a gear chain, however the ServoCAT has the ability to have
ST-4 corrections sent to it via an autoguider.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

CraigS

28-09-2010, 11:38 AM

Thanks for your reply, Gary.
Much appreciated.

Cheers.

Lismore Bloke

05-10-2010, 12:49 PM

Well, if any business needed to know what customer service is all about, then need look no further than this thread.

Gary answered my questions about fitting the Argo to the 12" GSO promptly, no matter what time or day it was. Brilliant stuff - thanks Gary.

The encoders and computer unit are fitted, and ever since then we have had cloud, storms, rain and golf ball size hail. I haven't even fitted the batteries yet! Hope I get a chance to put it through its paces some time soon.

gary

05-10-2010, 04:47 PM

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the post and for your kind comments. Great to hear, weather permitting,
you are ready to roll.

It certainly has been a couple of cloudy and wet weeks of late up and down the East
coast. This afternoon there is a patch of blue sky and sunshine here in Sydney
but I suspect it won't last long. Unfortunately the forecast for the Northern Rivers
for this coming weekend is for isolated showers, so I hope you get lucky and
find a break in the clouds.

Thanks again for your kind words.

Best regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

Alchemy

06-10-2010, 05:45 PM

Not clapping just yet, but hoping to be soon, ordered mine today, looking forward to what it can do.

Clive

Kevnool

06-10-2010, 08:35 PM

What a fantastic buy Clive.
So easy to navigate around.
You will enjoy playing then eventually using it.

Must put new batteries in mine to get ready for some warm nights ahead.

Cheers Kev.

erick

06-10-2010, 10:41 PM

I finally listened to the Man!

Had fiddled with a PCMCIA to RS232 card and with a cheap USB to serial adapter, but they never worked.

Then I had my new little netbook with nothing but 3 USB ports. Time to do what I had been told, I thought.

Thanks to exchange rate, I had a Keyspan in my hands from the US within a few days for $48 (an ebay seller - "mac-memory").

And - it just worked! Well almost immediately. First fun is to install software on a netbook that doesn't have a CD drive. Carried Argonaut and the Keyspan files from another computer onto the netbook via USB memory stick. Managed to get the Keyspan drivers installed and Argonaut fired up OK.

Tried COM1 through COM4 from Argonaut - nothin'. But the Keyspan directory is full of helpful stuff. Ran an assistant program that is full of diagnostics. Quickly found that the Keyspan was connected to COM6. Moved it back to COM1. Didn't work, but maybe my USB Mouse was on that already? Moved it to COM2 - all fine - Argonaut chatting happily to the Argo Navis!

So do yourselves a favour - don't muck around like me - buy the Keyspan! :thumbsup:

Lismore Bloke

10-10-2010, 09:08 AM

Hi all,
Pic attached showing Argo in place. The handle is a Rhino brand painting pole, only 400mm long but with a click-stop extender. The top is a paint brush holder with a plastic ball socket with a tightening screw to hold it at a better angle. The clips are new ones with tooth-like rollers that really grip the grooves of the pole, but the cables can be popped off and the unit removed for transport. The wheelbarrow handles were painted black 20mm steel sections from Bunnings, as were all the other bits. The axle is a length of threaded rod. It looks quite OK and should be good in practice. Cables are a bit messy, but I'll leave them loose for now.

Taking off one spring means balance with the heavier Naglers becomes more of an issue away from the zenith, so I've butchered an old speaker for its magnet. Just need the cloud and rain to buzz off. Cheers, Paul.

Kevnool

10-10-2010, 10:21 AM

Looking all neat and tidy Paul.
What are the connectors that hold the stalk ?

Mine are plastic hydraulic hose holders.

Cheers Kev.

Lismore Bloke

10-10-2010, 12:01 PM

Hi Kev,

The holders are:"GEPRO Roller Gripper"
from Bunnings - fairly new - nice and strong.
Plus I like the fact that I can unplug the pole
and store the main unit safely. Cheers, Paul.

PS I need some Broken Hill weather!!!!

Kevnool

10-10-2010, 12:41 PM

Thanks for the reply Paul.
Great idea.
The way everyone thinks is amazing.
Your weather will turn good just hang in there.
Cheers Kev.

Alchemy

14-10-2010, 04:51 PM

It's turned up and I'm in the process of fitting everything.
Just a quick question, and this will probably be something a g11 owner will know.
In fitting the encoder kit, there is a large gear with 6 pins in it, this is to be fitted to the axis via a set screw which is to be as follows " LOCK SET SCREW ON GEAR INTO SLOT ON SHAFT; TIGHTEN" my problem is there is no slot on shaft, now given this is pre the clutch knob, if I screw it up tight on the shaft then the clutch won't work quite right. The logic of a slot makes sense so it can adjust with the clutch.
So for now I'm going to just lock it onto the round shaft..... If I'm stuffing up let me know.

Clive

Alchemy

14-10-2010, 07:00 PM

Well it's all installed, apart from the slot issue, which is losmandy, everything went like clockwork.

I must say he instruction manual is surprisingly easy to work through, at a couple hundred pages long I thought eeeeek, but setting location, mount, time and encoder steps was a doddle, just need a bit of clear sky to set the encoder direction, and do a star align and away I go.

Rain predicted tonight and tommorrow:lol:

Really looking forward to using the Argo, star hopping will be a thing of the past, and as every Melbourne astro person knows, time under a clear sky is so precious.

Will update once I've had a night under the stars.:)

gary

14-10-2010, 07:05 PM

Hi Clive,

Thanks for the post.

Losmandy mounts manufactured prior to about 2000 use to have slots or
flats machined on their shafts, so it is probably a reference to that.
However, the kit will install on all GM-8's and G-11's irrespective of their
vintage and irrespective of whether the shafts have slots or not.

Though there are a significant number of these installations out there,
it has been a few years since I had the opportunity to install one in person myself
and I am just looking at the exploded diagram again now to try and refresh
the memory.

My memory is that the large gear stays fixed on the shaft but that the clutch
still works its magic, probably translating the force through the dowel pins
that pass through the holes in the large gear itself.

Please let me know how you get on otherwise I will grab a kit off the shelf
and examine the mechanism some more.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

Alchemy

14-10-2010, 07:15 PM

Ahha....... The little light comes on, That makes sense, I hadn't given consideration to the dowel pins. I haven't tightened everything up too tight, but given that information, I think we've got it covered.

On a personal note Gary, thankyou for sending the unit so promptly, I doubt the cheque had even cleared when you posted it.

Alchemy

15-10-2010, 09:49 AM

Taken some more time to read through the manual, just working on the section on encoder timing, I have a predilection to always wanting to use gadgets to their highest resolution, couple of issues come to mind , that of the batteries..... Now being in an observatory with a 12 v deep cycle battery at hand the extra cable seems a handy accessory, I cant see me going mobile as such. So how many of you have gone down the path of permanent power?
The information that came with the unit had quite some warnings about misuse of this aspect, my use would see it permanently connected ..... (Although not on all the time), so I cant see a big issue with disconnection, which has one terminal to be removed first. The documentation suggests it is connected to the battery terminals, would it be a problem if a cigarette lighter end was attached as I have my battery in a box with a bunch of those mounted on the outside, again I'm wondering if the order of disconnecting would be a problem as both would be at same time should it be removed. ( that question might be one gary might best advise perhaps).

Thanks Clive

erick

15-10-2010, 10:00 AM

I'll defer to Gary, but nothing special here, I would expect. I used to power mine through my own power cable from 12V rechargeable batteries. I had a fuse in the +ve line (close to recommended value), and used spade connectors to the battery (so was careful to get the polarity right when conencting). If you have a ciggie lighter plug, then you reduce the incorrect polarity problem and most of those plugs take a fuse in the plug itself. Easy!

ps. you can pull the power plug out of the AN before you disconnect the battery connections - I usually have.

Gary will sell you exactly what you need:-

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

(Now I have power wired in through the SDM wiring. A very clever little in-line-circuit provides solid state over-current protection - no blown fuse to replace! But I have just ordered the encoder kit for my Televue Telepod mount so I will be powering it up by cable when I use the AN unit there. AN directing a set of 10x50 binos! Did I hear anyone say "Overkill!"?)

gary

15-10-2010, 11:00 AM

Hi Clive,

Thanks for the post.

Argo Navis can accept an external power source anywhere between 8V and 16V DC.
As you are aware, Argo Navis can also be powered from a set of four alkaline
AA cells internal to the unit. Argo Navis always selects the power source that
has the highest voltage at any given instant.

Installations where Argo Navis is powered from a 12V battery, such as a sealed
lead acid battery (SLA), are ubiquitous. For example, a popular combination on
Dobsonian mounts is an Argo Navis and a ServoCAT slew and track servo
controller. Most users of this combination power both the Argo Navis and
ServoCAT from an external DC source. Likewise, many Argo Navis owners
who own fixed observatories also power their units from an external DC source.

There is no problem in powering the unit from a 12V battery that then feeds
a power distribution panel with cigarette lighter outlets. You can simply insert
or remove the plug at will.

Always run a dedicated power and ground pair to the unit from the power
distribution panel to the unit. The positive lead in pair should be fused with its own
dedicated 315mA inline fuse.

The warnings that come with the unit with regards 12V power distribution
provide good generic advice for powering equipment on telescopes.
In the world of mains power in homes and offices, the installations are performed
by licensed electricians and there are dedicated fixed ground returns behind the walls.

However, on telescopes using 12V power distribution, users are often masters
of their own fate and may not necessarily be conscious of the potential implications
of a wiring topology they implement. In particular, one needs to be mindful of
the implications of a wiring topology where multiple pieces of equipment are sharing
the same ground return. If the ground return cable should become open circuit,
the return currents may make their way back to the power source via some
unsuspected path, for example through the interface cable of a CCD camera
and then back through a laptop. If the shared equipment has a high power demand,
such as fans and dew heaters, the return currents that pass back through the
camera interface and laptop may also be very large. This may result in damage
to the connected equipment. As stated, this advice is entirely independent of
Argo Navis.

Telescope owners should also be mindful that 12V power sources such as lead
acid batteries can deliver very high currents in very short amounts of time.
If a short should occur in the cabling and no fuse is provided, the cabling may actually
dissipate enough energy that it can melt or start a fire. Always use current limiting
protection such as fuses.

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

Alchemy

15-10-2010, 11:41 AM

Awesome.

Thanks for the replies, I will get the factory cable.... That way I cant stuff up the polarity.

Alchemy

21-10-2010, 10:11 PM

Back again.
Well the sky was clear enough.... Almost full moon, but bright stars are available. Set the encoder direction easily enough, time for a one star alignment as I had selected German equatorial exact....... Seems mine isn't so exact as although I had things in the finder it wasn't what I hoped. Now given I have pulled bits apart and tinkered with it during the instalation that isn't suprising, so I figured let's go for the rough align ( too bright to use polar scope with the moon).....

So here's where I get stuck, it's me so I apologize, but I can't figure where to point the scope for the fix alt ref. if I have the scope pointed to the south celestial pole, where do I go from there....

I got confused with turn north as I couldn't make any sense as everywhere is north from south.

The diagram of the fork seemed to be pointing to the SCP ?

So if I am standing behind my scope looking at the SCP do I turn it 90deg to the left in dec axis (east) and leave he RA unchanged, should the mount be running. I hope that makes sense. Feel free to talk in non technical terms:D

gary

22-10-2010, 12:21 AM

Hi Clive,

Thanks for the post.

Right now, you will be just getting familiar with things and the GEM ROUGH ALIGN
setting, which really means the scope is not polar aligned at all, combined with a
FIX ALT REF step and two star alignment will be the most expedient approach for you.

In the long term, which means in a few more observing sessions once you become
familiar with things, I recommend migrating to the GEM EXACT ALIGN setting
but combining it with what we call a "short TPAS run". That probably won't
mean much to you now, but in a future thread we can explain what we mean by that.

Let's talk about the FIX ALT REF step and two-star alignment process on a GEM
first.

By way of background, the optical encoders fitted on your mount are of a type
called an "incremental encoder". When they power on, they have no inherent
zero reference point. As it transpires, you only need to establish the reference
point for the Dec (i.e. ALT) encoder and this is the job of the FIX ALT REF step.

One can actually set the ALT REF point to any convenient value, but typically
on a GEM, one might either use the 90 degree point or the zero degree point.
Let us stick with the zero degree point. If you look at the Dec axis on the mount,
it will have a mechanical setting circle on the Dec axis. The zero degree point
corresponds to the orientation of the OTA that results in the mechanical circle
reading zero degrees. If the mount were polar aligned, and in this instance it need
not be, that would correspond to the OTA pointing to a Declination of zero in the
sky, which is the Celestial Equator.

Part of the first time setup is establishing what are called the encoder direction
sense signs which are the +/- signs in SETUP ALT STEPS and SETUP AZ STEPS.
Let us run through that process now.

The drive motor need not be running to do this process, but feel free to switch
it on if you wish, as it helps if the mount tracks whilst you do a star alignment.

Picture if you will a line that runs across the sky from the SCP, through
the zenith and heads due north. That line is the meridian.
The stars are rising in the East, crossing the meridian and setting in the West.
Start by having your mount roughly polar aligned. Position the OTA in RA so that it is
on the East side of the meridian. Now rotate the OTA so that the mechanical
setting circle shows it is pointing at a Declination of zero degrees. Since the OTA
is roughly polar aligned, it will be roughly pointing to somewhere along the
celestial equator. Power on the Argo Navis. MODE FIX ALT REF will appear.
Press ENTER. Dial up ALT REF=0 AUTO ADJUST OFF. Press ENTER.
ALT REF=OK will appear for two seconds. Press EXIT and dial up MODE
ENCODER and press ENTER. Whilst watching the right-hand displayed
value, slowly rotate the OTA to point toward due north, If the numbers increase,
i.e. +0, +1, +2, etc. all is well. If they decrease, go to SETUP ALT STEPS and
reverse the +/- sign and repeat the above procedure by repositioning the
OTA to point to the Dec=0 mechanical mark, performing the FIX ALT REF step
and the doing the check for increasing ALT angles in MODE ENCODER.

Once you have established the Dec (ALT) sign, keep the tube so that it is on the
East side of the meridian but try and identify a bright star on the west of the
meridian. Do not choose any star that is between the SCP and the southern horizon.
Argo Navis has a convenient list of bright alignment stars in MODE ALIGN STAR
but using a combination of MODE CATALOG and MODE ALIGN, one can actually
align on any two objects. For now, say you choose FOMALHAUT. Now dial
up MODE ALIGN STAR, ALIGN FOMALHAUT and center it in the FOV.
Press ENTER. Argo Navis will briefly display what is known as a WARP factor.
Now pick a second star. In so doing, try and pick one that has a different
elevation to the first and that is at least 30 degrees away or more. You are
now free to flip the OTA over the meridian if you need to. Say you pick ALDEBARAN.
Perform the MODE ALIGN STAR procedure and align on it.

Now dial up MODE RA DEC and press ENTER. Point the scope somewhere
roughly along the celestial equator in the western half of the sky and sweep in the
RA axis only from West to East. As you so so, watch the left-hand displayed value.
RA should increase as you sweep from West to East. If not, reverse the SETUP
AZ STEPS sign and repeat this procedure including the FIX ALT REF step
and two star alignment.

Once you have determined the direction senses, performing a real alignment using
a FIX ALT REF step and two star alignment uses the same steps as just described.

When performing the FIX ALT REF step and aligning on the very first star,
one can have the OTA on the East and picking an alignment star in the West
that is not between the SCP and horizon or one can have the OTA on the West
and pick a star in the East that is not between the SCP and the horizon.
However, if you established the SETUP ALT STEPS +/- sign with a procedure
that started with the OTA on the East and on a subsequent observing session
wish to start with the OTA on the West, then you need to reverse the SETUP
ALT STEPS sign.

The reason for this is because when the OTA is flipped across the meridian,
the apparent direction sense of the Dec (ALT) encoder reverses. This is an
attribute of spatial geometry rather than some caveat of Argo Navis.

As mentioned earlier, after some familiarization, we recommend to begin to
use the GEM EXACT ALIGN setting combined with sampling the positions
of at least four stars in a short TPAS run. This has several advantages.
Firstly, one need not perform the FIX ALT REF step. Secondly, even if
the mount is only within a degree of the pole, the TPAS feature will
compensate for any polar misalignment. Thirdly, you can add additional
mount error modeling terms which can often dramatically improve the pointing
performance of many GEM's, such as a G-11. But that can be the topic
of a future thread.

Please do not hesitate to ask for any clarification on the above, either by
a post here or by emailing sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au or feel free
to give us a call on 02 9457 9049 here in Sydney during normal business hours.

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

Alchemy

23-10-2010, 09:37 PM

Thankyou Gary for the detailed reply, I've had a read and feel we can do this, I will just need some time under a clear sky.
Have had a read in the manual RE the TPAS pointing system.
Once the moon has gone I will realign the mount, and go with the exact align method, and give the TPAS system a try...... Will no doubt return here for some further advice.
The biggest problem with the G11 for me is the locking nuts on the latitude setting angle slip somewhat, I have not used those crimped type washers as it will mark the mount, subsequently it does need checking prior to each imaging run. My initial reading of the TPAS would indicate I would need to redo it prior to imaging , as if the mount has moved slightly the analysis would have changed also........ Will follow up later once I have become more proficient in the use of your product.

Many thanks
Clive

Alchemy

24-10-2010, 10:05 PM

:clap::clap::clap::clap:

I guess that's required given the thread name;)

I gave it an align as the moons only just coming up now, it was definitely out as expected, I did an initial alignment of one star on Achenar, then slipped it into catalog mode ........ Formalhaut within the centre section of the chip, over to Jupiter also within the centre section of the chip, put it into RA DEC mode to roll around to stars within this area....... too easy. What a superb product, given I predominately image, to be able to align on the nearest bright star, then slew straight to my intended target and having the object plop straight into the middle half of the chip is sensational......

Marvelous product.

gary

25-10-2010, 03:05 PM

Hi Clive,

Thanks for the post and great to hear!

After a few more sessions, or any time at your lesiure, we would be happy to
assist you with some more background on TPAS as well. The User Manual
starting on page 115 has a section called SETUP MNT ERRORS that
has a discussion of this advanced feature.

The method you are currently using of simply re-aligning on a bright nearby
star is also a strategy that many users simply do.

Sounds like you had better luck with the weather than most of the rest of the
East Coast.

Thanks again for the post and enjoy!

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

Lismore Bloke

26-10-2010, 10:59 PM

After weeks of cloud and rain, finally a couple of precious dark hours before moonrise to test the AN. After sorting out the "direction sense", it was into tour mode and away.

Most of the objects were somewhere neat the field of view, but not all. Perhaps some fine tuning to be done. Read ze book!!!

Suffice it to say I found 4 times as many objects in that time than I usually find. A great gadget, and familiarity will only make it better.

gary

28-10-2010, 08:51 PM

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the post and you were indeed lucky to get a brief observing run
given the interminable cloud of late.

Now that you have determined the encoder direction senses, we recommend
you begin to use a feature called AUTO ADJUST ON if you are not
doing so already. Please see this post on how to set it up and use it -
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=361747&postcount=3

The AUTO ADJUST ON feature can help refine the Alt encoder reference point
and thus very often improves the pointing performance.

Beyond that, Argo Navis has the in-built Telescope Pointing Analysis System - TPAS
which can help analyse and potentially compensate for certain systematic errors
within the mount. However, before reaching for the "heavy guns" that TPAS provides,
using AUTO ADJUST ON when you perform the FIX ALT REF step is what we always
recommend at the point you are now.

Pages 57-60 of Edition 10 of the Argo Navis User's Manual has more detail about AUTO
ADJUST ON in the section on FIX ALT REF.
See http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/downloads/documentation/argoman10.pdf

If you should ever need any help, please do not hesitate to drop me a line
or to give me a call. Thanks again for the post and great to hear you are finding
more stuff than in the past.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

Lismore Bloke

29-10-2010, 09:20 AM

Thanks for that advice Gary. I was wondering about that feature. One or my problems is the lack of alignment stars visible at this time of year. Ron (astroron) suggested using a combination of stars and planets. That would be handy because the planets are nearly always visible above the roof. Anything much further north than that is pretty much blocked from view. Cheers, Paul.

gary

29-10-2010, 05:38 PM

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the post.

Argo Navis allows you to align on any object, including during the very first initial alignment.

For example, to align on JUPITER, dial up MODE CATALOG, PLANETS/SUN,
JUPITER and then press EXIT. Then dial up MODE ALIGN and when you enter
the menu, it will display ALIGN JUPITER. Center JUPITER in the eyepiece
and press ENTER.

Likewise, one might, for example, select a suitable star from the thousands
of selections available in the BRIGHT STAR catalog, EXIT out of MODE CATALOG
and then use MODE ALIGN to align on it.

Perfect when the views of the sky are limited. :thumbsup:

So in a nutshell, the last object that was accessed in MODE CATALOG or MODE
IDENTIFY or MODE TOUR becomes the "current object" and subsequently
entering MODE ALIGN allows you to align on it.

For example, say you have performed a two star alignment but weren't completely
happy with the first star you aligned on because it was partly obscured by the
leaves of a tree. You therefore have an alignment in place, but it may not be the
best. You then spy another bright star between the trees, but without being
able to see it within the context of other stars, are not sure what it is.
Dial up MODE IDENTIFY, STARS, MAG 3, say, ANY CONSTEL and then
point the scope to it. Argo Navis will then identify it. If you EXIT out of
MODE IDENTIFY and enter into MODE ALIGN, you can then center this
newly identified star and align on it.

Whenever you perform an alignment, Argo Navis will always align on the
object you just aligned on and the one previous to it.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

GrahamL

03-11-2010, 07:04 AM

Hi Gary

I'd be very gratefull for your thoughts on a problem thats surfaced
recently with my unit.

Its been so wet this year I can honestly say I've become a little
dusty on using the argo unit maybe. as well.

Ok , so I power up and fix the alt ref as always no problems
go to aligna stars, warp factor both come up as zero as I recollect they always do ?...Move on to find object and its nowhere near the right bit of sky .

Start over .. fix alt ref.. move on to check encoders
as far as I can tell through all movements things appear normal
and alt movement is always parking back at 90 or very close .
After alignment I check the encoders and alt can be reading maybe 110 or more.

any thoughts on what I'm doing wrong ?

grub screw on alt encoder does appear tight

many thanks graham

erick

03-11-2010, 08:22 AM

Let me ask the obvious question where I have sometimes failed "Argo Navis for Dummies" - Are you certain of the identity of your alignment stars? :sadeyes:

gary

03-11-2010, 11:19 AM

Hi Graham,

It could simply be that one of your encoder direction sense signs is reversed.

The encoder direction sense signs are the +/- signs in front of the
encoder step counts in SETUP ALT STEPS and SETUP AZ STEPS.

It may well be your Az sign, but here is a procedure to check both.

To determine the Alt sign, power the unit ON and push the Dob
to its vertical stop. When the MODE FIX ALT REF menu appears,
press ENTER and dial up a value of ALT REF=+90 AUTO ADJUST OFF.
Press ENTER to establish the point.

Now EXIT out of that menu and dial up MODE ENCODER and press ENTER.

Observe the right-hand displayed value.
Initially, it should be +90. As you move the OTA down in Alt
only toward the horizon, it should decrease, +89, +88, ... +1, +0.
If it increases, i.e. +91, +92, then reverse the SETUP ALT STEPS sign and
repeat the procedure.

To determine the Az sign, dial up MODE ENCODER and rotate the scope
clockwise in Az from the perspective of looking down at the scope from above.
The left hand Az value in MODE ENCODER should increase, if not reverse
the SETUP AZ STEPS signs and repeat the tests.

Once the signs have been determined, enter a value of +090.00 into
the MODE SETUP, SETUP ALT REF menu. Then next time you perform the
MODE FIX ALT REF step, use a value of +090.00 AUTO ADJUST ON.

Since the AUTO ADJUST ON setting adjusts your ALT REF point based on
your two star alignment, if the alignment is wrong, for whatever reason, the
ALT REF point will not be correctly determined. In the absence of any mechanical
problem such as a slippage, a misidentified star or an incorrect encoder direction
sense sign combined with AUTO ADJUST ON would best account for why your
ALT REF point changed so much after the alignment.

Please don't hesitate to email or phone should you require further assistance.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

GrahamL

10-11-2010, 07:27 PM

Hi Gary
thanks for the feedback

Ok so I went through those and heres what I got

everthing did seem right on the settings
But when I checked the alt encoder direction the first time
it would read 90 - 94 -90 -94 all the way down :screwy:

I checked the alt encoder pin mount screw as I've done before and it seems to have a good seat with the grub screw. I moved the pin in a little anyway and retightened.

I split the R4 plugs from the coupler at the bottom of my mounting pole and blew them out a little and clicked them back in .

Re did all the above checks and it seems to be stepping drown through
and returning to 90 (or very close)now .

The 90 /94 thing is something I havn't found before , though I have been looking for something amiss but hadn't been able to catch it out yet.

So i'll move on to an alignment later and see if its still happening..cheers I'll let you know how it goes

gary

10-11-2010, 07:42 PM

Hi Graham,

By way of background, the encoders have two output channels known as A & B.
As the encoder rotates, these two output channels change state in a very specific way.
If one of the two channels, either A or B, had an open circuit, you may see the
display alternate between just two values. Re-seating the plugs or blowing out
any debris in the coupling receptacle may have been enough to do the trick.

If you need further help, please don't hesitate to drop me a line.

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

GrahamL

10-11-2010, 09:58 PM

Thanks Gary

It seems to be working fine now .

I was hopefull that the connecters were the problem as I'd figured them as a culprit once before with my az encoder acting up and sorted it out .

this time was strange in that everything appeared as it should , no matter how much I moved it this way or that , or left it alone , I coulldn't get it to fault , try to start a tour and my alt enc angle fell away every time .

thanks again

erick

17-11-2010, 12:29 PM

Done! Using 5,000 step encoders. And installed including a cradle for the AN unit that is connected to one of the eyepiece caddies. Piccies sometime, maybe, if I get around to it.

Tried it out last night with 12x60 binos. Not bad - just have to be careful to 1) not to kick the leg of the tripod :screwy: and 2) have the binoculars securely mounted so they don't move relative to the aligned mount. Plenty of Moon and in an urban setting but I could put 47 Tuc close to the centre of the field of view. Going to be a very useful addition to this quite robust mount which also takes my 4" short focal length refractor easily. (I have a bit more work to do to get the Alt motion as smooth as I would like - I'm going to have to get into the bearings and see what is happening.)

adman

17-11-2010, 07:29 PM

well - argo navis delivered this morning (thanks Gary!). All hooked up to the G11 nicely, and wall to wall cloud with skippy saying its going to be like that till monday next week at the earliest...:sadeyes:

I have aligned it with some 'imaginary stars' inside - but there is only limited satisfaction in that.

come to think of it I may be responsible for most of the cloud on the eastern seaboard. my recent purchases:

1. GM8
2. G11
3. Acer N550 netbook
4. QHY5
5. Argo Navis
6. Moonlite focuser
7. MPCC

plus a few bits and bobs. Yep that cloud's definitely mine...

xstream

17-11-2010, 09:43 PM

Thanks for your help over the phone the other day Gary. After the Comm port reassignment it worked a treat.:thumbsup:

gary

18-11-2010, 12:48 AM

Hi John,

Great to catch up with you on the phone and fabulous to hear that the COM
port reassignment did the trick. :thumbsup:

Take care in your travels and hope to see you again soon.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

Acrab

23-11-2010, 02:56 AM

Hello,
Is this connection correct for ArgoNavis data serial 1 cable?
- RJ 9 pin 1 a DB9 Pin 2
- RJ 9 pin 2 a DB9 pin 3
- RJ 9 pin 3 a DB9 pin 5
Thanks
Víctor Martínez

gary

23-11-2010, 02:07 PM

Hi Victor,

Rather than "RJ 9" Argo Navis uses an RJ6 connector.
I recommend you refer to Appendix C - Port Pin Descriptions on page 199
of the Argo Navis User's Manual as the diagram removes any ambiguity with regards
the pin number convention used on the RJ ports.
Edition 10 of the Manual can be downloaded from here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/documentation.html

We also can ship serial cables to anywhere in the world at a discount shipping rate
significantly lower than the online rate. Email sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
for details.

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

Acrab

23-11-2010, 09:49 PM

Hi Gary,
Indeed I was confused, the terminal is RJ6 not RJ9. Thanks for your offer, but I do not see any problems in manufacturing the cable, it's simple.
Best regards
Víctor

gary

24-11-2010, 10:24 PM

Hi Victor,

Apologies. Actually when I wrote RJ6 it was a typo. The plug is actually
commonly known as an RJ12 which is a 6P4C style connector.
But I see you know what I meant!

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au

Acrab

26-11-2010, 06:50 AM

Yes Gary, thanks, no problem. I also made a longer cable for encoders

Phizzy

27-11-2010, 11:11 AM

Hi all
I installed an argo navis system on my skywatcher 8" collapasible dob (thanks Gary....very easy to do). I thought long and hard about getting one as it could have been seen as little bit of an overkill (price wise):shrug:, but what a great product....now I can find everything I could ever want:eyepop:...even if I can't see it:lol:
Has anyone else fitted this to a smaller dob?

a very happy
Phill

Barrykgerdes

05-01-2011, 07:32 AM

My argo was caught in the rain along with my lightbridge. Water and dirt washed right over the base of the telescope and Argo. When I got to it the argo was half covered with sand and dirt as well as being very wet.

I cleaned it up and dried it out. Then turned it on. It still works OK.

Barry

erick

05-01-2011, 08:41 PM

But it's defaulting to the "water" constellations now? :D Glad to hear it suffered no damage :thumbsup:

Just had 10 straight nights with my Argo. Worked flawlessly! Sky so dark I had the brightness down to 1% :eyepop: I'm starting to learn how to find specific stars with it. Somewhat trickier than finding non-stellar where just spotting the object in the FOV is sufficient. I found that searching out small planetary nebulae is a good training intermediate between galaxies/globular clusters and individual stars. But precision pointing may be a challenge. Might be time for me to TPAS! :help:

astroron

05-01-2011, 09:07 PM

Hi Phill
I have a 16" Dob ,with the Argo Navis I have also adapted my 20 year old Fork mount Celestron 8" SCT to take the Argo, it is a great improvement to my observing with this scope:D:thumbsup:
Cheers

gary

07-01-2011, 05:26 PM

Hi Phill,

Thanks for the post and Happy New Year.

Great to hear the install went smoothly on the 8" SkyWatcher.
There are quite a few installations on Dobs in this aperture range and they
are also very popular on tripod Alt/Az mounts with modest refractors on them as
well.

We've seen Argo Navis installed on everything from mounts with a pair
of binoculars right up to a 72" reflector housed in a dome. :thumbsup:

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

gary

07-01-2011, 05:30 PM

Hi Barry,

Sorry to hear the gear got an absolute soaking but good to hear that
after giving it a clean and dry that the Argo Navis is still working fine.

Recommend you give it another internal visual check in a few weeks time
just to make sure you got everything.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

Barrykgerdes

07-01-2011, 05:39 PM

Hi Gary

Yes I will give it a thorough check later, but I check it ever day and its been a week now since the dousing and it still works OK.

Barry

Barrykgerdes

09-04-2011, 03:50 PM

Still works after 3 months

Barry

GeoffW1

09-04-2011, 04:32 PM

Ahhh Gary,

I think your best salesmen are S******er.

After having immense problems last night with an EQ5 + S*****n, I thought wistfully of my old Bintel Dobbie + AN. Never missed a beat, always in the FOV. I only traded it all as a unit because it was so bloody awkward in the car!! :lol:

I shall return :thumbsup:

Cheers

gary

10-04-2011, 12:23 PM

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for the post which is very much appreciated.

We would love to see you back.

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

erick

02-06-2011, 11:29 AM

Happy experience last night with a newbie - new to my dob and never seen an Argo Navis.

I set her up on a tour of globular clusters in Sagittarius. Eyepiece/scope produced 56 magnification and 1.2deg true FOV. After the first, she was on her own, moving [edit - I should have said "selecting"] to the next object, pointing the scope and observing - through the whole tour.

Great!

gary

02-06-2011, 03:55 PM

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the report on what sounded like a fruitful observing run.

Touring the globulars in Sagittarius and Scorpius is one of my favourite things. :thumbsup:

You are fortunate to get some clear skies compared to the week of wet weather
here in Sydney. We are helping with sky tours on a large public observing
night this Saturday, but it is looking 50/50 weather-wise at the moment.

vanwonky

02-09-2011, 11:08 AM

Firstly let me say that the AN is a fantastic bit of kit and has made my limited viewing hours a joy. Thanks to Gary for the fast response to queries and prompt delivery of the gear.

My question is about using the AN with either Stellarium or Skywatcher Pro in push to mode only on a MAC. I have had an admittedly 'quick' crack at both and it seems they both want to provide goto only. Has anybody had success with either for push to?

Cheers
Dave

gary

02-09-2011, 06:44 PM

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your post and we appreciate your support.

With regards Stellarium, please see this web page which discusses
telescope compatibility -
http://www.stellarium.org/wiki/index.php/Telescope_Compatibility

It specifically mentions the Wildcard Innovations Argo Navis and
suggests you use the Meade LX-200 telescope control plugin.
If there is a dialog to set the Baud rate (speed of the
communications line, select 9600).

On the Argo Navis side, dial up MODE SETUP, SETUP SERIAL
and in the serial line of choice, set the BAUD to, say, 9600 and
the STARTUP to be 'meade'. Press EXIT to make sure the change
is committed to non-volatile memory. Then power the unit OFF and the
ON so the new STARTUP command starts.

I would expect you will then find Stellarium has the ability to
track where the scope is pointing. You should also be able to
issue a GOTO command on the Stellarium side in which case if you
dial up MODE CATALOG, FROM PLANETARIUM, the RA/Dec co-ordinates of
the object you have chose should appear and the GUIDE numbers
at the bottom will allow you to manually slew the scope to the target (i.e. PUSHTO).

Thanks again for the post.

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

Alchemy

02-09-2011, 07:12 PM

Had mine for nearly a year now, and what a great gadget, its become the piece of gear I couldn't be without. Has performed flawlessy each and every time, sat out all night in the dewy weather never a problem.
So easy to use,.... I used to star hop..... which got me there eventually but to go first time to any object to be right there in the field of view :thumbsup:

I'm going narrowband once the new camera arrives, which means shooting under a full moon...... Not much star hopping to be done there;)

Top product in every way, and I know I will get years and years of use from it.

Cant recommend it highly enough.

gary

02-09-2011, 10:06 PM

Hi Clive,

Thanks for those kind words of support which mean a lot to us and we really appreciate it.

The narrowband filter sounds interesting!

All the best.

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

erick

11-01-2012, 01:19 PM

Is 2012 the year for a firmware update? :prey:

gary

11-01-2012, 08:11 PM

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the post.

We're hoping to provide a new general firmware release in 2012.

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

erick

11-01-2012, 10:10 PM

Thanks Gary. I look forward to some "teasers" of what might be in the update. :)

Kevnool

11-01-2012, 10:41 PM

Could there be anything in there that needs updating as the poor ole girl just dont miss a beat.

Cheers Kev.

gary

18-01-2012, 01:16 PM

Hi Kev,

You are absolutely right in that Argo Navis is already feature rich and the hallmark
of reliability in operation.

We have some additional enhancements in test at the moment including that the Moon
will appear as an object in the database. You will even be able to ascertain the
time and date of the next New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon and Last Quarter.
For ServoCAT owners, they will be able to track the Moon. Though the Moon is
such an easy target to locate without an Argo Navis, the reality is that for people
who use their scopes at public observing nights, the ability to track the Moon
is a real convenience.

As usual, this Argo Navis firmware upgrade will be made available for free to
all our existing users.

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

astroron

18-01-2012, 01:32 PM

I am Happy with my 11 years of ownership of a great piece of astronomical observing aid :D
Thanks:thanx: Gary
Cheers :thumbsup:

erick

18-01-2012, 08:00 PM

A dozen scratch entries and a few more user catalog spaces would be handy.

Kevnool

18-01-2012, 08:46 PM

Hi Gary

Ive had mine for a couple of years now but inbetween this time has there been any other firmware updates that i should know about?

The firmware updates get posted on your website?

Alls great :thumbsup:

Cheers Kev.

Kevnool

18-01-2012, 08:49 PM

Honestly Eric i cannot think of any way to make it better.

erick

18-01-2012, 10:18 PM

I've got two and am very happy with them. But a few enhancements would be great as well.

gary

19-01-2012, 05:17 PM

Hi Kev,

If you dial up MODE STATUS, STATUS VERSION and you have version 2.0.x
where 0 <= x <= 4, then you have the most current version applicable
to your unit.

I'd say you almost certainly have the most recent general release version.

The differences between the various 2.0.x versions are mostly related to changes
in device drivers to support some small changes in hardware components from
time to time.

The firmware updates get posted on our web site.

When the next firmware update is announced, you can learn about it in several
ways.

a) By registering here for an email notification -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/register.html

b) My monitoring announcements on the Argo Navis User Group here -
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/argo_navis_dtc/

c) My monitoring announcements on this web page here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/firmware.html

d) Here in this IceInSpace sticky thread.

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

Kevnool

20-01-2012, 03:30 PM

Thanks Gary for the info.

I see that i,m running 2.0.1

Cheers Kev.

gary

30-01-2012, 12:42 PM

Please note that due to a Telstra copper line fault, access to the Wildcard Innovations
web site may be intermittent at best for the next few days.

Telstra reports that it is unlikely the copper line fault will be repaired until Thurs 2 Feb.

Until the line fault is cleared, customers may not be able to access our
web site and our email response times may be longer than normal.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need to contact us, you can call us 09:00 - 17:00 AEDT on
the Wildcard Innovations phone line which is operational on 02-9457-9049.

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

erick

29-03-2012, 08:42 AM

I'm impressed with the Argo's performance. My scope is set up just inside the garage door so I can check out mechanical changes I made. I can only see some of the sky through the door. I decided to try aligning and picked Regulus and Spica as my alignment stars, even though, at the time, they were only about 3 deg different in elevation. That alignment was more than enough to then tour the brighter galaxies from Leo through to Virgo. I was amazed. :thumbsup:

gary

29-03-2012, 03:17 PM

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the report.

Though observing from inside the garage door may have denied you views
of the southern half of the sky, there is plenty on offer in the north and the
appeal to some may be that they are just that little bit closer to their beer fridge.

Great to hear the Argo Navis did its magic. :thumbsup:

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

gary

06-07-2012, 05:06 PM

IceInSpace is predominantly an English language forum but I do
know we have some customers here in Australia that also speak French.

In any case, the following story may be of interest to all readers
who enjoy stories involving people's dedication toward reaching some goal.

It also gives me an opportunity to thank that person in public.

A French language version of the Argo Navis User's Manual is
available from the Wildcard Innovations' web site by following the
link available on this page -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/documentation.html

The Manual was kindly translated by Argo Navis user, Michel Perdrix.

On May 30th, Michel kindly forwarded us a French translation of
the "TPAS Approach" section of the User Manual which he had
done for his own personal use but was happy for us to make widely
available.

On June 1st, I had noted that on one of the French astronomy forums
that Michel participates in that users were looking for a version of
the Manual that would allow them to pass it through Google translate.

I emailed Michel and asked him that if we were to make available the
source document whether there might be French speaking customers who
might be willing to translate small sections of it.

Michel, a retired Engineer living near Nice, replied that he would
give it a try himself!

He translated by hand and by 4th June had already reached page 30.
By the 15th June he had reached page 150!
By 30th June he had reached page 206!
And by 1 July he had translated the entire document!
He then went and proof read the document two more times and on 4th
July 2012 we received a copy of the translated version of the Manual.

I asked Michel whether he ever took time to rest. He assured me
he also spent time to observe and to go to restaurants and the
cinema.

I am sure everyone will agree that this is a fantastic effort
and I know our French speaking customers will be very grateful for
his very hard work.

As Michel says, "I hope the translation will be useful to French
speaking "astrams" (French contraction of astro + amateur used on
our forums)".

Merci Michel!

If French speaking readers should find any errors in the Manual,
please let us know and we will work with Michel to correct them.

Once again, thank you Michel.

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

erick

06-07-2012, 07:24 PM

Tres bon, Michel! Merci beaucoup! :thumbsup:

But that is about the limit of my school French, sorry.

stephenb

08-07-2012, 09:45 AM

Between some of the typical Melbourne weather lately, I've been trying out my new Argo Navis on my 10" BinTel Dob. It literally took less that 40 minutes to install and 10 minutes to setup! Out of 4 x 30 minute sessions the pointing accuracy has been 90-95% successful. I've been able to locate many DSOs within the bounds of my light pollution. Occasionally the object will fall just outside the FOV with a TV 27mm Pan.

I built my own stalk and placed it on the far-side of the rocker box which was more ergonomic than on the 'near side'.

I'm extremely impressed with it's operation and simplicity and most of all the outstanding service and advice I've received from Gary (but with an AN, that's a given).

Edit: Gary, sorry for the lack of email. I've fixed my extension cable dilemma and I'll post some pics today to describe how I achieved it.

Stephen

gary

08-07-2012, 12:58 PM

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the post and great to hear you are up and going. :thumbsup:

To improve your pointing performance, we recommend you begin to use
a feature called AUTO ADJUST ON when you perform the FIX ALT REF step,
if you have not begun to use it already.

To set it up, DIAL up MODE SETUP, SETUP ALT REF and
enter a value of +090.000. Then when you perform the FIX ALT REF
STEP, DIAL up ALT REF=+090.000 AUTO ADJUST ON. Perform your two star
alignment as normal. The WARP factor should then be 0.00 (A) where
the (A) indicates the ALT REF point was automatically adjusted. If
you see a non-zero WARP factor when AUTO ADJUST is ON or an (X)
instead of an (A), it means something is amiss, such as a
misidentified star or cable not plugged in. Keep in mind that though
a WARP factor of 0.00 is a prerequisite for good pointing
performance, it does not necessarily guarantee good performance. The
reason is that the AUTO ADJUST mechanism bends over backwards to
correct the ALT REF point so as to produce a WARP factor of zero
wherever possible, even if you have misidentified the alignment stars.

Beyond AUTO ADJUST ON, Argo Navis has a powerful feature called the
Telescope Pointing Analysis System (TPAS) which is described in the Manual
under the section SETUP MNT ERRORS. However, before reaching for TPAS,
which is an advanced feature, you might find AUTO ADJUST ON is all you need.

Thanks again for the post and we appreciate your support.

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

kustard

30-07-2012, 05:36 PM

I'd like to extend my thanks to Gary for helping me convert my XT14g goto to an ArgoNavis push-to. The Argo is so much easier to drive than the Synscan system and in the future I can see myself possibly adding a ServoCat which will be easy thanks to the help Gary provided setting up the scope.

gary

31-07-2012, 12:25 AM

Thank you Simon!

It was a pleasure to work with you to make it happen. :)

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

ausastronomer

31-07-2012, 02:17 PM

Hi all,

I just wanted to add somewhat to Gary's comments here about TPAS.

I own 3 Argo Navis units which sit on 10", 14" and 18" dobsonians, two of which also have Servocat fitted. I am about to buy a 4th Argo Navis unit to sit on my new little 10"/F5.3 SDM; which should be in the mail within the next week or two.

I use the TPAS system religiously as it is an exceptionally powerful tool and can make a poorly built scope/mount, which would otherwise have poor pointing accuracy, in to one with superb pointing accuracy. Even a scope which points pretty well without TPAS can point a whole lot better with it. For instance my 14" SDM (which isn't poorly built and points well in any case) with TPAS can put targets into the centre of the FOV of my 7mm Pentax XW (230X and 18 arc minutes) each and every time. Similarly my 10" and 18" scopes point with similar accuracy once I have run a simple TPAS model on them.

What I notice in the field and at star parties is that a large number of Argo Navis users (probably > 90%) do not take the time to run a TPAS model. They centre the target at low power then change eyepieces. Putting the eyepiece into the FOV of the eyepiece you wish to observe it in can save you an enormous amount of time, particularly with galaxies and planetaries, where the planetaries may appear stellar at lower powers and you dont know if you have it or not.

As Gary indicates it is an "advanced" feature and there is a slight learning curve in learning how to get the best out of TPAS, it isnt' hard and offers significant benefits once you get your head around it. Consequently I would encourage people to at least "dip their toes in the water" with TPAS rather than putting it in the "too hard" or "can't be bothered" basket, once they become proficient in the main features of Argo Navis.

Cheers,
John B

erick

01-08-2012, 08:21 AM

I'm hearing you John. :) OK, I'll give it a go at Border Stargaze.

Be nice if I could cheat and have someone just show me what to do?

sparrow_34

08-08-2012, 03:18 PM

I managed to get outside last night for a couple of hours. I have only managed to get outside a couple of times in the past month due to the terrible weather. Last night was not too bad ( no clouds for a change). I ended up trying the tour mode and selected globular clusters over a magnitude 9. It blew my mind how easy it was to be able to observe some great clusters in a reasonably short period of time. I also took the opportunity to try the TPAS. I only took four sample points and used the IE term in the model. After doing this the objects were always near the centre of the field of view. I was extremely happy with the results and it provided a definite improvement.
One question to Gary if he reads this, in the tour mode I noticed some of the objects in the "Tour'" would have required the altitude to be lowered, in effect below the horizon ie down arrow 100 degrees. Is this normal or have I overlooked something, or was I simply tired and seeing things;)

All in all I'm extremely impressed with the Argo Navis :thumbsup:

gary

08-08-2012, 05:25 PM

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the post and great to hear you are enjoying Argo Navis.

When you select a filter selection of CONSTELLATION or "WITHIN so many degrees"
in MODE TOUR or MODE IDENTIFY, Argo Navis does not provide any additional
horizon filtering.

If you point the scope at the zenith and apply a filtering criteria of 180 degrees
in MODE TOUR or MODE IDENTIFY, that would include only targets above
the horizon.

If used in conjunction with a ServoCAT, if the user has entered the approximate
location in SETUP LOCATION and the time in SETUP DATE/TIME, Argo Navis
computes where the local horizon is and if the user attempts to perform a GOTO
to a target beneath the horizon, Argo Navis informs the ServoCAT that the slew
would be unwise and does not take it. The ServoCAT then requests the Argo Navis
to play some down-beat notes to alert the user that the slew will not be taken.

Some work has been done toward an enhancement to provide additional horizon filtering criteria
for MODE IDENTIFY and MODE TOUR and this may appear in a future firmware release.

We are currently completing a minor firmware release which we hope to make
available soon that provides some new refinements to the ServoCAT protocol
and some precessional corrections to some of the serial port protocols such as
the "meade" protocol.

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

andrew2008

27-09-2012, 11:08 AM

Tossing up between the Argo Navis and buying a goto base for my 12" dob. If it was just ability to find an object the AN would win hands down. Is the tracking a worthwhile addition?

gary

27-09-2012, 02:45 PM

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the post and for considering an Argo Navis.

A significant percentage of Argo Navis owners use them in conjunction with ServoCAT
servo motor controllers for a complete slew and track system.

Though ServoCAT controllers have been deployed on scopes as small as
12", their price points tend to make them more optimal for scopes in the 14" to
48"-plus aperture range.

One big advantage of the Argo Navis/ServoCAT combination is that you can
typically port it to your "next mount". When aperture fever bites and the budget
allows, it is nice to be able to move your Argo Navis and ServoCAT over
just as one would retain any premium eyepieces.

I like tracking as it avoids having to nudge the scope now and then. Where tracking
comes into its own is under high power where the FOV is small and where the
object warrants extended scrutiny, either because of its inherent detail or
because the seeing is intermittent and one needs to integrate the image in the mind's
eye.

So little wonder tracking is such a popular feature particularly with our customers
who have large aperture Dobs. A certain amount of "horses for courses".

But now and then myself and colleagues will spend a night with 18", 20" and 25"
Dobs with the tracking off and nothing but the Argo Navis to guide us to targets
and still have the time of our lives.

We have off-the-shelf encoder mounting hardware kits available for the non-GOTO
SkyWatcher Dobs.

Another approach, and one that is actively being pursued by IIS member "davewaldo"
is to consider building your own new sturdier mount, fitting an Argo Navis to it
and leaving open the option to add a ServoCAT to it later. See Dave's thread here -
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=96320
and this recent related thread here which lead up to that decision -
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=95275

In this particular instance, Dave provided us with some dimensions of the ply
he was working with and we presented him with 3D CAD models of custom encoder
installation hardware for him to evaluate. We then fabricated these components
for him at very affordable prices.

Feel free to contact me either my email or by telephone should you have any
questions.

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

andrew2008

28-09-2012, 09:43 AM

Thanks Gary. I actually had one several years ago on a 10" dob. Selling that was the biggest mistake I've made in this hobby. Let's not mention cost chasing astrophotography only to work out that visual is my 'thing'.

What's the best way to order?

gary

28-09-2012, 10:04 AM

Thanks Andrew,

You can either order online at http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/purchase.html or simply give us a call on 02 9457 9049.

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

barx1963

26-10-2012, 08:12 PM

Well after much putting off I have finally ordered an AN for the 12" dob.
Spoke to Gary with a couple of questions and hopefully should have it running well before the next New Moon!

:D:D:D:D

Malcolm

gary

26-10-2012, 09:18 PM

Hi Malcolm,

Thanks for the order and we look forward to welcoming you to the extended
family of Argo Navis owners.

Thanks also for the phone call and as soon as we receive your Alt trunnion
for the encoder installation, our goal is to turn it around to you within a working
day or two of receipt.

Then you will be good to go for next New Moon at Snake Valley! :thumbsup:

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

ausastronomer

27-10-2012, 09:44 AM

Hi Malcolm,

Congratulations on your purchase. Why did you put it off? AN will give your scope a whole new lease of life.

Cheers,
John B

barx1963

28-10-2012, 10:08 AM

Thanks John.
Why did I put it off? well I'm a cheap so and so, and there was lots I could do using my scope manually. So I decided to wait until I was at the stage in my observing that I thought I could see some real benefit.
Having a tech solution for a problem that doesn't exist is not efficient. Also by doing it all manually I have learnt a lot about the night sky.

Malcolm

barx1963

06-11-2012, 08:48 AM

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

This is me clapping my hands! The AN is all installed. Happily all went well, my rudimentary handyman skills proved equal to the challenge.
The printed guides were very useful and clear and all the parts appear well made and fit together nicely.
Intial setup is very easy following the manual. The only complaint is Gary doesn't include clear skies so I can test it properly!!:P

Anyway, thanks to Gary for supplying an awesome Aussie made product.

Malcolm

gary

19-04-2013, 01:21 PM

Due to the Wildcard Innovations domain being issued a new IP address,
the world's DNS severs will take a few hours to update and during
that time accessing http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
via a browser will resolve to a router that isn't ours.

If you would like to visit the Wildcard Innovations web site
during this transitional period, please go to http://113.61.64.114/

Once the IP address change has percolated through the world's DNS
servers, you should be able to once again access our web site using
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

We apologize for any inconvenience. The IP address re-assignment
was beyond our immediate control.

If you have any trouble accessing our web site or contacting us
beyond 24 hours from now, we would appreciate you letting us know.

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

jupiter1

30-04-2013, 10:37 PM

hi Gary I really enjoyed using the Argo Navis at the star party with the dark skies thanks again for helping me to get started

gary

01-05-2013, 01:06 PM

Thank you Peter. You are more than welcome!

We will also be at the South Pacific Star Party between the 10th-12th May.

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

Deeno

09-05-2013, 08:39 PM

Just received a few bits and pieces, only a day after ordering them.
Great back up service! A very dedicated and professional company who also give back to the astro community.
Sorry I won't be at the SPSP this year to take in some views through the 3RF scopes

Thanks Gary
Deeno

gary

09-05-2013, 11:35 PM

Thanks Deeno,

We appreciate you taking the time to post and for your kind words.

It was great to catch up with you at the IceInSpace Astrocamp.

Though you and Amanda will be missed at the SPSP, we wish you well with the
next soon-to-be family member.

Enjoy your weekend. It looks like it will be a good one!

Best Regards

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

FJA

11-05-2013, 01:12 AM

I'm considering getting a set of Argo Navis digital setting circles for my 18" dob. I like to think I'm quite good at finding stuff using just my charts and Telrad but, sometimes, it gets to be a drag and I wish I had something like Argo Navis. I've seen these in action at the Texas Star Party and at home in England, too, and they look fantastic.
How easy would they be to retrofit to my 18"? It's made by UK scope maker David Lukehurst and is based on the Obsession design.
Cheers :thumbsup:

barx1963

12-05-2013, 10:24 AM

Faith
the Argo has made a huge difference to my observing with my 20". Much easier than going up and down a ladder.
I retrofitted mine but I would definitely contact Gary as he has been nothing but completely helpful with my silly questions.
I purchased a Astrosytems pivot bolt system for the rocker box ans ground board pivot as this comes ready to install the encoders. The other thing that is important is to get the alt encoder accurately installed at the centre of the Side bearings.

Malcolm

gary

12-05-2013, 05:28 PM

Hi Faith,

Thanks for the post and greetings to you there in the Isle of Wight.

Great to read you have seen Argo Navis units in action at TSP and in England.

David Lukehurst typically builds his telescopes with encoder installations in mind and
so the encoder installation should be pretty straight forward. If you drop me
an email at sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au I would be delighted to
open a dialogue and suggest to you the recommended components for a system.

Once again, thanks for the post.

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

FJA

12-05-2013, 09:10 PM

Thanks for the replies Malcolm and Gary. I feel that getting an Argo Navis will help me maximise my observing time. While I am reasonably proficient at finding stuff using a chart and finder, I also waste a fair bit of time when I can't track down objects. With three or four, sometimes more, sometimes fewer, observing sessions each month I'd like to make better use of my observing time.

Gary, I'll drop you an email. :)

gary

13-05-2013, 01:05 AM

Hi Faith,

Thanks for the response.

Many Argo Navis owners are highly experienced star hoppers. Some are even,
dare I say, veteran star hoppers.

On the observing field, during phone conversations and in email exchanges over the
years I have heard it repeated many times. Time is precious, observing opportunities
can be few and far between and life is, let's face it, too short to spend time
mucking about finding an object rather than observing it.

Having returned from the South Pacific Star Party this weekend, where many
Argo Navis units were also in use, I personally appreciated the ability to move
back and forth quickly between similar classes of objects to compare or contrast them.

I also assisted with conducting sky tours at the star party, last night using
a 25" Obsession equipped with Argo Navis. We were able to entertain the
queue with a succession of cool objects, each one of which we were able to
locate in seconds. Most eight year old children have limited patience and
we were able to keep them and their parents entertained much, much longer
than we would have been able to do otherwise.

Thanks again and I look forward to your email.

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

FJA

13-05-2013, 05:02 AM

I totally agree Gary, I have wasted over an hour looking for faint objects by star hopping and, recently, went looking for galaxies off the beaten path, with no stars nearby for any sensible star hopping.
I have sent you an email (might need to check your spam folder). :)

ausastronomer

13-05-2013, 08:33 PM

Hi Faith,

I have been a very long time star hopper and now have 4 Argo Navis units, on 4 different telescopes (all dobs). I will never own another telescope without an Argo Navis, or something very similar.

Conservatively, I would estimate that Argo increases the number of targets I can observe in a night threefold, and probably more.

If you want a standard Argo installation there is no reason to buy anything from anyone other than Gary. He sells everything you will need (including the azimuth pivot bolt). It all fits together and works exactly as it should and he will provide you with unsurpassed after sales service and installation assistance.

Something to consider which I don't think Gary sells is the Servocat powered ground board. This costs about $200 and makes a really nice job of getting power to the scope and to all other parts of it for dew controllers etc. The Markless Astronomics Catstalk is another really nice option for getting the Argo and cabling right out of the way. These things aren't difficult to fit, but a little harder than a standard Argo install

Cheers
John B

erick

14-05-2013, 01:04 PM

I did my 12-18 mths apprenticeship star hopping and I think all should do this - good for your star-gazing soul!

Then I went Argo Navis ("push to") and haven't looked back. I have two AN units now - one designed to mount on a binocular mount!

The thrill of the search with star hopping is great, but if you have limited time and nights of observing, actually seeing the objects you seek is more important. I agree with what others say about actual observing time - it is much increased, several fold.

Just one thing, however, that I miss, and that is the joy of serendipitous discoveries during the star hopping. But, every so often I just relax and start scanning the sky with no particular objects in mind and see what I come across. But I may first set the AN to "identify" so it can tell me what I have discovered.

FJA

14-05-2013, 10:09 PM

Hi John and Eric, I've spent 21 years star hopping and it's high time I stopped and began letting a computer do it for me! But, I agree, Eric, everyone should do star hopping to begin with, it's a great way to learn your way around the constellations, rather than jump straight in with go to systems which a lot of people do these days but, that said, star-hopping for me has got old and I'm tired of spending more time looking for stuff than I do observing it.
I'm doing the Herschel 2500, well, attempting to do it(!) but 10 objects in an evening is not going to cut it!

Living where I do with a climate comparable to the maritime climate of Victoria (i.e. a bit yucky), I'd like to maximise the several sessions I get a month which I think the AN will do. It's a "no-brainer" really.

I've contacted Gary via email and he's supplied some questions with information he needs and, once I've got that - and some money I hope to be getting next month, fingers crossed - I hope to be in a position to order one.

FJA

18-05-2013, 03:21 AM

That's if the Az encoder will fit...! :eyepop: There's not much clearance.

ausastronomer

18-05-2013, 04:11 AM

Hi Faith,

That's a pretty easy fix for any 1/2 decent handyman.

You just need to recess a small part of the bottom of the rocker box, around the altitude encoder, to let the encoder sit down enough to clear the mirror box, when the scope moves in altitude. There are plenty of ways to do this. eg. router, chisel etc etc. There should be plenty of meat in the rocker box base, to allow for this.

This is done at the construction stage on many scopes to get the eyepiece height as low as possible.

Cheers
John B

FJA

20-05-2013, 08:37 AM

Thanks John. I hadn't thought of that. I think Gary is going to get back to me with some further info.

gary

20-05-2013, 10:19 AM

Hi Faith,

I've been making some 3D CAD drawings based on the dimensions you supplied
and hope to forward them to you by email later today.

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

FJA

20-05-2013, 08:52 PM

Thanks Gary. :)

gary

12-07-2013, 11:34 AM

A Canadian customer emailed us yesterday who owns a Starmaster 16” f/4.3 Dob
to which he had added a Mallincam in the hope of being able to still observe
DSO's from his mag. 4 limited light polluted city skies.

The challenge he faced was being able to get the scope to blind point onto the Mallincam sensor.

This is where the in-built Argo Navis Telescope Pointing Analysis System (TPAS) came to the rescue.

It was such a good story that I thought other Argo Navis owners would be interested in reading it too.

He writes -

PeterM

12-07-2013, 12:51 PM

A great story Gary,

I bought what I believe was the first consumer available Argo Navis in 2002 after hounding you for about a year. It changed my astronomy, I did indeed "Find More Stuff"
I don't use one at present but the AN to this day stands so far ahead of the competition (is there any left?) in both use and product support.
I have had oustanding service from Starlight Xpress and Software Bisque but the service you provided was akin to a Supernova, you outshone everyone else around you.
It is great to see your success rewarded by user feedback... the very best type you can get.

moonunit

12-07-2013, 07:50 PM

As a new owner of a 16" meade lightbridge, do I need to purchase the communication and power cable options, what do I need as a minimum, also does AN drive the scope or is that what Servo Cat does, I don't mind starhopping and pushing the scope so how does AN help in that regard if I don't know where I am going, another thing does the 'stalk' get in the way, and how is AN powered, I have a battery for the fan and a dew heater do I need another power supply, i'm interested but I have questions, of all the photos I see of AN, I never see any diagrams or drawings, or have I missed something?

gary

12-07-2013, 10:06 PM

Hi Joe,

Thanks for the post and congratulations on the new 16".

When combined with a pair of optical encoders, Argo Navis provides what some
refer to as a "PUSHTO" system.

What we refer to as a "Bundled Special System" which includes the Argo Navis,
a pair of encoders that provide 10,000 steps resolution per axis, an encoder cable
and the encoder mount hardware specific to a Meade LightBridge 16" can
be purchased online here by selecting "Meade LightBridge 16"" under the
"Bundled Special" pulldown and entering a "1" in the corresponding Qty box.
See http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/purchase.html

That will then provide you with a system that can assist you in locating
and identifying celestial objects.

The encoder mount hardware is very easy to install and does not require any
special tools or skills. You can find a copy of the altitude encoder hardware
instructions here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/images/lb_alt.pdf
and the azimuth encoder hardware instructions here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/images/lb_az.pdf

The altitude encoder is designed to be quickly and easily removed so you can
transport the scope.

As mentioned, an encoder cable that plugs into each encoder and in turn
goes to the Argo Navis encoder port is provided with the Bundled Special.

Align on any two objects you know, typically a pair of bright stars, and Argo Navis
"knows" where you are pointing. Dial up one of the approximately 30,000 objects
in the preloaded catalogs by name and the Argo Navis display shows you how much
to move the scope by in each of its axes in terms of degrees. As you move the scope,
the numbers update in real-time and when they reach zero, you look through
the eyepiece and there's your target.

Or you can work in an inverse mode and ask Argo Navis what it thinks an object
is based on filtering criteria you select.

You can even take a tour of objects based on your own filtering criteria.
For example, a tour of all galaxies in Virgo of, say, magnitude 14 or brighter or a tour of
all globular clusters within, say, 15 degrees of where you are pointing and so on.

Argo Navis is powered by a set of four alkaline AA batteries. Typically they
will provide you with enough power for a couple of weekends of observing.

The External DC power cable option allows you to power your unit from an
external DC power source, such as sealed lead acid battery to save on AA cells.
Argo Navis can accept an external power source of between 8V and 16V DC.
So your existing battery is perfect.

Argo Navis comes with a CDROM which includes a software utility we call
Argonaut. It allows you to upgrade your firmware and to download the
orbital elements of asteroids, comets and satellites. It also gives you
the ability to load about 1100 of your own user defined objects. That's
on top of the in-built 30,000 objects already in there. You can even
add your own comments and observing notes. And when you are finished
with those objects you can erase them and load another 1100. All of our
firmware upgrades are free and can be downloaded from our web site.

The serial cable, part number pn-ser-cbl, that connects between the Argo Navis and
a computer, brings about all these benefits and in addition it allows you to
interface to your favourite planetarium program to get a tracking cursor display.
If your computer only has a USB connector, we also stock USB Serial Adapters.

As mentioned, Argo Navis on its own provides a PUSHTO system.
However, it can also be interfaced to a ServoCAT servo motor controller
and this combination provides for full motorized slew and track capability.
A single cable interfaces between the Argo Navis and the ServoCAT "black box".
Dial up an object on the Argo Navis front panel, press the GOTO button on the
ServoCAT handpad and the scope then slews to the target and when it reaches
it, starts tracking. Argo Navis performs all of the object offset and tracking rate
calculations on behalf of the ServoCAT.

Whereas Argo Navis is designed and manufactured here in Sydney by Wildcard
Innovations, the ServoCAT is designed and manufactured by StellarCAT in
Texas. We have a close working relationship with them.

The ServoCAT itself has a pair of cables that goes to each of the two servo
motors and a second pair of cables that interface to each of the servo feedback
loop encoders on the motors shafts.

One beauty of the system is that you can disengage the motors if you so choose,
push the scope manually and Argo Navis still knows where the scope is pointing.
Re-engage the motors again later and your alignment is still good.

Argo Navis comes with a mounting cradle that allows you to mount it in
a variety of ways. You can slip the unit out of the cradle and hold it in
your hand if you so choose. Some users mount their units on top of a stalk
at about waist height. Because the stalk rides around with the rocker box,
it is always in the same place with respect the eyepiece and in that regard,
never gets in the way.

The Argo Navis User's Manual is available online from here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/documentation.html

Thanks again for the post and I am sure you will have more questions so
please don't hesitate to telephone me during business hours on 02 9457 9049
or drop me an email at sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au and I would be
more than happy to answer them.

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

moonunit

12-07-2013, 10:30 PM

Thanks for the prompt reply Gary, much appreciated.

PeterHA

16-07-2013, 05:15 PM

All,
Does a RJ45 black spiral extension cable exist? I would like to extend existing encoders cables which end in a 8p8c RJ45 connectore by about 0.5-1m to connect to AN. Best would be a spiral cable and preferably in black.
Does this exist? If not, how have other extended such cables without making a complete new cable set?

Steffen

16-07-2013, 06:07 PM

Not sure about extensions, but maybe Captain Curly Cords (http://www.curlycords.com.au/home/rj45-datanetwork-curly-cords/) can help :)

Cheers
Steffen.

gary

16-07-2013, 11:59 PM

Hi Peter,

First thanks to Steffen for the link and there are also other suppliers in Australia who
stock 8 conductor curly cable, such as Access Communications in Chatswood.

You can join two cables with an RJ-45 to RJ-45 inline coupler such as this one -
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=YT6080

Care needs to be taken to ensure that the signal assignments remain the same
end to end.

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

gary

02-08-2013, 09:00 PM

Argo Navis is most commonly deployed on brand new telescopes but now and then
we have customers who deploy it on older scopes which then helps bring new
life to them.

One such telescope is a 36" f/5 folded Cassegrain owned by Indiana University
and operated by the Indiana Astronomical Society at the Goethe Link Observatory,
the mirror of which was the test pour from the Corning Glass Works in Chicago for
the 200" Palomar in the 1930's.

This telescope weighs over 2,260kg and the concrete pier extends into
solid bed rock and weighs 181,400kg. That's 200 tons in the imperial system.
The shutters themselves weigh an imperial ton.

Here is a 5 minute YouTube that features a visit to the telescope to
give you a sense of the size of this beast -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqQAh82lrq0

Bruce Bowman posted the following on the Argo Navis User's Group today
and many of you may have seen it. For Argo Navis owners who did not, I
quote Bruce directly below.

We thank Bruce for his support and that of the Indiana Astronomical Society.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

gary

21-08-2013, 11:45 PM

The Wildcard Innovations team is taking a vacation from 22nd August
to 31st August 2013 inclusive.

As we will be driving up the Cape York Peninsula and as Australian readers
will appreciate, during this time we will be largely outside the reception range
of mobile telephone and Internet communication and so we will be unable to receive
your messages whilst away and we will be unable to respond.

However, we will respond in full to your communications when
we return to the office on Monday 2 September 2013.

We welcome any orders you may place on our online web site store,
however, you will not receive an email verification of your
order until 2nd Sept 2013 and items will not ship until the
week starting 2nd Sept 2013.

We thank everyone for their continued support and we look forward
to "seeing" you all again when we return from our short adventure. :)

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

astroron

21-08-2013, 11:58 PM

Have a great trip Gary and Mia:)
Catch ya when you get back.
If you're passing the Sunshine coast on your way home give me a tinkle.:)
Cheers:thumbsup:

gary

22-08-2013, 12:11 AM

Thank you Ron!

It is midnight now and I should be catching some shut-eye. :) We are getting up
at 3am for an early flight to Cairns, then picking up a 4WD there and driving
up Cape York and back.

But we will wave out the plane as we pass over Cambroon in a few hours from now. :hi:

astroron

22-08-2013, 12:30 AM

I'll keep an ear open for your plane passing over head :D
Cheers:thumbsup:

gaa_ian

23-08-2013, 12:23 PM

Hope you guys have a great trip & have stashed a travel scope with you to enjoy the no doubt clear skies of Cape York ! We have been getting some good observing in the Far North of Late !

Marcus10

02-09-2013, 11:03 PM

Just to add to this thread, I'm also a very happy Argo customer. I installed Argo around 2 years ago and have to say that it is a great tool. Gary is also the BEST at customer service and helped me through my installation and gave me some great tips on usage.

If you're time poor and want to crank through some observations and also don't want to spend 10 minutes starhopping to an obscure part of a constellation many degrees from the nearest bright star, Argo is the way to go. It has some great catalogues and has really helped me view many objects I probably otherwise wouldn't have.

Mode Tour is also a great feature. I love the ability to be able to hone in on certain objects and certain types e.g. with Argo you have a glob night, a galaxy night - whatever you want.

It's not a total substitute for star hopping as I believe this method really helps you find your way around the sky and its objects. Just using Argo is a bit like having a guide take you to a particular location without ever learning the way yourself. However, if you are time poor or working with a specific objective, or simply don't want to spend half your night star hopping - it's the way to go.

gary

03-09-2013, 10:35 PM

Hi Marcus,

Thank you very much for your kind words.

We really appreciate your support and thank you so much for taking the time
to describe how you use your Argo Navis to make your observing time more productive.

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

gary

03-09-2013, 10:41 PM

Thank you Ian!

We had a wonderful trip. We packed a pair of binoculars and we had some clear nights.
It was a nice change to watch the constellations from 10.6° S latitude.

When bush camping the light of the rising Moon was actually welcome for once. :)

Curt

05-09-2013, 01:00 AM

Just got my Argo about 3 weeks ago. As usual clouds rolled in on the first week. Nothing new there. Went back to work for a week. Finnally come home and clouds again. Tonight was the first night l got to use the Argo.
What can l say. After a bit of initial confusion on my part l had it crankin around the skies. I have observed more objects in 3 hours than l have all year. I must admit l didn't look into much detail whilst observing as l kept on spinning the dial looking at more things to see. I'm so happy. I even made up a new base for the lightbridge to go with the Argo. Observing time just got a lot easier.
So back to work tomorrow for another week. Wish l could take it with me.
Thanks to Gary for a easy purchase. Also sn1987a ( Barry) for helping me out as well.
Thanks Curt.

gary

05-09-2013, 12:58 PM

Hi Curt,

Thanks for the post. These are the stories we love to hear! :thumbsup:

All the best for the many nights ahead.

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

gary

09-09-2013, 10:10 PM

Below is a snapshot I took last month on the factory floor of our contract
manufacturer who performs the manufacturing of the Argo Navis.

This factory is located in the western suburbs of Sydney.

Printed circuit boards pass along conveyor belts first into a series of
machines that perform robotic pick and place operations.

The machines operate with incredible speed and precision and are always
fascinating to watch.

Once the circuit boards are loaded with parts, they pass through infrared ovens
that perform a reflow soldering operation.

Wildcard Innovations are proud of the fact that Argo Navis is manufactured here in
Australia by Australian workers in a state-of-the-art, quality assurance certified,
manufacturing facility.

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

astroron

09-09-2013, 10:35 PM

Wow that is a very clean place.
My ARGO NAVIS has been going for about Ten Years, that shows that Good Old Aussie brains and workmanship can come together to make a fine robust product .
Thanks Gary and Mia for a great astronomical tool:thanx:
Cheers:thumbsup:

gary

09-09-2013, 11:55 PM

You are not allowed to bring food in there, but if you could, it is clean
enough that you could probably eat it off the floor. :)

When you enter the facility you need to be wearing antistatic heel straps
to prevent the potential harmful buildup of static electricity which might otherwise
damage semiconductors.

The facility employs a lot of woman, many of them bringing home that
second pay packet that can make a significant difference to many families.
It is a fact I am particularly proud of.

Thanks Ron. We really appreciate your support. :thumbsup:

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

gary

25-09-2013, 11:29 PM

A French customer, Roger, forwarded me a couple of pictures of his Argo Navis
installation on his LightBridge 10".

Merci Roger! :hi:

We supplied Roger with the Argo Navis, encoders and hardware kit and Par Avion
shipping time from Sydney to the Auvergne region in the heart of France
was only 6 days.

A French translation of the Argo Navis User Manual is available online here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/downloads/documentation/argoman10_FR.pdf

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

The Mekon

03-10-2013, 07:26 PM

My Argo Navis was “inherited” when I was lucky enough to buy a used SDM.
At the time of purchase I did not give much thought to the GoTo system, but after the first viewing it was apparent that this system is something special. There is just no comparison to my other system that drives the EQ6 for my refractor. Unless you have a clear all round horizon, setting up the EQ6 is a three star pain. The Argo is a snip using just two stars you want to choose, not the machine! Additionally the Argo has in its database all the stars I need to go double spotting, while the EQ6 has just half a dozen of its own choosing.
But I have found something odd;
Last night I was observing particularly in Grus and the constellations to the south. After the serious double star and galaxy viewing, to cap the night off I spun the dial to “popular deep sky” The usual suspects were there, 47 Tuc, Helix etc., I then came across “ Southern Integral Sign” – having not heard of this before I was a bit curious as to how a magnificent southern object had escaped my notice. I slewed the scope to its position and ….. nothing. Went to description – Mag 15.3 Galaxy in Indus???? Gary just why is this object on this list? Description also states IC 5173. Googling an image showed a galaxy shaped like the integral sign, but really “popular deep sky”? Is this a fun object just to vex people like me?
Aside from this, I have to thank Gary for assisting me fine tune the Argo at the SPSP, a great product with terrific support

gary

07-10-2013, 10:46 PM

Hi John,

Thanks for the post.

Possibly a better name might have been "nicknamed objects". :lol:

Another example is Papillon, which is IC 708. Visually, this 14th mag. galaxy does
not look like a butterfly at all but was so named by radioastronomers because it
has two strands stretching from it at radio wavelengths.
See http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1979A%26A....77..183V

Thank you John. You are more than welcome and we appreciate your support.

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

st1000

10-10-2013, 03:35 AM

Is there a specified period?

gary

10-10-2013, 12:23 PM

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the post and welcome to IceInSpace. :welcome:

The job of the lithium coin cell is to provide power to the time of day clock in
the absence of any other power source. In other words, when the power switch is
in the OFF position, the coin cell will still provide power to the time of day clock.

Should it deplete, Argo Navis will display a RTC BATTERY FLAT message at
power on and will then display that it is resetting the time back to JAN 1 2000 12:00.
If this should ever occur whilst in the field, simply go to SETUP DATE/TIME and
manually update the DATE and TIME settings.

We recommend to keep the coin cell in place until it depletes.

The time of day clock consumes minuscule amounts of power, in the order of
nanoamps, and the coin cell can typically provide sufficient back-up power to
last five or seven years.

Appendix F of the Argo Navis User's Manual details how to replace the coin cell
when the time comes. The coin cell is a Panasonic CR-1220 or equivalent.
We stock replacements.

Generally speaking, for star alignments, Argo Navis doesn't need the date/time or
location. It uses the date/time for calculating the positions of solar system objects and
for making corrections for precession, nutation and refraction.

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

GrahamL

21-10-2013, 05:01 PM

Hi gary :)

I have noticed recently the display screen on my my argo is very easy to permanently mark with a light brush of a finger nail or similar.

The unit itself (older shape) works flawlessly.

Can the display screen be replaced ?

graham

gary

21-10-2013, 07:50 PM

Hi Graham,

Hope you have been keeping well.

Absolutely! Drop me an email at sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
or give me a call during normal business hours. :)

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

GrahamL

21-10-2013, 09:34 PM

Thanks Gary ,will do :)

manny

14-12-2013, 09:45 PM

4 years ago I received my Argo Navis and I am still smiling every time I use it,a remarkable piece of equipment built to last and function flawlessly if set up as per instructions.So Gary thanks for developing such a wonderful and easy to use telescope computer .

Merry Christmas everyone

Manny

gary

16-12-2013, 12:29 AM

Hi Manny,

Thanks for the post and your kind words which are appreciated.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

We've been working hard behind the scenes and have another new firmware
release in development and test as I type, including some nice new additional features.

As one way of thanking the thousands of Argo Navis owners around the world
we will be providing them with a free license to the new firmware.

Once again, thank you for your support. :thumbsup:

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

barx1963

16-12-2013, 01:28 PM

Gary
Sounds good, looking forward to new functions!

Malcolm

byronpaul

16-02-2014, 10:43 AM

Well I'm the latest to join the Argo Navis family :D

Having recently taken possession of a 16" Lightbridge, some unsolicited but wise advise from another IIS member who shall remain nameless ( Malcolm .... barx1963 ), prompted me to really think about putting AN on the scope. I was toying around with the idea of an android app like Skeye, but all of the glowing reviews of AN on IIS and Cloudy Nights are hard to ignore.

So when SWMBO looked the other way, I placed my order with Wildcard Innovations. Gary's customer service is UNBELIEVEABLE :eyepop:. Constant communication throughout the ordering and delivery cycle, and I even had some newbie questions that were answered both promptly and in detail.

Having received the kit, installation really is simple. I've always thought it would be too complicated, and I'd be worried about scope transport, relocating from inside to outside for a viewing session, etc. But it really is extremely straight forward, uncomplicated and a dame fine piece of equipment.

I also wanted to install the hand unit on a stalk, so I trolled the internet for ideas, and end up finding the best one here in IIS. I've pretty much copied this set-up which cost all of $20 at Bunnings. Very easy to attach and detach for transport or relocation. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=43296&highlight=argo+navis+stalk

Unfortunately the cloud and smoke gods have been in town the last few nights, so I've not yet had the chance to try AN outside under a clear sky .... but I have been simulating inside to learn the menus and operations. This is where I have clearly been surprised by the uncomplicated but abundant features. I can already see that the power and capability of the Tour Mode is going to greatly enhance the pleasure of visual observing. I'm not good with Star Charts, and only know a handful of the usual targets (NGC104, NGC5139, M42, etc), but AN is going to direct me to similar and close by targets ..... unreal :thumbsup:

Here's a few pictures of my AN install and scope.

gary

16-02-2014, 07:23 PM

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the post and welcome to the extended family of Argo Navis owners! :welcome:

Thank you for your comments!

Your instantiation of the Bunning's Stalk looks like a really good one. Nice photos!

I had seen on the news that Melbourne had been suffering smoke haze and cloud.
Take comfort in the thought that this weekend in Sydney what we lacked in smoke
haze we made up for in rain.

In any case, I hope you get some clear skies soon. As I mentioned, if you
never need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Thank you so much again for taking the time to post. We appreciate your support.

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

erick

17-02-2014, 06:23 AM

That's the ball joint Paul? Great idea - I did the same for the first stalk that I home-made for the AN. The Markless stalk came with my SDM - a sophisticated version that is great to use, but considerably more than $20 :eyepop::

http://www.marklessastronomics.com/dsc%20stalk%20products.html

Back to your AN - you'll love the Tour function! :thumbsup:

PeterHA

05-03-2014, 05:05 PM

With an increasing numbers of computers not having any serial port built in, one would think that the Argo Novis would benefit from having a USB instead of an serial port.
Has anyone heard anything about plans for a new version with USB instead of the serial port?
The serial port with the requirement of a serial cable and a serial to USB converter seems to be a bit of a thing of the past.

gary

09-03-2014, 12:39 AM

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the post.

One of the powerful features of Argo Navis is that it can communicate with all
known planetarium programs.

The way it achieves that is that it supports several telescope communications
protocols. Historically, these protocols are all based on RS-232 serial comms.

What's more Argo Navis can directly interface to the serial comms port of third party
servo motor controllers to provide full slew and track support.

So serial RS-232 in this instance is the right solution.

Plus RS-232 is simple, low power and reliable and will happily work over tens
and sometimes hundreds of meters. These are just some of the reasons why it is
still in such common use around the world particularly in industry. Most
newly released microcontrollers provide on-chip support for serial comms
because it remains so ubiquitous.

These days USB Serial Adapters have become even more affordable. It was
never the intention of the designers of USB for it to ever totally replace comms
systems such as RS-232 but to complement them.

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

JethroB76

09-03-2014, 10:01 PM

Yes, the Bunnings stalk is a winner. I made one too..
Gary, when do you think the new firmware will be available? Could you give us some hints as to the new features?

JethroB76

01-04-2014, 12:53 PM

Any update?

gary

09-04-2014, 03:47 PM

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the post.

We work in terms of releasing firmware when we reach a confidence level
that there are no known issues rather than setting a hard date.

Having said that we are eager to get the next release into the hands
of users as soon as possible and to that end Beta testing continues even as I
type.

The next release includes enhancements such as the ability to save, label
and restore multiple setups, the Moon as an object including dates and time
of next phases, a revised double star catalog, new horizon filtering features,
a new version of the ServoCAT protocol bringing additional tracking features
to ServoCAT owners, a new version of the Argonaut utility, plus more!

This next release will operate on all versions of Argo Navis hardware
and once again we will be providing a free license to registered Argo Navis owners
to show our appreciation for their support.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

JethroB76

09-04-2014, 07:42 PM

Sounds good Gary, thanks for that.

garin

09-04-2014, 08:43 PM

Erick, sorry for the delay I've only just seen your post.
The ball joint is a paint edge roller - see attached picture - was at Bunnings the other day and they still sell them.
There are photos in the photos section of the Argo navies forum under Garins 16" Lightbridge, the upper clip is a Clipsal 25mm conduit C clip and the bottom support is a 32mm conduit saddle.

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/argo_navis_dtc/photos/albums/749127057

Let me know if you need more details.

Garin

PeterHA

15-04-2014, 12:46 PM

Is the webpage down???
Can't get on it since yesterday, tried different PCs?

Steffen

15-04-2014, 02:54 PM

http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au works for me. Is there a particular part of the site you're having trouble with?

Cheers
Steffen.

gary

16-04-2014, 10:46 AM

Hi Peter,

Yesterday the fixed IP address for the www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
web site changed and we moved the DNS records to different servers.

Whenever the DNS records undergo some change, they take time to
propagate through the DNS severs around the world.

If you still have trouble accessing our web site by 5pm this afternoon,
I would appreciate if you could post here.

We are also in the process of upgrading the server we use for email
and so our email response times are longer than normal at the moment.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Best regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd
02 9457 9049

PeterHA

22-04-2014, 04:09 PM

Hi Gary,
The problem persisted only for about 18 hours, I think you update might have caused it.
I had again access by midday they day after I wrote the original posting.
Thanks

PeterHA

30-04-2014, 01:02 PM

All,
I am a new user and reading the great AN manual gives a lot of information, well written I think.
I have several questions which I have not yet located answers to:

Does someone know if I can leave AA batteries in the AN compartment and still use the external power cord to run the AN.
If internal AA batteries get low in charge, is there a low battery warning in the AN? I know I can check in the status.
Thanks for any hints.

ausastronomer

30-04-2014, 01:38 PM

Hi Peter,

You can leave the 4 x "AA" batteries in the unit and run it off an external power source. The Argo Navis has "hot swappable" power switching between sources. I recommend when running on external power that it is a good idea to do this. This way in the event of an external power source failure the Argo Navis will continue to run and not lose any of its settings.

If you go into "Mode Status" and then "Status Power" it will tell you what power source you are running on. If you remove the plug for the external power supply (which switches it to internal power supply) it will tell you the charge status of the internal battery supply.

It is strongly recommended that you remove the 4 x AA batteries when storing your Argo Navis unit as battery failure and leakage can damage the Argo Navis unit.

Cheers
John B

astroron

30-04-2014, 02:29 PM

My advice is,if the unit is always attached to "external power" and there is little or no use of the "Internal power", then remove the batteries.
I have had even the most expensive batteries leak when not being used,because of using the external power.:mad2:
I had to get my battery compartment replaced by Gary because of this happening.
Batteries were only three weeks old. :mad2:
Better to be safe than sorry,for the saving of time in putting batteries in when using internal bat mode.
Cheers:thumbsup:

PeterHA

30-04-2014, 11:52 PM

Thanks John and Ron,
All questions answered.
I use rechargeable NiMH AA type, they do not leak and I will run of a large SLA pack most of the time which also service the dew heaters.
Was just worried about what would happen if the NiMH cells are in there and the external power connected.

Acrab

11-05-2014, 02:39 AM

Waiting for the new firmware........:welcome:

gary

12-05-2014, 09:00 PM

Hi Victor,

And we are looking forward to seeing you use it. :thumbsup:

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

mbaddah

17-05-2014, 05:45 PM

Last night I had the scope setup and decided to have a go at the AN TPAS feature, just to see how much tracking would improve from the standard 2 star alignment I usually do.

As part of the 2 star alignment i had selected Alpha Centauri and Canopus, which would usually get the object just within my 24mm Panoptic, but hardly ever within my 13mm Nagler let alone 6mm Radian. I followed the AN manual and selected the following 4 stars as part of the TPAS model:

Regulus
Zubeneschamali
Spica
Arcturus

I then opted to compute the model based on the index error for my DOB (see screenshot for output).

I was amazed to see that even with this quick setup, most objects would be within the fov of my 13mm Nagler, and sometimes even 6mm Radian depending on the area of the sky. I had setup the scope on a hilly side of my house, so it probably would have been even more accurate had it been level.

I'll have to experiment a little more with this and sample more stars next time, but I'm really impressed with this feature and not sure why I held out so long from doing it! I highly recommend it for any Argo Navis users out there :D

gary

18-05-2014, 12:54 AM

Hi Mohammed,

Thanks for taking the time to post and great to hear you have tried your
hand at a short Telescope Pointing Analysis System (TPAS) run.

A short run like you describe is something that we sometimes do ourselves.
For example, we might volunteer at a public outreach viewing night and
be given a big Dob but not know initially what's its pointing performance
is like. A short TPAS run and putting in place a quick model is often all
that is needed to keep delivering objects on demand all night.

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

mbaddah

18-05-2014, 02:00 PM

Hi Gary,

Out of curiosity does TPAS help improve the servocat tracking, or does it only help with slewing to the object?

gary

19-05-2014, 11:49 AM

Hi Mohammed,

As you are probably aware, Argo Navis performs all the tracking rate
calculations on behalf of the ServoCAT.

On a big Dob like yours, which is an alt/az mount, the tracking rates
are continually changing on each axis.

Tracking is simply the first differential of pointing - that is, pointing
as a function of time.

So the corrections TPAS makes helps with tracking.

However, having said that, the nature of systematic mount pointing
errors are that they are "continuous", as opposed to abrupt,
as you move across the sky and their magnitude and direction only
tends to change slowly.

So once corrections are made to pointing, the influence those corrections
make out at that first differential of tracking also tend only to
be small.

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

mbaddah

19-05-2014, 01:02 PM

Thanks Gary for the explanation :)

gary

06-06-2014, 02:38 PM

Though May was abnormally warm here in Sydney (the warmest on record),
observing at this latitude at this time of the year can always give the
cold weather clothing a good work-out.

However, spare a thought for customers such as Kelly C, who in an email
to me today wrote -

With temperatures like that, suddenly what we take for cold here starts to feel warmer. :)

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

gary

10-06-2014, 09:19 PM

Wildcard Innovations were a sponsor at the IceInSpace Astrocamp (IISAC)
held 24th - 26th April 2014.

Congratulations to Frederick S., lucky Argo Navis discount prize winner at
the event.

Frederick has just installed an Argo Navis system on his 12" Meade Lightbridge.

We hope the weather clears soon so you can give it a try. :thumbsup:

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

mbaddah

26-06-2014, 07:28 AM

I noticed yesterday when performing a 2 star alignment and selecting "Rigel Kent", I would get a message saying "Too close to the horizon" yet it was easily over 50 deg in altitude? I wonder if it's because too close to the pole?

astroron

26-06-2014, 10:02 AM

Strange, I have had an ARGO NAVIS for about ten years and never seen that before.:question:
Cheers:thumbsup:

ausastronomer

26-06-2014, 11:52 AM

Hi Mo,

Did the Argo perform normally other than the issues with "Rigel Kent" as an alignment star?

I can only think of 2 possibilities, I am sure Gary will have others.

1) The Argo didn't perform as it should have on other targets and the encoder is slipping or is faulty, either through a cable, connection or encoder fault. You can test this with a mode encoder test, as explained in the user manual.

2) You inadvertently selected Rigel from the star menu as opposed to Rigel Kent

Cheers,
John B

mbaddah

26-06-2014, 02:22 PM

Hi John,

I'll try it again tonight and take note of what you say. I did notice it didn't like Spica as part of the 2 star alignment. Strange as I've never had this issue before. I have the scope on a slight slant in my yard so it could be playing havoc.

I'm not surprised the AN is such a well built kit. I'm 99% confident it's a human error :D

gary

26-06-2014, 02:29 PM

Hi Mohammed,

Thanks for the post and I hope you have been keeping well.

From the report of the message you received, I can deduce that you
were not performing a two-star alignment using MODE ALIGN or
MODE ALIGN STAR at the time.

Instead you would have received the message during a TPAS sampling
run.

You would have been in either the MODE CATALOG, MODE IDENTIFY
or MODE TOUR menus.

The display would have been showing "RIGEL KENT" in the top line
and GUIDE with the guide direction arrows in the bottom line.

You then have pressed ENTER.

The display would have prompted "SAMPLE MNT ERR?". You then
would have pressed ENTER. The display then said "TOO NEAR HORIZON".

If you had intended to perform an alignment rather than a TPAS sample,
you should use the MODE ALIGN or MODE ALIGN STAR functionality.

If you never intend to take TPAS samples, dial up MODE SETUP,
SETUP MNT ERRORS, ACQUIRE DATA -> OFF.

If you had intended to perform some TPAS sampling - and that in
itself can be a good thing to do - then I can further deduce that
your location in SETUP LOCATION has in all probability not been
correctly set. In particular your latitude will likely be too far
north of your actual location. If I were a betting man I would guess
that it is still at the factory default setting of NOWEHERE, ATLANTIC
which is at 0 degrees latitude and 0 degrees longitude.

When performing TPAS sampling, Argo Navis uses your location
setting to determine the distance the object is from the horizon.
If it is below the horizon and you attempt to sample it, Argo Navis
will warn BELOW HORIZON. If it is less than 10 degrees above the
horizon, Argo Navis will warn TOO NEAR HORIZON.

Argo Navis, by design, will not provide horizon warnings when you
perform a MODE ALIGN or MODE ALIGN STAR operation.

I recommend you check your SETUP LOCATION setting and whilst you
are at it, also check your SETUP DATE/TIME setting. Once you have
correctly established these, we also recommend you switch SETUP
REFRACTION to ON.

If you require further assistance, please don't hesitate to email.

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

mbaddah

27-06-2014, 05:48 PM

Hi Gary,

Yep you're absolutely correct I don't know what I was thinking :screwy: Gave it another run last night and it ran like clockwork :) I forgot to set refraction to ON when setting a TPAS model, so i'll have to give it another try with that setting.

As always, many thanks for your prompt response and extensive help :thanx:

Regards,
Mohammed

gary

20-08-2014, 11:50 PM

Argo Navis owner Alex Cherney is among our dedicated team of Beta testers trialling forthcoming releases of both Argo Navis and ServoCAT firmware.

One of the features of the Beta firmware is the ability to track solar systems objects, such as the Moon, at their inherent tracking rates.

In the Argo Navis/ServoCAT architecture, the Argo Navis performs all the tracking rate calculations on the ServoCAT's behalf.

The ability of the ServoCAT to track at the inherently non-sidereal rates of solar system objects can only be achieved when it is driven by an
Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer.

On August 4th of this year, Alex took his Argo Navis/ServoCAT equipped 22" f/3.6 SDM Dobsonian telescope to central Victoria to pursue the grazing grazing occultation by the Moon of Saturn.

Alex reported that :-

He reported that :-

The inherent resolution of the 10,000 step optical encoders fitted is 2.1 arc minutes. So a fine result!

We want to thank Alex for assisting in Beta test and for the great video!

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

Acrab

21-08-2014, 09:15 PM

Hi Gary,
Could you say us when will we see the new firmware?.
Thank you.

Víctor

gary

21-08-2014, 11:42 PM

Hi Victor,

Thanks for the post.

Rather that set fixed release dates for firmware, we only make a general release when our confidence levels are high that it is bug free.

Suffice to say we are looking forward to making it available as soon as that goal is met.

With the current production release, customers today have in their hands software that is extremely reliable and already feature-packed.

But to show our appreciation for their support, we have created some bonus features in a forthcoming release, which despite all the
time and hard work we put into it, we will be giving away a free license to use it to existing customers who agree to the terms of
the license agreement.

That firmware is currently being actively tested by dozens of Argo Navis customers around the world in a Beta test program.

Some people prefer to avoid being Beta test guinea pigs, but if you are interested in signing up, drop me an email.

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

Acrab

22-08-2014, 07:40 AM

Gary,
Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll wait for the final version of firmware.
Regards.

Víctor

rrussell1962

08-09-2014, 12:56 PM

Just received my Argo Navis back after Gary spent hours and hours tracking down a fault caused by a minuscule particle carried in possibly by dew. Fantastic customer service and great communication throughout. I also need to mention that it was a unit that I acquired second hand and out of warranty. Most other suppliers would have walked away and said "buy a new one" All in all Argo Navis is (I think) the best unit on the market, Australian made with support that is second to none.

Richard

gary

08-09-2014, 01:02 PM

Hi Richard,

Thank you for your kind words and we appreciate your support.

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

gary

06-10-2014, 09:26 PM

Argo Navis customer, Marco Guidi in Italy, sent me an image today of the
planet Uranus which he captured using his Argo Navis/ServoCAT equipped
20" f/4 Dob. See images attached below.

which translates as :-

Thank you Marco and well done!

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

barx1963

11-10-2014, 09:54 PM

Just checking if anyone else has experienced an occurrence where the readout on the Argo simply freezes. After selecting an object it start to move towards it and realize that the numbers on the screen are not changing. If I then hit the exit button and re enter the object it displays the numbers but they have changed. If I select and object that I can find without the Argo (bright star for example) and then move to it, then exit and reenter it indicates that I am pointing at it. So it appears to be tracking OK just not updating the screen.

Any thoughts?

Malcolm

PS this has happened 3 times to me now!

gary

12-10-2014, 01:09 PM

Hi Malcolm,

The behaviour you observed is so out of the ordinary that I don't have
an immediate answer.

In particular that you were still able to locate the target is peculiar.

By way of background, the unit employs a multitasking OS and it could be some other task or
interrupt abnormally continually pre-empting it and not allowing the task that updates the guide display
enough CPU time. If so, this is not normal.

Could you please drop me an email at sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
and we can begin a dialog to try and determine what is happening?

Could you please dial up MODE STATUS, STATUS VERSION and let me know by email which version you have?
If you could also let me know whether you use internal AA batteries or an external DC source.
When the unit is interfaced to the encoders, if you dial up MODE STATUS, STATUS POWER, is the power source flickering between OK and LOW?

When you email, could you also please let me know if you have any
satellite, comet or asteroid orbital elements currently loaded.

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

PeterHA

29-11-2014, 09:14 PM

Hi All and Gary,
Any news on the new firmware release date, seems to be in testing since 6 months now.

griz11

30-11-2014, 12:24 AM

And I haven't even gotten mine yet :) Only a couple more days.

Griz

gary

30-11-2014, 01:35 AM

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the post.

Still in active Beta test by an ever widening circle of volunteer users around
the world. There is also a new version of the ServoCAT firmware in Beta
as well which will be released concurrently. To convey some sense of
the level of activity, we have undergone approximately 40 Beta revisions
in the past twelve months, with the bulk of the work centering around
the enhanced ServoCAT protocol.

It keeps my Inbox busy.

But the sense is we are getting very close now.

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

gary

30-11-2014, 01:38 AM

Hi Dan,

Welcome to IceInSpace. :welcome:

I suspect yours will arrive in Texas within the next few days. :thumbsup:

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

griz11

30-11-2014, 02:50 AM

Left Chicago yesterday. So I figure Monday. A buddy of mine on the Canon forum told me about this site. Never enough sources of information.

Griz

griz11

02-12-2014, 02:50 AM

On the truck. Perfect day for testing too. Cold windy and the clouds are thick. With a little bit of luck I will have it ready to go when this front blows through and clears out the air.

Griz

PeterEde

02-12-2014, 07:49 AM

Hi there Dan
Glad you've signed up and found something of use already :)

griz11

02-12-2014, 08:46 AM

Thanks lots of good stuff here. I just did the initial encoder testing with my Argo the DIY encoder. Everything is perfect. I have one question though. The steps you enter in the setup phase is that the total number of steps or the CPR or total divided by 4? Wish it wasn't cloudy I sure would like to test it under the stars tonight.

Griz

gary

02-12-2014, 10:04 AM

Hi Dan,

Great to hear your Argo Navis has arrived in Texas.

The values you enter are actually the manufacturer's CPR multiplied by four.

The encoders are used in quadrature.

So for example an encoder with a CPR of 2500 provides 10000 steps
and the later is what you enter.

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

griz11

02-12-2014, 10:26 AM

I put those in and rotated through 45 deg and it said 45 so I figured it had it right. But wanted to make sure. Thats about as far as I can go tonight. Cloudy and very windy here. Going to have to get a longer piece of velcro to put the cradle on my pier. Might just permanently mount it. I'll head up to the store tomorrow and get some and see if it will work like that on the pier before I put any holes in it.

Griz

griz11

02-12-2014, 03:39 PM

Wow just sat down for a bit and played with the menus. So easy to get a handle on. I just set up the mount like it would be pointing to Polaris and aligned to that to finish up the initial set up. I had everything set up properly so all I had to do was input the encoder ticks and I was done. I can move my mount faster than I would normally and not see any drops either. So the hardware is sized properly to handle the load. I'm very pleased with it and how everything turned out. As usual the clouds have moved in for an extended stay. Looks like next Wed before I can drive this beast :(

Griz

gary

10-12-2014, 11:40 PM

Dear Argo Navis owners,

If you own multiple mounts and share them between one Argo
Navis, Wildcard Innovations have a special gift for you this
December 2014 when we will be releasing Argo Navis firmware
Version 3.0.0.

One of the special features of this release is the ability
to store multiple setups within the unit. You can assign the
setups a label that acts as a mnemonic and you can see at a
glance when you power on the unit which setups you are
using.

The multiple setups includes all parameters, even your TPAS
model. So if you want to experiment with multiple TPAS
models, it has become even easier.

To perform the firmware upgrade you will require an Argo
Navis Serial Cable. Many of you will already have one. See
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/ser_cbl_describe.html

If you require a USB Serial Adapter, we recommend the
Keyspan USA-19HS and we stock them as well.
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/usb_describe.html

The Argo Navis Serial Cable is part number pn-ser-cbl.
The USB Serial Adapter part number is pn-usb.

Either or both can be ordered from Wildcard Innovations online :-
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/purchase.html

With the Version 3.0.0 release not far away, now would be a
good time to order.

Version 3.0.0 also has some additional exciting features
that we will talk about during this month.

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

barx1963

11-12-2014, 09:59 PM

Thanks great news Gary.
Of course the downside is I now have another reason to try and get another big scope!

Cheers

Malcolm

Acrab

13-12-2014, 12:29 AM

Gary,
They are great news. Will be need the Argonaut program to upgrade to the new firmware?

gary

13-12-2014, 01:10 AM

Hi Victor,

You will need the Argonaut utility to perform the upgrade.

At the same time as the firmware release we will also be releasing
Argonaut Version 2.0 which has some new features that we look
forward to announcing soon as well.

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

Acrab

13-12-2014, 01:19 AM

OK Gary, thank you

gary

19-12-2014, 07:50 PM

Dear Argo Navis owners,

Argo Navis owners with ServoCAT's are in for an
extra-special treat this December 2014.

Wildcard Innovations and StellarCAT will be concurrently
releasing free licenses to firmware upgrades for both
the Argo Navis and the ServoCAT.

Included in this release is the next generation
ServoCAT-Argo Navis protocol by which the two devices
communicate and co-ordinate.

A new feature called SmartTrack enables users to track
solar system objects at their inherent tracking rates.

One impressive demonstration of this is the ability to
track man-made satellites.

There is something really cool about having your Dob clip
along at a decent rate of knots as you track the satellite
in the eyepiece. The background stars go flashing by!

It really is a feature that will teach both new and
old Dobs new tricks!

If you have a big Dob, we don't recommend you try
it from up the ladder! But we know daredevils will
be tempted! :)

One thing is for sure. Come sunset on the observing
field when satellites are most easily observed before
they enter the shadow of the Earth, you will have
your observing mates clamouring to give it a try on
your scope.

When the satellite reaches the horizon or lower
altitude limit you have defined, SmartTrack also stops
tracking in altitude beneath the limits.

Argo Navis firmware version 3.0.0 also includes brand-new
completely re-written satellite tracking code.

Geostationary satellites, in their very high orbits of
35,786km, are out of the Earth's shadow for even longer
periods and can be often observed late at night.
They too are really fun to observe and you don't need
to be a daredevil. Argo Navis SmartTrack
also computes their tracking rates on behalf of the
ServoCAT which of course happen to be essentially zero.

Your brain will think you are watching an object moving
across in front of the stars, but in fact the scope is not
moving at all and the stars are drifting by as the Earth
rotates.

To perform the Argo Navis firmware upgrade you will
require an Argo Navis Serial Cable.
Many of you will already have one.

If you require a USB Serial Adapter, we recommend the
Keyspan USA-19HS and we stock them as well.

The Argo Navis Serial Cable is part number pn-ser-cbl.
The USB Serial Adapter part number is pn-usb.

Either or both can be ordered from Wildcard Innovations online :-
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/purchase.html

With the Version 3.0.0 release not far away, now would be a
good time to order.

We will be announcing some additional cool features
during this month.

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

mbaddah

20-12-2014, 06:44 AM

Oh man I can't wait for this update! Gary does this mean we will be able to goto and track the ISS???

Lunar tracking alone would be worth the upgrade. I've been waiting for this for a long time!

Thanks Gary :D

gary

20-12-2014, 12:57 PM

Hi Mohammed,

Thanks for the post.

Absolutely! :)

To enable SmartTrack, dial up the solar-system object on the Argo Navis
and ensure that the bottom line of the display shows it is in GUIDE mode
or in one of the sub-menus beneath it. GUIDE mode is the mode
that displays the word "GUIDE" and the angles to the target.

SmartTrack then provides tracking rates inherent to the target object
when you are within 5 degrees radius of a satellite or 2.5 degrees radius
of any other type of solar system object.

SmartTrack reverts back to the sidereal rate inherent to the point
in the sky you are observing whenever the target object is not
a solar-system object, or in the case it is a solar system object, whenever
the menu is no longer in GUIDE mode or one of the submenus beneath it,
or whenever the satellite is outside of the 5 degrees radius or any other type
of solar system object is outside the 2.5 degrees radius.

In other words, what SmartTrack tries to do is provide you with a
tracking rate that is appropriate for what you are observing.

If for example you have the MOON dialled up on Argo Navis and are
tracking the Moon, Argo Navis SmartTrack will guide the scope at lunar
rates. If you then grab the ServoCAT handpad and slew well away from the
Moon, beyond the 2.5 degree radius, SmartTrack assumes you are
manually cruising the area and so it reverts back to the sidereal rate.

So as just suggested, lunar tracking is there now too! If you have ever
had your scope setup for a public viewing night or for family and friends,
the Moon is a wonderful target. The ability to keep the area of the Moon
of interest in the eyepiece for extended periods whilst people in the
queue take turns looking at it is a real boon.

You can provide local offsets using the ServoCAT handpad to center the
part of the Moon you are interested in and SmartTrack understands that.

The Sun, planets, comets and asteroids also feature as SmartTrack solar
system objects.

We're excited too! :thumbsup:

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

mbaddah

21-12-2014, 11:18 AM

Hi Gary,

Sounds fantastic :). Does Smarttrack work with Servocat Jr? It's what I have installed on my SDM.

Slight off-topic, but how much of a difference would the new 32,000 encoders versus the old 10,000? Thanks Gary :D.

gary

22-12-2014, 02:49 PM

Hi Mohammed,

Thanks for the post.

SmartTrack also works both with the ServoCAT and ServoCAT Jnr.

With 10,000 step encoders on each axis, one can resolve 10,000 * 10,000
or 100,000,000 unique points.

With 32,000 step encoders, one can resolve 1,024,000,000 unique points.
So the ratio is over 10-fold.

However, pointing performance tends to be dominated by mechanical
mount errors rather than encoder resolution. So for example using
the Argo Navis Telescope Pointing Analysis System (TPAS) in conjunction
with 10,000 step encoders is likely to provide better whole-sky pointing
performance than say using 32,000 step encoders but without using TPAS.

So your first port of call should be TPAS, then if you see results that were
encoder resolution limited you might then consider using higher resolution
encoders.

Tracking is the first differential of pointing, that is pointing as a function
of time. In an alt/az mount the tracking rates are continuously changing.
The second differential, that is the acceleration and deceleration of the
tracking rates, is more continuous as encoder resolution increases. However,
this may not be appreciable to the naked eye at the resolutions we are
talking about here.

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

sn1987a

22-12-2014, 04:02 PM

Can confirm Gary as I've just added 32k encoders to my dobs.

The goto is noticably improved although limited by mechanical mount errors.

The 32k encoders really star when the Servocat is tracking though. It's pure delight to have Jupiter nailed in the center of the fov at 340x and you really notice the increased smoothness the 32ks bring to the image you're seeing.

Last night at 2 in the morning just standing at the eyepiece looking at Jupiter and the Homunculus Nebula in the 28" was glorious.

I'm as fick as a whale omelette and have only done the standard Alt Ref and 2 star alignment so far, no TPASing or refraction or mount errors so there's plenty of room for improvement not to mention the new firmware release coming.

First impressions of 32k encoders?, :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Now what do I do with all these left over 10k encoders?.

gary

22-12-2014, 07:26 PM

Hi Barry,

Thanks for the post which is appreciated.

Great to hear! :thumbsup:

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

gary

22-12-2014, 07:28 PM

Dear Argo Navis owners,

With the forthcoming release of Argo Navis Firmware Version 3.0.0
this December 2014 we will be concurrently releasing Argonaut
Version 2.0 for Windows.

New features include :-

* The ability to save and restore your setup parameters to and
from your PC.

* The ability to set your Argo Navis Date & Time from your PC.

* Clock scaling. The ability to report, compute and reset the
new Argo Navis Version 3.0.0 software clock scaling feature.

Edition 11 of the Argo Navis User Manual includes updated sections
on the installation and use of Argonaut Version 2.0.

Included is a new section on how to save and restore setups.

Another section describes how to set up a Network Time Protocol
(NTP) client on your PC so that the PC's time can be kept in
sync with a global network of timer servers on the Internet.
In turn, accurate time setting on your PC is used by Argonaut
so that your Argo Navis can provide split-second timing
for satellite observing runs. The new software clock scaling
feature which is also fully described in the Manual provides
additional advanced utility to accurate time-keeping.

Free licenses to use Argonaut Version 2.0 and Argo Navis
firmware Version 3.0.0 will be made available to all Argo Navis
owners later this month.

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

gary

23-12-2014, 08:58 PM

Dear Argo Navis owners,

MODE IDENTIFY and MODE TOUR are two of the most powerful
Argo Navis features.

Combined with the 32-bit computing power of Argo Navis, these
features can apply filtering criteria to the entire object
database in real-time.

For example, in MODE IDENTIFY, as one moves the scope around
the sky, Argo Navis can instantaneously display the name of the
object that matches the filtering criteria closest to where the
scope is currently pointing.

Later in December 2014 Wildcard Innovations will be providing
a free license to Argo Navis users to Argo Navis firmware
Version 3.0.0.

Version 3.0.0 brings an additional HORIZON MASK filter to
MODE IDENTIFY and MODE TOUR.

Once a constellation or WITHIN diameter has been specified,
Argo Navis will now prompt you with a message such as -

HORIZON MASK OFF
where the word 'OFF' might be flashing.

If it is not flashing then you have not specified your
location in SETUP LOCATION.

If it is flashing, by spinning the DIAL you can specify
an angle in the range 0° to 30°. This represents an angular
elevation above the computed local horizon. Only objects
that match the other selected criteria that are also at
the specified angular elevation or higher will be
considered in the search.

By leaving the selection to OFF then objects
both above and below the horizon will be considered.

Details on how to download and install Argo Navis Version
3.0.0 will appear on this group later this month.

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

gary

24-12-2014, 04:45 PM

Dear Argo Navis owners,

Another new feature of the forthcoming Argo Navis Version
3.0.0 release is a below horizon indication on the GUIDE
display.

To set it up, ensure you have set your date/time and
location. Go to MODE SETUP, SETUP GUIDE and set GUIDE BELOW
HORZ to be H INDICATOR ON.

Then whenever you see the 'H' horizon symbol appear on the
bottom-line of the display next to the GUIDE angles, you
know that the target is below the horizon.

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

gary

25-12-2014, 01:46 PM

Dear Argo Navis owners,

The forthcoming Argo Navis Version 3.0.0 release brings
with it a completely revised MISC DOUBLE STAR catalog.

The catalog contains a handpicked selection of thousands
of the finest doubles, enough to keep dedicated
enthusiasts enthralled at the eyepiece for years.

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

mbaddah

25-12-2014, 02:58 PM

Gary you tease!!!!!

gary

30-12-2014, 02:38 PM

Wildcard Innovations is pleased to announce Argo Navis Firmware Version
3.0.0.

To show our appreciation of your support, Wildcard are providing a free
license (subject to your acceptance of our End User Licence Agreement)
to Version 3.0.0 to you as a gift.

Version 3.0.0 is now available for download -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/firmware_download.html

The End User Licence Agreement can be found here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/EULA.html

If you registered and have your Registration Code, you are good to
go. If you registered but can no longer locate your Registration Code
then you should receive an email reminder with your Registration
Code within the coming days. We would appreciate if you did not email
us for your code but instead waited for us to email you.

If you have not yet registered, you can do so here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/register.html

We highly recommend that you also download the following -

* Argo Navis User Manual Edition 11, December 2014.
See http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/documentation.html
This latest edition of the User Manual also includes full descriptions
of all the latest features of Argo Navis Firmware Version 3.0.0. Also
included is a description of how to install and use the latest Argonaut
Version 2.0 software utility for Windows (page 159).

* Argonaut Version 2.0 software utility for Windows.
See http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/utilities.html
Argonaut Version 2.0 was released on 30 Dec 2014 and includes new
features. Similar utilities for Mac OS X and Linux are available from
the same URL.

To perform the firmware download to your unit, you will require the
following additional components -

* Argonaut for Windows or sgzload for Linux or Argload for Mac OSX.
These can be downloaded from here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/utilities.html

* A serial cable for connection to your Argo Navis from your PC/Mac,
Wildcard Innovations part number pn-ser-cbl. If you do not have a serial
cable and would like to purchase one, we can supply it for AUD17.27
(approx. USD 14.66) plus an additional low cost Airmail shipping rate
that differs according to your region).

(Residents in Australia only, cable + GST = AUD19.00)

If your computer does not have an RS-232 serial port, we recommend you
use the serial cable in conjunction with the Keyspan USA-19HS USB Serial
Adapter. Wildcard Innovations also stock these as their part number
pn-usb and can supply it for AUD50.00 (approx. USD42.41) plus an
additional low cost Airmail shipping rate that differs according to your
region.

(Residents in Australia only, USB Serial Adapter + GST = AUD55.00)

To purchase either or both of the above you can pay securely online
using MasterCard, VISA or AMEX using this URL -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/purchase.html

Start by selecting your country in the pulldown menu. Australian
residents will also be prompted to enter a Postcode.

The cable options appear beneath the heading "Communication and Power
Cable options".

If you require a serial cable, enter a Qty of 1 in the pn-ser-cbl row.

If you require a USB Serial Adapter, enter a Qty of 1 in the pn-usb row.

Enter your name, email address, phone number, shipping address.

Then press Pay Now. This will then connect you to a secure server at the
Commonwealth Bank of Australia where you can enter your credit card
details.

We recommend to uninstall Argonaut Version 1.0 from your PC first.

To install Argonaut Version 2.0, refer to the step-by-step instructions
starting on page 161.

We recommend you use Argonaut Version 2.0 to save your existing Argo
Navis setups onto your PC. See page 181 on "Transferring setups". Argo
Navis firmware Version 3.0.0 will restore all setups to factory defaults
so we highly recommend you use Argonaut to save the setups so you can
restore them later.

To download a firmware file from your PC to Argo Navis, please refer to
page 186.

Some of the new features of Argo Navis firmware Version 3.0.0 include -

* Newest version of the ServoCAT-Argo Navis protocol. ServoCAT firmware
version 7.0.A or later also required. This includes the new SmartTrack
feature that allows for tracking of solar system objects at their
inherent tracking rates. Solar system objects include the Moon, Sun,
planets, asteroids, comets and artifical satellites. (See page 198).

* Support for multiple telescope setups via new SETUP ARCHIVE menu.
Setups can be labeled, saved and restored. When mulltiple setups exist,
label of current setup is shown during initialization. Current setup
label can also Bde determined by MODE STATUS, STATUS SETUP. See page 89.

* The Moon added in MODE CATALOG, PLANETS/SUN/MOON. See page 50.

* Current lunar phase and locate date and time of next forthcoming
phases reported in Moon description. See page 50.

* Completely new satellite orbital code. Geosynchronous satellite bug
fixed. Additional detailed description of object. See page 173

* HORIZON MASK filter added in MODE INDENTIFY and MODE TOUR. Filter can
be switched OFF or altitude angle specified between 1 and 30 degrees
above which the object must appear in order to be considered in search.
See pages 65 & 79

* Optional below horizon indicator on GUIDE mode display in MODE
CATALOG, MODE IDENTIFY and MODE TOUR. Indicator can be switched on in
the MODE SETUP, SETUP GUIDE MODE, GUIDE BELOW HORZ submenu.
See page 112.

* Revised MISC DOUBLE STAR catalog.

* Revised POPULAR DEEP SKY catalog.

* Some revisons and additions made to other catalogs such as MISC
GALAXIES and MISC PLANETARIES, etc.

* Setups can be saved and restored to/from a PC via new Argonaut Version
2.0. See page 181

* Date and time can be set via new Argonaut Version 2.0. See page 188

* Software clock scaling via Argonaut Version 2.0 to support higher
precision timekeeping. Useful for split-second satellite tracking.
See page 190.

* ... and much more!

Should you experience any difficulties, please first consult the
User Manual. It has step-by-step instructions on how to install Argonaut,
how to change a COM port assignment, how to perform firmware
downloads and so on.

For additional support not covered by the User Manual
email sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au

We thank you again for your support and we hope you enjoy Version 3.0.0.

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