Sky Commander DSC vs Argo Navis

[Wavytone]

Pondering the question of an alt-az push-to mount... possibly a Half-hitch MkIII or DiscMount - the question is, would you fit Argo or Sky Commander, and why ?

[Miaplacidus]

Serendipity or morphic resonance, I wonder, but I have been pondering this self-same question. I have an Argo Navis attached to my Telepod (and love it), but it sure seems big for some a small mount, and I was pondering moving the AN full time to a mega-dob and getting the Sky Commander as an alternative for the refractor. Do they use the same encoders? And who sells the SC in Australia, anyway?

Or maybe I should just wait for the day when someone comes up with a dedicated GOTO alt-az mount of respectable quality.

[gary]

Hi,

Thanks for the post.

Gary Kopff here from Wildcard Innovations.

We work closely with Tom Peters at Discmounts to provide Argo Navis as
a value added accessory. What we normally recommend is we ship the encoders
and encoder cable to Tom and he installs them for you when you order the mount.
We always supply the high resolution 10,000 step optical encoders. Keep in mind
when going from 4000 steps per axes to 10,000 steps per axes the pointing resolution
potentially increases 6.25 times.

Some users have Tom mount the Argo Navis cradle on the mount head whilst
others use the Velcro OneWrap strap we provide and mount it on the tripod leg,
like in this photo here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/images/alec_dunn1.jpg
Here is a picture of a unit in the original style enclosure mounted on the head
of a DM-6 -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/images/shaffer_discmount1a.jpg

Argo Navis's rich databases give detailed coverage of both the northern and
southern hemispheres. This can be important if you ever plan on getting the
most out of areas of the sky such as the LMC and SMC, even when using
a small refractor.

For any electronic products to be imported, sold and operated in Australia, they
must carry what is called C-Tick compliance. C-Tick ensures that electronic
products don't interfere with radio, television and mobile telephone communications
or cause malfunctions with other nearby electronic equipment. For
example, the last thing one wants to see is poor old Uncle Harry's pacemaker
suddenly stop from electromagnetic interference when some nearby, totally
unrelated piece of equipment is switched on. :) C-Tick compliance can
only be made by accredited test laboratories and this testing is an expensive
process.

Argo Navis carries such accreditation.
No other brand of DSC carries C-Tick approval and therefore it is a criminal
offense to import, sell or operate them within Australia and New Zealand and
penalties exist. Always look for the C-Tick logo on the compliance plate when
you buy electronic appliances. :thumbsup:

Argo Navis is designed and manufactured in Sydney, contributes to the
employment of a significant number of workers in Sydney and is sold both
here in Australia as well as exported around the world.

It is also backed by email and telephone support here in Sydney. :thumbsup:

Wildcard Innovations has proudly sponsored every IceInspace AstroCamp.

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

[mswhin63]

Do any of the after market accessories (Half-hitch MkIII, DiscMount, Argo, Sky Commander) have to potential to void warranties on scopes.

[gary]

Hi Malcolm,

By 'scopes' I believe you are specifically referring to the mount component.

Not at all.

Both the Half Hitch mount and the mounts from Discmounts are designed
to accommodate encoders and both manufacturers offer them as factory
fitted components.

For example, as I mentioned, we have a close working relationship with the
designer of the Discmount, Tom Peters and Discmount and Wildcard Innovations
work together to provide Argo Navis as an accessory to these excellent mounts.
When an order is placed, Tom and I communicate to co-ordinate the delivery
of components.

It is also possible for the the end user to retrofit the encoders to the Discmount
themselves, but most find it more convenient to simply have Tom install them
when the mount is ordered.

Tom Peters and I have met both in Texas and in California and he is a great
guy to deal with and the Discmount is an excellent mount with very smooth
operation.

There are numerous telescope makers who offer Argo Navis as a "tick in the
box" accessory when you order a scope from them. For example, SDM in
Victoria, Obsession Telescopes in Wisconsin and AOK in Switzerland
are good examples -
http://www.sdmtelescopes.com.au/
http://www.obsessiontelescopes.com/accessories/ArgoNavis/index.html
http://www.aokswiss.ch/d/komp/wildcard/argo_navis/uebersicht_argo-navis.html


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

[PeterM]

At one point or another I have used or owned them all from the first Sky Vectors (1988), through Astro Master, Advanced Astromaster and Sky Commander. All did as they noted but all always felt lacking in more than one aspect, and you had no way of communicating this or upgrading without buying a new unit. For me inparticular the ability to input your own database with my own notes was what I really needed(wanted). Sure having data on a laptop now helps, but in the fields and paddocks miles away from home having everything at your fingertips is a dream come true, this aspect alone is still way ahead of anything else years on.

When I first learned of the Argo Navis and its array of as then unseen features (I think about 2001) - including ability to put in a fairly substantial user database, multiple inbuilt databases, adding comets, built in heater, working with a multitude of planetarium programmes and of course built right here in OZ (to name a few features) I was hooked. Speaking with Gary many times prior to delivery I realised this guy not only knows what he is talking about to the enth degree but he is very easy to talk to and interested in my requirements now and for future inclusions - ie amongst others the pointing system to overcome mount errors. I felt extremely confident I had great local service and knowledge to back up my purchase.

I took delivery of mine in 2002 amongst the groans and rumblings of other friends using various other models, "you don't need this you don't need that" well of course they all soon saw the initial databases I created (Leyburn List, Hartungs Deep Sky list etc) and just how well the AN worked with it innovative menus and that fact that you could use it with gloves on - no piddly tiny buttons to press. In my opinion the rest is (and are) history - I can't remember how many years ago it is since I saw any other brands.

I no longer have my Argo Navis as I have moved in a different direction, however I am still updating data bases for many of our Leyburnites (dark sky site). Just bought a 10 inch Skywatcher truss Dob and within the next few months it will have AN fitted.

To summise, aside from Gary's comments about the C tick, download a copyof the user manual - one which by the way has set the bar on how other companies should present their products, features and how to use them. Have a talk to Gary directly and if you can find any reason to the purchase anything else (unless given to you as an unwanted gift) I will be surprised.

This is not a pee in Garys pocket either, I hounded him for months before AN actually came out (you sure its gonna do this and that?) he delivered far more than I ever expected. An Aussie built winner for sure.

A PS here - AN was one of the first to have a yahoo group as I recall and the input and perseverance from Gary on that site particularly to new users who didnt read the manual was to say the least astonishing.
PeterM.

[astroron]

I agree with Peter, I have used my ARGO NAVIS for seven years and beside it's versatility, the backup facility is second to non:thumbsup: