'The Sky Pocket Edition' software for Pocket PC's

[Muddy Diver]

Does anybody have any stories relating to this product? I have ordered a copy at $49.00 US as it states it to be capable of driving my Nexstar 4GT from my PDA which will become useful later as I progress deeper into this new hobby. It should also be a useful reference tool at any time whether gazing or not.

I dont have the software yet but am interested to know of any member exoperiences good or bad.

[Dennis]

Hi Muddy

I use TheSky PE on an HP hx4700 to drive my Tak EM200 mount and it is a very solid and reliable product. The hx4700 has a 640x480 display and for my (old) eyes that is just about satisfactory. I use the built in Bluetooth wireless connection and the only problem I have experienced (running on the battery) is having to re-connect if I haven't used the PDA in a few minutes and the system goes into power saver mode. It seems to drop the serial connection to the mount so I have to re-connect, but the mount remembers where it is so I don't have to re-sync. I haven't spent a great deal of time investigating this so maybe I'm doing something wrong?

The set up has a high coolness and WOW factor at club meetings! I purchased the hx4700 3600mAh extended battery and use the Socket Bluetooth RS232 Serial connector to connect to the Tak mount.

Here is a link to the “How To” that I wrote on the Software Bisque website http://www.bisque.com/help/TheSkyV6/telescope/Telescope.htm

Select “TheSky Pocket Edition Telescope Control”
Then “Connecting a Telescope to a Windows Mobile Device”
Then “Can my telescope be controlled by wireless Bluetooth”. Scroll down the page and you should find a “How To” for the Tak Temma and Vixen SS2K mounts.

Cheers

Dennis

PS below are the direct links to the PDF files.

http://www.bisque.com/SC/Download/FloatingRoot/Bulk/PDFs/ConnectingTheSkyPEToVixenViaBluetoo th.pdf

http://www.bisque.com/SC/Download/FloatingRoot/Bulk/PDFs/TheSkyPE%20Bluetooth%20set%20up%20T emma-2%20SB.pdf