Digital Setting Circles on Losmandy GM8

[Ramsay11]

Does anyone have any experience using DSC systems with Losmandy mounts? I have a fairly new GM8 and have considered Gemini V2 but am primarily a visual observer, hence the DSC could be a great help locating objects and spend less time finding them.

Wildcard Innovations did supply systems for Losmandy but I believe Losmandy stopped supplying encoder kits? Likewise I am not certain if others (Sky Commander) provide a DSC solution for Losmandy.

One fellow astronomer told me DSC systems were not ideal for equatorial mounts and suggested I opt for the Gemini Go To?

Any recommendations?

[Visionoz]

Mine is a G11 though I did use the Losmandy encoders and with the ArgoNavis when set up correctly was sweet to operate - see no diff with the GM8 as well IMHO - I'm sure Gary from Wild Card still sells the encoder kits too AFAIK

I've just installed the Sidereal Tech servo-controller system because I kept away from the Gemini since day 1 - and still use the ArgoNavis & encoders without needing a PC in this case

HTH
Cheers
Bill

[gary]

Hi Stephen,

Gary Kopff here from Wildcard Innovations, manufacturers of the Argo Navis.

There are a large number of Argo Navis units deployed on GM-8's and G-11's around
the world.

Up until early this year, we use to stock a Losmandy manufactured encoder kit
and associated Delrin Gear Covers (Losmandy part numbers DSCH & DGC).
Alas, with the announcement of Gemini II, Losmandy made a decision to stop
manufacturing the encoder kit. It is a pity because it was a great kit.

What stock we had quickly sold out and we continue to get new requests each
week, including from customers who went down the GOTO path but who are
now seeking an alternative.

We are actively investigating alternative solutions but do not have one available at
this time.

Now and then second hand DSCH encoder kits appear on the market which you
might want to look out for.

Many people prefer the Argo Navis PUSHTO solution because of its
fast, reliable and quiet operation.

Argo Navis works equally well on equatorial and Alt/Az mounts. There is nothing special about
an equatorial mount that makes it different as far as encoder based pointing solutions are concerned.

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

[jamespierce]

We have our GM8 setup with the encoder kit from Gary (Wildcard / Argo Navis) - It's quick, simple, accurate and easy to use. Very big shame that Losmandy has discounted it ! We would probably have another bigger Losmandy mount by now if they had. Using an Argo Navis on an EQ mount is no more or less complex than using it on a dob or similar. The alignment process is very slightly different but no more difficult.