The TAK spreadsheet on this forum

[Lunar observer]

Hi Friends, Is the Takahashi spread sheet shown elsewhere on the group still active or valid? If it is (an oldie here, struggling with computer technology) do I simply download it onto to the GO TO programme equipped PC/notebook I will use to control the scope, THEN maximise it at the start of an observing session, THEN minimse it to start using the GO TO programme? Thank You.

[Dennis]

Hi Wayne

If you mean the XLS spreadsheet for converting the EM200 Polar Alignment Scope (PAS) Month and Time Reticules to Southern Hemisphere values then it should still work.

However, I have updated it to show 2012 in the explanatory text and attached it to this post as a ZIP file.

I usually just run it minimised on my Notebook computer (this is how I have set it to open) as I don’t want it hogging the screen. When I open it, it displays the relevant Date/Time which I then set on the EM200 PAS. I then close the application as it is no longer needed.

Note that when you open the file, it displays the Time at the time of opening and it does not automatically refresh or update as the computer clock marches on.

To update the time to the current time you can press F9 and it refreshes the spreadsheet.

Cheers

Dennis

[Lunar observer]

Thanks Dennis, I appreciate the prompt reply. When the sheet is downloaded onto my notebook exactly where do I take the date for the PAS from? Is it from the column, I think fourth from the left which reads.....
TODAYS DATE 17/06/2010
DATE CIRCLE ON PAS RETICLE 16/7/2010-

If that is where the date for setting the PAS reticle is taken from does that automatically update day by day within the programme or do I have to set the current date in the red and yellow box at top left? Bear with me if you will Den' I am having (embarrassingly so) a bit of trouble switching to computer technology and jargon.
I do not wish to download yet as I want to start with a new notebook type PC that is clean so to speak, nothing downloaded, dedicated to controlling the GO TO on the EM200. The theory is that may help to minimise the gremlins. much obliged for any clarification. wayne.

[JohnG]

Hi Wayne

You don't say which EM-200 you have, if you have the Temma 2M maybe this program might be of use to you, it works with the new Polar Scope on both the EM-200 and the EM-400.

Cheers

[Dennis]

Hi Wayne

As John mentioned above, if you are running with the EM-200 Temma II, I have provided some more details on interpreting the spreadsheet in the original post, in Msg#5. (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=62500)

Hope that helps.

Cheers

Dennis

[beren]

I have tried the program John listed but hasn't worked for me gives different results {offset scale is right though} from the XLS spreadsheet Dennis has kindly provided {which works a treat and matchs up with the Tak manual if you want to slog through the conversion to check :P}. For Tak EM-400 mounts for southern hemisphere use {prior to the new temma2m not sure if it is the same} they use the same PAS reticule setup as the older Tak NJP mount, Tak europe has software that works a treat and it's also available as an app for the iphone/ipad/ipod touch.

[Dennis]

Hi Stuart

Thanks for doing the check against the Tak manual – it is good to know that an independent peer review has verified the design of the spreadsheet.:)

Cheers

Dennis

[JohnG]

Hi Dennis and Stuart

The PoleFinder program I provided is designed specific to the EM-200/400 Temma 2M, the PAS is different from previous models.

A far as I am aware, I have listed the latest version.

Cheers