I downloaded Sky Safari Plus, and I have to say it is an excellent piece of work.
I bought the Plus version to be able to control my LX200 scope. The app says it can do it, with the right hardware.
Basically, I am just logging what I am doing here, so that when it finally works, there will be a record of what I did wrong, and eventually, right.
So, there is the software, loaded onto a Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet. I have root access, so if wifi is needed down the track, then I should be ok to access it.
Firstly, what I would like to do is try to access the scope via bluetooth. With this in mind, I have ordered this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221307731...84.m1439.l2649
To be honest, I'm not sure whether this will be ok out of the box, but if I don't try it, then I'll never know. If it doesn't work, there are other options, such as SkyFi. I have also purchased a small black plastic housing, to place the PCB setup inside. I will cut out an RS232 port hole once it arrives, so that it can be a sealed unit (as much as possible).
The bluetooth kit requires 5v power, so I am adapting a USB phone charger from Jaycar (link below). It takes 4xAA batteries, and outputs 5v by the standard USB connection. The aim is to solder a power connector onto the PCB, and bypass the USB port altogether.
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...SUBCATID=997#3
In addition, I ordered one of these, to enable me to mount my Note onto a standard tripod:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/150951348...84.m1439.l2649
Thanks go to Allan, for his iPad setup at the Pony Club, for the inspiration for all of this. His Orion appears to run seamlessly on a similar - but no doubt cleaner - setup.
BTW, Allan, I will also be copying (stealing) your design for red LEDs in your eyepiece case!
More to come as this progresses.
Mods, please move this if you think it belongs elsewhere. My intent is to see if the software really does work with my scope. If it does, it could be helpful to others as a choice.