This looks an interesting USD$79 product, anyone bought one to connect (just about any GPS) to their Celestron mount?
I've e-mailed the guys to ask if they'd provide a simple virtual GPS program you could run on a Windows PC - that'd be great for a fixed Astrolab!
http://www.earthshinetechnologies.com/SD-001.htm
Now you can add GPS capability to your Celestron telescope using
any handheld GPS receiver! The StarDate
TM GPS Adapter connects any NMEA-0183 compliant GPS receiver to your telescope's AUX port for easy and automatic GPS alignment!
The StarDate GPS Adapter works with any AUX-port-equipped Celestron telescope, including:
- NexStar 5i/8i Series
- NexStar 8i Special Edition
- CGE Series
- AS-GT Series (with with Celestron #93965 AUX port accessory kit)
- SLT Series
Features:
- Works with any NMEA-0183 compliant GPS receiver (Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance, etc.) that outputs $GPRMC sentences (you must supply a suitable RS-232 cable for your GPS)
- Interfaces via Celestron telescope AUX port
- Supports most alignment methods (NOTE: Does not support "GPS Align", which requires compass direction sensor)
- No batteries required - draws a tiny amount of power from the telescope
- Easy to use - No buttons or switches, and only one status LED!
- Small and light enough to store in an eyepiece or accessory case
- Firmware can be field-updated to support new features or new telescopes
GPS-enable your telescope today - Spend less time aligning and more time observing!