Hi M,
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbaddah
- Tracking!!! Useful mainly for tracking planets at high magnifications and
for public viewing.
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The tracking is useful even with DSO's at modest powers. Some say,
anecdotally, that find having a ServoCAT fitted is also like adding some
additional inches of aperture. Since the brain plays such a key part in perception
and image processing, it has more time to concentrate on the image presented to
it when you don't have the distraction of having to manually nudge the scope now and
then. With the tracking, you find yourself looking at most objects for longer
and doing so with more scrutiny which is a key benefit to the art of observation.
Quote:
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- Save time hunting for object and spend more time observing
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As you know with the Argo Navis, it takes away the chore of having to hunt
down objects so you can spend more time looking at them than looking for them.
When the ServoCAT is added, what is neat is that you simply dial up the object
on the Argo Navis display, hit the ServoCAT GOTO button and it slews to the
object.
There is no doubt that the tracking is of more benefit than the ability to slew.
However, if you are like me and tend to observe with a group of friends, there
is a surprising benefit to slew which is that if you are in the middle of conversation
you can just hit the GOTO button and carry on with minimal interruption whilst the
motors do the work. At best you might need to move the ladder but the act
of doing that does not distract one from listening or talking. When the
conversation takes a break, one of the party can step up to the eyepiece and the
object is then ready to be looked at.
Quote:
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Basic DSO astrophotography (I understand been a dob it'll suffer from field rotation). Maybe with focal reducer (f ratio is f4.75) can get it to down to something more manageable? Lunar/Planetary photography should be a breeze.
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Some owners use multiple short exposures, software field de-rotation and
capture lunar, planetary and DSO's.
For example, see Johannes Brachtendorf's pages here -
http://homepages.uni-tuebingen.de/jo....brachtendorf/
http://homepages.uni-tuebingen.de/jo...r/Galaxies.htm
http://homepages.uni-tuebingen.de/jo...er/Nebulae.htm
http://homepages.uni-tuebingen.de/jo.../Equipment.htm
Quote:
Disadvantages:
- Price 
- Extra power needed.
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A sealed lead acid battery and a battery charger are all you need.
Another advantage is that should you migrate to a different scope in the future,
say a larger aperture scope, you can take the ServoCAT with you.
As you are probably also aware, the ServoCAT uses servos rather than steppers
which have significant advantages in telescope control applications.
Recommend you email Gary Myers and ask for a free copy of their installation DVD.
I know he would only be too happy to answer any questions you may have.
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