I have Celestron's "The Sky" Version 4 which I got with my old reflector as a freebee. Then when I bought my 8inch Relector and I was given a cut down version of StarryNight Enthuseist (? spelling Block). So far I prefer the Celstron software as it seems easier to use and more 'straight forward'. However I do like the extra features that Starrynight offers, when I can get on line that is.. I have never used or seen RedShift.. The Celstron software does not guild my EQ6 Pro (or does it?) The Entheusiast(spelling block continues) (?) version of StarryNight (Edited) does not guide either.
Now my question is which one should I upgrade too? I am unsure of what is available and which is better? To what extent should I upgrade; All the way to the max ( eg; Starrynight Professional..).
It is obvious I am a little bewildered when it comes to chosing which emphermeris (Spelling ?). Can anyone advise me which and the why's and so forths. Any links so I can look at example operation of what each one does, etc Thankyou
I use Cartes du Ciel, which is a free download from the net. I find it very good. Has a choice of catalogues and you can print off charts to use.
There is a scope interface by means of ascom, encoders or Meade.
Don't know if the EQ6 will talk to it or not.
I use Stellarium almost exclusively these days. Version 0.10.3 has made great improvements over the the last released version 0.10.2. Many of the requests for features have now been either re-implemented or added in the form of plugins that can be automatically loaded as required.
I would expect that version 0.10.3 will be released before the end of April to show off the plugin feature and bug fix and I also believe that the ultimate goal of full version release 1.0.0 is not too far away now that many of the requested features that were making the core of the program complicated can be added as plugins.
Plug in modules already available include AngleMeasurment, Telescope FOV's, Earth satellites, Text user interface (missing for version 0,10.xx), compassMarks, and we are working on an itergrated telescope control plugin module that will allow telescope control to be implemented from within the program. When installed these plugins seamlessly interface from new buttons that appear on the bottom menu.
A new user manual for the latest release is also on the way which we hope will answer most of the problems that users seem to have.
Thanks for the response so far. I will keep waiting for more opinions and information. I have and deleted from my PC the Stellarium and Cartes Du Ciel as they did not suit me. As far as I was concerned (Subjective) Cartes du Ciel was messy and Stellarium was too lacking. It's only my opinion and does not mean that they are no good as far as programs are concerned. It's just not right for me. Anyone know how I can peruse a copy of RedShift? I would like to know more about it! Thanks everone for your time and opinions. Steven.
You got it in a nutshell H Starry night pro plus ultra is the way to go.
Either get a freebie of the net and say great or grab the starry night and say woooooo hoooooo
The heavens can really open up. somebody post a pic of there best program to rival this.....
Cheers Kev.
I use Sky cause I have too, its soo unintuative/complicated, a pain in the bum. Starry Night creams it IMO, actually fun to use.
Was that the sky version 6 you are using? I was considering buying it and would like to know what its like. I have been using starry night 5 for some time but its always been a bit of a pain for me.
Yes, Sky V6. The Sky is very comprehensive, and the default app for totally automated scope control, but I also have Starry night 4.5 and it crashes constantly, but thats a small price for its user friendliness, I suspect the latest version overcomes that problem. What do you find painfull in ver 5?.
Yes, Sky V6. The Sky is very comprehensive, and the default app for totally automated scope control, but I also have Starry night 4.5 and it crashes constantly, but thats a small price for its user friendliness, I suspect the latest version overcomes that problem. What do you find painfull in ver 5?.
Same as you, it crashs a lot and currently will not recognise any of the messier catalog objects (cept M104 ). The planner only spews out planets and nothing else. Everytime itunes updates it goes out to lunch (quicktime) and I am getting a little tired of trying to fix it. When I tried to fill out the support form at imaginovas web site it kept telling me I had forgot to fill in a field. Retry, make sure everything is correct, "you have entered the incorrect image...... I tried about 50 times with the same result . Needless to say I am in the market for a new program and was considering the sky 6 as a replacement. After my experience with starry night I am not too keen to try my luck with version 6.
wow, thats interesting, sheesh, youd think they would sort that out by now. I couldnt get any embeded images to show untill I checked Starry nights web site FAQ and found had to revert to an earlier version graphics driver for it to work...... And yes, that stops me from upgrading too, try it and report, I would be forever greatfull ;-).
wow, thats interesting, sheesh, youd think they would sort that out by now. I couldnt get any embeded images to show untill I checked Starry nights web site FAQ and found had to revert to an earlier version graphics driver for it to work...... And yes, that stops me from upgrading too, try it and report, I would be forever greatfull ;-).
I think its probaly just updated drivers etc that are causing grief but I would hope that the program could cope with it . Version 5 does not, I think its just one of those programs that dates easily as it is heavily relient on graphics setups. I dont mind fiddley programs as long as they are stable so I guess I am going to give ver 6 a miss and try the sky 6 instead . Kev and others have already given version six a glowing report so ask them for a review .
You got it in a nutshell H Starry night pro plus ultra is the way to go.
Either get a freebie of the net and say great or grab the starry night and say woooooo hoooooo
The heavens can really open up. somebody post a pic of there best program to rival this.....
Cheers Kev.
woah Kev everytime i see snippets of that program i fall in love with it
Astro Software Which one???????
for $360 AUD + it'd wanna be! 
). The planner only spews out planets and nothing else. Everytime itunes updates it goes out to lunch (quicktime) and I am getting a little tired of trying to fix it
. When I tried to fill out the support form at imaginovas web site it kept telling me I had forgot to fill in a field. Retry, make sure everything is correct, "you have entered the incorrect image...... I tried about 50 times with the same result 
. Needless to say I am in the market for a new program and was considering the sky 6 as a replacement. After my experience with starry night I am not too keen to try my luck with version 6.
.
woah Kev everytime i see snippets of that program i fall in love with it 
