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Driving a scope in the field... best options...?
Hi everyone,
My newly acquired C8 (HEQ-5-Pro mount with SynScan hand controller) is about to have its first outings. While I'm sure the basic GoTo controller included will function more than adequately, I'm interested in being able to drive the instrument via something with a bit more of an intuitive and user-friendly interface... i.e. some planetarium software on a separate portable computer.
Options I'm considering:
1. Netbook (Ubuntu linux) -> USB <-> RS-232 -> GoTo System
2. iPod Touch -> WiFi <-> RS-232 -> GoTo System
3. MacBook Pro -> USB <-> RS-232 -> GoTo System
Option 2 sounds cool, but the WiFi <-> RS-232 adaptor is not cheap ($164 USD) and while I am moderately impressed by some of the planetarium software I've downloaded for my iPod Touch, the small screen size makes it a less attractive option. The nice part would be not having to lug a "big" laptop out with me, in addition to the mount, the OTA, the battery, etc.
Options 1 and 3 are the simplest and cheapest as USB <-> RS-232 adaptors are cheap as chips (even Jaycar will only hold you to ransom for about $30 for one), but necessitate lugging a computer along. The Mac would provide the more bullet-proof option, however, my little Acer Aspire One netbook is smaller and lighter, but it's currently loaded with Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala).
So my questions are:
1. Has anyone out there experimented with using an iPod, iPhone or iPad to drive their telescope via WiFi?
2. What would people recommend as a good (i.e. stable, simple) piece of software for this purpose that runs on a Linux (Ubuntu) machine?
All comments, suggestions and ridicule gratefully accepted... :-)
Cheers!
Chris
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