Exotic observing locales - Argo Navis in Afghanistan/101st Airborne

[gary]

One of the pleasures of doing what we do is seeing Argo Navis units
being exported all around the world and popping up at times in exotic
locations.

For example, one can find Argo Navis owners in far flung locations such as
the shores of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and in the fiords of Norway.

One of the most exotic locations we have heard of was when customer
Maj. Jack Cheasty used his Argo Navis whilst serving at battalion aid stations
of the famous U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan.

Jack has just completed a tour of duty there and has returned to the United States.

Whilst in Afghanistan, the U.S. Army kindly flew over Jack's 10" Dob
and Argo Navis. Jack wrote last year, "We have a small
"astronomy club", if you can call 3 guys a club." Jack's "club"
would sometimes observe from "an abandoned Russian Howitzer
emplacement. (Best dark site on our airfield)."

Though Jack had originally bought his Argo Navis with an
Obsession Telescope he bought about two years earlier, Afghanistan
was the first opportunity he had to actually use it. When he realized
he didn't have the CDROM with the User Manual on it, we airmailed
one addressed to the Surgeon Cell at Bagram AFB, Afghanistan that
same day.

Jack has brought the 10" scope and Argo Navis back to the States.
He writes "After a good cleaning (hey, there's a mirror in here!)
I took it outside on a dark night in Chiefland Florida to realize
there's nothing special about Afghanistan except the dust!"

Jack has now transferred his Argo Navis back to his 15" Obsession
and has taken up a new posting at Fort Campbell In Kentucky.

Jack writes, "Thank you for sending me the instructions on disc
while I was over there.. Love the AN capability. A little bit of a
learning curve that I am still climbing. Your help made a difficult
tour quite bearable...".

Thank you Jack! We wish you all the very best and extend to
to you a very special welcome back!

A photo article that features Jack whilst serving in Afghanistan can be found
here - http://www.demotiximages.com/news/us...ghan-civilians

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Cool story! Thanks for sharing another example of outstanding customer support...

A suggestion that I'll make to you, borrowed from a nearby grocery store chain here in CT. The store, named Stew Leonards, has their name emblazoned across their shopping bags (which are very strudy and meant to be re-used)...They've asked customers to take pictures of themselves with their bags from locations around the world and send the pictures back to Stew's...

It has made an interesting display at their store, seeing something familiar like a "Stew Leaonards Bag contrasted with the Eiffel Tower"...maybe you could do something like that on your website...AN around the globe!

Keep up the good work and outstanding service!

[astroron (Ron)]

Great story Gary and a good idea Scott

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Excellent service Gary!
Thanks for sharing your story with us.

[gary]

Hi Scott, Ron & Jeanette,

Thanks for your follow-up posts and great to hear you enjoyed the story.

Scott, thanks for the suggestion!
We're always looking for new contributions to place on our photo gallery and we
always love to see pictures of the unit in places we would love to be ourselves.
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/gallery.html

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Okay, so it is not so exotic but here is me and my "new to me" 15 inch Obsession Telescope with Argo Navis and Servo-Cat in Ridgefield, CT.

It all works like a champ!