Skytools v2.2

[Sentinel]

I received Skytools v2.2 from the US a couple of days ago.

I like what I have seen so far and anticipate v3 that will come out before Christmas.

I have looked at many different software programs over the years, and have extensively used Skymap Pro for 10 years. This program is right up there. This program is extremely well integrated, which is more of an issue with Skymap Pro.

I wait the anticipated Argo Navis support for Skytools v3. While the AN works with Skytools v2.2 it does so in skycommander protocol. I am lead to believe that up will be able to upload targets for the night directly from Skytools v3 rather than use Argonaut.

Cheers.

[iceman (Mike)]

Sounds interesting. Do you have a link to it?

[Dennis]

Hi Paul

I've been using it for a while now and find the Real Time add on for GoTo 'scopes very useful, as it doesn't seem to use too much of the notebook resources compared to traditional planetarium programs.

I have found the double star information very useful most recently, as I’ve just started imaging this category of celestial targets.

Link here.

Cheers

Dennis

PS - I'm on the beta test team for ST3 -just waiting for the CD to arrive from Greg.

[Sentinel]

Dennis,

I don't like the 'closed' nature that Skytools has. You cannot export to TXT or other formats only the propritory STX file. Also, no importing of TXT based observing lists. I don't fancy plodding 100 to 300 objects one by one into Skytools from Skymap Pro.

Exporting the Skymap Log file as a CSV and HTML and being able to import from TXT files is a strong advantage that Skymap Pro has over Skytools.

But there is so much to like.

[asterisk (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Sentinel

Dennis,

I don't like the 'closed' nature that Skytools has. You cannot export to TXT or other formats only the propritory STX file. Also, no importing of TXT based observing lists. I don't fancy plodding 100 to 300 objects one by one into Skytools from Skymap Pro.

Exporting the Skymap Log file as a CSV and HTML and being able to import from TXT files is a strong advantage that Skymap Pro has over Skytools.

But there is so much to like.

Paul

May I correct a couple of your statements.

Firstly, regarding the exporting of data. The comment about not being able to export to text is false. SkyTools exports its data via the Windows clipboard. You can paste the data into any application. By doing this, you are not constrained to a particular file format that may or may not be readable by another application.

Secondly, regarding the importing of data. This reading observing lists from files is a feature of SkyTools 3, which will be released before Christmas.

I agree with your last statement - there is indeed so much to like about Skytools, and I am looking forward to future enhancements in the new version.

Regards

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by asterisk

Paul

May I correct a couple of your statements.

Firstly, regarding the exporting of data. The comment about not being able to export to text is false. SkyTools exports its data via the Windows clipboard. You can paste the data into any application. By doing this, you are not constrained to a particular file format that may or may not be readable by another application.

Secondly, regarding the importing of data. This reading observing lists from files is a feature of SkyTools 3, which will be released before Christmas.

I agree with your last statement - there is indeed so much to like about Skytools, and I am looking forward to future enhancements in the new version.

Regards

Yes,

I am aware the Skytools v3 has an import function, this is not released yet. I have purchased ST2 to get familiar with the way the program functions, anticipating the release of ST3.

However there has been no major release of this software in 4 years so if I had bought back some years back, I would have been less enthusiastic about purchasing this software due to the lengthy importing issues.

Secondly, exporting logs and data. I have seen that you can use the clipboard and paste to any other program you wish, however exporting to TXT, CSV and HTML is not supported in ST2. I am unsure this is likely to change for ST3. Skymap Pro v11 does all of this, however does lack in some areas the ST2 performs very well.

The length of time Greg Crinklaw has spent upgrading catalogues manually is one of the reasons that ST3 has been delayed. However, this is likely to make ST3 one of the most accurate software programs around. In ST2, I have found errors in objects already and have reported these; the most glaring is listing Eta Car at -0.8!! and no NGC5844. That's only two I have noticed since the software arrived.

I love the backup function, and the eyepiece charts. Also the plotting of Triton and the intergrated USNO support.

All the best.