DSC for GSO dob.

Darkplague · #1 04-12-2005, 11:20 AM

Hi,

I was wondering wether anybody has put Digital Setting Circles on their GSO dobs and if so, what brand did they use?

Can anyone suggest a retailer that sells them or should I look on Astromart and such? There doesnt seem to be much onfo on this topic anywhere.

Regards,

Mark

togo54 (Tom) · #2 04-12-2005, 11:45 AM

Mark
If you haven't already done so, check this url:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...c794340c5378cf

Starkler (Geoff) · #3 04-12-2005, 11:57 AM

A few of us also have the ArgoNavis dsc. It costs about 1k to set up.

http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/

Darkplague · #4 04-12-2005, 12:14 PM

Thks for the links fellas! $1000!!! omg, I didnt know it would cost so much, but that would be for the top of the line ANavis unit. If I bought a comuter from Astromart, then just sourced some encoders and cabling from somewhere.

If it ends up being too costly, then I will use my own personal Setting circles which end up costing nothing, just time. You would be amazed how much the brain can remeber if you study some charts long enough

Starkler (Geoff) · #5 04-12-2005, 01:08 PM

There are some cheaper options, but its going to cost 400-500 min whichever way you go.

If your big into dso viewing, its well worth the investment in terms what you can get out of your scope . Like many others have said , fitting dsc has been their best single investment made.

iceman (Mike) · #6 04-12-2005, 01:14 PM

Like Geoff says, it can be cheaper.. my whole setup cost $300 second hand.. but it's sky commander, not argo.

I'm contemplating replacing my SC with an Argo unit, just because it's the best out there and it's tour functions are awesome.

DSCs are costly, yes, but as Geoff said, for DSO viewing it's the best money i've spent on my scope.

Darkplague · #7 04-12-2005, 01:15 PM

Could you tell me if this is a suitable unit for my 12" dob, and also if the price is good for what you get??

Im a dsc newb so any help would be appreciated.

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds...fied_id=392615

Darkplague · #8 04-12-2005, 02:00 PM

Iceman check your PM!

Starkler (Geoff) · #9 04-12-2005, 02:06 PM

That ad said nothing about the encoder resolution. You will have to source mounting hardware or have access to a machine shop to turn something up.
At $375US its not real cheap considering the above.

Darkplague · #10 04-12-2005, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

That ad said nothing about the encoder resolution. You will have to source mounting hardware or have access to a machine shop to turn something up.
At $375US its not real cheap considering the above.

I thought it was 2 high! He messaged me saying it was a 4000 tick res. This is about average I think.

I think Ill pass on this one.

RAJAH235 · #11 05-12-2005, 11:03 PM

fwiw, as a comparison. My Meade 'Magellan 1', cost around $670.00AUS.

L.

Darkplague · #12 06-12-2005, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAJAH235

fwiw, as a comparison. My Meade 'Magellan 1', cost around $670.00AUS.

L.

Whats the Magelaan like? As in features, accuracy...
Ive seen that one 4 sale on Astromart.

Mark

gary · #13 06-12-2005, 09:51 PM

Hi Mark,

> I was wondering wether anybody has put Digital Setting
> Circles on their GSO dobs and if so, what brand did they
> use?
>
> Can anyone suggest a retailer that sells them or should
> I look on Astromart and such? There doesnt seem to be
> much onfo on this topic anywhere.

You can find encoder installation information, including the installation instructions,
for the Guang Sheng Dobs on our web site here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com...._describe.html

It might surprise you to learn that the world's most popular Digital
Setting Circle (though we prefer the more accurate description of
Digital Telescope Computer or 'DTC'), is actually designed and manufactured
right here in Australia by Australians. This product is exported all over the
world.

Now, if you come to the IceInSpace AstroCamp at Lostock north of Sydney
over the Australia Day long weekend, not only will you get the opportunity
to meet plenty of fellow IceInSpace members, but you can actually win
one of our Argo Navis DTC's.

So now might be a good time to think about buying a cheap Virgin Blue
or Jetstar ticket to Sydney or getting the car tuned-up for the drive up
from Adelaide.

See http://www.iceinspace.com.au/?iisac

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
Proud Sponsors of IceInSpace Lostock AstroCamp 2006
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

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #14 06-12-2005, 10:02 PM

I like the way you just 'slipped' the ArgoNavis advertising in, Gary

Why not! Good Aussie products need exposure!

DID YOU HEAR THAT ALL YOU AMERICANS, POMS, ETC!!

ARGO NAVIS
The best 'DTC' in the world!

http://www.wildcard-innovations.com...c_describe.html

gary · #15 07-12-2005, 12:32 AM

Hi Ken,

Good one!!!

Any chance we will see some of the Snake Valley Gang up in Lostock
over the Australia Day long weekend? It's probably freeway most of the way
up and Mike has found us all a great location.

If we could get some of the Qld mob down here as well, it would be
a real National Australia Day event.

Best Regards

Gary

RAJAH235 · #16 07-12-2005, 12:45 AM

Mark, after taking a 'while' to mod my t'scope, (3 x adjustable feet, repositioning the alt. teflon pads, making sure the tube brgs. were @ the same distance from the end etc etc), I can get to within 1/2 degree of selected object.
The main prob. I found was the 'Instruction manual'. Talk about mixed up.

(C**p copy of photocopy).
Overall the Mag 1 performs well. Has 12,000 odd objects in it's database, 2 star align, tour feature, user object library, ability to change 'object find' parameters etc etc.
I'm happy with it's features & useability, when we get good weather.......
I did make a regulated internal/external power supply for it tho., bit hard on 9 volt battery.
HTH.

L.

Darkplague · #17 07-12-2005, 11:00 AM

I would like to go Gary but its a little far from here

Anyone have a "spare" dsc unit they would be willing to sell me??

If not I may have to save up for the AN unit.
Question to gary: I am on a budget, so can't afford everything I need. I was thinking about ordering the AN unit, 2 encoders and cables. Because I work in a machine shop, with lathes and mills, the mounting gear would be fairly staright forward to make?????

You would need to throw in some plans to make the hardware for a gso 12" dob.
Would you be prepared to help a guy on a budget? :p

gary · #18 07-12-2005, 11:34 AM

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the post.

> Because I work in a machine shop, with lathes and mills, the mounting gear
> would be fairly staright forward to make?????

You are set!!!

We have many customers who are Amateur Telescope Makers (ATM's).
Many of these customers have access to well-equipped machine shops.
Apart from fabricating the structural elements of their telescopes, many
of these ATM's also machine their own encoder mounting hardware.

We fully encourage & support ATM's and can offer advice in the fitting of optical
encoders. If you email me at sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au I can then
provide more specific details related to your mount.

Apart from lowering their budget, many ATM's derive immense satisfaction
out of fabricating things for themselves. As Professional Engineers, we can relate
to this wholeheartedly.

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

dvb · #19 09-12-2005, 01:09 AM

The only negative I have heard about Argo Navis on a GSO Dob is with the Azimuth kit -- that if you have "Magic Sliders" or Ebony Star or some other bearing system that increases the distance between the ground board and the rockerbox board, the connecting bolt may not be long enough.

I have had to lengthen the stock 2" bolt on my (Antares) GSO to 2 1/4" as I have tried to smooth the azimuth movement. I guess if I were to go AN, I'd have to take off the sliders and look for a thinner solution (unless AN has a longer bolt or some other fix for this)

Starkler (Geoff) · #20 09-12-2005, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvb

The only negative I have heard about Argo Navis on a GSO Dob is with the Azimuth kit -- that if you have "Magic Sliders" or Ebony Star or some other bearing system that increases the distance between the ground board and the rockerbox board, the connecting bolt may not be long enough.

I have been down this road myself and the above statement is true. The az mount hardware doesnt allow for any extra thickness between base boards over stock dimensions.