Is the Argo Navis really that good?

ericc (Eric) · #1 13-12-2009, 06:21 PM

I hope to god the answer to the question is yes,as I just conversed with Gary via email and have already placed the order for a AN unit.
I was "blown away" as I emailed Gary at 9am this morning(Sunday) and he actually replied--wow!

Im a newbie and have the typical l/p suburban backyard complete with anything in an Easterly direction blocked.
I have not travelled with the scope to better skies yet,but a trip out West is coming up shortly(cant wait).

I am very interested in finding dsos.

I am not into high tech stuff,but I hope this may be a useful tool?

Im having a bit of a hard time finding my way around the sky so I hope the AN will compliment charts/planishere etc and give me more time actually at the eye piece(as with most of us--time is at a premium)?

I based my decision to jump in around some of the comments in the "AN sticky thread"(and also reading bits from Cloudy Nights forum etc)

So--In the real world ----is the Argo Navis that good?

Any thoughts from any Ago Navis users out there would be appreciated!
Cheers-Eric

[1ponders] (Paul) · #2 13-12-2009, 06:24 PM

Hi Eric. I'm assuming you have a Dob? If yes then you have just purchased the next most important piece of dob equipment after eyepieces and charts.

mick pinner · #3 13-12-2009, 06:25 PM

you will not be dissapointed, l have a unit on my G11 and would never consider changing to go-to. A.N is the best you can buy.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 13-12-2009, 06:25 PM

Oh and if you have an EQ mount then yes they are great to have and I wouldn't give mine up, but there are other things i'd buy first

(see sig

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sheeny (Al) · #5 13-12-2009, 06:43 PM

YES!

(Not much else to say, really!)

Al.

gbeal · #6 13-12-2009, 07:33 PM

Yes as well, best item I have purchased, and from a top guy as well. You will not regret it.
Gary

ericc (Eric) · #7 13-12-2009, 07:33 PM

Yes--sorry---its a dob

Dave47tuc (David) · #8 13-12-2009, 07:45 PM

The Argo Navis is the best thing you can buy for your scope period, read this thread,
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=35708

Hope you have many nights with your scope and Argo Navis

netwolf · #9 13-12-2009, 08:43 PM

Yes, best DSC in the world. Mine is on my mates GM-200 in his perm observatory and its very accurate. His C11 at F10 and barlowed was still geting the targets in the FOV and usualy dead centre.

But the best thing about it is not the AN itself. I have said this before and you have already experienced some of it. It is the support that Gary provides for the product and community. Most users will tell you Gary does not seem to sleep, you can send him an email at 1am and get a response in 5mins. Now thats customer service.

So be at ease you just got the best upgrade.

seanliddelow (Sean) · #10 13-12-2009, 08:47 PM

Does the argo navis have a tour button?

danielsun · #11 13-12-2009, 08:54 PM

Yes it does and a whole lot more. It is a brilliant device worth every cent and Garys service is NO 1.

Cheers Daniel.

norm · #12 13-12-2009, 08:57 PM

Absolutely YES

There are some who prefer the traditional method of star charts, planisphere and even tools like Stellarium. There is an admiration for those who know the night sky well and rattle objects off the tip of the tongue. For me, the Argo is an invaluable resource thats made navigating so much easier and quicker.

In no time you will be able to grasp and recognise the vicinity of popular objects in the night sky, what constellation they're in etc.

You will still need to learn some basics of the night sky and some brighter stars to setup the Argo each night (2 star alignment), but that's pretty easy and quickly picked up.

Like many have said before, arguably the best accessory outside the scope itself and a collimation tool for the dob.

You won't be disappointed.

Cheers Norm

wavelandscott (Scott) · #13 14-12-2009, 02:48 AM

As others have said, yes, it is that good...top shelf item!

ericc (Eric) · #14 14-12-2009, 05:10 AM

Thanx for all the feedback people--and everythings good--I cant wait!

Cheers-Eric

Vartigy · #15 14-12-2009, 10:32 AM

Quick question after I did some light reading on it.
I noticed that it will guide your viewing to particular celestial objects through its motors.
But it can't track??
Is this correct?

erick (Eric) · #16 14-12-2009, 10:34 AM

No motors, Aaron, it just tells you where (and at what) your telescope is pointing based on two encoders, one on Altitude axis and one on Azimuth axis.

In summary, once aligned, you dial in the desired object and the AN will show you, with arrows and a "count-down" number, how you have to move the scope in alt and azi to place the object in your field of view.

Alternatively, point the scope at something and ask the AN to identify what the object is.

Vartigy · #17 14-12-2009, 10:38 AM

ahh. Righto.
Thanks for clearing that up Eric.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #18 14-12-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anfo

Quick question after I did some light reading on it.
I noticed that it will guide your viewing to particular celestial objects through its motors.
But it can't track??
Is this correct?

The Argo is a "passive" device. It doesn't "move" anything at all - once an initial alignment procedure is carried out it merely knows (through the encoders Eric mentioned) where your scope is pointed at any one time. If you wish to go to an object that you've searched for and found in the database the Argo will tell you which way to push your scope, and how far, to get to it. Counters will appear in both alt and azimuth planes that will decrement to zero as you approach the target. It's very accurate. This is what you hear referred to as "PUSH TO", as opposed to "GO TO" which is what scopes fitted with slewing-speed motors do. Given that, the Argo wont make your scope track unless it is already fitted with tracking (clock-drive) motors, with which nearly all Dobsonian-mounted scopes are not.

goober (Doug) · #19 14-12-2009, 10:44 AM

Is the Argo really that good? It's probably better.... fantastic piece of kit.

erick (Eric) · #20 14-12-2009, 10:50 AM

"one on Altitude axis and one on Azimuth axis."

I should qualify - for a dobsonian or non-wedge fork mount. AN can go on a GEM, of course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

No motors, Aaron, it just tells you where (and at what) your telescope is pointing based on two encoders, one on Altitude axis and one on Azimuth axis.

In summary, once aligned, you dial in the desired object and the AN will show you, with arrows and a "count-down" number, how you have to move the scope in alt and azi to place the object in your field of view.

Alternatively, point the scope at something and ask the AN to identify what the object is.