thanks for that, i have read loads of reviews on it in the past hour, and it looks to be an excellent piece of kit.
I am guessing i might well get one (or at least order it!) in the next week or two
Hi Duncan,
Thanks for your consideration, which is appreciated.
Also thanks to vespine for his response to your question.
In a nutshell, a pair of optical encoders are attached to each axis of the scope.
After aligning on a couple of objects, typically a couple of bright stars,
you can dial up an object from the catalog and Argo Navis will guide you
to it, its display updating as you push the scope so you can 'zero-in' on it.
Conversely, you can point to an object and ask Argo Navis what it is.
You can even tour objects based on user definable selection filtering
criteria.
As vespine pointed out, the Argo Navis can also be interfaced to some
third party motor controllers such as the ServoCAT to provide full slew
and track support. The ServoCAT is a popular choice on Dobs of about
16 inches of aperture and up. Argo Navis works is popular on scopes
of all apertures.
Vespine, you were asking about the StellarCAT web site. Gary Myers informs
me that it was briefly offline today but the issue has been resolved and you
can visit them at http://www.stellarcat.com
Location: Tucson, before that Wisconsin, before...
Posts: 231
Argo/ServoCAT set-up is smarter than the average Norte Americano...
I'll add my vote of support. I used my Argo down there for a year to great effect.
Upon my return here, I returned it to its home on my 18 Obsession, and last night tried in vain for an hour to get it to work doing Go-To slews. The Argo-ServoCAT set up steadfastly refused to cooperate, giving me that polite but steadfast bee-boop sound when I hit the GoTo button.
Then, after going back to the manuals of the 'Two Garys' as I call them, I realized the Argo was still set to Location: Melbourne. Thinking it was in Melbourne, it was politely informing me that my requested slews would put the scope in an anatomically impossible situation.
Conclusion: My Argo smarter than me.
And firmware updates are a lot easier for the Argo....
Wait until you start looking into motorized tracking platforms for them, ouch. You can get cheap tracking for observing but if you want to use it for photography kaching $$$. Have a look at the servocat system.
It says:
With one hand rotate the tangent arm around to approx 4oclock position. - Easy, done
With the other hand , slide the locating coupler beneath the slot in the tangent arm so that the shoulder screw is mid-way along the length of the slot. - I am completely lost here!
I dont understand which "slot" and "sholder screw".
Where exactly is the locating coupler ment to go? It would be really help me if could see the end result of what the ALT setup looks like? any pics anyone? tried googling it but couldnt find anything..
Sorry for the hassel Gary.
PS - have you thought about making instructional setup videos for these kits?
It says:
With one hand rotate the tangent arm around to approx 4oclock position. - Easy, done
With the other hand , slide the locating coupler beneath the slot in the tangent arm so that the shoulder screw is mid-way along the length of the slot. - I am completely lost here!
I dont understand which "slot" and "sholder screw".
Where exactly is the locating coupler ment to go? It would be really help me if could see the end result of what the ALT setup looks like? any pics anyone? tried googling it but couldnt find anything..
Sorry for the hassel Gary.
PS - have you thought about making instructional setup videos for these kits?
Cheers,
Ash
Hi Ash,
Thanks for the post.
Please see attached image that shows the locating coupler with the shoulder screw
currently fastened in it and in turn, the rectangular slot in the end of the bracket
sliding over the shoulder screw.
What you are doing in the end is fastening the plastic locating coupler to the
side of the rocker box using three of the supplied self-tapping screws.
The shoulder screw which is screwed into the coupler then 'fixes' the far
end of the bracket in place.
As to where you are placing the locating coupler, it will be placed beneath the
slot of the bracket when the bracket is rotated to the position as shown in Fig.
3 of the instructions.
"For the Meade Lightbridge I also made up a Stalk to mount my Argo Navis handset from a paint roller extension pole handle and a paintbrush holder that screws onto the pole, cheap, easy and functional."
The paint extension pole allows a height adjustment and the paint brush holder can adjust the angle for viewing, all parts purchased at Bunnings.
"For the Meade Lightbridge I also made up a Stalk to mount my Argo Navis handset from a paint roller extension pole handle and a paintbrush holder that screws onto the pole, cheap, easy and functional."
The paint extension pole allows a height adjustment and the paint brush holder can adjust the angle for viewing, all parts purchased at Bunnings.
Thanks Iceman
Hi Stephen!
Thanks for the post and pictures of your improvised stalk.
I've referenced your stalk before on other forums and here are the
original notes you kindly sent.
Quote:
The parts are all from Bunnings, but any hardware store would probably
suffice:
1) The stork itself is a small painting pole extender made from
aluminium (light and about 1.5m extended approx $17.00)
2) The stork top is a paint brush holder (yellow plastic and adjusts for
different angles (approx $4.50)
3) The Bracket are 3/4 inch painted white (found in plumbing pipes
section and unfortunately for me only in packs of 10)
4) I used 3/16ths bolts with washers and nuts (for Lightbridge they were
38mm long) and also bought some Wingnuts.
I drilled the holes with markings made from the brackets when mounted
on the stork as they extend when mounted.
Insert the bolt and washer with nut on other side to hold bolts in
place. Then connect stork with brackets using the wing nuts.
Next I got a piece of wood to add to the paint holder so I could
attach the Argo Navis cradle (I used a horizontal bit of board also).
Finally tidy up the wires with a few more stickon wire tidies.
Location: Tucson, before that Wisconsin, before...
Posts: 231
Argo Cheater (that's Ahgo Cheetah for y'all!)
Thanks, Gary. It's okay here, thanks. Sky is a tad duller, but it's home. Hope all my VIC friends have come through the bush fires and the earthquakes okay.
I am poised now, with my wireless control of my scope using the Argo/ServoCat Sky Tools on my lappie, to massively 'cheat' on a Messier marathon on 3/28/09 (er, sorry gents, I mean 28/3/09) run by a local club.
Based on a quick trial run last night in my driveway, I predict no difficulty in locating every object, except for being able to see the few at the beginning and end due to twilight conditions. Indeed, it should be fairly easy to accomplish. Yes, very tacky. But I lack any form of astronomical scruples at this point having gone a year without using my main scope. I am looking for any victory, hollow tho it may be - to satiate my astronomica nervosa....
Cheers
Scott
Quote:
Originally Posted by gary
Thank Scott,
We appreciate your support!
Hope the posting in Arizona is going well and proving productive for you and that
life is good.
Argo Navis in a nutshell
Welcome to the extended family of Argo Navis owners
I am Developing a major headache trying to setup the ALT. 
