Is the Argo Navis really that good? - Page 2

iceman (Mike) · #21 14-12-2009, 10:50 AM

At the Pony Club on Saturday night, someone was asking about an Argo, and said that someone else told them "they're expensive for what you get" (or words to that effect).

I said, "that person must never have used one".

A brilliant accessory.

erick (Eric) · #22 14-12-2009, 10:53 AM

What you get for your money is observing time. You can spend time star-hopping and locating objects (good experience and I did it for some 18 months - good for building your "character"), or you can move quickly to the desired object and spend your time observing it. In my view, money very well spent, in my observing time-poor life!

ngcles · #23 14-12-2009, 11:06 AM

Hi Eric & All,

I don't think I can actually add much to what others have said -- they are simply the best aftermarket DSC in the world -- brilliant piece of kit. Had one now for nearly 7 years. One thing to note -- they can be battery hungry. Unless you use super-premium batteries, you'll get about 15-odd hrs out of a set of 4 AA's.

Instead, power it off a sealed 12V lead-acid re-chargable battery. You'll need the extra lead for that and a battery ($40- odd) of course but in the long run, it'll save you a lot of money in AA batteries.

You've also noticed one other big point in their favour -- sales & service. Gary & Mai are absolutely world-class at customer service and after sales support. Can't speak highly enough of them.

I know you won't be disappointed.

Best,

Les D

gary · #24 14-12-2009, 12:08 PM

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?

Firstly thank you to Eric (aka Ericc) for the post and for purchasing an Argo Navis system yesterday.

Thanks also to those who posted their kind words and we thank you for your support
which is greatly appreciated.

To further follow up on Anfo's question. Argo Navis does not directly drive
motors. Instead, it interfaces to a pair of devices known as optical encoders.
As you rotate the scope around one of its axes, the associated encoder emits
electrical pulses which the Argo Navis keeps track of. The encoders now most
commonly employed emit 10,000 pulses for every 360 degrees of revolution.
When Argo Navis is then aligned, typically on a couple of bright stars, it then
"knows" where the scope is pointing with respect the sky. You can then dial up
an object by name and the Argo Navis display will guide you to it. You move the
scope using your own muscles, what John Dobson refers to as 'yoghurt power'.
Thus Argo Navis assists you in finding, identifying and touring 'stuff'.

Having said that, Argo Navis does interface to some third party motor controller
units, the most popular being the ServoCAT and the Sidereal Technology
controllers. This then provides for full slew and track capability. The Argo Navis
performs all the object offset and tracking rate calculations on behalf of the
motor controllers. Both the above cited motor controllers drive servo motors.
Servo motors have considerable advantages over stepper motors in telescope
control applications.

Though Argo Navis is employed on everything from humble binocular mounts,
small refractors and reflectors all the way through to monster scopes in the
48" and even 72" aperture class, the ServoCAT and Sidereal Technology controllers
tend to be optimized for scopes in the 14" to 48"+ aperture class and their price
points tend to reflect this.

Thanks again for everyone's supportive words.

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

rmcconachy · #25 14-12-2009, 12:27 PM

I have never personally used the Argo Navis system but Gary must be doing something right because every large (18+") Dob I walked past at the ASV Star-B-Q last Saturday was fitted with one.

Vartigy · #26 14-12-2009, 04:19 PM

Awesome Gary

Thanks for the response.

Definately something I want to think about getting one day.
Shame about the recommended mount size for the servocat system.

Might have to look at remounting the 8"truss onto an EQ if possible.

erick (Eric) · #27 14-12-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anfo

....Might have to look at remounting the 8"truss onto an EQ if possible....

Yikes!

ericc (Eric) · #28 14-12-2009, 08:36 PM

Looks like Im on a winner people--excellent--thanks to all, for taking the time to reply!
Hey Gary--I can hardly wait!!!!
Cheers-Eric

Sentinel · #29 15-12-2009, 08:01 AM

Best single piece of equipment you can buy for a telescope. Everything about an Argo Navis is excellent.

Don't think about getting one...get one.

Paul Haese · #30 16-12-2009, 12:57 PM

I had one on my 18" SDM when I owned that. I found it intuitive and very easy to use. It has a multitude of features that make for an interesting experience. I would say it is the best pointing device I have come across.

My only real gripe is that it will not work on my EM400 (as far as I know) Takahashi in its wisdom have made it difficult to hook an Argo into the unit.

Excellent piece of kit. You will not be disappointed.

Virgs · #31 16-12-2009, 04:57 PM

Tim has one of these on his 22 inch and combined with his servo cat motors it is simply devine. Not a bad word to be said. The tour function works brilliantly.

erick (Eric) · #32 16-12-2009, 05:07 PM

Someone better say it's too big or it doesn't do this or that! Otherwise it sounds perfect!

Maybe the display isn't red enough?

hotspur (Chris) · #33 16-12-2009, 06:28 PM

if your putting it on a dob,its a fantastic piece of equipment.

i put one on a GEM,and personally i would'nt recommend it for that mount.

But its such wellbuilt piece of equipment,i might buy a 12 inch dob some

day,simply to have an excuse to buy this wonderfull piece of kit.

you can't go wrong with this on a dob,and its Australian made too,good

to support local astro gear makers,the chap who runs the factory,is a really top bloke.

Have fun with it.

ericc (Eric) · #34 16-12-2009, 07:28 PM

Just one more dumb question--(If anyone has any thoughts it would be very much appreciated):
I notice that some people with a dob mount the AN hand unit on some kind of a stalk?
Is it an ergonomic/conveniance type thing or am I missing something?
I am mounting it on a new model Bintel 10"dob, and would like to get things right the first time if possible!
Thanks in advance-
Cheers-Eric

gary · #35 16-12-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericc

Just one more dumb question--(If anyone has any thoughts it would be very much appreciated):
I notice that some people with a dob mount the AN hand unit on some kind of a stalk?
Is it an ergonomic/conveniance type thing or am I missing something?
I am mounting it on a new model Bintel 10"dob, and would like to get things right the first time if possible!
Thanks in advance-
Cheers-Eric

Hi Eric,

The unit comes with a mounting cradle which enables it to be mounted in a variety
of ways. For example, some Dob users simply screw the cradle to the side of the rocker
using a couple of wood screws. On larger Dobs, some users mount it up near
the eyepiece using screws or Velcro self-adhesive pads. If mounting on the OTA,
one should be mindful of the scopes weights and balances.

GEM and Fork users commonly use a Velcro OneWrap strap and fasten the cradle
to the tripod leg.

Stalks are a popular option for many Dob users. There are some third party
commercial solutions available but for more modest sized Dobs, many users
improvise a stalk from parts they obtain at a local hardware store.

So in the end it is a case of personal choice.

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

erick (Eric) · #36 16-12-2009, 10:44 PM

Eric, here are some ideas:-

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=43296

Cheers
Eric

GrahamL · #37 16-12-2009, 11:59 PM

Great purchase Eric.

on a small dob mounting them on a stalk is a pretty easy option
depending on the height you feel comfortable I found a 32 mm pole to be quite sturdy.

Your alt encoders tangent arm dosn't move so running this encoder
cable down the arm and up a nearby pole makes for a very tidy
installation... no wires dangling in the dark to get snagged on something.

Starkler (Geoff) · #38 17-12-2009, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

Someone better say it's too big or it doesn't do this or that! Otherwise it sounds perfect!

It's totally useless for playing your mp3's on the observing field and I cant even find where to plug the heaphones in

ericc (Eric) · #39 17-12-2009, 04:51 AM

Yep-- I understand now,and many thanks for the tips people!
A visit to the hardware shop is looming.
Thanks everyone
Cheers-Eric

therockfrog (James Petersen) · #40 18-12-2009, 06:16 AM

I am also going to be getting an Argo unit soon, hopefully for xmas.

I live in a badly light polluted neighborhood and can only see part of the sky, mostly from East to South..pretty sad really.

I think the best software I've ever used for astronomy is planning software. I bought Astroplanner a few months ago and being able to plan exactly what I want to see, and can see, at certain times of the night and then being able to input that plan into the Argo...it really maximizes my time behind my eyepieces.

I'll be using my argo with a Unistar Deluxe alt/az mount and a C9.25 and really can't wait to get it working.

Unfortunately, here in the Pacific NW USA, we rarely have clear skies from Nov - April so having the planning software and the Argo for those occasional nights will be fantastic...can't wait to get the Argo!