DSC for GSO dob. - Page 2

RAJAH235 · #21 09-12-2005, 11:58 PM

The Meade Mag 1 encoder shaft, was just long enough with Ebony Star fitted.

L.

dvb · #22 10-12-2005, 12:54 PM

Maybe Gary will keep following this thread and devise an kit with a bolt that is 1/4" or 1/2" longer for those of us who like to customize our azimuth bearings.

I'd hate to lose out on the AN features for the sake of 1/4"!

Starkler (Geoff) · #23 10-12-2005, 01:56 PM

Theres nothing to stop you from using some other hardware kit from another vendor or make one yourself as the encoders are all the same.

dvb · #24 10-12-2005, 06:15 PM

Quite right. I could look elsewhere for an azimuth encoder -- although the AN design looks like a good one.

togo54 (Tom) · #25 11-12-2005, 01:14 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/Meade-Magellan-I...QQcmdZViewItem

gary · #26 12-12-2005, 04:28 PM

> Maybe Gary will keep following this thread and devise an kit with a bolt
> that is 1/4" or 1/2" longer for those of us who like to customize our
> azimuth bearings.
>
> I'd hate to lose out on the AN features for the sake of 1/4"!

We can provide custom Az pivot bolts on demand. Users need
to supply us with the dimension of the gap between the base
of the rocker box and the top of the ground board. This
has a nominal value of 2mm, therefore if the dimension is
larger, then a custom pivot bolt will be required.

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

gary · #27 12-12-2005, 04:40 PM

> Theres nothing to stop you from using some other hardware kit
> from another vendor or make one yourself as the encoders are
> all the same.

Hi Geoff,

Please allow me to clarify that a little.

All encoder resolutions, however, are not the same.

For example, when fitted to both axes of the scope, the
10,000 step encoders we offer as standard can produce up to
nearly a 500% potential increase in pointing resolution compared
to a set of 4096 step encoders fitted to each axis.

The older DSC units do not have a high enough encoder
sampling rate to handle the 10,000 step encoders.

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

Starkler (Geoff) · #28 12-12-2005, 06:22 PM

Gary yes I was speaking in relation to the hardware required to fit encoders, ie the mechanical requirements for mounting are the same regardless of encoder resolution.

dvb · #29 13-12-2005, 02:18 PM

Thanks, Gary for your reply. It's great that you can be so responsive to the eccentricities of your customers.

For my part, I will re-think my azimuth bearings. The Magic Sliders that worked well in the summer are not working as well in the winter (near freezing here).

I'll probably take out the MagicSliders and put in some better Teflon squares, giving a lower profile. The stock Teflon bits that come with the scope weree stapled on and didn't seem to provide a very good surface or movement -- I think I'll try the counter-sunk, screwed-on set from Astrosystems. However, their pads are 3/16" thick, which is about 4.75mm

Ebony Star, I'm told, is less than 3/64" (0.042", about 1.07mm, thick)

So, with or without the Ebony Star or Sliders, I'll still be well over 2mm.

Just thought I share these ruminations "out loud", in case they are useful.

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #30 13-12-2005, 03:16 PM

Hi dvb,

I have Argo Navis fitted to my 10"/f5 GS dob. I have also re done the base with ebony star laminate and virgin teflon pads (3mm). The standard pads are not teflon BTW, looks very similar but no cigar

. You also need the ebony star on the bottom of the rocker box combined with the teflon pads to get it all happening.

You can use the standard Argo Navis mounting hardware kit and specify a longer azimuth bolt when you order it from Gary. I ended up making my own azimuth bolt to suit with a grub screw rather than the supplied plastic push on sleeve but the rest of the mounting hardware worked fine. Regardless of how much clearance you have between the groundboard and the bottom of the rocker box, nothing changes with the mounting hardware or the encoders themselves other than "the length of the azimuth bolt". Buying another brand of encoder from another source won't help in any way at all.

It may be "a little" more expensive than the other DSC packages but its light years ahead in almost every respect. You certainly get your moneys worth with Argo Navis, notwithstanding it will cost you almost $1,000. My suggestion is if you can't afford it now, wait a little and "save up", you won't regret the decision. A superb product backed by superb service and support. Of the many many thousands of $$$$ I have poured into this hobby, its possibly the best investment I have made in astronomy.

CS-John B.

dvb · #31 14-12-2005, 01:21 AM

Thanks, John, for the tips. I'll start with the Azimuth upgrade, get some measurements, then wait for my Argo Navis, er. ship, to come in.

Darkplague · #32 14-12-2005, 07:29 PM

Well I couldnt wait to save for the AN unit, so I got a Lumicon NGC Skyvector(version 3.65), 2 4000 tic encoders and cables from astromart for only $250 US. It seemed like a good price.

The hardware I will make myself fairly easily being a machinist by trade.
Should be arriving in about a week in time for xmas!

Can anyone give me the encoder shaft size so I can start making up some mounting pieces for it?

Mark

Starkler (Geoff) · #33 14-12-2005, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkplague

Can anyone give me the encoder shaft size so I can start making up some mounting pieces for it?

Mark

All the encoders are from the same place, usdigital.
All the info you want is here http://www.usdigital.com/products/s1s2/

Darkplague · #34 14-12-2005, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

All the encoders are from the same place, usdigital.
All the info you want is here http://www.usdigital.com/products/s1s2/

Thanks for that

How much clearance do you guys have on your azimuth encoders? I Pointed my 12" at zenith, and there was maybe 35mm clearance tops, not much room for error

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #35 15-12-2005, 12:04 AM

If I start putting away $20 a week from now, I'll be able to buy myself an Argo Navis for Christmas next year!
I'm getting excited about it already.