The job of the lithium coin cell is to provide power to the time of day clock in
the absence of any other power source. In other words, when the power switch is
in the OFF position, the coin cell will still provide power to the time of day clock.
Should it deplete, Argo Navis will display a RTC BATTERY FLAT message at
power on and will then display that it is resetting the time back to JAN 1 2000 12:00.
If this should ever occur whilst in the field, simply go to SETUP DATE/TIME and
manually update the DATE and TIME settings.
We recommend to keep the coin cell in place until it depletes.
The time of day clock consumes minuscule amounts of power, in the order of
nanoamps, and the coin cell can typically provide sufficient back-up power to
last five or seven years.
Appendix F of the Argo Navis User's Manual details how to replace the coin cell
when the time comes. The coin cell is a Panasonic CR-1220 or equivalent.
We stock replacements.
Generally speaking, for star alignments, Argo Navis doesn't need the date/time or
location. It uses the date/time for calculating the positions of solar system objects and
for making corrections for precession, nutation and refraction.
4 years ago I received my Argo Navis and I am still smiling every time I use it,a remarkable piece of equipment built to last and function flawlessly if set up as per instructions.So Gary thanks for developing such a wonderful and easy to use telescope computer .
4 years ago I received my Argo Navis and I am still smiling every time I use it,a remarkable piece of equipment built to last and function flawlessly if set up as per instructions.So Gary thanks for developing such a wonderful and easy to use telescope computer .
Merry Christmas everyone
Manny
Hi Manny,
Thanks for the post and your kind words which are appreciated.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
We've been working hard behind the scenes and have another new firmware
release in development and test as I type, including some nice new additional features.
As one way of thanking the thousands of Argo Navis owners around the world
we will be providing them with a free license to the new firmware.
Having recently taken possession of a 16" Lightbridge, some unsolicited but wise advise from another IIS member who shall remain nameless ( Malcolm .... barx1963 ), prompted me to really think about putting AN on the scope. I was toying around with the idea of an android app like Skeye, but all of the glowing reviews of AN on IIS and Cloudy Nights are hard to ignore.
So when SWMBO looked the other way, I placed my order with Wildcard Innovations. Gary's customer service is UNBELIEVEABLE . Constant communication throughout the ordering and delivery cycle, and I even had some newbie questions that were answered both promptly and in detail.
Having received the kit, installation really is simple. I've always thought it would be too complicated, and I'd be worried about scope transport, relocating from inside to outside for a viewing session, etc. But it really is extremely straight forward, uncomplicated and a dame fine piece of equipment.
I also wanted to install the hand unit on a stalk, so I trolled the internet for ideas, and end up finding the best one here in IIS. I've pretty much copied this set-up which cost all of $20 at Bunnings. Very easy to attach and detach for transport or relocation. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...go+navis+stalk
Unfortunately the cloud and smoke gods have been in town the last few nights, so I've not yet had the chance to try AN outside under a clear sky .... but I have been simulating inside to learn the menus and operations. This is where I have clearly been surprised by the uncomplicated but abundant features. I can already see that the power and capability of the Tour Mode is going to greatly enhance the pleasure of visual observing. I'm not good with Star Charts, and only know a handful of the usual targets (NGC104, NGC5139, M42, etc), but AN is going to direct me to similar and close by targets ..... unreal
Here's a few pictures of my AN install and scope.
Last edited by byronpaul; 16-02-2014 at 09:44 AM.
Reason: Added link
Welcome to Argo Navis owner Paul - LightBridge 16"
Quote:
Originally Posted by byronpaul
Well I'm the latest to join the Argo Navis family
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the post and welcome to the extended family of Argo Navis owners!
Thank you for your comments!
Your instantiation of the Bunning's Stalk looks like a really good one. Nice photos!
I had seen on the news that Melbourne had been suffering smoke haze and cloud.
Take comfort in the thought that this weekend in Sydney what we lacked in smoke
haze we made up for in rain.
In any case, I hope you get some clear skies soon. As I mentioned, if you
never need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Thank you so much again for taking the time to post. We appreciate your support.
That's the ball joint Paul? Great idea - I did the same for the first stalk that I home-made for the AN. The Markless stalk came with my SDM - a sophisticated version that is great to use, but considerably more than $20 :
With an increasing numbers of computers not having any serial port built in, one would think that the Argo Novis would benefit from having a USB instead of an serial port.
Has anyone heard anything about plans for a new version with USB instead of the serial port?
The serial port with the requirement of a serial cable and a serial to USB converter seems to be a bit of a thing of the past.
With an increasing numbers of computers not having any serial port built in, one would think that the Argo Novis would benefit from having a USB instead of an serial port.
Has anyone heard anything about plans for a new version with USB instead of the serial port?
The serial port with the requirement of a serial cable and a serial to USB converter seems to be a bit of a thing of the past.
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the post.
One of the powerful features of Argo Navis is that it can communicate with all
known planetarium programs.
The way it achieves that is that it supports several telescope communications
protocols. Historically, these protocols are all based on RS-232 serial comms.
What's more Argo Navis can directly interface to the serial comms port of third party
servo motor controllers to provide full slew and track support.
So serial RS-232 in this instance is the right solution.
Plus RS-232 is simple, low power and reliable and will happily work over tens
and sometimes hundreds of meters. These are just some of the reasons why it is
still in such common use around the world particularly in industry. Most
newly released microcontrollers provide on-chip support for serial comms
because it remains so ubiquitous.
These days USB Serial Adapters have become even more affordable. It was
never the intention of the designers of USB for it to ever totally replace comms
systems such as RS-232 but to complement them.
Yes, the Bunnings stalk is a winner. I made one too..
Gary, when do you think the new firmware will be available? Could you give us some hints as to the new features?
Could you give us some hints as to the new features?
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the post.
We work in terms of releasing firmware when we reach a confidence level
that there are no known issues rather than setting a hard date.
Having said that we are eager to get the next release into the hands
of users as soon as possible and to that end Beta testing continues even as I
type.
The next release includes enhancements such as the ability to save, label
and restore multiple setups, the Moon as an object including dates and time
of next phases, a revised double star catalog, new horizon filtering features,
a new version of the ServoCAT protocol bringing additional tracking features
to ServoCAT owners, a new version of the Argonaut utility, plus more!
This next release will operate on all versions of Argo Navis hardware
and once again we will be providing a free license to registered Argo Navis owners
to show our appreciation for their support.
Erick, sorry for the delay I've only just seen your post.
The ball joint is a paint edge roller - see attached picture - was at Bunnings the other day and they still sell them.
There are photos in the photos section of the Argo navies forum under Garins 16" Lightbridge, the upper clip is a Clipsal 25mm conduit C clip and the bottom support is a 32mm conduit saddle.
. Constant communication throughout the ordering and delivery cycle, and I even had some newbie questions that were answered both promptly and in detail.
