Advanced Astro Master?
Rob Miller
how well does it work and can you specify a particular RA/Dec to go to?
Also, if I manually move the Dec/RA of the scope (i.e. by releasing the
clamps and moving the tube with my hands), does the AAM track my movements
so the RA/Dec that it reports are correct OR do I always have to move the
scope using the AAM? I'm curious since I found one for a good price and was
interested in hearing if it is worth it.
--
Rob Miller
rob....@x.cnolife.com
visu...@x.my-dejanews.com
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Chuck Hancock DMD
I *think* the AAM is the same as my Lumicon NGC SkyVector from Lumicon.
If so, it tells you whare to point, but all the movement is done the
old-fashioned way. With the SkyVec, there are three models, ditto the
Orion model, and these appear to be the same, only relabeled, too.
You can use the RA/Dec mode, and the handheld computer device tells you
where your telescope is pointing. The SkyVec is always On, so it knows
where you are pointing at all times.
If the price is Really Good, get it, but beware of hidden costs, like
the mounting hardware. BTW, Lumicon has 8192-step encoders available.
*Regular Strength* encoders are 2000-step, and I've seen 4000-step
encoders advertized as Hi-resolution. OTOH, if the mounting hardware is
included w/ your deal, and it was designed For Your Telescope, it may
make for a very well integrated package, possibly better than a
3d-party's hardware mounting scheme.
Best regs,
Chuck Hancock
Chris Marriott
Rob Miller wrote in message ...
>Anyone have any opinions on the AAM?
It's one of the plethora of "Tangent B-Box" devices on the market; it's
exactly the same device as the JMI NGC-Max, the Orion Sky Wizard, the
Lumicon Sky-something-else, and half a dozen others, too.
>how well does it work and can you specify a particular RA/Dec to go to?
It works reasonably well. A friend of mine has an NGC-Max on his Newt which
has a typical pointing accuracy of half a degree or so. It's certainly as
good as manual setting circles, but not in the same league as devices like
the LX200.
You are aware, presumably, that it won't move the telescope for you? It has
an object library, and when you select a device it shows you which way to
move the telescope to get there.
>Also, if I manually move the Dec/RA of the scope (i.e. by releasing the
>clamps and moving the tube with my hands), does the AAM track my movements
>so the RA/Dec that it reports are correct
Yes.
>OR do I always have to move the
>scope using the AAM?
The AAM can't "move the scope".
>I'm curious since I found one for a good price and was
>interested in hearing if it is worth it.
The Tangent device are pretty reasonable, but personally I prefer the Sky
Commander. If, however, you've got the chance of getting an AAM at a good
price then go for it - it's a heck of a lot better than nothing!
Chris
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Marriott, SkyMap Software, UK (ch...@skymap.com)
Visit our web site at http://www.skymap.com
Astronomy software written by astronomers, for astronomers
Rob Miller
like, say, an ETX. I wanted something that would be a little better/more
accurate than old-fashioned setting circles to aid in my CCD work. I've
been pretty successful the old-fashioned way, but wanted to see if I could
improve my object location ability with a digital type readout and accurate
tracking. Based on some of the private emails I've received, it sounds like
the digital approach may help me out. I also wanted to connect it to a few
software packages that I have so I could see where I was on the computer
screen.
Remove the "x." in front of my
email address to send me email.
Chris Marriott <ch...@NOSPAM.skymap.com> wrote in message
news:924962718.10001.1...@news.demon.co.uk...
Rob Miller
my Celestar Deluxe. I didn't original buy their computerized version
because it was about $600 more. But, since I can get the pieces that would
have been included in the computerized version for a lot less than the $600
additional cost, I thought it would be worth it.
Remove the "x." in front of my
email address to send me email.
Chuck Hancock DMD <cd...@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:3721BC...@bellsouth.net...
> Rob,
>
> I *think* the AAM is the same as my Lumicon NGC SkyVector from Lumicon.
> If so, it tells you whare to point, but all the movement is done the
> old-fashioned way. With the SkyVec, there are three models, ditto the
> Orion model, and these appear to be the same, only relabeled, too.
>
> You can use the RA/Dec mode, and the handheld computer device tells you
> where your telescope is pointing. The SkyVec is always On, so it knows
> where you are pointing at all times.
>
> If the price is Really Good, get it, but beware of hidden costs, like
> the mounting hardware. BTW, Lumicon has 8192-step encoders available.
> *Regular Strength* encoders are 2000-step, and I've seen 4000-step
> encoders advertized as Hi-resolution. OTOH, if the mounting hardware is
> included w/ your deal, and it was designed For Your Telescope, it may
> make for a very well integrated package, possibly better than a
> 3d-party's hardware mounting scheme.
>
> Best regs,
> Chuck Hancock
>
> Rob Miller wrote:
> >
> > Anyone have any opinions on the AAM? I'm interested in it. In
particular,
> > how well does it work and can you specify a particular RA/Dec to go to?
> > Also, if I manually move the Dec/RA of the scope (i.e. by releasing the
> > clamps and moving the tube with my hands), does the AAM track my
movements
> > so the RA/Dec that it reports are correct OR do I always have to move
the
> > scope using the AAM? I'm curious since I found one for a good price and
was
> > interested in hearing if it is worth it.
Will Fiveash
>Anyone have any opinions on the AAM? I'm interested in it. In particular,
Well, I have an older model (1990) and it hasn't worked very well for me.
The Polar alignment mode is a joke and to top it off, I was told by
Celestron that there is no way for me to upgrade the ROM/software.
Needless to say, I'm not thrilled. I have heard others on this list
recommend SkyCommander so you may want to investigate that system.
--
Will Fiveash
Jim Van Nuland
>Date: 24 Apr 1999 19:01:49 GMT
>Rob Miller <rob....@x.cnolife.com> writes:
>>Anyone have any opinions on the AAM? I'm interested in it. In particular,
>Well, I have an older model (1990) and it hasn't worked very well for me.
>The Polar alignment mode is a joke and to top it off, I was told by
>Celestron that there is no way for me to upgrade the ROM/software.
What?? I've upgraded my NGC-MAX three times. The program and database
are all on a single chip. And what is especially odd is that the outside
box says Celestron on it, as well as JMI Jim's Mobile Industries.
* SLMR 2.1a * Open mouth, insert foot, echo internationally....
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| Internet: Jim.Van...@sjpc.org
| Fidonet: Jim Van Nuland 1:143/11
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Alex & Sheryl Vukasin
Jim Van Nuland wrote:
> >From: wi...@austin.ibm.com (Will Fiveash)
> >Date: 24 Apr 1999 19:01:49 GMT
>
> >Well, I have an older model (1990) and it hasn't worked very well for me.
> >The Polar alignment mode is a joke and to top it off, I was told by
> >Celestron that there is no way for me to upgrade the ROM/software.
>
> What?? I've upgraded my NGC-MAX three times. The program and database
> are all on a single chip. And what is especially odd is that the outside
> box says Celestron on it, as well as JMI Jim's Mobile Industries.
>
I've had mine (got it with celestar 8) about two years now. When I turn it on,
it displays Celestron 10k database V3.50. What's the latest version?
Rob Miller
been happy with it?
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email address to send me email.
Alex & Sheryl Vukasin <rub...@fastlane.net> wrote in message >
Alan Figgatt
with the Sky Commander (www.skyeng.com) for $275. It has a pretty simple
interface which reads out the RA and DEC coordinates, once you have it set up.
Most of the Tangent boxes (all of them??) only send out direct encoder readings,
as pointed by Chris Marriott in earlier postings, which means you have to
re-align using PC software. Sky Map Pro works with the Sky Commander, but not
the Tangent boxes for example. What the other programs (TheSky, Guide, etc) work
with, I don't know.
Alan Figgatt
Rob Miller wrote:
>
> Thanks for the information. I was aware that it wouldn't "slew" the scope
> like, say, an ETX. I wanted something that would be a little better/more
> accurate than old-fashioned setting circles to aid in my CCD work. I've
> been pretty successful the old-fashioned way, but wanted to see if I could
> improve my object location ability with a digital type readout and accurate
> tracking. Based on some of the private emails I've received, it sounds like
> the digital approach may help me out. I also wanted to connect it to a few
> software packages that I have so I could see where I was on the computer
> screen.
Rob Miller
address, I was trying to track them down because I've heard of other
references to Sky Commander in the past and wanted to see what they had to
offer.
Remove the "x." in front of my
email address to send me email.
Alan Figgatt <afig...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:37232DBE...@erols.com...
Alex & Sheryl Vukasin
I wish we had the same - you've got the deluxe model....I had to purchase the
DEC motor separately and enjoy the "non-stability" and "inaccuracy" of the
Wedgepod as opposed to the wedge and a better tripod. In addition to that,
yours has better drive accuracy and PEC.
Anyway, the AAM works great. Basically, you align on two stars (it has a
database of 28 bright alignment stars) and then make adjustments accordingly
until you've got a polar alignment to your satisfaction. Scroll to any object
in the database, and it tells you how far to move the scope in RA and DEC. As
you approach the target, the numbers reduce. Once you're at 0.0 and 0.0 take
a look in the eyepiece. Usually the object will be within the field of view
of the included 25mm SMA eyepiece. If not, a little scanning up and down and
right and left will locate it visually.
**** IMPORTANT **** - There was a critical mis-print in the manual concerning
the initial setup of the AAM. In the SETUP Mode, step 9 stated that AZ should
be set to +4000. It should read -4000. It took a few *VERY* frustrating
months to get this figured out. I could almost always align on one star,
sometimes two, but when it came to locating an object, I'd often find the
scope aiming at my lovely patio! I would have had this cleared up a lot
sooner than I did if had just called Celestron (which I finally did and they
were very helpful.)
Good luck - let me know if I can be of any further help. I've got a few
pictures through the scope if you'd like to see them, visit
http://www.fastlane.net/~rubicon/astropic.htm.
Alex Vukasin
Rob Miller wrote:
> I've got the same scope as you. How does the AAM work with it? Have you
> been happy with it?
> --
> Rob Miller
> rob....@x.cnolife.com
> visu...@x.my-dejanews.com
>
> Remove the "x." in front of my
> email address to send me email.
>
Rob Miller
Remove the "x." in front of my
email address to send me email.
Alex & Sheryl Vukasin <rub...@fastlane.net> wrote in message
news:4D899F3813E0EED8.06768F8B...@library-proxy.airnew
s.net...
Bill Gray
"What the other programs... work with, I don't know."
The two you mention (TheSky and Guide) will both work with
Advanced AstroMaster, as well as with the zillions of gadgets
which are basically the same thing with different labels on
them (Ouranos, MicroGuider III, Lumicon, SkyWizard... my
apologies to anyone I left out.)
-- Bill
Greg Chapel
I also own the advanced asromaster and removed the encoders from my
scope about one month after installing them. The encoders were never
very accurate and I could use the manual seting circles and star
hopping techniques much easier than farting around trying to get the
advanced astromaster to accurately read-out my ra and dec.
By the way, the astromaster computer will not improve tracking as you
mentioned for a reason to purchase in one of your earlier posts.