Dave Smith

I have recently purchased this in the hope that I could control my SkyWatcher 250P GOTO dob with SkySafariPro on my Samsung Phone. The provided handset does not seem to have a straightforward means of correcting an imprecise alignment without going through the whole alignment process again. In SkySafari the align button does this with just one press. The unit itself is quite small (see pic) and plugs in place of the handset. The app "Synscan" is needed from Android Play Store or the Apple App Store for any ALT-AZ mount. "SynscanPro" is needed for RA-DEC mounts. As long as the phone or device is set to connect via WiFi and the Synscan signal is chosen that is very straight forward and will connect readily. For me the "fun" started when attempting to connect via SkySafari. I did watch a couple of YouTube videos but the instructions given did not work for me. There are no instructions provided with the adapter but there are some within the Synscan App. (although not very obvious). The Synscan app needs to be active and connected to the mount and before trying SkySafari needs to have carried out an alignment. (This isn't necessary for testing purposes) The settings for SkySafari need to be as follows. Firstly choose the Scope type i.e SkyWatcher SynScan then the mount type - in my case Alt-Az GoTo Select Connect via WiFi IP address 127.0.0.1 Port Number 11882 SkySafari should then be able to connect to the mount via the Synscan App. In my case it did not. Much hair tearing (not that I have much!) and a few hours later it did connect and then later did not. Over the next 24 hours I managed to get connection twice but many times no connection. To cut a long story short it turned out that I had my phone using a battery saving mode and the two occasions it had worked was when the phone was connected to the charger. So out of battery saving mode and it works smoothly every time. Advantages of using the WiFi adapter. 1. Obviously no lead. It works at distances greater than you would need - I went into the next room and could still control the scope. 2. Much easier to read than the one line at a time on the handset. Particularly useful when choosing alignment stars - you can see a long list straight away. 3. The buttons on the Synscan App have more directions to choose (see pic) 4. Within the Synscan App there is a cool feature where the scope will goto the direction you are pointing the phone (or other controlling device) and you can then have all objects nearby listed for potential goto. 5. The Synscan App does also work on my iPad but have not yet managed to get SkySafari to connect yet. (I haven't tried very hard at this stage) 6. The sync facility in SkySafari is great e.g. on an open evening a child grabs the eyepiece and moves the scope off target, one button push and it will return. 7. The obvious advantage of using a star chart to choose an object. e.g. for finding things like the double cluster or double-double when you cannot remember the ngc or ic number. WARNING - Since getting the adapter to work on my phone I have not had the opportunity to test it under the stars. Should I find it does not perform as expected I will report back. At this stage I am delighted with my purchase. Dave

Oh dear, the third eyepiece in a week! at least this time I managed to sell a couple of items to pay for it. I now have 10mm XW, 17mm hyperion, 24mm hyperion, 32mm TV plossl and 30mm Moonfish. Also 2x and 3x barlows so am now happy. There is an urgent need to now save as I would very much like to upgrade the focuser on my 250PX Flex tube dob and depending on how I get on with Barlowing the 10mm XW, may consider a 5mm XW. Dave

I would love to have your 5mm and the other Hyperion but simply no funds at the moment. Fortunately the 10mm XW does Barlow well. Dave

That is how I managed to get my 10mm XW Pentax. On AB&S it was the very latest ad so was able to snap it up. Yesterday the postman brought this one along and the last two nights have been clear!! I'm just getting back into observing (rather than imaging - which I will continue) and it has been great seeing old friends back in the sky. My view of M42 was the best I have ever seen in the 17mm (in a 10" SW flex tube dob) and also had nice views of M81,82 the eskimo neb, M1, M36 and the double cluster. No more eyepiece spending from now on as I'm also on beans on toast for some time to come. I'm really looking forward to the next Kelling with dark skies. Dave

The postman very kindly brought this one this afternoon courtesy of AB&S It might even be clear tonight. Dave

Many thanks for that Michael. I am just starting out in this game and that is so useful. Dave