Pulsar Observatory - Good/Bad?

[GeneralT001]

Tried asking this on CNs but I don't think there are too many of these over in the US/Canada.

Can anyone provide feedback on the quality of the Pulsar Domes? I'm seriously considering getting one of the 2.7m models.

Anyone know if they play well with Voyager and SGP? I'm been told that they are ASCOM compatible so shouldn't be an issue?

I currently have a Nexdome which I plan on switching for a Pulsar.

 

Thanks

[sloz1664]

Hi and a very warm welcome to the Lounge

I've had my Pulsar Dome 3 years now and it's been a revelation and I understand, as it's Ascom compliant, it will be compatible with SGP & Voyager. Both of which I currently use.

Steve

[Laurin Dave]

Hello and welcome..  I too have the 2.7m dome with dome and shutter drive, works brilliantly via SGPro (and other App i'm sure). As Steve says its a revelation... I just set up my Sequence, turn the power on, connect it all up press go and retire to the sofa or bed.. Needed some time to set the parameters up correctly but now done Dome sync works flawlessly.    

Dave

 

[tooth_dr]

I have a 2.2m dome, and it's surprisingly roomy inside.  The slit is narrower than the 2.7m model, but I can still work with a side by side arrangement.  I'm guessing the nexdome is too small?

[GeneralT001]

12 hours ago, tooth_dr said:

I have a 2.2m dome, and it's surprisingly roomy inside.  The slit is narrower than the 2.7m model, but I can still work with a side by side arrangement.  I'm guessing the nexdome is too small?

Size for the Nexdome is manageable for my 12.5 scope (barely) - its the shutter that is the real weak point of the Nexdome automation setup, There is too much friction with the shutter going up and down. All owners have to use a combination of teflon tape and wax paste to keep the friction low enough that it will open without stalling. But this  "maintenance" is required often - maybe every few weeks. As well, the shutter sometimes just stops 1/2 way up or down due to controller issues(?), with no way to fix that without physically going to the observatory and resetting the Arduino. As well, the dome automation track will sometimes skip a tooth or two which throws the calibration askew. Needless to say, not an ideal situation if you want reliable remote observing. The Pulsar sounds very solid in those respects.

Edited November 8, 2020 by GeneralT001