Dobsonian PushTo

[ONSLOWE]

In the near future I will be wanting to try to add PushTo to my newly ordered Skyliner200. I have seen some threads on Cloudy Nights forum and am quite happy with the idea of the degree circle on the base but I was wondering if an analogue Inclinometer would be good enough on the tube, any recommendations for a supplier.? I have seen digital ones on Ebay but they are approx £60, they are more accurate so is it worth it. I do not have a PDA to take to the scope with me so I assume I will have to create an observing timetable on my PC containing exact times and Alt/Az readings say 5 mins appart. Is there an easier but cheap way of doing this ? What is the best Free software for the Rec/Dec - Alt/az conversion for a PC. Apologies for all the questions but your advice is quite addictive.

Thanks,

Martin

[ONSLOWE]

I should have checked on the other Topic headings before i posted the above as I have now seen that the subject has been covered before. It was a couple of months ago so has anybody else made the Mod ?

Cheers

[G1ZmO]

Lidl were selling a digital spirit level which someone was considering using as an inclinometer on another thread....Maybe it was Gordon

<goes a thread hunting>

Paul

[geppetto]

Hi Martin

I use an analogue one on my Revelation Dob, got it from here

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=22388&name=inclinometer&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=0

Only drawback is that the scale is a bit small but it works ok.

On my ATM 12" I built in an inclinometer with a 12" scale which is very accurate.

We have seen some electronic spirit levels with a built in digital inclinometer going for reasonable prices

so it might be best to try and source one of those.

[G1ZmO]

http://stargazerslounge.co.uk/index.php?topic=9678.0

Paul

[Macavity]

I have had success with a DIGITAL one - bought off Ebay for £60. Specifically, one of this type...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Inclinometer-Digital-Protractor-Angle-Finder-PRO360_W0QQitemZ330081933503QQihZ014QQcategoryZ64814QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I sense the idea works best if you have at least ONE axis (esp. Azimuth) that can be accurately determined and the other simply read off a scale. Then, for e.g. a Dobsonian, you can fix the "Alt" an scan in "Az"...

The only query I might have is re. the low temp performance. But, during limited forays, I haven't noticed the fluid / little balls / whatever! [joking] freezing up.

P.S. I use "Planetarium" software on a dedicated Palm Z22 - The cheapest (viable!) PDA solution?

See: http://www.aho.ch/pilotplanets/ You only need numbers, and this free S/W can run on S/H mono PDA's

[The Warthog]

With a good long focus search ep, you should be OK if you get within a degree or so of your object. You should be able to do that with printed scales.