Handheld Astronomy

[Astro Dave]

I wonder ... how many of you use a PDA or any handheld units ... handheld computers etc that serve as an MP3 player and able to run video as well using it's inbuilt windows media player?

I've been using a Navman for a couple of years now and absolutely love the thing. It's the unit that incorporates a GPS system too.

I've located, over many months of searching, quite a few good astronomy programs for handhelds. Anyone interested in this area?

[Jackson42South]

Hi Dave,

I have an Ipaq, and have found a number of good Astro programmes on the Web
for this and other Pocket PC's.

I am always looking for new programmes for my Ipaq.

[Radar]

I have heard of these things being used for astronomy but I have no idea what they would be used for to. What do you guys use them for?

[Draig]

I have one an I-mate.

I used to run ''The Sky'' on it. But I had to do a full system reset on it on just couldn't be bother loading it back on.

I was going to upgrade to a new HP unit with the built in GPS and I might do it again one day. But having access to a program like "The Sky" all of the time was certainly very handy.

Cheers Colin

[Jackson42South]

Here are a few links to Astronomy Software for the Pocket PC:

http://www.interq.or.jp/taurus/roba/pocket/index.htm
http://www.freewareppc.com/astronomy/astronomy.shtml
http://www.ppc4all.com/category.php?cat=108
http://www.handango.com/SoftwareCatalog.jsp?siteId=1&platformId=2&N=96806+95828

Pocket Stars is not a bad programme:
http://www.nomadelectronics.com/

[Draig]

HI,

Thanks for those links.

:hmm: time to dust out the old PDA again.

Cheers Colin

[Astro Dave]

Colin, get back into it, there are some really god programs out there that are excellent on hand-helds.

Paul - yes, these are the sites I was going to recommend too. The good thing about all this is most of these programs are free. They are terrific for anyone who's into astronomy.

Of all the programs I've downloaded this is the best thing I've ever seen! Fabulous and tons of data on it. This will blow your mind with what it can show you ... and it's FREE. You are portable with an enormous amount of data about planets, stars. YOU NAME IT!! Check your hand-held will accept it. I think most will.

By the way, go to his website. There are heaps more programs there. Down load the add-on programs like the one for Mars and Hubble. Uses some room but well worth it.

I use an SD card to store stuff on too. 1Gig SD cards DO WORK on hand-helds OK.

http://www.freewareppc.com/astronomy/taiyoukei.shtml

This is top stuff too
http://www.freewareppc.com/astronomy/ephemeris.shtml

I use this a lot and HIGHLY recommend it- worth the cheap cost http://www.ppc4all.com/appdetail.php?id=1640

BUT there is a free version with reduced functions... go look for it.
See 'trial version' http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&jid=5D6ECF48D579789C6AEAF633A7F75C3A&language=english&platformId=2&N=96806%2095828&R=22483

[rogerg]

I once intended to use my portable setup from a PDA and not bother with the laptop. I also planned to do it wirelessly using bluetooth. I got most the way there in working out how to do it (RS323 <-> Bluetooth, LPT <-> Bluetooth, PDA, TheSky on the PDA, etc) but then decided it wasn't worth the cost. If I already had a PDA it would have been more affordable. It would be fun.