Argo Navis Question

[Radar]

Can anyone comment on how good (accurate) the argo navis system is please?

And how user friendly would you say this unit is please?

[AstroTasmania]

I have to say that this is a first class piece of equipment, the best in this type of systems, the fact that it is an all Australian design makes it even better.

It is very accurate indeed and makes sky hopping a great experience.

Regards

[orion]

I have to agree, Ive been using the ArgoNavis for a few years now and I can't imagine using the telescope without it.

In my opinion it's the best on the market.

Ed.

[Radar]

Thanks for the replies guys. I couldn't find a bad word about it. I'm toying with the idea of making my LX-50 goto.

[h0ughy]

Thanks for the replies guys. I couldn't find a bad word about it. I'm toying with the idea of making my LX-50 goto.

it doesn't make it a go to , rather a push to. But it is very accurate and allows you to compensate for mount warping by mapping the mount.

I am looking forward to getting one of these for the new Meade lightbridge 16"

[Radar]

I am looking forward to getting one of these for the new Meade lightbridge 16"

That Lightbridge sounds like a nice toy Dave. How long until it arrives?

[h0ughy]

That Lightbridge sounds like a nice toy Dave. How long until it arrives?

well if the hype is correct some this month late, realistically I suspect late feb/march

[Elliptical]

Hi fellow Astro's,
I am particularly interested in Argo Navis after the comments by Shevill Mathers.

I found a website where the Argo Navis is sold:
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

Basically I have decided on either a WO 110mm or Tak 102.Can someone piece together for me the mount type to fit those scopes with an Argo Navis, and why I should use an Argo, or instead a GOTO Equatorial instead.

I am still in the novice confused state, this combined with the overwhelming interest in Astronomy is confusing me a little.That said I am a mid size star so I wont be burning out, this is a long term love.

regards,
Simon

[Radar]

I guess the biggest difference is the goto or push to factor. A push to argo navis system means that you would have to know where to push the telescope to in the first place. This is not a big ask though, with magazines like Sky and Space and astro books providing star charts, learning where things are in the sky is easy. In fact that push to factor would help you learn the sky. I started off with the cheapest of cheapest, and slowly moved up, but I learnt many things along the way (not to mention became completely confused a few times).

As far as the mount goes, there are probably other members here that could shed better light on what would be your best choice.

[orion]

Actually Radar the ArgoNavis tells you where to go even if you do not have a goto. You simply push the telescope towards the direction that the arrows are pointing to and you will see it zeroing in on the object.

One of the cool features it has is finding the mount errors on your telescope by first doing a sampling run.

A link to the yahoo forum....all the info you need to know.http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/argo_navis_dtc/?yguid=146722719

[Radar]

Actually Radar the ArgoNavis tells you where to go even if you do not have a goto. You simply push the telescope towards the direction that the arrows are pointing to and you will see it zeroing in on the object.


Hey Orion, thanks for that. I haven't had the pleasure of using this system yet, and I have to say that the more I hear about this unit the more i like it.

Arrows telling the user where to push it to is awesome.

[AstroTasmania]

One of the options in favour of the Argo Navis over a GoTo, is the ability to use it on different mounts & scopes. Over time I have built and bought mounts to suit various applications, and I do like to be able to swap the Argo Navis between mounts, as simple as unplugging two little phone type plugs.

On My Alhena mount I have encoder motor GoTo, however, to get the tracking precision I opted for gear boxes better suited to fine tracking than quick GoTo, which means if I want to star hop at a display open night, it is faster to push to using the AN.

It also allows you to add it to a better quality mount as you gain experience and cash. The first mount you buy is unlikely to be your last unless it is a Takahashi or Astro Physics etc.

I am always looking ahead, mounts will get better and lower cost each year, some of the GoTo mounts leave a lot to be desired, I would prefer precision and a more solid built mount at the expense of GoTo. Nice to have but astronomers have managed for a long time without GoTo and done very well.

It is your choice, do the research and ask the questions.

Clear skies...