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[headdunce]

;D I just bought some cable and USB adapter so I can hook this thing into a laptop, the sales guy didn't seem to know much ...guess we'll just have to see what that's about, the scope says it comes with "Orion Starry Night Special Edition software" so might as well try it

St Charles is a bit of a drive round trip, I'm over by Harlem and Foster in Chicago. First I have to figure out how to put this thing together. The last one I bought, the lenses were so dirty you couldn't even see the sun through them

[-=CROMAN=-]

Just take your time with it. Do be careful when putting the encoders on. They are a bit delicate and need to be installed correctly if you are to get accurate measurements. After that you'll be good to go.

Oh yeah... after you get it together and attach the truss rods, secondary and shroud, take it down! Turn down the lights in the room and put it back together again.. You are going to need practice doing it in the dark! Astronomers are night folk. Learn your equipment in the dark. Im sure others will testify to that.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

HD,

Next week, the temps are supposed to be in the high 40's.

If so and if clear....

I could call a Chicago Astronomer session by the Adler and we can set up scopes for some primary Jupiter & Lunar views. And then do some Deep Space Object (DSO), hunting.

By then, I should have the binoviewers on hand and we can compare the C11 and the 12Dob.

Let's do it before the brutal sub zero temps arrive!

[-=CROMAN=-]

That sounds like a plan Joe!

[headdunce]

Dec 8, 2011 22:18:02 GMT -6 -=CROMAN=- said:

Just take your time with it. Do be careful when putting the encoders on. They are a bit delicate and need to be installed correctly if you are to get accurate measurements.

Okay, ummm one problem, what's an encoder? Eh, I'm sure I can torque up my impact wrench get whatever it is to fit...

Dec 8, 2011 23:17:50 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

I could call a Chicago Astronomer session by the Adler and we can set up scopes for some primary Jupiter & Lunar views. And then do some Deep Space Object (DSO), hunting.

I'm game for anything, and it's probably a good idea to set it up close to home to make sure I have all the parts screwed on the right way before I drag it to the middle of nowhere.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Jim,

They are little geared/petal-like disks and little conical readers.

Encoders are them things on the both axis of the scope, (Right Ascension and Declination), that talk to the hand controller display and show where the scope is pointing via the sky coordinates. Then you "Push" your monster scope to the object using known coordinates of known objects.

You will have to align your scope to two or three stars, (depending on what it requires), in order to get proper readouts.

Or you can just star hop and have fun learning the sky....

Let's set up a date for next week, (checking for weather conditions), for a late fall Chicago Astronomer session. I'm itching to get some scope time...! #Yay#

[-=CROMAN=-]

Impact wrenches may impact the performace of your encoder.. lol

I'm game Joe. I think I'll take the C8 with this time so you guys can have a gander.

[headdunce]

OHHH!!!! I think on my current telescope my encoder is a crooked sticker. A read out display would be COOL!

From what I read, all I have to do is find two stars to get it to find the rest. But like I said, so far about all I've been able to do is find the moon, so it may prove to be challenging...

I'll eventually figure this out, I'm pretty good with computers so I figure I might as well use one to cheat

[headdunce]

I can do this, I think...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmHogk9pwlw

Man this thing is gonna be big...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hff4WOn6U4E

[erikruud]

the encoders are shown on page 5 of the manual

The encoders tell the Intelliscope Controller which way the telescope i s pointing.



PS: Joe, it's a dobsonian so no Right Ascension or Declination.

[erikruud]

In general Starry Night is a good line of software. I have been using Starry Night Pro for a few years now.

What exactly are the USB cables for? You don't have a GoTo system on that scope. It's a PushTo system, so there wouldn't be anything for the laptop to control.

Until a couple years ago, my in-laws lived at Oak Park and Gunnison. My sister is at Foster and Nagle so I know that area well.

[headdunce]

I think it shows where I'm pointing to on an image instead of that goofy remote control

[headdunce]

Dec 9, 2011 8:40:05 GMT -6 erikruud said:

the encoders are shown on page 5 of the manual

Wow, ain't been told to RTFM in a long time

Thanks ;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

PS: Joe, it's a dobsonian so no Right Ascension or Declination

Snicker.... ;D

But the read outs should still reflect the sky coordinates....unless it's the type that does a three digit +/- until it zeros out..with arrows even.

[headdunce]

YES!!! ARROWS!!! I CAN FOLLOW ARROWS!!!

You mean like about 4:00 into this video?!?!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmHogk9pwlw

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Jim...

Yes...exactly like that.

Makes targeting objects a snap.

But caution....

Don't overly depend on the Digital Setting Circle too much, in that you ignore learning the sky and star hop to your destinations. It's a good tool toi get around in, but a good Astronomer knows his/her way around the sky.

It'll be great to see you and the Monster soon.

[-=CROMAN=-]

Dec 9, 2011 9:59:14 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

It'll be great to see you and the Monster soon.

If I had a dime for everytime I heard that line.....

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Rich...

40 cents don't buy nothin' these days.

[headdunce]

Dec 9, 2011 10:08:47 GMT -6 -=CROMAN=- said:

Dec 9, 2011 9:59:14 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

It'll be great to see you and the Monster soon.

If I had a dime for everytime I heard that line.....

Wow, didn't know your wife was that bad

[-=CROMAN=-]

Dec 9, 2011 11:10:49 GMT -6 headdunce said:

Wow, didn't know your wife was that bad

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Succubus

[erikruud]

Dec 9, 2011 9:12:38 GMT -6 headdunce said:

Dec 9, 2011 8:40:05 GMT -6 erikruud said:

the encoders are shown on page 5 of the manual

Wow, ain't been told to RTFM in a long time

Thanks ;D

That's not really what I meant, but if the shoe fits as they say. ;D

Actually that is one of the odd things about me. When ever there is a question, the first thing I do is look for the manual.

[erikruud]

Dec 9, 2011 9:10:09 GMT -6 headdunce said:

I think it shows where I'm pointing to on an image instead of that goofy remote control

Is this what you ordered? Orion Intelliscope to PC RS-232 Connector Cable

I hadn't seen that before, but it does let you use TheSky or Starry Night Pro to send a target to the remote, and then you push the scope following the arrows.

Kind of :-[cool.

[headdunce]

Yup, that's it - tracking number says it'll be here Wednesday
www.telescope.com/Shop-by-Brand/Orion-Product-Center/Orion-Adapters-Cables/Orion-IntelliScope-to-PC-RS-232-Connector-Cable/pc/8/c/90/sc/99/p/5222.uts

Silly that it doesn't have a USB connection though. Orion doesn't make one, I tried. All the old laptops I have with a serial plug on them don't have much of a battery life left to them. So I bought some serial to USB plug that will hopefully not require some crazy driver to work... fingers crossed.

I'm hoping to put the "Orion Starry Night Special Edition software" on my wife's little netbook (which only has USB plugs on it), we'll see when it gets here.

[erikruud]

I have a USB to Serial converter that I use with a slot car timing system and it works very well.

[headdunce]

I use to have a slot car track in my old office -
www.flickr.com//photos/head_dunce/sets/72157623062159076/show/
;D
Ha, irony of the Xmas stuff in these old pictures ;D

[erikruud]

I can't tell from those pictures if that is AFX or Tomy vintage.

We ran the much older Aurora Thunder Jet 500 slot cars. No traction magnets.

[headdunce]

Need for SPEEEEEED baby!!!! HO rulezzz

Had the empty wall in the old office that was itching for the track. Many company decisions were made on that wall ;D

[headdunce]

So after seeing the pictures in Joe's post about the binoviewers -
astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Equipment&action=display&thread=3530

I see the camera connected to the binoviewers... can I connect my camera to this XX12i scope?

I've got a Sony HDR-SR11
store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=HDRSR11
I already have telephoto lenses, filters, etc, for the camera

Is it just a matter of getting the correct connection piece to the telescope then?
www.telescope.com/Astrophotography/Camera-Adapters-T-Rings/pc/4/62.uts

Then I can try this astrophotography?

[patrickm]

Uhh, sorta. My fast recommendation is to head over to Cloudy Nights Beginning Astrophotography forum and start reading at the top. Your question is an essay question. ;-)

Astrophotography is a Pandora's Box.

[headdunce]

Ha, well I get that much. Insane exposure time for the cool stuff. I just want to plug two toys I already own in together, get some cool moon pictures or whatever is easy with what I've already got. I could probably get it for a Christmas present too!