Date
Votes
13 comments
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Dirtbagpook Hi Chris,
Thanks for the test. However, the first place I checked was Amazon and the only seller had them for $74.00 for three. To get four, well that would set one back $148.00 plus shipping. Ouch. Has anyone tried the mini joystick controllers that one can buy for $3/pair on Ebay? They affix via suction cups that could, well, suck at cold temperatures.
Thanks in advance!
Mark Force
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Christopher Mortimer this was the only place i found them....i ordered 2, the remaining buttons can actually be used on the slew sensitivity if needed
http://www.ebay.com/itm/162523941446?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
let me know if the link doesn't work and email me at christopher.mortimer@gmail.com
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Christopher Mortimer in addition,the buttons are more like a sticky material that can be cleaned. i assume they will wear out eventually! we just need some special ones from simulation !!! wink wink
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Keiron Smith Hi Chris, Mark
I really like and appreciate this initiative. Also, I would like to see a mini suction-cup joystick in action, but this will not, to my knowledge, work on SS5 by default. We would have to develop this functionality. But, I think the mini suction-cup joystick would be great on iPad, and not so great on iPhones. So, as an alternative, or perhaps in parallel, what do you guys think about a mini handheld bluetooth joystick? Maybe something like this:
Also, if you know other SkySafari users that would seriously like to see this kind of functionality implemented please ask them to come here and support this discussion by commenting, UPvoting, and sharing via social media. Any new functionality requires time and investment from the company, and we really need to know in advance that the new feature will be very much worth the investment; i.e, very well received by our user base.
Thanks!
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Keiron Smith I posted this discussion on our SkySafari FB page.
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Dirtbagpook Hi Chris,
I just ordered two of the units and hope to see them in the next 4 to 6 weeks. During an evening session under the open skies (i.e.: not in an observatory), I often cover the iPad with a nylon cover, getting bumped by clumsy fingers (with or w/o mitts) or colliding with scope gear. I'm looking forward to the experience.
Hi Keiron,
I'm intrigued with the potential ability to move in both x & y axis simultaneously. If not, then the benefits of a remote control that doesn't stick on the pad's screen are obvious. On the other hand, it is small & needs batteries (just my opinion - I have a love/hate relationship with remote controls and their kind). This is the next step to improve the user's experience with the SkyFi/Tablet interface. I'd vote yes but this segment of the SkySafari user base may be too small to justify it. In-App purchases may be the best method to recoup some of the dev costs.
Have a great day and clear nights folks!
Kind regards,
Mark Force
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Dirtbagpook Hi folks,
Re: Touch Screen Gaming Controls
Oops! I meant to say I look forward to using them in the field. I mentioned the potential problems of knocking them during an evening session - those issues are just part of the playing field so to speak. 8^)
Regards,
Mark Force
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Christopher Mortimer ive used the buttons 3 times now.....first night great. they stay pretty good on a clean screen/case. A few issues came up when it seemed the connection to the scope was not reliable. The touch screen button would light up with the press, but the scope would not move, Also it seemed to time out for a matter of 10 seconds then come back. I am using the latest updated skysafari 5 plus app on the most up to date iOS software on iphone 5 s. The last two nights were connection errors all over the place, failed alignments. resorted to using the celestron hand control which worked flawlessly. I have doubts about the wifi connection. it seems the connection is not robust enough. the SKYQ dongle that attaches to the scope is sub par in technologies that are needed when when swimming in the sea of wifi signals. I am a fan of celestron, i like their scopes, but holy moly are they behind the times. the skyq dongle is 99 dollars!!!!!!!!!!! and its preformance level is laughable compaired to a 10 dollar chinese usb wifi adapter. i will consider buying a different interface. does simulations wireless adapter preform better, does it channel switch....frustrated
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Dirtbagpook Hi Christopher,
My apology on my late response. I only run the SkyFi 3 off of my home network as I want to log my observations -- just the date & time. I have a log for more in depth notes, but that is another story.
I too have seen lag between the on-screen touches and the scope responding. I'm about 50' away from my wireless access point. Some nights it would be good, some nights were not good. I then discovered performance was poor when my wife started to watch Netflix via the same access point. Ha! I've since pulled the power on the Apple TV when I'm out in the back yard and performance has improved dramatically. However, I am eating up a lot of brownie points in the process. 8^)
I will run ethernet out to the observatory and have the access point there. They'll all be within 6' of each other. That should fix it. Well, once the observatory is built!
Clear nights and I hope performance improves. It really is a setup for tracking/go-to, especially for public out reach.
kind regards,
Mark Force
Okanagan, BC
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Dirtbagpook Hi Chris,
I've now used them several times and I'm impressed. I'd buy them again.
One of the buttons had less desire to stick to the red film I have on my iPad than the others. I did use the clear sticky tape as mentioned in the manual that came with the buttons and that restore it's stick.
I haven't accidentally peeled one off in the field but I know that day is coming! 8^)
Clear night skies y'all!
Mark Force
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Pepe Paco Tarifa +1 for Skysafari App wireless/wired gamepad/joystick support
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Maugustyn +1
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Maugustyn It's a joystick not a button, and I assume you'd need 4 but they can be found for ~$1.
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