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Switching between push-to & go-to modes on-the-fly

Joce Allen

August 14, 2017 01:41

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I would like to be able to switch between push-to and go-to modes on-the-fly without disconnecting & resetting SkySafari 5 Pro.  My scope works fine in either operation mode.  It also has electronically controlled clutches which mechanically allows for this kind of operation.  Setup: Alt/Az scope with SiTech controller with both motor & position encoders, bluetooth connection to Android. Motor encoder & position encoders naturally have different tick counts..

Program reads only one encoder set at a time (motor or position) depending on mode selected.  It would be nice if the program was enabled so that in go-to mode it noticed the position encoders were changing and follow them instead of the motor encoders which of course would not be changing when the scope is pushed.

There is a go-to button in the push-to mode but it skewers off in a strange direction...not sure what that button is for?  If the pop-up boxes for go-to coordinates in the push-to mode had the ability to auto-paste info from a search or selected target maybe that would be a work-around.?

J

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5 comments

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  Bill Tschumy August 14, 2017 13:00

  Sorry, but you will have to disconnect and reconnect to change modes.  With a bit of effort we could probably make this work but I can't imagine many folks would use this.  You are the only person to ever ask for it.

  The SiTech system is a bit strange and we have had trouble getting it to work in all incarnations.

  Do you see the GoTo button even after disconnecting, changing the SkySafari settings to Push To, and then reconnecting?  If so that probably shouldn't be happening.

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  Joce Allen August 14, 2017 15:37

  HI Bill. A go-to button appears after a search or object entry in the lower left-hand corner when in push-to mode.  The SiTEch system works good in either mode.  Like I mentioned, a possible work-around (plus it would be nice to have in general) is for the "coordinates" field to be auto-filled if an object is selected or looked up.  You might be seeing more scopes with the need to keep alignment when in go-to mode but moved manually (or just bumped).  Some mounts such as Orion's Alt-Az/Eq8 have both sets of encoders and don't loose alignment when bumped.  J

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  Bill Tschumy August 14, 2017 17:38

  What is the utility in having the Coordinates fields show the coordinates of the currently selected object?  What problem would that solve.

  Rather than a GoTo button, you should be seeing a PushTo button.  That should  be the case in the Scope Control panel and in the Object Info.

  If yo change the mount type to Push-To, are you still seeing a GoTo button (after disconnecting and reconnecting)?

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  Joce Allen August 15, 2017 15:01

  Hi Bill,  Entering the program fresh or disconnecting/reconnecting {and selecting push-to mode) is the same.  It gives a go-to button in the lower left corner after doing an object search.  It is alongside a center button & align button.  If this go-to button is then pressed the scope moves to an odd location.  Maybe the button shouldn't be there.  You are correct that the coordinates field won't do what is needed.  Question: why is a 10 point model available in push-to and not go-to?  Seems odd as any commercial producted go-to dob these days can build multi-point model.  If one models in push-to mode then disconnects/reconnects in go-to mode is the model is valid?

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  Bill Tschumy August 15, 2017 15:33

  OK, I'll try to look into what is going on.  If the mount type is set to PushTo then this should not be saying GoTo.