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SkySafari 6 Pro | SkyFi + Sitech Servo Control (1st Gen) - Can SkySafari Read The Optical Encoders?

Gentlemen,

 

Can you tell me if Sky Safari 6 Pro for IOS will control a dobsonian telescope correctly using a first generation Sky Fi and Sitech controller? When I used this combination a few years ago with ago with Sky Safari 3.85 on a Hubble Optics 14" scope. The program would not read or recognize the 10K Azimuth and Altitude optical encoders on the scope but only would read the motor encoders when configured using a "Tick" count that is determined in each axis using "Servo Config" the Sitech controller software.

The result was disastrous because the folding bearings on the scope would never be at the exact radius that was present during the "Tick" count programming in the altitude axis. This was because of an approximate + or - 3/4" of play on each bearing which would vary each time I setup the scope because of the need to set the altitude bearings to get rid of the bump that would occur from the bearings not being properly aligned when they move across the teflon pads. As a result, the scope would graciously move to the wrong point in the sky every time and my Go-To accuracy was abysmal or non existent. 

If Sky Safari 6 Pro could read the optical encoders, a "Tick" count would be unnecessary and Go-To accuracy would be based on correctly aligning the Sitech Controller on the NCP, properly functioning optical encoders and performing a two star alignment. The same way accurate Go-To's are achieved when using an Argo Navis or Sky Commander.

Your thoughts?

 

Thanks,

 

Paul

 

Date Votes

4 comments

  • Avatar
    Tim DeBenedictis Official comment

    Paul

    I'm the original developer of the SiTech code.  I have not changed that code since SkySafari version 5.  The only possible difference from the version you tried (3.85) is the addition of support for "Push-To" systems with SiTech encoders.  In this setup, only the axis encoders (not the motor encoders) are used.  You'd select "Alt-Az Push To" as the mount type to activate this mode.  This is a step toward what you want, but I understand it's not the whole thing.  So, unfortunately, this will not completely solve your problem.

    Tim

  • 0
    Avatar
    Bill Tschumy

    Paul,

    I wish I could tell you definitively but I can't.  With the multiple configurations of SiTech, it has been impossible to verify all of them.  Some folks say it works great and others can't get it to work with their configuration.  We did make some changes a couple of years ago to fix some issues but I still can't guarantee it will work for you.  I will ask Tim to read your post and see what he thinks.  He does most of the scope control code. 

  • 0
    Avatar
    Paul Reid

    Hi Bill,

    Thank you for the prompt response. Would it be possible for you to tell me which versions or configurations of SiTech you have actually verified?

    I am using a SiTech Servo Controller 1 with version 0.90A, a Sky Fi 1st generation with USB port and original software, an iPad mini with A5 chip and version 9.35 software as shown in the picture.

    Thanks,

    Paul

  • 0
    Avatar
    Paul Reid

    Hi Tim,

    Thanks for your answer and detailed explanation to my question. I appreciate the hard work and creativity you and your team put in to make Sky Safari one of the most versatile Astronomy apps available to beginners and professionals alike. However, I am a little stumped as to why the programming script to support "Push-To" systems with SiTech encoders, wasn't added to the Go-To command programming script which would result in wireless command of a telescope with the same or similar setup. This would significantly enhance functionality and likely result in a significant increase in sales.  

    As I stated in my earier post, while using Sky Safari 3.85 on my iPad mini with the SkyFi Gen 1, Sitech controller on a Hubble Optics 14" scope. Sky Safari picked up the ad hoc network signal from the SkyFi, connected the scope controller, it tracked when pointed on the NCP, the scope would slew left, right, up and down using the iPad wirelessly. I just couldn't get accuracy with Go-To's, most likely because of the folding bearings affecting the tic count and S.S.version 3.85 not reading the encoders. Sky Safari 3.85 was incredibly close to functioning correctly with this equipment setup. Perhaps as you've stated, the changes you added to both Sky Safari 5 and 6 Pro when using "Push To" mode result in the software recognizing axis encoders, thus solving one aspect of this issue. For the record, I believe a few more lines of code and debugging would enable wireless Go'To" and solve this problem in current and newer versions of the app.

    Paul 

     

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