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How To Setup SkySafari 6 Pro (on Android) + SkyFi 3 To Show Navigation Arrows When Connected To ServoCat/SkyCommander? (Solution: Use ScopeType: LX200)

ag.gregory

June 20, 2019 18:28

Answered

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I successfully connected my new SkyFI 3 to my Dobsonian telescope with ServoCat/SkyCommander control. The GOTO works fine, but I am missing the manual slew controls. The instructions read ... 

"Once your telescope is connected, arrow buttons appear on the sides of the screen (unless you have selected the "Tilt Device to Slew" option in the Settings)."

However, no arrows appear on my screen even though the Tilt Device is not checked. (Also, when it is checked, no button appears to activate it.)

I am running SkySafari 6 Pro on a Samsung Tab S3 with the latest release of the operating system.

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11 comments

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  Keiron Smith June 20, 2019 20:19

  Please check your current configuration against the setup outlined here:

  https://skysafariastronomy.com/products/skyfi/files/SkyFi-ServoCAT-ArgoNavis.pdf

  Thanks!

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  ag.gregory June 20, 2019 22:58

  Thank you for this response, but I don't think it applies to my system. I am using the latest version of the SkyFi that connects to the ServoCat Gen 3 via a single USB cable. Also, I am using SkySafari 6 on an Android tablet.

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  Keiron Smith June 21, 2019 01:00

  I'm not sure that the SkyFi 3 is designed to a USB connection to the ServoCat Gen 3.  From where did you get that idea? 

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  ag.gregory June 21, 2019 02:02

  Directly from Simulation Curriculum website: https://skysafariastronomy.com/skyfi-3-professional-astronomy-telescope-control.html 

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  Keiron Smith June 21, 2019 16:14

  On that page I read the following:

  SkyFi III includes both USB and serial ports - this means that it can control the latest USB-only telescopes from Meade as well as other telescopes with RS-232 serial interfaces.

  USB for Meade LS series mounts.  I don't see a reference to USB for ServoCat Gen 3.  Do you?

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  ag.gregory June 21, 2019 17:21

  Well, all I can say is that my ServoCat manual also says that the USB port is used for planetarium software control of the telescope. To be clear, I have successfully connected both my Android tablet running SkySafari and my PC running Starry Night. The GoTo functions from both drove the telescope. I can select a target in the planetarium software and the telescope will slew to that position. The only problem I have  is that the navigation arrows, for fine adjustment, in SkySafari don't show up.

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  Keiron Smith June 21, 2019 19:17

  Please acquire a scope log file from SkySafari and send it to ksmith at simcur.com

  Thanks!

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  ag.gregory June 21, 2019 20:21

  I just sent the logfile.

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  Bentley Ousley June 23, 2019 05:28

  Check out the thread:

  SkySafari 5 Pro | No ServoCAT GEN 3 Directional Buttons Show In GoTo Mode

   

  This issue seems to be related to the ServoCat telescope config within Sky Safari. Serge from Astro Devices suggested I _not_ use the ServoCat config, but use instead the Config for LX200. Sure enough, when I did this the slew buttons appeared.

  I'm using Nexus DSC (not Sky-Fi), as a result, this solution may not work for you. Best of luck.

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  Keiron Smith June 24, 2019 15:39

  Thanks, Bentley, for bringing this post to our attention!

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  ag.gregory June 28, 2019 22:16

  I just attempted to drive the telescope using the LX200 configurations. Neither one worked. SkySafariPro connects, but the telescope does not operate correctly. So I am back to the StellarCat configuration as before.