Celestron's new Sky Scout is due out in April with a list price of $300. Of course it's too early to tell how accurate these instruments will be, but it has me wondering if they may prove to be economical replacements for digital setting circles? From what I have read, they will work, just like dsc, with the user either pointing to an object or being lead to one. We just need someone to make and market a mounting device.
Celestron's New Sky Scout
Started by davidcolton, 02/25/2006 03:17PM
Posted 02/25/2006 03:17PM
Opening Post
Posted 02/27/2006 02:32AM
#1
Just read the description on the thing: that's quite the device....but for my money I'd rather buy a good star atlas and put the difference into a pair of good binos or toward a larger optical tube or another eyepiece, or something else that doesn't chew up batteries....
Posted 03/21/2006 10:30PM
#2
I agree it could make for convenient setting circles on a scope. However, it may be susceptible to any magnetic steel parts on the mount or scope. Fortunately, most metal scope parts are non-magnetic stainless steel or aluminum.
I think the killer application of that technology is in a pair of good binoculars. You can scan the sky and when you see an interesting smudge, press a button to snap the coordinates, and then go there with your big scope.
-Alan
I think the killer application of that technology is in a pair of good binoculars. You can scan the sky and when you see an interesting smudge, press a button to snap the coordinates, and then go there with your big scope.
-Alan
Posted 05/18/2006 02:51AM
#3
Hello. I know that this is an old thread but in case you were still watching. I emailed Celestron about wanting to mount one on my Vixen bt80m's and I received the following response...
I regret to inform you that the SkyScout will not work well in this application. The unit uses extremely sensative magnetici and gravity sensors to capture it angular orientation. Large metallic and some massive non-metallinc objects can affect the accuracy of these sensors. Please understand that the SkyScout was desigend as a tool to hlp locate celestial objects with the naked eye and it does not have the accuracy needed to successfully point the narrow field of view found from a binocular or telescope at a target.
Sincerely,
Celestron Technical Services Department
--I almost want to try it anyway but not enough to pre-order one.
--Ben Davis
I regret to inform you that the SkyScout will not work well in this application. The unit uses extremely sensative magnetici and gravity sensors to capture it angular orientation. Large metallic and some massive non-metallinc objects can affect the accuracy of these sensors. Please understand that the SkyScout was desigend as a tool to hlp locate celestial objects with the naked eye and it does not have the accuracy needed to successfully point the narrow field of view found from a binocular or telescope at a target.
Sincerely,
Celestron Technical Services Department
--I almost want to try it anyway but not enough to pre-order one.
--Ben Davis
David Colton said:
Celestron's new Sky Scout is due out in April with a list price of $300. Of course it's too early to tell how accurate these instruments will be, but it has me wondering if they may prove to be economical replacements for digital setting circles? From what I have read, they will work, just like dsc, with the user either pointing to an object or being lead to one. We just need someone to make and market a mounting device.
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