Digital Setting Circle Interface

Hi,

Can anyone tell me who manufacture an interface which would go between some US Digital Encoders I have on my scope and a planetarium program running on a palm pilot?

Thanks,
Glenn

You might look here:
http://home.earthlink.net/~david.ek/digicircles/
Assembly required. I don't have one yet, but have been thinking about getting one. Perhaps others will comment?

Jim

Orion used to sell the 'Sky Wizard CTI' which is a database-less version of the Sky Wizard computers.

JMI make something called the Software Guided Telescope, which uses a unit called a BBOX - unfortunately they want $209 for it...

http://www.jimsmobile.com/sgt_data.htm#Top

Plus you'd need an appropriate cable.

Maybe you can find a used one.

There is a program called "2Red" which turns the handheld's default colors to red and black, so you can use it at night without sacrificing your night vision.

http://www.in2space.com/2red.html

-Glenn

WE used a piece of window tint, the type you buy that does not glue onto the widow but just sticks to it. They come in smaller rectangles that act as Sun shades for the window of a car.
Worked great, just cut it to size and stuck it on the screen.
Floyd

HI Glenn,

I think I have something like the "Black Box" interface. I will see if I still have it.

We can horse-trade off line if I can find it !!

David Simons

I have a Garman iQue GPS/PDA. Even when the display is set to red, an undersireable amount of the white backlight still leaks out around the edges. However, I've found that a piece of rubylith does a good job of dimming and reddening all of the light without disabling the touchscreen.

Allen

I see I put up a bad link.

Try this one for the "2Red" program.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/2sky-store/2red.html

-Glenn

Glenn,

I recently built a Dave Ek box to interface US Digital encoders to a Palm III. I use a program on the Palm device to point my scope that was written and is maintained by Doug Braun. The program works great and usually puts the object near the center of my 32mm EP.

The Palm program can be obtained from Doug's website at the following address:

http://palmdsc.dougbraun.com/

The Dave Ek box is not very difficult to build if you have basic soldering skills. I built the interface for less than $45. I would also suggest visiting Dave Ek's website for information on his interface. His website can be found at the following address:

http://home.earthlink.net/~david.ek/digicircles/

I am still working on the description of my setup on my website. If you are interested in seeing mainly pictures of my installation, click on the following link:

http://home.earthlink.net/~steveswebuniverse/dscone.htm

I hope this information helps.

Clear skies,
Steve Murphy
Raleigh, NC
http://home.earthlink.net/~steveswebuniverse/index.htm