Star Charting Software

I'm looking for advice on selecting a star charting software. I plan to load the sofeware into a laptop for use in the field, not to guide a scope. I downloaded the trial version of MegaStar 5.0 but I guess as in all trials, I'm having problems. I'm also considering buying a used 4.0 version of Megastar and upgrading, but since I'm having some problems operating the trial version, I'm having doubts.

Is Megastar that buggy or is it just me. I've tried calling Willmann-Bell, the publisher, but the phone line is constantly busy. Any suggestions out there?

Thanks in advance

David Roberts

Hi David,

I have been using MegaStar 4.0 for years without any problems. I have not bothered to upgrade to V5.0, but I know of several others who have and have not experienced any problems.

One thought, do you really need something like MegaStar if you are not using it to control a telescope? Have you tried downloading Cartes de Ceil (sp?). It is free software that has had great reviews.

Cheers,

Maurice

David,

Sorry to hear you are having problems with the Megastar 5.0 trial. I downloaded it and tried it out for 30 days and did not have any problems.

I have been using Cartes du Ceil for almost two years now and can highly recommend it for charting. I tried the Megastar demo with an intention to upgrade if it seemed to be better, but in the end I decided to stay with CdC. One word of advice is to use CdC for a while before fully judging it. There are a number of features you have to get used to and and tweak to get the display the way you want it. In the end, I think you will enjoy it. I have not tried CdC's scope control, but I do know it is available.

By the way, if you are interested in observing planning software combined with a good atlas, I highly recommend Skytools v2. I have used DeepSky in the past and found Skytools to be much better at generating observing charts and it's sky atlas was much better. Telescope control is starting beta testing and will be added later in the year by the program author.

Hope this helps and clear skies,
Steve Murphy
Raleigh, NC