Description
Note: This is for encoder hardware only – Sky Commander computers are no longer available.
Specifications
- Hardware set #1 (Flush sided as with a TeleKit) is shown at left below in Photo 1.
- Hardware set #2 (side protrusions as with a Obsession) is shown below in Photo 2.
- Hardware Set #3 Orion, Hardin other scopes with spring tensioned altitude bearings.
- Hardware Set #4 Meade Lightbridge.
- Hardware Set #5 Zhumell, Apertura, GSO, Astro-Tech with altitude tension knob.
The following astronomy programs (and others) for the PC, and some Mac, support communications with the Sky Commander:
- “The Sky”
- “Megastar 5.0”
- “Guide 8.0”
- “Earth Centered Universe”
- “Sky Tools 2”
- “Sky Map Pro 10”
- “Starry Night Pro”
- “AstroPlanner by iLanga Inc.” /astroplanner/
Catalog Size |
16,000, upgradeable to 30,000+ |
Search Mode, Constellation |
Yes |
Processor |
8 bit 68HC11 |
Search Mode, Radius |
Yes, 0.5 degree |
User Catalog |
Yes |
Catalog by Name |
Yes, Double Stars |
Display |
32 character LCD, yellow Green |
Planet Position |
Yes, better that 0.1 arc minute |
Display Brightness Settings |
3 |
Equatorial Platform Compatible |
Yes |
Display |
RA/DEC or ALT/AZ |
Platform Two Star Align |
Yes |
Display Resolution |
0.1 deg, upgradeable to 0.01 deg. |
Polar Equatorial Mode |
Yes |
Display Heater |
Yes |
Realign on Object |
Yes |
Sidereal Timer |
Yes |
Serial Support |
Yes |
Encoder Resolution |
10,000, upgradeable to 32,767 |
ServoCAT Support |
Yes |
Encoder Test Mode |
Yes (in upgrade) |
Sky Tracker Support |
Yes |
Encoder Mode Display |
Yes, (via RS-232) |
Weight |
8 oz |
Encoder Sample Rate |
2000/sec. (moving) 1000/sec. stationary |
Battery Monitor |
Yes |
Search Mode, Magnitude |
Yes |
Power |
9V gives ~40 hours operation |
Encoder |
10,000 step with low profile phone plug module |
$80.00 |
1/2 lb. |
Encoder *new* |
32,000 step with low profile phone plug module |
110.00 |
1/2 lb. |
Cable Set |
specify cable lengths or telescope size (up to 22″) |
$30.00 |
1 lb. |
Cable Set |
specify cable lengths or telescope size (24″ to 36″) |
$45.00 |
2 lbs. |
Hardware Set #1 |
Telescopes with no side protrusions ( TeleKit, Starmaster, Discovery, see photo 1) |
$60.00 |
2 lbs. |
Hardware Set #2 |
Telescopes with exterior mount blocks, includes azimuth pivot bolt (state size and length) (Obsession, others with protrusions on side of Mirror box, see photo 2) |
$150.00 |
2 lbs. |
Hardware Set #3 |
Orion, Hardin others with spring tensioned altitude bearings |
$135.00 |
2 lbs. |
Hardware Set #4 |
Lightbridge |
$70.00 |
2 lbs. |
Hardware Set #5 |
Zhumell, Apertura, GSO and Astro-Tech with altitude tension knob |
$165.00 |
2 lbs. |
* To Order please state telescope size and altitude bearing diameter for correct cable length and tangent arm length.
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Sky Commander Digital Setting Circles
XP-4 Flash v 5.02
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Catalog Size | 16,000, upgradeable to 30,000+ | Search Mode, Constellation | Yes | |
Processor | 8 bit 68HC11 | Search Mode, Radius | Yes, 0.5 degree | |
User Catalog | Yes | Catalog by Name | Yes, Double Stars | |
Display | 32 character LCD, yellow Green | Planet Position | Yes, better that 0.1 arc minute | |
Display Brightness Settings | 3 | Equatorial Platform Compatible | Yes | |
Display | RA/DEC or ALT/AZ | Platform Two Star Align | Yes | |
Display Resolution | 0.1 deg, upgradeable to 0.01 deg. | Polar EQ Mode | Yes | |
Display Heater | Yes | Realign on Object | Yes | |
Sidereal Timer | Yes | Serial Support | Yes | |
Encoder Resolution | 10,000, upgradeable to 32,767 | ServoCat Support | Yes | |
Encoder Test Mode | Yes (in upgrade) | Sky Tracker Support | Yes | |
Encoder Mode Display | Yes, (via RS-232) | Weight | 8 oz | |
Encoder Sample Rate | 2000/sec. (moving) 1000/sec. stationary | Battery Monitor | Yes | |
Search Mode, Magnitude | Yes | Power | 9V gives ~40 hours operation |
View the installation instructions here
Lightbridge DSC installation addendum
Catalog Size | 16,000, upgradeable to 30,000+ | Search Mode, Constellation | Yes | |
Processor | 8 bit 68HC11 | Search Mode, Radius | Yes, 0.5 degree | |
User Catalog | Yes | Catalog by Name | Yes, Double Stars | |
Display | 32 character LCD, yellow Green | Planet Position | Yes, better that 0.1 arc minute | |
Display Brightness Settings | 3 | Equatorial Platform Compatible | Yes | |
Display | RA/DEC or ALT/AZ | Platform Two Star Align | Yes | |
Display Resolution | 0.1 deg, upgradeable to 0.01 deg. | Polar EQ Mode | Yes | |
Display Heater | Yes | Realign on Object | Yes | |
Sidereal Timer | Yes | Serial Support | Yes | |
Encoder Resolution | 10,000, upgradeable to 32,767 | ServoCat Support | Yes | |
Encoder Test Mode | Yes (in upgrade) | Sky Tracker Support | Yes | |
Encoder Mode Display | Yes, (via RS-232) | Weight | 8 oz | |
Encoder Sample Rate | 2000/sec. (moving) 1000/sec. stationary | Battery Monitor | Yes | |
Search Mode, Magnitude | Yes | Power | 9V gives ~40 hours operation |