Guest Apples Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Hi, I'm fairly new to astronomy. I have an Orion with the Intelliscope Computerised Object Locator. It seems a bit hit and miss to locate objects,although that could be user error to be fair during the initial star alignment. I've been thinking about making a setting circle for the base and using a digital inclinometer. Anyway a few questions: - Has anyone had any success with the Orion object locator? Has anyone retrofitted a homemade setting circle and inclinometer and if so are they any good? Is there an advantage of using a setting circle as opposed to just using a digital compass? Very many thanks in advance for any advice, Warm regards, Apples Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Hi Tony welcome to EMS. Lots of members have added a setting circle and wixey to their dobsonian, it is one of the most done modifications. There is a good tutorial by one of our members (Daz) here: https://www.eastmidlandsstargazers.org.uk/topic/5570-setting-circle-mod-for-dob-bases/#entry62815 I much prefer manual technology, in my mind less to go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Apples Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 This Mick this looks very useful !! Warm regards, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Give me a shout if you need any help with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 My dob has a setting circle and digital wixey. Best thing I ever did. It's based on dazs. As the 10 inch has the same base as the 8". I know they differ from the orion. On a good night I can find 20+ objects using the setting circles. Can find most things with a nice low powered wide fov eyepiece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithysteve Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Hi Tony, I agree with all the above about setting circles... i helped modify someone's Meade, 10" dob using Daz's modifications including fitting a lazy Susan too. It works a treat and he swears by it. He bought a wixey too and uses sky safari to get the alt az longitude and latitude settings for objects whilst observing... This was a fellow Sherwood observatory member whom you know. If you are going to the Obs tonight we can have a chat about it along with the guy whose scope I modded. He will be very willing to endorse this method... cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Just be aware of magnets in your phone case. I pulled some hair out trying to figure out what was wrong one night. My Samsung flip case has a tiny magnet in it that messed up the compass so skysafari was out by a a good few of degrees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Apples Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 2 hours ago, Smithysteve said: Hi Tony, I agree with all the above about setting circles... i helped modify someone's Meade, 10" dob using Daz's modifications including fitting a lazy Susan too. It works a treat and he swears by it. He bought a wixey too and uses sky safari to get the alt az longitude and latitude settings for objects whilst observing... This was a fellow Sherwood observatory member whom you know. If you are going to the Obs tonight we can have a chat about it along with the guy whose scope I modded. He will be very willing to endorse this method... cheers! Thanks Smithy. Yes I emailed him a few questions earlier. Hopefully see you tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 If you find yourself with a loose "Intelliscope Computerised Object Locator" lying around gathering dust - let me know - I might be able to help you clear it out lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 +1 for the setting circles and wixey. They work very well and are consistently accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Apples Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 21 hours ago, Brantuk said: If you find yourself with a loose "Intelliscope Computerised Object Locator" lying around gathering dust - let me know - I might be able to help you clear it out lol Ok will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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