Quite wonderful Mikey, thank you. The Sky Safari App is a total bargain at 40 quid: an entire astronomy library literally at one's fingertips. Gorgeous presentation, telescope control, and astonishing utility. Can't wait for my AZ-EQ6GT mount to arrive!
I live in the Peak District: pretty dark skies. I have no observatory. Still, the AZEQ6GT is barely heavier than my old Meade LX10 on its integral forks! Optically, it's a great scope. Mount is just terrible for tracking, and forget GOTO. I'm putting the OTA on a Losmandy to mate with the AZEQ6. I plan to use the mount in Alt-Az mode with my 127 Mak quite frequently, alongside a decent fast refractor for DSO work (the refractor will have to wait till my bank balance gets healthier!).
Nice, I have a 127mm MAK also, on a nexstar mount, works well with Skysafari /Skyfi also. Peak district sounds great, light pollution around cheltenham isn't as bad as some places, but having travelled to really dark skies in Australia and Wales, it makes a huge difference!
Is this system any better or worse than the SkyPortal wifi dongle The SkyFi connects to the handset. Most of the newer handsets are USB. The SkyPortal (v2, formerly SkyQlink v1) connects to a mount accessory port. It looks like Celestron have tow devices that do the same thing? SkyPortal can connect through your home wifi to a Windows laptop/desktop, in which case you will be using CWPI instead of SkySafari (iOS). It can connect to fondle slab directly but then you lose interweb time and position, and connectivity can be poor and drop out. Woe betide you if you change the router name, like replace it, because SkyPortal will then not reset.
It cannot simply be "charged from any charger" as you state. Some of the chargers whilst being compatible with SkiFi voltage have different amps. There is a warning on some websites that this could blow the accessory. Thanks.A mini USB to a USB 2 on a computer would most likely safely charge it.
Hello Steve, not my intention to mislead, but as you thought it necessary to correct me I thought I had better check. Here is the text from the SkySafari website: SkyFi III has a micro USB connector for external power. It can be powered or charged from a standard 5V USB port on your computer. The package includes a micro USB power adapter that accepts worldwide AC current (100-240V, 50-60 Hz). Outside of North America a plug adaptor (not included) will be necessary. You can also power SkyFi III from a car battery using a "cigarette lighter" micro USB adapter (not included). I believe a cigarette lighter charger will give 2amps or more, which would encompass the vast majority of usb chargers. Hope this helps, and doesn’t deter you from getting a great product Mike
Interesting. I have a few questions: How long does the SkiFi go before it needs to be recharged? The star-alignment procedure cannot be done thru Sky Safari? And which version of Sky Safari does it require?
Tempus Fugit I've had to recharge it twice in a couple of months, but that's because of poor weather. Certainly lasts several nights worth, but will reduce if temperatures are cold. I'm using SkySafari 5+ (there's another video on my channel on that if you need to see what it can do ). I have also set it up with my celestron GOTO AZ mount and it works fine with that also (different lead to Skywatcher though). You can also charge and use at the same time, so I used a power bank when I ran out during a session
Tempus Fugit hi, yes I used it at -8deg C with no problems. Alignment is NOT possible through SKYSAFARI, has t be done through the normal mount procedures. There is an align button, but that is to sync the display reticle with the view through the scope. You can also 'lock' the display to the scope, so if you move the scope the display will follow, which is pretty cool.
Tempus Fugit This is probably too late to be of any use to you but might help others. I just bought a SkyFi III and the manual (single sheet of paper) states "When fully charged, SkyFi III's internal rechargeable lithium ion battery should last about 10 hours depending on usage and temperature." It also states that "It is used in combination with the SkySafari Plus or SkySafari Pro app..." There is no mention of any version numbers, just Plus or Pro. I probably never will do a "test to failure" battery endurance test since just recharging it after each night should be adequate and what it is designed for. A remote site without power would require a solar or battery power supply using up to a 5 volt DC typical USB to micro-USB connection to recharge.
Hi Mike, so my question is I have just purchased skywatcher skymax 127 az gti with the equatorial wedge this has wifi built in. I have sky safari 5 pro to link that to my mount surely I don't need that skyfi unit? If so why? Kind regards joby
Hi Joby, I wondered the same thing and I am thinking about the AZ GTI as an addition/replacement of my Nexstar4se. Wolfie made a good short vid here ruclips.net/video/1AKtAHi-BxQ/видео.html that shows it working with Sky Safari but needed two devices, one running the SW app, the other SkySafari. HTH..? Mike
My question is what is the software being used? Is it SkyFi's iOS software? If so, does anyone know if the software used for PCs comes with the package?
Hi Jason, it’s SkySafari plus in my case. Available from the same ppl as the skyfi for both android and iOS. The base version doesn’t work with it, but at £6-99 atm, it’s good value anyway. I have another vid on the software if you look for it. Cheers
Hi Antman, it’s WiFi rather than Bluetooth so the distance should be more than ‘10’s of meters’. It’s never dropped out in my garden and the iPad still works from in the house...although I never actually found the limit..
This would be very informative if you did not have the camera pointing to a bright window, which is making for an unwatchable video because it is too dark. You need to have the setup rotated180 degrees.
Shevill you're right of course, it started out ok, then got brighter outside, and I wasn't on fixed aperture. I will try to see if I can fix it more with the RUclips editor. Thanks
@@MikeyJ we aren't talking about the same thing. I have EQDirFi from Astro-gadget. I have no trouble connecting to SynScan. But SkySafari Pro 6 gets the "cold shoulder" from the scope even though it can make a wireless connection to the scope.
Quite wonderful Mikey, thank you. The Sky Safari App is a total bargain at 40 quid: an entire astronomy library literally at one's fingertips. Gorgeous presentation, telescope control, and astonishing utility. Can't wait for my AZ-EQ6GT mount to arrive!
The AZEQ6GT is great for the price. I love it. Will yours be a permanent setup, or set-up when it's clear?
I live in the Peak District: pretty dark skies. I have no observatory. Still, the AZEQ6GT is barely heavier than my old Meade LX10 on its integral forks! Optically, it's a great scope. Mount is just terrible for tracking, and forget GOTO. I'm putting the OTA on a Losmandy to mate with the AZEQ6. I plan to use the mount in Alt-Az mode with my 127 Mak quite frequently, alongside a decent fast refractor for DSO work (the refractor will have to wait till my bank balance gets healthier!).
Nice, I have a 127mm MAK also, on a nexstar mount, works well with Skysafari /Skyfi also. Peak district sounds great, light pollution around cheltenham isn't as bad as some places, but having travelled to really dark skies in Australia and Wales, it makes a huge difference!
Is this system any better or worse than the SkyPortal wifi dongle
The SkyFi connects to the handset. Most of the newer handsets are USB.
The SkyPortal (v2, formerly SkyQlink v1) connects to a mount accessory port.
It looks like Celestron have tow devices that do the same thing?
SkyPortal can connect through your home wifi to a Windows laptop/desktop, in which case you will be using CWPI instead of SkySafari (iOS). It can connect to fondle slab directly but then you lose interweb time and position, and connectivity can be poor and drop out. Woe betide you if you change the router name, like replace it, because SkyPortal will then not reset.
Thank you Mikey from a Newbie
It cannot simply be "charged from any charger" as you state. Some of the chargers whilst being compatible with SkiFi voltage have different amps. There is a warning on some websites that this could blow the accessory. Thanks.A mini USB to a USB 2 on a computer would most likely safely charge it.
Hello Steve, not my intention to mislead, but as you thought it necessary to correct me I thought I had better check. Here is the text from the SkySafari website: SkyFi III has a micro USB connector for external power. It can be powered or charged from a standard 5V USB port on your computer. The package includes a micro USB power adapter that accepts worldwide AC current (100-240V, 50-60 Hz). Outside of North America a plug adaptor (not included) will be necessary. You can also power SkyFi III from a car battery using a "cigarette lighter" micro USB adapter (not included).
I believe a cigarette lighter charger will give 2amps or more, which would encompass the vast majority of usb chargers. Hope this helps, and doesn’t deter you from getting a great product
Mike
Thanks Mike very useful info.
Interesting. I have a few questions: How long does the SkiFi go before it needs to be recharged? The star-alignment procedure cannot be done thru Sky Safari? And which version of Sky Safari does it require?
Tempus Fugit I've had to recharge it twice in a couple of months, but that's because of poor weather. Certainly lasts several nights worth, but will reduce if temperatures are cold. I'm using SkySafari 5+ (there's another video on my channel on that if you need to see what it can do ). I have also set it up with my celestron GOTO AZ mount and it works fine with that also (different lead to Skywatcher though). You can also charge and use at the same time, so I used a power bank when I ran out during a session
Thanks for he lightening fast reply! Have you used it in sub-zero temperatures? The star-alignment procedure cannot be done thru SkiFi and SkySafari?
Tempus Fugit hi, yes I used it at -8deg C with no problems. Alignment is NOT possible through SKYSAFARI, has t be done through the normal mount procedures. There is an align button, but that is to sync the display reticle with the view through the scope. You can also 'lock' the display to the scope, so if you move the scope the display will follow, which is pretty cool.
Tempus Fugit This is probably too late to be of any use to you but might help others. I just bought a SkyFi III and the manual (single sheet of paper) states "When fully charged, SkyFi III's internal rechargeable lithium ion battery should last about 10 hours depending on usage and temperature." It also states that "It is used in combination with the SkySafari Plus or SkySafari Pro app..." There is no mention of any version numbers, just Plus or Pro. I probably never will do a "test to failure" battery endurance test since just recharging it after each night should be adequate and what it is designed for. A remote site without power would require a solar or battery power supply using up to a 5 volt DC typical USB to micro-USB connection to recharge.
Can you plug a usb camera into it and stream video to a computer?
Hi Mike, so my question is I have just purchased skywatcher skymax 127 az gti with the equatorial wedge this has wifi built in. I have sky safari 5 pro to link that to my mount surely I don't need that skyfi unit? If so why? Kind regards joby
Hi Joby, I wondered the same thing and I am thinking about the AZ GTI as an addition/replacement of my Nexstar4se. Wolfie made a good short vid here ruclips.net/video/1AKtAHi-BxQ/видео.html that shows it working with Sky Safari but needed two devices, one running the SW app, the other SkySafari. HTH..? Mike
MikeyJ tried that also and it won't work! Very strange! Also trying to get stellarium to do the same? Cgeers
My question is what is the software being used? Is it SkyFi's iOS software? If so, does anyone know if the software used for PCs comes with the package?
Hi Jason, it’s SkySafari plus in my case. Available from the same ppl as the skyfi for both android and iOS. The base version doesn’t work with it, but at £6-99 atm, it’s good value anyway. I have another vid on the software if you look for it. Cheers
Mike, Can you tell what kind of distance you can get with the Skifi? TY
Hi Antman, it’s WiFi rather than Bluetooth so the distance should be more than ‘10’s of meters’. It’s never dropped out in my garden and the iPad still works from in the house...although I never actually found the limit..
This would be very informative if you did not have the camera pointing to a bright window, which is making for an unwatchable video because it is too dark. You need to have the setup rotated180 degrees.
Shevill you're right of course, it started out ok, then got brighter outside, and I wasn't on fixed aperture. I will try to see if I can fix it more with the RUclips editor. Thanks
Does not apply to Android phones/devices. You have to spend much more to either get a Bluetooth device or cable.
That's not correct Dan. SkiFi 3 works with Android and IOS devices. Please check the details at www.skysafariastronomy.com
@@MikeyJ SkiFi works but cannot connect to Sky Safari 6 Pro.
@@MikeyJ so you are incorrect!
Hi Dan, you mean your personal skyfi won’t connect? I’d suggest to contact them, it could just be a setting that needs tweaking..
@@MikeyJ we aren't talking about the same thing. I have EQDirFi from Astro-gadget. I have no trouble connecting to SynScan. But SkySafari Pro 6 gets the "cold shoulder" from the scope even though it can make a wireless connection to the scope.
My God he's from Liverpool
lol there must be something wrong with your sound card me thinks, but thanks for watching anyway :)
I call bullocks mate. Order of the tribe here.
+ Ray Uh?
Oh dear. Please folks don't make video's with the window behind you! BobUK
You've got one creepy ass voice.