Push-to Dobsonian Telescope with Argo Navis connection to SkySafari Planetarium via Bluetooth

The Argo Navis DSC is an excellent accessory for push-to Dobsonian telescopes. It allows the scope to be quickly and accurately pushed to thousands of objects in the Argo Navis database. However, you are pretty much limited to objects in the NGC and IC catalogs. The SkySafari planetarium app, however, displays countless additional objects, including distant galaxies, asteroids and recently discovered comets. This video explains how to establish a Bluetooth link between Argo Navis and SkySafari. This allows simple push-to for every objects displayed by SkySafari.

[@hogsatkat]

Very informative Peter. Well done...

[@scotthayes8816]

Very well explained. Thank you. I’m waiting on my Argo Navis and serial cable to arrive. I need to order the RN240M next. Looking forward to getting back outside.

[@scotthayes8816]

After everything is set up, and you click on the target in Sky Safari, does Argo give you the push to co-ordinates on the LCD screen?

[@brisbaneastronomicalsociet9252]

Yes. Set Argo Navis to From Planetarium modes and SkySafari sends the alt/Az push-to numbers to the Argo Navis screen. Push to zero/zero.

[@scotthayes8816]

@@brisbaneastronomicalsociet9252 thank you. It’ll make things so much easier to find.

[@scotthayes8816]

I am having trouble setting up iPad link with Bluetooth and adapter. I have the rn240m Bluetooth adapter. It’s hooked up to a power bank. Flashes green light but that’s all. iPad linked with laptop via Bluetooth as laptop can’t have SkySafari 6 on it. iPad has SkySafari 6 on it. When I hit “connect” SkySafari app on iPad says “cant make a wireless network connection to the scope. Make sure you’ve joined it’s wifi network and entered it’s IP address. Also make sure you’ve granted local network permissions in the app settings”. Local permissions are granted and the app has been set up with the instructions you’ve provided for my telescope. Any thoughts please?

[@brisbaneastronomicalsociet9252]

@@scotthayes8816 I don't really understand what you are trying to do. But the very first aspect to get right is to make sure you are using an authentic Wildcard Innovations serial cable to connect your Argo Navis to the rn240. Connection will fail without the right serial cable.

[@scotthayes8816]

@@brisbaneastronomicalsociet9252 It’s working now. Gary at Wildcard helped and advised that Apple devices don’t like these Bluetooth adapters for some reason. I bought a Samsung tablet and works fine.