Top Five Tips For Using AstroHopper + BONUS Tip

This video adds five tips to my first AstroHopper video (link below). Mount your smartphone on your telescope and launch AstroHopper. Congratulations, you have one of the most revolutionary aiming devices ever devised for amateur astronomy. AstroHopper is a phone webpage "app" that turns any smartphone into a precision telescope pointing device. It's free and it works really well.
#astrohopper #starsense #telescopefinder
//FIRST ASTROHOPPER VIDEO: • How To Aim Any Telesco...
//ASTROHOPPER WEBSITE: artyom-beilis....
//3D PRINTABLE SMARTPHONE PLATFORM FILE//
www.thingivers...
//AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS (I earn a small commission from these links)//
Velcro strips to attach your phone: amzn.to/3WHmub0
Best Smartphone Adapter EVER (as of 2023): amzn.to/3MYYnBF
Best Value Set Of Upgraded Eyepieces: amzn.to/3Y7MYmn
Best Overall Red Dot Finder: amzn.to/3UQVPJr
Economy Smartphone adapter: amzn.to/3WfKS2e
Bluetooth shutter button: amzn.to/3OBpW1i (prices have risen)
Best book for new astronomers: "Turn Left At Orion": amzn.to/3PDxLo4
CHEAP 8 inch Dobsonian Telescope: amzn.to/49TH12l
NICE 8 inch Dobsonian Telescope: amzn.to/4bbxIuU
RED HOPE Adventure Scifi Novel Series:
Kindle Edition: amzn.to/49O9bud
Paperback: amzn.to/4aPRc7Y
Audiobook: amzn.to/3WhhXOw
** My new SciFi short story prequel, right here on KZbin **
• MARS Sci-Fi Audiobook ...
Discussed in this video:
Astrohopper app
Astrohopper mount
How it compares to #starsense
#smartphone #telescope
#finderscope #stellarium #pushto
#reflactor

[@GrnXnham]

I have another tip. I just downloaded this "app" today and tried it on my 12 inch dob tonight. At first I was frustrated at how easily it got out of alignment. Then I realized that the CLOSER you can get your phone to the exact top center of the telescope, the less it gets out of alignment. The first time I used it, I just quickly taped the phone on there but I was actually a little off center on the scope. So I repositioned it and got it as close to the top center as I could and alignment problem solved.

[@reflactor]

That is a great tip! Thank you for sharing.

[@platypusrex2287]

That's why I print with ABS more temp tolerant than PLA ... Especially in AZ..

[@reflactor]

I tried printing with PLA and that lasted about 30 seconds - the smell was simply too awful, even in the garage.

[@timothykoch4721]

There are several different motorcycle phone mounts which could easily be adapted to mount onto a telescope tube as a semi-permanent base for the phone. Just an idea for something designed to withstand the extremes of temperature.

[@reflactor]

That is a great idea! I was not aware that such things existed. As you mentioned, I'm sure the materials they use have been heat tested.

[@rbc1225]

Just an FYI, it doesn't look like the IOS tip works anymore, or at least I could not get it to work.

[@reflactor]

That's good to know. Please contact the developer - he may have a quick fix for you already.

[@stephensinksen7259]

Will Astrohopper work on an equatorial mount?

[@reflactor]

Unfortunately no. The rotation of the tube will mess up the elevation angle readings.

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

so this will not work when we have no WWW access - like way out in dark sky country

[@reflactor]

Good question. Part 1 of the video talks about how to set it up to work offline.

[@benle4]

I brought a MagSafe magnet for my tube and stuck it with 3m tape. I now have a telescope with MagSafe technology! iPhones have magnets built in now (MagSafe) so does not affect its use.

[@reflactor]

Thanks for the information! I don't know much about Apple products, but I think this will help lots of people. Clear skies!

[@martijnbouma1]

I have a briliant method for using astrohopper with telescope. If you are interested I can sent a photo. Dont know how to get that to you though

[@karenmadtes1174]

Its a good idea to put the velcro with the little hooks on your scope tube and the loop velcro tape on your phone. Not too much is going to try to attach itself to your scope but the same can't be said of your phone if it has little mini-grabbers in a big strip on the back.

[@reflactor]

I'm liking the velcro idea more and more. I have some old phone cases that I might use for that specific task.

[@AlternateRealityMusic]

Tip for any moto-astronomers: Most motorbike phone mounts great for a fantastic astrohopper mount

[@reflactor]

This is good to know!

[@vicamaral]

love these video, thanks to you i no longer need the 3 or 4 finder scopes that i own, the free Astrohopper works great 👏👏🔭🏁, you are AMAZING.

[@reflactor]

I'm glad the videos were helpful! In all honesty, Mr. Beilis did all the hard work by creating Astro Hopper. All I did was demonstrate it. :) Clear skies!

[@KZgun4hire]

My issue is astro hopper is the phone vs the telescope tube. My tube is ferric so when I move the phone close to towards the tube the compass spins off axis. Watching your video a can possibly align astro hopper away from the scope and then turn off the compass and attach it to the scope!!! I'll give this a go!!!

[@reflactor]

You don't even have to go to all that trouble (as I've just found out recently). The compass isn't all that necessary with AstroHopper. It's only used at the very start to get the image "close" to being lined up. Once you do the alignment step once, it ignores the compass from that point on and uses the rate gyro (until the display screen goes to sleep, then it defaults back to the compass and you have to do another realignment.). Clear skies, and good luck!

[@jackieblank4249]

Great video John. Have been learning to use Astrohopper as much as I can. A little at a time. I stuck my phone on with Velcro strips. Works great and stays put.Sorry to see what happened to ur mount. Thanks for the PSA on leaving things in your auto. In this heat. Clouds rolling in Baton Rouge. Clear sky's to you.

[@reflactor]

I was pretty surprised when I opened the car door and saw it all warped like a pretzel. I guess the cars here in Texas get a bit warm! Fortunately, our humidity is not quite what you see in Baton Rouge.

[@josephmackrell9911]

Hi- What are the dimensions of the phone adapter? The machine I have access to has 6.5 x 6.5 x 7"high max dimensions.

[@reflactor]

The dimensions are 7 inches by 4.5 inches by 1.125 inches.

[@JoeJaguar]

very cool advice. I was thinking when i get around to it i will try the velcro way but not i will also consider the cups as well.

[@reflactor]

I didn't even know the double-sided suction cups existed until a viewer told me about them. Seems like the perfect solution.

[@TonerLow]

Watches 1st video: goes and buys $40 worth of magnets. Watches 2nd video: F%&$!!

[@reflactor]

All is not lost. You can still use the magnets. AstroHopper only uses the magnetometer at the very beginning prior to your first alignment. Once you do the first alignment, manually, it uses the built-in gyro from then on, so there shouldn't be any problem. Also, if they are strong magnets, you can re-purpose them for a great adjustable telescope counterweight: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2qYloCsgNuoh7M

[@springbloom5940]

I use a camera tripod phone adapter, mounted to my scope. Its solid, adjustable and provides enough standoff from the tube to prevent magnetic interference. Ive never used astrohopper, because of the internet necessity. I use Skye and I presume from what I have seen, that its basically the same operating principle. The way I get a good alignment is tedious, but produces superior results. I align off of a large triangle of bright stars at the zenith, then I do a large constellation at about 20 - 30 degrees altitude toward the West and finally Polaris. I can get the target in the field of view of a 32mm plossl, about 90% of the time. The alignment drifts over time, so I frequently swing the scope around the axes to recalibrate the phone sensors. I also add everything I view, as an alignment point, so its constantly refining.

[@reflactor]

I'm glad you have a mount setup that gets you some distance. AstroHopper can be installed permanently if you want to go off-grid to and still use it.

[@cdz9400]

Hey! So I downloaded this after your last video and it works really well! I still haven't been able to see anything because I am very much an amateur at this hobby, but I know the app works cause it lines up with my red dot finder

[@reflactor]

I'm glad you were able to get it to work. So, the key step is to do that first alignment. Find a star in the sky that you know the name of. Point your telescope at it (through the eyepiece too). Then push the Align button on AstroHopper and touch the star as it's displayed on the screen. After about three seconds, it will be aligned and you'll be off to the races!

[@artyombeilis9075]

One of the biggest issues when you begin and can't find an object is selecting an easy stuff to see. Start from Open clusters - they are easiest and quite visible even from light polluted areas.

[@brandtdales]

I'm having a problem downloading it so I can use it like an app ???

[@reflactor]

Here are the official installation instructions. If this doesn't work, please contact the developer Artyom Beilis: Installing AstroHopper AstroHopper is a Progressive Web Application. It can be installed as regular application on your smart phone. Once it is installed it is fully accessible offline. You can also run AstroHopper as a demo on a laptop computer. In order to install the application, open the URL artyom-beilis.github.io/astrohopper.html and install it. Android/Chrome - tap on "..." near the URL, and select "Install App" or "Add to Home Screen" Samsung Browser - tap on ↓ symbol near URL Android/Firefox - tap on "..." near the URL, and select "Install" Android/Edge - tap on "..." at the bottom and select "Add to Phone" iPhone/Safari - tap the "Share" button (a square with an arrow pointing up) scroll down and select "Add to Home Screen" The application will be installed on home screen or in applications screen - depending on browser. To test if AstroHopper works offline: Close all applications/browsers Put your phone in "Flight/Airplane" mode, make sure WiFi is closed Tap on application icon and make sure it works. You can usually update the installed version of AstroHopper by refreshing the page. If this does not work for your browser, uninstall it and reinstall from scratch.

[@KZgun4hire]

The way I attach my phone to the scope is via a phone to eye piece adapter/carrier. The eye piece holder detaches from the carrier cradle to expose a nut thread that is compatible with the bolt thread sticking out the top of most tube rings. Very easy to attach and leave cradle on the scope tube ring and just slip the phone in or out of the cradle!

[@reflactor]

It's nice that telescope companies and camera companies all settled on that 1/4-20 screw thread for the accessories attachment. I'm glad you have a convenient setup!

[@MrMlyarber]

Can I mount it to where the finder was through brackets?

[@reflactor]

That's a very clever idea. Very convenient too. I looked on Thingiverse to see if such a part already exists, and it doesn't. Not yet at least.

[@KristoferSanders]

@Reflactor I used 4 to inch wide neoprene tape to form a pad. Then I cut strips to build up a frame around the cellphone; you can leave a space at the bottom for charging cord if your have a power bank. This was because it was all I had on hand when I learned about Astrohopper. I went outside and observed the ring nebula which was at near Zenith. The neoprene pad with edges built up held the phone in near straight vertical position. No problems. It is grippy enough for this. And provides protection of the tube.

[@reflactor]

Thanks for the tip! That sounds like an excellent way to solve the problem. Admittedly, that would've taken a lot less time than the 3D print that I did, lol.

[@terrybrooks395]

Aha, only using the compass initially makes a big difference to its usability, I assume you can point to a star with the scope, select that samecatar in Astrohopper and sync on it?

[@reflactor]

You are correct - the magnetometer is only used prior to the first alignment - after that it's all gyros. And technically, if you push the hand icon, it detaches from the magnetometer completely and you can swing the image left and right (using finger swipes) until your target is in sight.

[@hakman239]

Could you do a video on how to use sky view with a dobsonian it won’t work with the phone on the tube it needs to be mounted vertical to the finder bracket

[@reflactor]

I'm afraid I don't have Sky View. I use StarSeek5 to do all of my finding when not using a telescope. If using a telescope, I switch over to AstroHopper.

[@dengaye232]

Hi I see this isn’t great with an eq mount, have you tried your Eq scope to dobsonian hack to see if it works, thx Dennis

[@reflactor]

I haven't tried it mainly because the tube rotates so much, it would be a hassle to track. However, there are people who have tried to come up with clever solutions to this problem.

[@aniket789]

Does this app work for an equatorial mount?

[@reflactor]

Good question, no it does not. I wish I would've addressed that in the video. The vast majority of my videos are alt-az videos, but your question is a good question.

[@egrava2297]

I think that this will be a good use for my old cell phone that I had to upgrade. The wifi, and sensors still work great

[@reflactor]

That's a great idea! Be sure to install AstroHopper permanently while on WiFi, then you can use it anytime anywhere (even without cell service).

[@azka9075]

I own an at72edii so i just use rubber bands to tie my phone around the dew shield of the scope

[@reflactor]

That's a great idea!

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Brilliant work John we've still yet to use it here in the UK but as we don't have any astronomical darkness at the moment we'll probably wait till late August.

[@reflactor]

Sorry to hear that. Same here in Texas. Normally it's very dry here by June, but we've had unusual rain and insane humidity. And... clouds. Lots and lots of clouds. In the meantime, I'm focusing on telescope maintenance. Good luck and I hope dark skies return soon to you!

[@HeyApos]

Hi there, if you print this with e.g., PC, this would not bend (needs 270° hot end, 100° bed and a housing). Also, this will be UV resistant. Same is with ASA. THX for the Idea. The problem using Velcro (which I used in ATM in former times very much) is, even if you have very good quality ones and which are at least 50 mm wide, they tend to fall off, when exposed to high temperatures (25° plus). This might hold for parts, that do not weigh much. Nowadays, I only use 3D printed Vixen-like adapters, that are screwable (like a mount for the finder). It's very easy to construct and print.

[@reflactor]

Thanks for the tip! Admittedly, my 3D printing experience is limited to PLA. I tried ABS and that lasted about two minutes due to the horrific odor. I will have to try the alternative materials that you mentioned. Do you think it would help to epoxy the Velcro strips on? Or perhaps use a silicon adhesive?

[@HeyApos]

@@reflactor Polycarbonate (PC) also bends like ABS. So you have to use high bed temperature and a housing. Also it might be good to reduce the surface by adding some bigger holes to your design. This reduces bending. Velcro: it would not glue anything to the instrument / phone. Probably the Velcro is ok. It tends to fall off under load. So using the phone attached only at night should be not problem.

[@seanhb]

Thanks for the update. Astrohopper is a super enhancement to the dobsonian experience. Velcro seemed like an obvious solution, and I've been using it from the get-go. Works fine.

[@reflactor]

Thank you for the feedback. I'm glad the Velcro is working for you. Clear skies!

[@landtechnik4k]

i realy like your Astro tips. 😊

[@reflactor]

I hope they are helpful. Thank you for watching. Clear skies!

[@douglashall6890]

what about double sided reusable tape, I am going to try it.

[@reflactor]

Anything is worth a try. If you plan to leave it attached permanently, then I think double-sided sticky tape would work great.

[@hakman239]

I couldn’t use it every time my phone screen went to sleep it needed realignment is that normal I glued magnets to my case🤦‍♂️

[@hednik]

I'd set it to no screen timeout when using it. Maybe some. Goo gone and a razor blade?

[@reflactor]

I would try a different mount method than the magnets. I'm hearing that Velcro is great. Unless your phone has a really high-end magnetometer, the magnets might mess with AstroHopper startup (you can still do alignment, but the compass won't give you that initial "close enough" setting).

[@kennethkovachy8295]

The video was great. I have used setting circles for years. And when I saw this I was pretty skeptical but the video did a great job explaining how to use it. I was amazed how well it worked. I have a newer phone used velcro but I'm going to make a better mount for it. With my setting circles, I get in the general area sometimes in the eyepiece field of view. With Astro Hopper, everything is almost centered in my eyepiece. It definitely is going to obsolete a go-to telescope. Excited to use it on Neptune and Uranus. Sometimes I have a little bit of a hard time even with my settings circles seeing it, but with Astro Hopper I know I'm going to be right in the middle of my eyepiece

[@reflactor]

@@kennethkovachy8295 I agree with your points. It will make the search feature for GoTo's obsolete. Now if we could get it to track a target, that would be way too cool. Thank you for the kind words!

[@phthisics]

Phone cradle adapter to curved surface: ZEEHOO Dashboard Pad Mounting Disk [Perfect for Curved & Textured Surface] for Wireless Car Charger & Car Phone Mount Holder, Adhesive Suction Disc 80mm for Garmin GPS Sat Nav Dash Cam. Found it on Amazon. Your mounting plate sounds perfect. unfortunately I don't own a 3D printer. Would I need to find a 3D printing service?

[@reflactor]

Many libraries offer access to a 3D printer, but this takes several hours to print.

[@draconomicron1188]

If you give me the diameter of your telescope I can draw one exact phone holder

[@hednik]

Great tips and follow up from the last video

[@reflactor]

Thanks for watching! I tried to include all the loose ends that I could think of.

[@andynowlen]

I love it. A 6th grade neighbor points all around. 😊. …… Do you know of anyone using AH on an old manual SCT.? Any reason it wouldn’t work?

[@reflactor]

As long as it's an alt-azimuth mount, you should be okay. It doesn't work on equatorial mounts.

[@Hilmi12]

Just don't use PLA plastic. Print it in ABS or PETG and you can leave it in your car forever. PLA is for useless toys in my opinion

[@reflactor]

Thank you for that information. I am slowly learning more and more about 3D printing.

[@Amradar123]

I used an old phone case and attached it to the telesope tube using double sided sticky tape.I do however use the Skeye android app to find objects as it can do waaaay more than Astrohopper.

[@reflactor]

Thank you for the helpful tips!

[@simoneferrari6568]

What do you think about Ziel telescopes?

[@reflactor]

I've honestly never heard of them, but there are a lot of manufacturers out there.