ServoCAT

Now that’s a very powerful system too! The ServoCAT consists of a computer and two strong servomotors that drive the Altitude (below, left) and Azimuth (below, right) movements of the Dobsonian telescope. The ServoCAT computer is connected to a digital settings circle computer, such as SkyCommander or Argo Navis. How does it work? Very simple! When you select a deepsky target in the Argo Navis computer, the computer sends the coordinates to the ServoCAT computer. When you enter the GO TO button on the ServoCAT hand pad, signals are send to the servomotors and the telescope slews to the target. That is, up to the bow second of what the Argo Navis coordinates tell the ServoCAT system where to go. After that, the system follows the object pretty accurately, constantly monitored by the ever-changing coordinates of the target, as displayed on the Argo Navis computer. Beware though that the ServoCAT computer only follows orders. It will go to the zero—zero coordinates of the Argo Navis. So, if the pointing accuracy of the Argo Navis is not good, the ServoCAT will direct the scope to the wrong position too. The ServoCAT is completely dependent on how well your Argo Navis operates (see the previous section).

You can say that the system is very users friendly and very accurate. I feel the combination with the Argo Navis system is unbeatable. Even if you don’t perform a TPAS analysis or if for some reason your pointing accuracy is a bit off one night, the ServoCAT has its own tricks. One is a spiral search function that allows you to search a limited area to find your target.

Another feature that I used quite often before I used the Argo Navis TPAS system is the LOCAL SYNC function that can improve your pointing accuracy. What does the LOCAL SYNC function do? When you have a target that is not precisely located in the centre of the eyepiece, even although the Argo Navis says so, you now have to place this object right in the centre of the eyepiece. Then you push the LOCAL SYNC button and the ServoCAT computer will remember this location, relative to the off set in the Argo Navis computer. If your next target not too far away, the LOCAL SYNC feature will place this novel target bang in the centre, although the Argo Navis computer will say you are not in the centre! This feature comes in handy when you are in a crowded area, such as in the Virgo galaxy cluster. Since I use the TPAS function on the Argo Navis, I use the LOCAL SYNC function less though, but still, it's often much quicker to use the LOCAL SYNC function than do a re-alignment.

Well, rest me to say one more thing about StellerCAT, who makes the ServoCAT. On the StellerCAT website the following is stated:

And our level of support cannot be matched. We believe customer support is the most important "product" to offer to you…. We are here when YOU need us - not when it is convenient for us. We take calls every day of the week including most holidays - up until as late as 11 PM…and answer emails all day... and night long! If your out in the field and you have a question or think there is a problem: we're more than likely here to help. You then go about doing what you intended to do - using your scope! With limited viewing times due to family and weather (AGH!) time is important to you - and we understand that.

Sounds too good to be true??? Well, I can only say: it is true; I have yet to encounter somebody in the business that is more available than Gary Meijers of StellarCAT. It must have impact on his life, but the dedication they claim is really there!!

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