The StarGO is a GoTo Control System based on stepper motor technology. It has been designed to be intuitive and easy to use. Thanks to this characteristic it can be used in three main modalities:
- Simple tracker – Without any kind of device. Just get the power and it is ready to track both in Equatorial and Alt/Az axis mode.
- Wireless GoTo System - To be used with SkySafari and smartphones/tablets. In this mode, the 24-star pointing model is already available. This modality is mainly
suggested for visual observation. - Full GoTo system mount controller – To be used with a PC. In this way it will be possible to use the Stargo System, via ASCOM driver, with the main astronomical software such Maxim, TheSkyX, Phd2, SGP, Carte du Ciel, etc. allowing the full
control and features: home position, goto, park/unpark, auto guide, focus, etc. This modality is mainly suggested for astrophotography. The System has been successfully tested with Windows 7/8/10 (via ASCOM Driver) and OS X (LX200 classic). The StarGo Goto Control System was designed mainly for the Avalon Instruments mounts but, thanks to the programmable gear ratio and the motors kit available, it can be easily adapted to other mounts also.
The StarGo GoTo System it is composed of five main components:
The StarGo Control Box
The StarGO Control Box can be embedded in the mount as for the Linear, M-uno, and M-zero mounts, or in a separate control box for the M-Zero (and for its use with all other compatible third part‘s mounts). It has the duty to provide the smart interface between the internal motors and the external world. It performs all the communications with specific components (Focuser, CCD rotator, DSRL camera, and other auxiliary devices) using direct connections and with Windows and Mac computers via USB. The wireless Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability are also integrated in the control box to interact with intelligent devices such as smartphones, tablets, and, again with Windows and Mac computers.
The StarGo Keypad
The StarGo Keypad allows the control of the mount, performs almost all the available and most needed operations such as the Slewing, fine focusing, increasing/decreasing the mount Slewing speed, a select system tracking speed (Sidereal, Solar, Lunar, Terrestrial).
StarGO software
The StarGO software, entirely developed by Avalon Instruments, performs all the setup and management operations required for the mount control. The software allows to, set all the basic options for the mount alignment as the Observatory Location setting, the polar alignment syncing. Via ASCOM driver it is possible to connect the system to third-party planetary software to slew to target and shot pictures.
The StarGo software also allows performing many “Observatory functions” as the “Park” operation. For example by using this function, if a “Set park” is performed after a session and the mount will not be moved from that Observatory location, in the next session a new alignment will not be required. In this way, it is like “having an observatory”.
X-Solver tool
The X-Solver is an application based on the Plate Solve solution. With X-Solver it is possible to build Sky Model till 24 stars that can be saved and used later even during other night sessions.
With the X-Solver application comes two very useful tools: the Sky Model and Polar alignment. The Sky Model allows to build easily a sky model up to 24 stars. The tool provides an intuitive GUI that shows a 2D representation of the sky top view that can be designed by the user simply by the mouse double click.
The modeling function is particularly useful in fixed observatory installations, however, for the speed of its execution, it may be used also for mobile installations, especially for visual observation (after a short period of CCD use at the very beginning of the session).
The Polar Align is a tool for a fast and easy Polar Alignment by using the Plate Solve function.
The StarGO-BT application
The StarGO-BT application for Android devices allows to interface them with the StarGO control box via Bluetooth connection. With this application, the Android devices become like a control pad. This application, as well as the PC StarGO, is under continuous development to add new functionalities.
The Product Includes:
- Main Board with aluminum case
- StarGO control keypad
- USB cable
- 12-24 VDC power supply with 110-240 VAC and 12 VDC inputs + cigarette lighter 12V power cable.
- USB flash drive with StarGO software and manuals
- StarGO carrying bag
- RS232 cables connection
- Special Shockproof bag
