I recently saw where Simulation Curriculum had their SkyBT device on sale that allows SkySafari on Android tablets / phones to control telescopes over Bluetooth. I have been using SkyFi and SkySafari for years with great success to easily slew to objects using my iPhone over Wi-Fi. I have an Android based AT&T tablet, but Android platforms don't play well directly over Wi-Fi to a SkyFi device. The SkyBT device enables Android tablets and phones running SkySafari to communicate with your mount over Bluetooth. This last week I tested controlling my Celestron SkyProdigy mount from my Android tablet running SkySafari, and found it worked well and was very responsive.
I used my Celestron CG-5 Equatorial mount at the Grand Canyon Star party this year, and my SkyProdigy mount when I travelled to Missouri for the solar eclipse. I haven't set my CG-5 mount back up yet, so that is why I decided to test the SkyBT with my SkyProdigy mount. At the GCSP, I used my Celestron SCT 8" with an Optec NextGen MAXfield 0.33X reducer with both my MC XT-828-II and DS2.3+ cameras. The SkyProdigy mount won't hold my C8, so for my test I used my Celestron SCT 5" with the NextGen 0.33x reducer and DS2.3+ USB camera (no filters). Not only is this an easy, portable setup with auto align, it turns out this was also a good combination for viewing.
The SkyBT runs on two AAA batteries (alkaline or rechargeable). You can also power it with a DC power adapter 4-9v @ 1 AMP (only use NiMH rechargeable batteries when externally powering the SkyBT). Push on the end of the SkyBT and swing the cover up to insert the batteries. Then push the cover back on the SkyBT.).
The SkyBT is smaller than the SkyFi device. Like the SkyFi, it connects to the mount hand control using a serial adapter cable.
After turning on your mount and performing an alignment, turn on the SkyBT by pressing the red button on the back until the green light begins flashing.
Turn on your Android tablet / phone and be sure Bluetooth is turned on. The first time you use SkyBT you will need to pair it to your Android device. Select Bluetooth from your Android settings screen and select the FireFlyBP-xxxx device (the last 4 characters vary by device). Enter 1234 for the pin when prompted to complete the pairing.
Start SkySafari on your Android device (be sure to get the version that supports telescope control). The first time you will need to set up your equipment by tapping on Setting from the bottom of the SkySafari screen. Scroll down and select Setup under the Telescope section. Set your Scope Type (e.g. Celestron NexStar GPS/SLT/SE) and Mount Type (e.g Alt-Az GoTo). Under Communication Settings, select Connect via Bluetooth. Now return to the main SkySafari screen and tap Scope at the bottom of the screen. Tap on Connect, and after a few seconds you should see it connect to your scope and display the area of the sky where your telescope is pointed. The yellow LED will flash showing SkySafari is communicating with your telescope mount.
Start SkySafari on your Android device (be sure to get the version that supports telescope control). The first time you will need to set up your equipment by tapping on Setting from the bottom of the SkySafari screen. Scroll down and select Setup under the Telescope section. Set your Scope Type (e.g. Celestron NexStar GPS/SLT/SE) and Mount Type (e.g Alt-Az GoTo). Under Communication Settings, select Connect via Bluetooth. Now return to the main SkySafari screen and tap Scope at the bottom of the screen. Tap on Connect, and after a few seconds you should see it connect to your scope and display the area of the sky where your telescope is pointed. The yellow LED will flash showing SkySafari is communicating with your telescope mount.
Now you can tap Search at the bottom of the SkySafari screen and select a target object. Tapping GoTo will slew the telescope to the selected target. You can use the left/right and up/down buttons on the side of the screen to make small position adjustments.
One night as it got cooler outside, I moved inside by using a 32ft (10m) USB3 active extension cable (with 5v power at the end near the telescope). The SkyBT performed fine at this distance with me inside as long as I did not get in the way of the BT signal. When I got in between the tablet and the direction of the telescope I lost connection, but was easily able to re-establish the connection when I moved out of the way. (When I use the tablet at the telescope, I do not have any connection problems due to where I am standing/sitting). It sure is nice to be inside when it is cold outside!
hen you are finished, press and hold the red buttion on the back of the SkyBT for 3 seconds to turn it off. The next time you turn on your SkyBT and Android tablet, all you need to do is run SkySafari and tap on Connect at the bottom of the SkySafari screen to automatically connect to your mount via Bluetooth.
After verifying my new SkyBT worked well with the Android tablet, I got side tracked having fun viewing with this setup. It provides a nice wide field of view and pretty good sensitivity. Here are some image captures (no post processing) with exposure set at 10 seconds. This is from my driveway at my house near a city where sky glow is an issue.
M11 Wild-Duck Cluster
After verifying my new SkyBT worked well with the Android tablet, I got side tracked having fun viewing with this setup. It provides a nice wide field of view and pretty good sensitivity. Here are some image captures (no post processing) with exposure set at 10 seconds. This is from my driveway at my house near a city where sky glow is an issue.
M11 Wild-Duck Cluster
M17 Swan Nebula
M45 Pleiades
M57 Ring Nebula
I was pleased with what I saw with my smaller 5" SCT scope and the DS3.2+ while using SkyBT and SkySafari to select and slew my telescope to various targets.
10/30/2017 Update
Simulation Curriculum also has a SkyFi 3 device that works over Wi-Fi with both iOS and Android devices. It cost more than the BT version, but SkyFi 3 can Wi-Fi enable Go-To telescopes with either a standard USB or serial interface, and it has a built in rechargeable battery.
I have received feedback that if you use the SkyBT when it is cold outside, you should consider using disposable Lithium batteries. The Energizer Ultimate Lithium specs claim they work from -40° F to 140°F, and have a 15 year shelf-life. You can buy these most anywhere now, and you can buy them in bulk through Amazon. When it gets cold, neither alkaline nor NiMH batteries last as long. Lithium batteries keep on working for hours, even in sub-freezing temperatures. You could also use external power, either a larger battery or AC powered adapter, provided you have rechargeable batteries inside the SkyBT.
And I have heard that using SkySafari running on a tablet is great for public outreach, especially with kids. They love seeing the ability to control the telescope mount with a tablet, particularly if you let them tap the GoTo button sometimes!
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