Celestron SkyScout

[radarredux]

This post would normally belong in the Astronomy forum, but see below...<br /><br />I saw the Celeston SkyScout on CNBC last week, and I thought it was really cool. It is basically a hand held device that you point at a bright object in the sky and the device will tell you what it is. Alternatively you can specify an object, and it will guide you to it (much like many telescopes, but this is hand held).<br /><br />The reason I am posting it here is because of this feature:<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>“Updatable Software and Data” – USB port included for periodic updates of the operating software, as well as the ability to download new data from celestial objects <font color="yellow">like the Space Shuttle or passing comets.</font>p><hr /></p></blockquote><br />For more information:<br />http://www.celestron.com/skyscout/no_flash.php?Flash=N<br />

 

[henryhallam]

Wow! That is a really cool device! What a great idea. I am a bit surprised that they went with GPS, strap-down accelerometers and solid state compass rather than a CCD and a big star database, but I suppose this way works better in poor seeing conditions. <br /><br />I dread to think how much it costs.. probably a few hours of multi time..

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">I dread to think how much it costs..</font>/i><br /><br />According to a CNN article on top items at CES, about $400.<br /><br />http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/ptech/01/06/ces.hot.five/index.html</i>

 

[henryhallam]

If you really shop around you might get 45mins (but that includes taxi, run-up etc). Then you have to pay about $30 per landing - including touch and goes.<br /><br />This place on the other hand: http://www.flyaviator.com/training/100multi.html doesn't look like much more than I paid to hire Annette's Cessna 152s.

 

[mooncheese]

SkyScout is now available for pre-order<br /><br />http://www.astronomics.com/Celestron-SkyScout