Celestron in new Partnership

Celestron are going to market an interesting new device called the SkyScout in January 2006. See:
www.gizmag.co.uk/go/4379/

It's being developed by Yamcon, an Irvine based company and guess what other Irvine based company tried to throw a spanner in the works. Yes, that's right, Meade. It tried to make out that the technology infringed a patent it held but lost. I bet Celestron bosses enjoyed that victory! See:
www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Ac...00089374&start=1

Gordon

Interesting. I'm curious to see how it'll work in practice.

Interesting. I'm curious to see how it'll work in practice.

Given that its only designed for naked eye objects in primarily hand held devices I wouldn't expect it to be that accurate. It'll be fine for the toys that its designed for, but its not going to replace polar alignment, or the various multiple star align techniques of the controlers on scopes. Assuming it can get accurate enough for naked eye objects, most of whom would be at least a degree apart, I doubt that the gravitational and magnetic sensors are any more accurate than that.

Still, nice to see Celestron making product announcements after the Synta takeover.