New iTelescope at New Mexico Skies - T02

[PMSchu]

Hi Greg,

I just received a notice from iTelescopes that they've got a new scope, T02 set up. It's a Takahashi 130mm with a single shot color camera. I haven't looked further into the specs, but I thought I'd let you know.

Phil S.

[theskyhound]

I'll have it ready for download soon. Hopefully tomorrow.

[phallam]

Hi Greg,
For info, according to SkyTools the camera on T02 is an SBIG STL-4000XCM, but according to Itelescope, it's a QHY268C (the OTA is correct though).
Regarsd... Paul

[theskyhound]

Hello,

I have a new version that uses the QHY268C, and I took some test images. I had trouble reconciling the field of view and put things on hold until I figured it out. All of my images were out of focus anyhow! I just now figured out that I was being stupid with the FOV. I'll upload the new scope later today after I do some final checks.

Look out, here comes a rant: I am rather disheartened with iTelescope these days. They have made promises to me that they haven't kept. For example, I have explained again and again how critical it is to know when the mirrors were last cleaned, but they act like they can't hear me. As a user, I am beyond frustrated with how infrequently their telescopes work properly. I liked T33 but it had sucky tracking, then they took it offline and with no notice. I don't know how anyone could use their scopes for anything beyond a pretty picture once in a while. You could easily start a project and discover the scope has stopped working or been unceremoniously removed from their system. I finally just gave up on T70 and T71 due to poor internet and other issues. I guess I should go back and see if they are working now so I can test them.

I had a long term project going on T24 that required timely monitoring and I haven't been able to get reliable data in a year and a half. It was a great telescope when I started using it... but they don't seem to be in any hurry at all to get it back online, which is driving me crazy. And when it does come online I doubt if it will work well for many months. They have a lot of my money and I can't seem to get much out of it. I spent a lot of time and money on my T24 project, and that is now going into the trash bin. It doesn't even have weather data available anymore!

[theskyhound]

I uploaded a new improved version of T02.

[phallam]

I uploaded a new improved version of T02.

Thanks for that!
I know what you mean about iTelescope, they do seem to have issues with a lot of telescopes lately and not just offline or out of service, I remember trying to use T24 last April-June and had several reservations not run for no apparent reason. Most frustrating! 
Let's see how I get on with T02 tonight... 

[theskyhound]

Good luck! I made a reservation on T2 later this month myself.