2022-08-29, 05:32 PM
Hello,
I recently released six new videos for SkyTools Visual Real Time. The Real Time tool is meant to be used out in the field, at the telescope. Its purpose is to make observing simple and efficient. You may be surprised how easy it is to use once you get used to the idea, and especially how well the on-screen finder charts work.
I have spent the last year working on improving and simplifying the Real Time tool in many small ways, in both the Best Now and Sky Tour modes. If you have tried this tool and got lost, became frustrated, or ran into bugs, now is the time to give it another try.
Why six videos? Real Time is meant to be used at the telescope, but people observe in many different ways. The three main ways to observe with SkyTools at the telescope are: a GOTO telescope connected to SkyTools, Digital Settings Circles, and using on-screen finder charts.
Real Time also has two different modes: Best Now and Sky Tour. To cover each of these combinations requires six different videos.
The idea is to find the workflow video for the mode you want to use that matches how you observe most closely and then watch that video. It will take you through the process of building an observing list meant for a use on a specific night, and then using that list in the Real Time tool.
What is the difference between the two modes?
The Best Now mode allows the most flexibility. It presents a list of objects sorted such that the best ones to observe right now are sorted to the top. Using this mode can be as simple as pressing the Enter key on your laptop/tablet every time you are ready for a new object.
The Sky Tour mode is the most efficient way to observe, and is best for when you are doing a large project, such as observing all of the objects for an AL award, and is also useful for attempting a Messier Marathon.
The tutorial videos are here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...klh_SrnQzr
There is a new tutorial that describes how to get the most of out Night Vision mode coming soon, and I hope to release a quick tip video once per week thereafter, alternating between SkyTools Visual, and SkyTools Imaging.
Let me know what you think, and what video tutorials you would like to see next, and be sure to ask any questions you may have!
I recently released six new videos for SkyTools Visual Real Time. The Real Time tool is meant to be used out in the field, at the telescope. Its purpose is to make observing simple and efficient. You may be surprised how easy it is to use once you get used to the idea, and especially how well the on-screen finder charts work.
I have spent the last year working on improving and simplifying the Real Time tool in many small ways, in both the Best Now and Sky Tour modes. If you have tried this tool and got lost, became frustrated, or ran into bugs, now is the time to give it another try.
Why six videos? Real Time is meant to be used at the telescope, but people observe in many different ways. The three main ways to observe with SkyTools at the telescope are: a GOTO telescope connected to SkyTools, Digital Settings Circles, and using on-screen finder charts.
Real Time also has two different modes: Best Now and Sky Tour. To cover each of these combinations requires six different videos.
The idea is to find the workflow video for the mode you want to use that matches how you observe most closely and then watch that video. It will take you through the process of building an observing list meant for a use on a specific night, and then using that list in the Real Time tool.
What is the difference between the two modes?
The Best Now mode allows the most flexibility. It presents a list of objects sorted such that the best ones to observe right now are sorted to the top. Using this mode can be as simple as pressing the Enter key on your laptop/tablet every time you are ready for a new object.
The Sky Tour mode is the most efficient way to observe, and is best for when you are doing a large project, such as observing all of the objects for an AL award, and is also useful for attempting a Messier Marathon.
The tutorial videos are here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...klh_SrnQzr
There is a new tutorial that describes how to get the most of out Night Vision mode coming soon, and I hope to release a quick tip video once per week thereafter, alternating between SkyTools Visual, and SkyTools Imaging.
Let me know what you think, and what video tutorials you would like to see next, and be sure to ask any questions you may have!
Clear skies,
Greg
Head Dude at Skyhound
Greg
Head Dude at Skyhound