Your Dobsonian + an IDOL Kit with Nexus + Input device = 21st Century Object Location !
 Your Dobsonian + an IDOL Kit with Nexus + Input device = 21st Century Object Location !
PLEASE NOTE
These IDOL fitting kits are temporarily unavailable, but please do enquire as to possible future availability !
IDOL Dobsonian kits
Our IDOL kits contain absolutely everything needed to equip your Dobsonian telescope with the latest in 21st century object location incorporating Nexus, they come with full photo instructions and are designed for easy DIY installation.
We use only the most appropriate corrosion proof materials. Stainless steel nuts, bolts, washers and screws, nylon bushes, aluminium alloy tangent arms, and machined brass or aluminium couplers for you to fit IDOL, and the latest & most accurate 10,000 step optical encoders to drive Nexus.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL OF OUR KITS CAN BE SHIPPED ANYWHERE IN EUROPE - Non UK customers please email us for shipping costs before ordering.
VERY Important Note :
The Standard IDOL fitting kits require an absolute minimum of 2 .5 inches clearance between the lowest point i.e. rear of the mirror box/ mirror cell and the base board of the mount when the OTA is rotated from the vertical. Clearance of less than this will result in contact and expensive damage to the Az encoder.
If your mount does not have this clearance, you should order our optional Lo profile IDOL kits which only require a minimum of 1.5 inches clearance, as the modified Az bolt passes directly through the optical encoder body which is mounted on a base plate in these kits, rather than mounting onto an encoder shaft via a coupling (£20 supplement) .
You will be able to select either a Standard or Lo Profile kit on the order page.
GENERIC IDOL KITS
Our Generic IDOL kits are suitable for mounting on classic type all wood Dobsonians, eg David Lukehurst, Obsession, Dark Sky, etc where the Alt encoder coupler may be essentially mounted directly to the centre axis of the Alt bearing.
Alloy tangent arms Alt = 340mm and Az = 200mm are supplied as standard but the kits can be supplied with Alt/Az tangent arms of any length from 150mm to 450mm on request, to suit the size of your telescope.
CUSTOM TAILORED IDOL KITS
We also make Custom tailored kits intended for commercially made Dobsonians, and each Kit is individually produced to the sizes needed for the specific make, design and size of your Dobsonian and mount , e.g. Meade Lightbridge 10", 12", 16" , UK-Orion, 8", 20", 12", 14", 16", etc, etc. for the ultimate easy fitting DIY experience. We will contact you to request the exact details of your telescope and ask you to verify several measurements for us on your mount when you have placed your order, as manufacturers update their mounts from time to time . We will then tailor a kit to your exact mount dimensions for you .
PLEASE NOTE These IDOL fitting kits are temporarily unavailable, but please do enquire as to possible future availability ! Please select your IDOL Kit below, depending on your Dobsonian type :
You can select either a Standard or Lo Profile Az encoder kit on the order page
Assuming that you already have a suitable interface device :
IDOL Kit No1 Generic - Using your existing input device : #
Nexus wireless device + 2x10,000 step Encoders + all cables + Generic## Dobsonian hardware mounting kit, suitable for classic wooden Dobsonians.
£430 + £10 packing & delivery , full details below, to order Click HERE
IDOL Kit No2 Custom Tailored- Using your existing input device : #
Nexus wireless device + 2x10,000 step Optical Encoders + all cables + Custom tailored## Dobsonian hardware mounting kit, manufactured to fit your specific scope.
£455 + £10 packing & delivery, full details below, to order Click HERE
# Nexus and IDOL work with most astronomy software running on i-Phone, i-Pad, i-Pod touch, Apple MAC Computers & laptops, Android smartphones & Android ARM processor based tablets ( must be able to act as a WiFi hotspot) , and Windows based tablets, PCs and laptops.
We recommend SkySafari3-plus, as we feel it is the most up to date, accurate and represents the best value for money. ## The Generic IDOL kits are suitable for mounting on classic all wood Dobsonians, eg David Lukehurst, Obsession, Dark Sky, etc where the Alt encoder coupler may be essentially mounted directly to the centre axis of the Alt bearing,
Alt = 340mm and Az = 200mm tangent arms are supplied as standard but the kits can be supplied with Alt/Az tangent arms of any length from 150mm to 450mm on request, to suit the size of your telescope.
The Custom tailored kits are intended for commercially made Dobsonians, and each Kit is individually produced to the sizes needed for the specific make, design and size of your Dobsonian, e.g. Meade Lightbridge 10", 12", 16" , UK-Orion, 8", 20", 12", 14", 16", etc, etc. for the ultimate easy fitting experience. We will contact you to request the exact details of your telescope and ask you to verify several measurements for us on your mount when you place your order, as manufacturers update thier mounts from time to time .
You can select either a Standard or Lo Profile Az encoder kit on the order page
All of our IDOL kits contain everything you need including :
A full hardware package : aluminium alloy tangent arms ( and cross mount arms if needed ), quick release Alt hand wheel, replacement Az bolt, encoder couplers, all nylon spacers, cable locators, and all nuts, bolts, washers and screws required to fit, in stainless steel. Full photo illustrated fitting instructions.
The Nexus multi-function wireless device including a serial interface cable ( for connection to a GoTo scope if required ), a12v adapter cable, mounting bracket, and handbook.
A pair of Encoders , the latest 10,000 step per revolution optical sensor encoders (accurate to 1/30th of one degree), the necessary cable(s) to connect the encoders to the Nexus device, and a quick detach plug system for the Alt encoder, to allow the OTA to be dismounted easily from the mount if required for transport and storage.
Please Note : With IDOL, Nexus and our encoders we strongly recommend you use a 12v power supply, as although Nexus will run happily from an internal PP3 9v battery, the optical encoders draw significant current, leading to a battery life of about an hour in comparison to the 4-6 hours battery life for a pp3 which is seen with a powered GoTo system.
The most cost effective and convenient way to power IDOL & Nexus is a rechargeable 12v lead acid battery.
Fortunately you don't need a big and expensive powertank , as a small sealed 5 - 7amp battery designed for fire alarm and burglar alarm backup will last many hours between charges. These are available on eBay for about £12. Or you can use an extension cable to a 12v car socket when at star parties etc.
Shipping of our IDOL Kits is normally a maximum of 10-15 working days after receiving your paid order ( generic kits) , and verifying the exact details of your telescope and mount dimensions with you for custom kits .
Occasionally some custom kits may take a little longer, but we will always keep you informed by eMail if this is the case.
IMAGE GALLERY
  Mirror cell must clear Az encoder Std kit = 2.5 inches MININUM needed
 
 Nexus and IDOL mounted on a 16 inch UK-Orion Dobsonian with a standard
height custom mounting Kit and Az coupling .
 The optional Lo Profile Az encoder kit only
requires 1.5 inches clearance as the Az bolt
passes through the encoder itself.
PLEASE NOTE These IDOL fitting kits are temporarily unavailable, but please do enquire as to possible future availability ! |
 | |
Order your platform now |
IDOL kits - Intelligence Driven Object Location for YOUR Dob |