Now with Android support, and a built-in lithium-ion battery for up to 12 hours of usage!
Overview
SkyFi III is our WiFi-to-Serial adapter, designed for wireless telescope control. If you have a computer-controlled GoTo telescope, SkyFi III can use the WiFi capabilities built into your computer and your iOS or Android device to point your telescope in the sky. SkyFi III is the only WiFi device on the market specifically designed for telescope control, and it now includes a built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery for up to 12 hours of field use!
SkyFi III includes both USB and serial ports - this means that it can control the latest USB-only telescopes from Meade as well as other telescopes with RS-232 serial interfaces.
What's included
SkyFi III is very compact, barely larger than an iPhone. It can be easily attached to your telescope's mount or tripod; a Velcro belt is included for that purpose.
How it works
Once powered on, SkyFi III creates its own 802.11 wireless network. By default, this is an open wireless network called "SkyFi", but you can rename and secure it later on. Join this network from your mobile device, laptop, or other computer, and - voila! - you're ready to use SkyFi III. As long as your computer or mobile device gets its IP address by DHCP, no additional network configuration is required.
Use your existing telescope serial cable and plug directly into SkyFi III - you don't need to buy (or build!) another. If you don't already have one for your telescope, see here for our selection.
Finally, you'll also need a telescope control application running on your computer or mobile device. SkyFi III works seamlessly with our SkySafari apps for iOS and Android devices, our SkySafari software running on Mac OS X, and our Starry Night software on Mac and via Virtual Serial Port on Windows.
Telescope CompatibilitySkyFi III can wirelessly enable almost any telescope with a standard USB or RS-232 serial port. interface. Models that have been tested and are known to work with SkyFi III include:Meade LX-200 Classic and GPSMeade LX-90, ETX, LXD, LX-400 ACF with AutoStar #497 controllersCelestron NexStar 5i/8i, GPS, SLT, SECelestron CG5, CGE, CGEM, CPCOrion Sirius, Atlas, SkyView Pro, SkyQuest XTgSkyWatcher mounts with SynScan controllersIf your Meade ETX has the AutoStar 494, change it out with the 497 (which has a serial port)The only models that do not work with SkyFi III are those that have neither USB nor RS-232 serial ports. Such models include:Vixen mounts with StarBook controllersThe Vixen StarBook controller uses an ethernet interface, which is also physically incompatible with SkyFi III. However, you can use an Apple AirPort Express (or other wireless router) to control the StarBook from our SkySafari iPhone app. This document from Vixen explains how. You also need to configure SkySafari to communicate with the StarBook controller at 169.254.1.1 on port 80.WarrantySimulation Curriculum offers a 1-year limited warranty on all SkyFi III units purchased directly from us or an authorized reseller.
