how accurate is android dishpointer software

[iwol]

hi all been playing with dishpointer on the android since it came out,never needed to really know how accurate it was ,but the sudden growth in my neighbours garden means i could do with knowing how accurate it is,im using it on my htc desire and the settings i use are as it was installed anyone got any comments plz ps a few pics taken at the lnb on my 1,2cm as this seems to be the best spot to roughly get the centre of the dish thanks guys

 

[Robbo]

I have it on the iPhone and I have a general feeling that the elevation line is pessimistic, as I also have an inclinometer (SAC NS1620 Professional Inclinometer + Compass), and the red line is usually lower than what the inclinometer tells me for a particular satellite.

 

[Llew]

Yes, I also have it on my iPhone, and find there's some position hysteresis before the satellite augmentation is steady. This happens as I wander around, but holding it as still as possible it seems accurate enough for my purposes as a hobbyist; I wouldn't trust it too much as a precision tool.

Also, keep away from steel poles or any other stuff that upsets the compass.

 

[rolfw]

I bought it for my android, but would have no confidence in it, prefer a minidish and meter to establish line of sight. It's a nice toy though.

 

[iwol]

thanks guys anything any more accurate

 

[Robbo]

Yes, as I mentioned above, an inclinometer. I have used it many times and it has always been accurate for elevation purposes.

I agree with Rolf, The app is a bit of a toy really, but I often use it when arriving on site to get a quick idea of which way I need to point the dish, in the absense of any dishes on other properties.

 

[iwol]

thanks robbo do you actually look through it or do you look down the side/top for the view plz

 

[iwol]

and how does the compass and inclinometer work as they are in the same plane plz

 

[Robbo]

You look into it to see the gauge with one eye, and you look at the sky with the other eye. You cannot look through it.

One end has a compass in it, the other end has the inclinometer. I don't like the compass on mine as I think that I must have got a dodgy one, because the compass 'sticks', so I use the compass on the iPhone instead, but mainly just to get a general direction.

 

[excollier]

I have used the app many times and it has not let me down yet.

 

[Robbo]

I don't trust it, but still like it.

 

[iwol]

the inclinometer comes with two eyepieces,what are they for plz

 

[Robbo]

You look into the eyepiece with one eye and you can see the gauge marks on the rims of the discs. You use your other eye to look at the sky. It is then possible to check whether there is an obstacle.

 

[rolfw]

Ah, didn't realise that model wasn't designed to be looked through, that explained why I could asee nothing when I tried one.

 

[PaulR]

You look into the eyepiece with one eye ... You use your other eye ...

So, no good for Gordon Brown then...

 

[Robbo]

Ha, Ha, no, both your eyes need to be looking in the same direction. It doesn't help much if one eye is closed either obviously, but your eyes adjust to it easily.

 

[iwol]

thanks robbo so can you use both the inclinometer and compass at the same time (sorry if this questions dumb )its just that ive just had another hour in the garden with dishpointer /inclinometer android and compass android and as you can see from my pics im getting close to losing 19e as well now,although ive got a 90cm dish on my wall i could use if i have too

 

[iwol]

Ah, didn't realise that model wasn't designed to be looked through, that explained why I could asee nothing when I tried one.

hi rolfw,so is there one made you can look through then

 

[iwol]

I bought it for my android, but would have no confidence in it, prefer a minidish and meter to establish line of sight. It's a nice toy though.

so would a mini dish pick up some signal from say 23e or 26e with a satlook micro although it wouldnt be a usable signal

 

[Robbo]

No, you can only use the compass or the inclinometer at once.