I have Guide 7.0, SkyPro 4.0, and Epoch 2000sk. For most of my work I use Guide
(and have since version 1.0). For finder charts and for my CCD work it meets
all of my needs easily. However, when I want 45 degree chunks of the sky I use
SkyPro 4.0. I rarely use the Epoch software.

Each of Guide and SkyPro have LX200 interfaces and these seem to work and work
well. Each has Telrad circles. For my use I find the Guide interface a bit
more intuitive (read better matches my thought processes) than SkyPro but that
is individual taste. I do not think people would make a mistake with either
package.


Ralph Pass

Mark Taylor wrote:

> (Posted to the "astro", "MAPUG", and "shallow-sky" mailing lists. Sorry
> for the duplication if you see this more than once, but I expect each
> group will have a different-but-relevant perspective on the issue.)
>
> First, I know it's only been shipping for a week or so, but has anyone
> out there tried "Guide 7" yet? Can you compare it to any other current
> packages?
>
> At the moment I'm waffling between Guide (which seems to be good
> at rendering nebulae and reasonable at Solar system modelling) and
> Starry Night Deluxe (which seems to excel at Solar system modelling
> and photo-realism, while lacking in areas like nebula outlines).
> Also, please let me know if my summaries of these products strengths
> and weaknesses are inaccurate in your opinion (and why).
>
> FWIW, I *think* I've already decided against Megastar (which seems to
> excel at database accuracy/cross-referencing), ECU, and SkyMap Pro for
> various reasons. And also against The Sky (level IV) mainly for price.
>
> Important features for my purposes: A easily-read, uncluttered display
> (with no "gaudy" rendering of star magnitudes); a reasonably deep and
> accurate object database; good rendering of extended object outlines;
> accurate modelling of solar system objects (including Jovian satellite
> and spot events, Lunar occultations, etc.); and control of an LX-200.
> (quite a small order, isn't it?!!!)
>
> I don't particularly care about it being a good observing planner/log
> or printing fancy star charts. Mainly I just want accurate ephemerides
> and visualization.
>
> Anyone with similar preferences out there? What do you use/like?
> Any other thoughts? TIA !!
>
> Mark

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