Just saw a couple of ads for the Meade MySky, a gadget that looks too good to be true. Basically, it's a pistol-shaped device that you point at a celestial object and it IDs whatever your looking it. Moreover, it doubles as a GPS and aiming device for any(?) computerized Meade telescope - apparently even my older ETX 125. Amazon says it'll be available July 30, for $400.

I'm already lusting after this thing, but I'm wondering if there are more-informed opinions out there. I looked through the list of topics here and didn't see it mentioned; it's hard to believe no one here knows about it.

Anybody have any inside info, rumors or whatever?

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Beady's Corollary to Occam's Razor: "The likeliest explanation of any phenomenon is almost always the most boring."

I guess the real question is, which is better, the Celestron Sky Scout or the Meade MySky? They have approximately the same feature set and advertised capabilities.

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Todd (Bowie, MD, US, North America, Earth, Sol System, Vega region, Local Bubble, Orion arm, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Group, Virgo A Cluster, Virgo supercluster, the universe in which spock is clean shaven)

Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.

personal page: http://blog.astrosketches.info

I saw one at the Meade booth at this year's NEAF. From what I've heard, the Meade unit possesses some advantages.

Meade mySKY

I suppose a lot of amateur astronomers have no need for such expensive gadgets so these devices have not been a very hot topic of conversation.

Dave Mitsky

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Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

It might be a fun toy (and I like to play with fun toys as much as the next person), but really, what use is it?

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"I'm as accurate as any psychic. And I'm a cartoon!" -- Squidward

"Arrrgh, the laws of physics be a harsh mistress!" -- Bender