DishPointer Augmented Reality, iPhone Satellite Finder

[compufunk]

If I owned an iPhone I'd definitely consider adding this application.

[video=youtube;5AFtcgYRcu4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AFtcgYRcu4&feature=player_embedded[/video]

Possibly a fake, I've not found any other sources on this yet.

 

[Robbo]

It's not a fake, not used it myself, as I have no iphone, but I know of someone that does.

 

[mattsnapper]

Ive got one on my iphone

The first time I used it, I found out that moving one dish at one end of the garden about 2 feet west that I got access to another 3 sats above a neighbours tree

 

[compufunk]

Thanks for confirming its authenticity guys. Its an interesting application of the technology thats available these days.

 

[A.H.Arshad]

great info from where i can get it from pakistan

 

[rolfw]

great info from where i can get it from pakistan

I would guess the online iPhone app store.

Regarding the app, it is a good guide to lines of sight, but like the dishpointer itself, to accurately align a dish, you cannot compete with a meter, or using the measuring tools in the receiver. I would not make a decision on a difficult mounting location for a motorised dish, just using this tool, I would want to corroborate the findings with my meter.;)

 

[satelliteman]

Ditto that Rolf

 

[PaulR]

I may be wrong but I think I've read that only the latest iPhone can host this app. Can anyone confirm?

Mattsnapper, how much did the app cost?

 

[PaulR]

Just been to the Dishpointer web site and info there says that it's available for your Android phone as well. There are plans to port it to the Blackbery and Palm.

 

[Llew]

Just put this this app on my iPhone 3GS, see if it was worth the fiver it cost. Will give it a try tomorrow (just for fun, don't intend moving any dishes -yet )

 

[Llew]

A tryout this morning. Some delay between pointing and the arc over the camera shot settling down. Not helped having frozen fingers manipulating the weeny iPhone buttons.

Haven't worked out yet how to show all the satellites in the arc - many aren't shown when taking the pics.

Pic 003 is about my western limit, nothing viewable on that one of course, beam is in the Amazonas.

Pic 004 is about my limit to the east.

Pic 005 was where I originally sited my dish, no 30W, so needed an extra fixed one for when there were plenty of channels open.

 

[compufunk]

So did you think the positions fairly accurate as a guide?

 

[Llew]

I'd have to take the shots as close as possible to my motorised dish's LNB to be sure it showed a reasonably accurate picture of the arc as seen from my dish, but I would need to get the ladder out. I just shinned up onto the garage roof a few feet away.

Later I'll try nearer, although the compass in the iPhone doesn't take too kindly to being close to the dish metalwork.

 

[iwol]

how accurate is this please

 

[Llew]

I would guess it's reasonably accurate as a rough guide for finding 'blind spots' and your extreme ends of the visible arc - providing your survey is done before installing a dish,as, as I mentioned, placing it near an existing dish can confuse the compass bearing.

 

[iwol]

thanks llew

 

[iwol]

see this app also works on an android phone(cheaper than iphone),but does anyone know which android phone it works on please

 

[PaulR]

Best help I can give is the link to Dishpointer's blog on the subject. If you don't find the answer you want you can post a question and (hopefully!) they'll get back to you.

If you find out anything interesting can you post back here please?

_http://www.dishpointer.com/2009/android-app-released/