Seeking Information / Opinions

I've been reading through a site called planetariumsoftware.htm, looking for an application I can not only use effectively, but can run my scope with.

The two I'm most interested in at this time are "Winstars" and "HnSky". I'm currently using Starry Night Pro 4.5.

I like Starry Night, but it would be nice to know if I can get as good of quality without spending alot of money. In fact, these two other apps are free.

I'm seeking opinions/comments from anyone who has used or is using either Winstars or HnSky. Overall thoughts, problems, does it run a scope accurately, etc..

Any input is helpful. I would have posted this in the Software Forum, but it's rather empty at this time.

Thanks and clear skies.

David Eccles

David,

Cartes du Ciel http://www.stargazing.net/astropc belongs to the best of them - and is free. Winstars is nice for a quick look. HNSky plots better charts than CdC where you can finely tune star density and size - the only feature I miss in CdC.

I have no experience in controlling telescopes, but they all should be fine.

Dmitri