PushToCam vs FinderCam vs Messier

Updated on18May2024

These 2 apps can be used to guide you easily to your target but work in a very different way and have different requirements. They solve the problem for beginners to find night sky objects.

1. PushToCam - It does not need any phone to telescope holder. It also does not
need a phone camera to work. It only needs a way to attach the phone to the telescope in any orientation. A Velcro strap or a tie back can be used to secure the phone to the telescope. Similar to the SkEye android app and Starhopper web app, it uses a bright star to align the telescope to the sky model. It can be used in clear or light polluted environment. It uses iPhone compass, orientation, location and telescope alignment to guide the user to target. 
Pro: Phone can be attached to telescope in any orientation. User need not bend over awkwardly to use the phone. 

Method: Manual nearby star alignment. 

2. FinderCam -  It depends on phone camera to work. It needs a phone adapter and optional 90 degree phone lens. It is designed to work in place where there are only 1 or 2 stars visible in the sky. It automatically uses a bright star to align the telescope to the sky model in the app. It can work in city with light pollution and sky view blocked by buildings. It is suitable for window astronomy. It uses the iPhone compass, orientation, location, camera and nearby bright star to guide user to target. 

Pro: Works in light polluted place with blocked view of the sky. 

Method: Automatic nearby 1 star alignment.