GyroAssist

Version 9 of SkEye introduces a new feature called GyroAssist. When enabled, SkEye will use the gyroscope to calculate the real time pointing in aligned mode. The error prone IMU sensors (such as magnetometer) are only used for initial bootstrapping of the alignment.

The feature is enabled by default whenever the gyroscope is available. It can be turned off with a simple toggle button. When off, the older alignment system, that uses IMU sensors, kicks in.

The Gyroscope is more accurate than other IMU sensors over a short period of time (ranging from a minute to twenty minutes).

Alignment procedure

While the alignment procedure remains the same as before, the "style" of alignments needs to be a little different when using GyroAssist.

The Gyroscope is accurate only for short durations of time, ranging from a minute to about 20 minutes.

Hence, to make the most of this feature, you need to find the target quickly after an alignment. In case a lot of time elapses from the previous alignment, it is advisable to add a new alignment to a star nearby your target, before hopping to the target.