Push-To Air User Manual

Firmware version: 1.x.x

Last Updated: April 9, 2025

Product Overview

Introduction

Push-To Air is a compact wireless Digital Setting Circles (DSC) device designed for Dobsonian and alt-azimuth mounts.
Instead of traditional physical encoders, it utilizes a gyroscope and a magnetometer to measure the telescope’s azimuth and altitude in real time.
Built on an ESP32 platform, it supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, ensuring excellent compatibility with SkySafari for easy star tracking and celestial navigation.
Its lightweight design allows for simple installation and removal, making it adaptable to various telescopes.
Push-To Air eliminates the constraints of wired devices, enhancing the freedom and convenience of stargazing.

Product Specifications

Item	Details
Product Name	Push-To Air
Model	PT-AIR-001
Supported Mount Types	- Altitude (vertical) & Azimuth (horizontal) Dobsonian, Alt-Az mounts - Not compatible with equatorial mounts
Type	Push-To Encoder (Manual Navigation System)
Connectivity	Bluetooth (Android only) / Wi-Fi (iOS/Android) * Note: Bluetooth is not supported on Android 12.
Power Input	5V 980mA, 12Wh Li-ion battery (with protection circuit)
Battery	12Wh Li-ion battery (with protection circuit)
Charging Method	USB-C (1A), Full charge in 4 hours
Operating Time	Over 10 hours
Casing & Brackets	- 3D-printed PETG-CF case - Aluminum adjustable mounting bracket
Mounting Options	Finder dovetail bracket, magnetic mount, strap mount, double-sided tape, etc.
Sensor Accuracy	- Altitude (Vertical) Accuracy: ±0.2° (dynamic), ±0.1° (static) - Azimuth (Horizontal) Accuracy: ±1.0° - Resolution: 8192 steps for both altitude and azimuth (simulated) - Note: Does not guarantee precision comparable to physical encoders
Dimensions	56mm × 76mm × 63mm
Weight	190g (including standard dovetail bracket)
OTA Firmware Updates	Supports Over-The-Air (OTA) updates via web browser and Wi-Fi

System Requirements

Compatible with SkySafari 6 Plus/Pro & 7 Plus/Pro (Paid versions required for Push-To functionality).

Package Contents

Push-To Air unit (with a built-in magnet in the finder dovetail bracket)
USB-C charging cable
Adjustable mounting bracket for Dobsonian telescopes (supports 4mm–25mm range)
Strap/Band bracket for mounting on refractors & compound telescopes (40mm width, 4mm thickness)
Double-sided tape mounting bracket
5-piece mini hex wrench set (1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm)
Protective TPU Cover (blocks LED light for dark adaptation)
Carrying pouch

ℹ️ The case and some components are **3D-printed (PETG-CF)**, while the fixed mounting bracket and finder dovetail base are made of aluminum. Design and included components may be subject to change.

Operation

POWER: Turns ON when the power switch is activated and a valid power source is supplied.

CHARGE: ON while charging, OFF when fully charged.

STATUS: ON during normal operation, OFF if an error occurs.

Push-To Air has a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Lithium-ion batteries can explode or cause fire if misused or defective.
Please carefully read and follow the safety guidelines below:

⚠️ Warning

Do not expose Push-To Air to extreme temperatures, including both high and low temperatures.
Do not leave Push-To Air in direct sunlight or inside enclosed spaces like a car, where it can overheat quickly.
Do not drop or apply strong impact to Push-To Air.

How to Use Push-To Air

Powering ON and Preparation

Mounting Push-To Air Horizontally

Attach Push-To Air horizontally in the middle of the telescope using a bubble level.
The closer it is to being level and centered on the rotation axis, the better the accuracy. However, since it is not a perfect encoder system, approximate leveling where the bubble is near the center is sufficient.

Connection Preparation

Turn on the switch, and PushToAir_XXXX should appear in available Bluetooth devices or Wi-Fi networks.
Choose either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection.

Bluetooth Connection

First, register PushToAir_XXXX in the Android Bluetooth settings.
ℹ️ Bluetooth connection is only supported on Android.

Wi-Fi Connection

Wireless Network Name (SSID): PushToAir_XXXX
Password: pushtoair
ℹ️ After connecting, disable Auo-Join to the wireless network.

SkySafari Setup Guide

⚠️ Push-To functionality is only available in the paid versions of SkySafari 6 Plus/Pro and 7 Plus/Pro (separate purchase required).

Telescope Preset and Connection

Adding and Configuring a Telescope Preset

Add or configure the telescope you want to connect to.
Multiple telescope presets can be added, allowing you to switch between different telescopes.
To add a preset: SkySafari ⇒ Menu ⇒ Settings ⇒ Telescope (Preset) ⇒ Add New

Connecting to a Telescope

Select the telescope from the preset list and connect to it.
To connect: Tap the “Telescope” option in the bottom menu bar on the main screen.

Enabling Telescope Display

SkySafari ⇒ Bottom Menu ⇒ Observe ⇒ Scope Display ⇒ Enable Telrad Circles

Recommended Telescope Preset Settings

Set up the following parameters in your telescope preset:

Mount Type: Alt-Az, Push-To
Scope Type: Basic Encoder System
Connection Method:
- Wi-Fi Connection:
  - IP Address: 10.0.0.1
  - Port Number: 4030
- Bluetooth Connection: Select PushToAir_XXXX from available devices
Time & Location: Off
RA/Azimuth (RA/Azm): +8192
Dec/Altitude (Dec/Alt): +8192
Get Automatically: Off

ℹ️ If the device is **mounted in a flipped or inverted position**, set the relevant direction to `-8192` (negative value). However, note that sensor accuracy may be affected by environmental factors in this case.

Connecting to the Telescope

Once a telescope preset is added and selected, you can proceed with the connection.

Tap the “Telescope” tab in the bottom menu bar to connect.
If the connection fails, verify Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity.
If disconnected, reconnect to the Push-To Air Wi-Fi network and retry connecting via SkySafari.

After a successful connection, moving the telescope will update the telescope’s position in SkySafari.

Now, you need to align the telescope by syncing its actual position with SkySafari’s displayed position.

Alignment: “Align” vs. “Restart Alignment”

Align: Used for initial one-star alignment or for two-star and three-star alignment.
Restart Alignment(Recommended): Ignores the previous alignment and starts a new first alignment.

The sensor has an accuracy of approximately 1 degree, and errors can accumulate when the telescope is moved over long distances.
To reduce these errors, perform a Restart Alignment (one-star alignment) using a bright star near the object you want to observe.
This minimizes the sensor’s travel distance and improves overall accuracy.

If you move to a different constellation or a distant part of the sky, it is recommended to perform another Restart Alignment using a bright star in that region. By following this method, you can accurately locate celestial objects even at high magnification.

After selecting the object you want to observe, press the “Push To” button.
SkySafari will guide you with directional arrows showing where to move the telescope.
If the arrows disappear, simply press the “Push To” button again to bring them back.

SkySafari Bluetooth Setup on Android (With Images)

Add Telescope Preset for Bluetooth Connection

Select Basic Encoder System and Alt-Az, Push-To

Select Device to Connect via Bluetooth

Set Encoder Steps to +8192, turn off "Get Automatically", then save the preset.

Connect Using the Added Preset

Initial Alignment (Select a celestial object that has been centered in the eyepiece — for example, Polaris)

"Restart Alignment" with a Different Celestial Object

Push To

SkySafari Wi-Fi Setup on iOS (With Images)

Connect to the Push-To Air access point via Wi-Fi
SSID: PushToAir_XXXX, Password: pushtoair

Add Telescope Preset for Wi-Fi Connection

Select Alt-Az, Push-To and Basic Encoder System

Set the IP Address to 10.0.0.1 and the Port Number to 4030.
Set Encoder Steps to +8192, turn off "Get Automatically", and then save the preset.