NavList:

Frank:

Re yours of 7 Nov 00:07, Black Boxes and the Rude Star Finder (2102-D), when I first acquired mine, I was, I suppose put off by the "brevity" of the instruction sheet that came with it, ending up putting it aside. Eventually I actually read the instruction sheet, transposing times, dates and such, Murphy was 110% correct, and found that the thing works, pretty much as advertized. Actually recognizing particular stars, in the field, is another matter.

In any event, I also puchased a booklet explaining the 2102-D, which notes, among other things, the following:
1. The 2102-D works, either wet or dry.
2. It requires no batteries.
3. It will usually survive being tossed across the cabin, bouncing off the opposite wall.
4. Re accuracy of 2102-D readings, as I recall, I read somethere that the "envelope" was 10 Degreees, 5 over-5 under.

Finally re "Gary corrected an error in Alan's calculation of LHA Aries of three minutes of arc (and both are calculating to TENTHS of a minute of arc). Needless to say, this device requires no such detailed accuracy in its setting. That's "black box" thinking right there. The altitudes and azimuths produced by the Rude Star Finder are nowhere near accurate enough for such small details. This ain't lunars! :-)". Touche. Despite such failings as might be intergral, the adoption of it by the Navy might have indicated that that mob had some idea of what it was doing. As with computers, if you want gospel out of the thing, you need to put gospel into it. Otherwise, despite their limitations, lots of buildings still standing, machines still runnig were, designed using the slide rule.

Alan

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