Using SkyTools for Dark Nebulae – Any Tips?

[silverfish]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been exploring SkyTools lately and I’m particularly interested in planning observations of dark nebulae. While the software is excellent for emission and reflection nebulae, I find dark nebulae a bit more challenging, especially in terms of visibility prediction and field placement.
For example, when I planned a session for Barnard objects last month, the suggested observing windows looked fine on paper, but at the eyepiece the contrast was lower than I expected. I suspect this may be more sensitive to sky brightness and transparency than other object types.
So I’m wondering:

• How do you use SkyTools to optimize observing dark nebulae?
  
• Do you tweak the software’s magnitude/surface brightness settings, or do you rely more on personal field notes and star charts?
  
• Any recommended catalogues that integrate well with SkyTools for this purpose?
  

I’d love to hear your strategies, especially from those who have experience combining SkyTools planning with actual field results.
Clear skies,
Silverfish