iOptron SmartStar MiniTower Pro Manuals

SmartStar® MiniTower ProTM Instruction Manual 2 Table of Content Table of Content ............................................................................................................................. 2 1. MiniTowerTM Overview.............................................................................................................. 4 1.1. MiniTowerTM Features ......................................................................................................... 4 1.2. MiniTowerTM Components .................................................................................................. 7 2. MiniTowerTM Assembly ............................................................................................................. 8 2.1. MiniTower Assembly .......................................................................................................... 8 2.2. OTA Mounting and Balancing........................................................................................... 10 2.3. Operate a MiniTower on Batteries ..................................................................................... 11 3. GOTONOVATM 8401 Hand Controller .................................................................................... 12 3.1. Key Description ................................................................................................................. 12 3.2. The LCD Screen ................................................................................................................ 13 3.3. Connection to a Computer ................................................................................................. 13 4. Getting Started .......................................................................................................................... 14 4.1. Level and Align the Mount ................................................................................................ 14 4.1.1. Level the Mount. ......................................................................................................... 14 4.1.2. Initial Positions ........................................................................................................... 14 4.2. Setting Up the Mount ......................................................................................................... 14 4.2.1. Set Up Time Zone ....................................................................................................... 15 4.2.2. Set Up Daylight Saving Time ..................................................................................... 16 4.2.3. Set Mount Type ........................................................................................................... 16 4.2.4. Set Anti-backlash ........................................................................................................ 16 4.2.5. Go to the Moon ........................................................................................................... 17 4.2.6. Initial Star Alignment ................................................................................................. 17 4.3. Turn Off the Mount ............................................................................................................ 17 5. Use the MiniTower ................................................................................................................... 17 5.1. Manual Operation of a Telescope ...................................................................................... 17 5.2. Slew to an Object ............................................................................................................... 18 5.2.1. Planets, Sun, Moon ..................................................................................................... 18 5.2.2. Deep sky objects ......................................................................................................... 18 5.2.3. Comets ........................................................................................................................ 18 5.2.4. Asteroids ..................................................................................................................... 18 5.2.5. Stars: ........................................................................................................................... 18 5.2.6. Constellations .............................................................................................................. 18 5.2.7. User Objects ................................................................................................................ 18 5.2.8. Enter R.A. DEC .......................................................................................................... 19 5.3. Sync to Target .................................................................................................................... 19 5.4. Electric Focuser ................................................................................................................. 19 5.5. Set Up Controller ............................................................................................................... 19 5.5.1. Set Up Local Time ...................................................................................................... 19 5.5.2. Set Up Site .................................................................................................................. 19 5.5.3. Set N/S Hemisphere .................................................................................................... 19 5.5.4. Set Display Contrast ................................................................................................... 19 5.5.5. Set Eyepiece Light ...................................................................................................... 19 5.5.6. Set Backlight ............................................................................................................... 19 3 5.5.7. Set Anti-backlash ........................................................................................................ 19 5.5.8. Set Key Beep............................................................................................................... 19 5.5.9. Set Mount Type ........................................................................................................... 19 5.5.10. Reset All.................................................................................................................... 19 5.5.11. Update Firmware ...................................................................................................... 20 5.5.12. Set gear ratio ............................................................................................................. 20 5.5.13. Set Language ............................................................................................................. 20 5.6. Align .................................................................................................................................. 20 5.6.1. One Star Align ............................................................................................................ 20 5.6.2. Two Star Align ............................................................................................................ 20 5.6.3. Three-Star Align ......................................................................................................... 20 5.6.4. Dis R.A axis error ....................................................................................................... 20 5.6.5. Test Anti-backlash ...................................................................................................... 20 5.6.6. Polaris Position ........................................................................................................... 20 5.7. PEC Option ........................................................................................................................ 20 5.8. Set Up Tracking ................................................................................................................. 21 5.9. User Objects ....................................................................................................................... 21 5.10. Auto Guide ....................................................................................................................... 21 5.11. Park Scope ....................................................................................................................... 21 5.12. To Park Position ............................................................................................................... 21 6. Maintenance and Servicing ....................................................................................................... 21 6.1. Maintenance ....................................................................................................................... 21 6.2. Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................. 21 6.3. iOptron Customer Service .................................................................................................. 22 Appendix A. Technical Specifications ......................................................................................... 23 Appendix B. GOTONOVATM 8401 HC MENU STRUCTURE .................................................. 24 Appendix C. GOTONOVATM Star List ........................................................................................ 26 Appendix D. Set Up USB-PC Connection ................................................................................... 31 Appendix E. Firmware Upgrade ................................................................................................... 38 Appendix F. Use a PC to Control an iOptron Mount ................................................................... 41 Appendix G. RS-232 Command Set ............................................................................................. 42 IOPTRON TWO YEAR TELESCOPE, MOUNT, AND CONTROLLER WARRANTY ........ 47 WARNING! NEVER USE A TELESCOPE TO LOOK AT THE SUN! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Children should always have adult supervision while observing. 1. MiniTower ProTM Overview 1.1. MiniTower ProTM Features MiniTower ProTM is the perfect combination of capacity and portability. 33 lbs of Payload Born out of the popular iOptron CubeTM, The MiniTower ProTM is the ultimate observing solution for people who are searching for a capable and portable GOTO telescope mount to counter light pollution in their backyards and for travel convenience. With a standard payload of 33 lbs, a rock solid 2” stainless steel tripod, metal worm and gear and two dovetail adaptors, The MiniTower ProTM is capable of handling various optical tube assemblies (OTAs). A 10-lbs counter weight and a secondary dovetail holder are provided for balancing an OTA weights more than 10 lbs, or for a secondary OTA. Figure 1. MiniTower Pro Mount and Tripod Extremely Portable With all the standard components (excluding the tripod) fitted in an aluminum alloy metal case, The MiniTower ProTM can easily travel in a car or taken as airline luggage. The system takes about 10 minutes to assemble. This unlimited portability combined with the internal GPS gives amateur astronomers real flexibility in selecting an observing site.