iOptron SmartEQ Pro Plus Instruction Manual
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iOptron SmartEQ Pro Plus Instruction Manual

Motor drives, portable german equatorial goto mount
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iOptron SmartEQ
Pro+
Portable German Equatorial GOTO Mount
Instruction Manual
Product 3200

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Summary of Contents for iOptron SmartEQ Pro Plus

  • Page 1 ® iOptron SmartEQ Pro+ Portable German Equatorial GOTO Mount Instruction Manual Product 3200...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Content Table of Content ..........................2 1. SmartEQ Mount Overview ......................4 2. SmartEQ Pro+ Terms ........................ 5 2.1. Parts List ..........................5 ® 2.2. Go2Nova 8408 Hand Controller ................... 6 2.2.1. Key Description ........................ 6 2.2.2. The LCD Screen ......................7 2.2.3.
  • Page 3 Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Children should always have adult supervision while observing. Rev.2.0 iOptron reserves the rights to revise this instruction without notice. Actual color/contents/design may differ from those described in this instruction.

  • Page 4: Smarteq Tm Mount Overview

    150,000 objects. It offers the ® next generation GOTO technology from iOptron. The Go2Nova Hand Controller is intuitive with a large LCD screen, with which you can easily set up your telescope and select where you want to navigate.

  • Page 5: Smarteq Tm Pro+ Terms

     StarFi WI-FI adapter (#8434)  RS232-RJ9 serial cable (#8412)  Additional 1 kg (2.2 lbs) counterweight (#3106-02)  Hard carrying case (#3280) ONLINE CONTENTS (www.iOptron.com)  Quick Start Guide  This manual  Accessories  Firmware upgrade (check online for latest version) ...

  • Page 6: Go2Nova ® 8408 Hand Controller

    HBX (Handbox) port: connect the HC to the SmartEQ mount using 6 pin RJ11 plug.  Serial port: connect the HC to a Computer via a RS232 to 4 pin 4 wire (4P4C) RJ-9 cable (iOptron item #8412). The pin out of the serial port is shown in Figure 2.

  • Page 7: The Lcd Screen

    2.2.2. The LCD Screen The 8408 HC has a large 4-line, 21-character per line LCD screen. The user interface is simple and easy to learn. When the mount first turned on, an initial information screen will be displayed as shown in Figure 3, after company logo and mount type are displayed.

  • Page 8: Check The Battery

    2.2.3. Check the Battery The hand controller has a real time clock (RTC) which should display the correct time every time the mount is turned on. If the time is incorrect, please check the battery inside the hand controller and replace it if needed.

  • Page 9: Smarteq Tm Pro+ Mount Assembly

    3. SmartEQ Pro+ Mount Assembly NOTE: The SmartEQ Pro+ mount is a precision astronomical instrument. It is highly recommended that you read the entire manual and become familiar with the nomenclature and function of all components before starting the assembly. STEP 1.
  • Page 10 Thread in the Latitude Adjustment Screw into the Adjustment Position (the upper threaded hole), a threaded hole above the Storage Position (Figure 9). Loosen the Latitude Clutch Screw and tune the Latitude Adjustment Screw to raise the mount altitude (latitude) to your current latitude as indicated on the Latitude Dial, as shown in Figure 10.
  • Page 11 Balance the mount in R.A. axis Release the R.A. Clutch and rotate the R.A. axis to place the DEC axis in the horizontal position. The OTA can be on either side. If the DEC axis stays in the horizontal position, it means the R.A. axis is balanced.
  • Page 12 Set Local Time Use the ◄ or ► key to move the cursor _ and use the number keys or ▲ or ▼ button to change the numbers of the date and time. The time is in 24 hour format. In order to make the Hand Controller reflect your correct local time, time zone information, or UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), has to be entered.
  • Page 13 In order for an equatorial mount to track properly, it has to be accurately polar aligned. The SmartEQ Pro+ had a built-in AccuAlign polar scope. You can do a fast and accurate polar axis alignment with iOptron’s Quick Polar Alignment procedure. Polar axis cover Polar axis (R.A. axis)
  • Page 14 on should be able to see the star cleared as well. If one cannot have both focused at the same time, please see Appendix for Polar Scope adjustment. (5) Slightly release R.A. Clutch Screw. Press the LFTT or RIGHT button on the hand controller to rotate the polar scope to align the 12 o’clock position of the dial on the top, as shown in Figure 17.
  • Page 15 STEP 9. Return Mount to Zero Position After polar alignment and balancing OTA, return the mount to Zero Position before performing Star Alignment. The Zero Position is the position with the CW shaft pointing toward the ground, OTA at the highest position with its axis parallel to the polar axis and the OTA pointing to the Celestial Pole.

  • Page 16: Getting Started

    4. Getting Started ® In order to experience the full GOTO capability of GOTONOVA technology it is very important to set up the mount correctly before observation. 4.1. Setup the Mount and Polar Alignment Assemble your SmartEQ Pro+ mount. Mount an OTA and accessories, and carefully balance the mount around the polar axis.

  • Page 17: Goto And Tracking Position Memorization

    4.6. GOTO and Tracking Position Memorization The SmartEQ Pro+ mount can memorize its R.A. and DEC positions if the mount loses its power by accident, even during high speed slewing. Just do a Select and Slew to the same star after the power is back.

  • Page 18: Complete Functions Of Go2Nova ® 8408 Hand Controller

    ® 5. Complete Functions of Go2Nova 8408 Hand Controller 5.1. Slew to an Object Press MENU => “Select and Slew.” Select an object that you would like to observe and press the ENTER key. ® The Go2Nova 8408 hand controller for SmartEQ Pro+ mount has a database of over 150,000 objects.

  • Page 19: Customer Objects

    5.3.1. Pole Star Position ® This function displays the position of the Pole Star for Quick Polar Alignment using the iOptron AccuAlign polar scope. In the Northern Hemisphere the position of Polaris is displayed, while in the Southern Hemisphere the position of Sigma Octantis is shown.

  • Page 20: Three Star Align

    after the mount slews to it. Press ENTER when finished. The hand controller will prompt you to choose a second star. After centering the second star, the two-star alignment is finished. After the two-star alignment, the altitude and azimuth errors will be displayed. This number can be used to fine tune the Quick Polar Alignment.

  • Page 21: Settings

    5.4. Settings 5.4.1. Set Time and Site Refer to STEP 7 in Section 3. 5.4.2. Set Beep The Hand Controller allows a user to turn off the beep partially, or even go to a silent mode. To change this setting press MENU => “Settings” => “Set Beep”, Set Up Time and Site Set Beep Set Display...

  • Page 22: Set Tracking Rate

    WARNING: DO NOT plug your ST-4 guiding camera cable into the HBX port. It may damage the mount or guiding camera electronics. 5.4.5. Set Tracking Rate You can set up the mount tracking rate by selecting “Set Tracking Rate”. Then the user can select “Sidereal Rate”, “Lunar Rate”, “Solar Rate”, “King Rate”, and “User Defined Speed”.

  • Page 23: Enter Other Objects Or Observation List

    Name Year ω Ω C/2012 S1 ISON 2013 28.7960 0.0125050 1.0000030 345.5088 295.7379 61.8570 Select “Add a New Comet” to add a new one: Add a New Comet Browse Comets Delete a Comet Clear All Comets The hand controller will display the parameter entry screen: Date: 2000-01-00.0000 q: 0.000000 e: 0.000000 ω: 000.0000 Ω: 000.0000...

  • Page 24: Firmware Information

    5.6. Firmware Information This option will display the mount type, firmware version information for the hand controller (HC) and main board, i.e. RA and DEC board which should be the same. 5.7. Zero Position 5.7.1. Goto Zero Position This moves your telescope to its Zero Position. This is the reference point for alignment and GoTo functions.

  • Page 25: Maintenance And Servicing

    Service Department. Customer Service hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. In the unlikely event that the mount requires factory servicing or repairing, write or call iOptron Customer Service Department first to receive an RMA# before returning the mount to the factory. Please provide details as to the nature of the problem as well as your name, address, e-mail address, purchase info and daytime telephone number.

  • Page 26: Appendix A. Technical Specifications

    Appendix A. Technical Specifications Mount German Equatorial Mount Payload 11 lbs (5kg), exclude counterweight Mount weight 6.2 lbs (2.8kg) Latitude adjustment range 0º ~ 65º Azimuth adjustment range ± 10º Right Ascension worm wheel Φ60mm, 120 teeth Declination worm wheel Φ60mm, 120 teeth Right Ascension axis shaft Φ25mm steel...

  • Page 27: Appendix B. Go2Nova ® 8408 Hc Menu Structure

    ® Appendix B. Go2Nova 8408 HC MENU STRUCTURE MENU Select and Slew Solar System Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Moon Deep Sky Objects Named Object Messier Catalog NGC Catalog IC Catalog UGC Catalog Caldwell Catalog Abell Catalog Herschel Catalog Stars Named Stars Binary Stars...
  • Page 28 Alignment Pole Star Position One Star Alignment Two Star Polar Align Three Star Alignment Polar Iterate Align Solar System Align Display Model Error Clear Alignment Data Settings Set Time and Site Set Beep Set Display Set Guiding Rate Set Tracking Rate Meridian Treatment Set Altitude Limit Set Eyepiece Light...

  • Page 29: Appendix C. Firmware Upgrade

    Appendix C. Firmware Upgrade ® The firmware of a Go2Nova 8408 hand controller and main control board can be upgraded by the customer. Please check iOptron’s website, http://www.iOptron.com, under Support > Firmware/Software for details.

  • Page 30: Appendix D. Computer Control An Smarteq Pro+ Mount

    Connect to a computer via RS232 serial port. A RS232-RJ9 cable (#8412) is needed. You may also need an optional RS232 to USB adapter (such as iOptron part #8435) if your computer does not have a serial port, like most of the laptops on the market today. Follow the adapter instructions to install the adapter driver.

  • Page 31: Appendix E. Go2Nova ® Star List

    ® Appendix E. Go2Nova Star List Messier Catalog This table is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article List of Messier objects...
  • Page 32 Named Star List Acamar Alrescha Deneb el Okab Lalande 21185 Achernar Alshain Deneb Kaitos Lesath Achird Altair Denebakrab Mahasim Acrab Altais Denebola Maia Acrux A Alterf Dschubba Marfik Acrux B Aludra Dubhe Marfikent Acubens Alula Australis Edasich Markab Adhafera Alula Borealis El Rehla Markeb Adhara...
  • Page 33 Proxima Centauri Sadalbari Sulafat Vindemiatrix Rasalas Sadalmelik Syrma Vrischika Rasalgethi Sadalsuud Talitha Wasat Rasalhague Sadr Tania Australis Wazn Rastaban Saiph Tania Borealis Regor Sargas Tarazed Wezen Regulus Scheat Taygeta Yed Posterior Rigel Schedar Tejat Posterior Yed Prior Rigel Kentaurus A Seginus Thuban Zaniah...
  • Page 34 Modern Constellations Constellation Abbreviation Constellation Abbreviation Andromeda Lacerta Antlia Apus Leo Minor Aquarius Lepus Aquila Libra Lupus Aries Lynx Auriga Lyra Boötes Mensa Caelum Microscopium Camelopardalis Monoceros Cancer Musca Canes Venatici Norma Canis Major Octans Canis Minor Ophiuchus Capricornus Orion Carina Pavo Cassiopeia...
  • Page 35 Deep Sky Object List ID No. OBJECT NGC # Messier# A(Abell) U(UGC) ID No. OBJECT NGC # Messier# A(Abell) U(UGC) Andromeda Galaxy Hind's Variable Nebula 1555 Barnards Galaxy 6822 Hubble's Variable Nebula 2261 Beehive Cluster 2632 Integral Sign Galaxy 3697 Blackeye Galaxy 4926 Jewel Box Cluster...
  • Page 36 Double/MultiStar List RigelKentaurus A HIP 95771 105 HIP 40167 157 HIP 28790 Rigel HIP 30867 106 HIP 40817 158 HIP 4675 Gacrux HIP 35363 107 HIP 81292 159 HIP 31676 Sargas HIP 94761 108 HIP 80197 160 HIP 10176 Castor A HIP 21683 109 HIP 88060 161 HIP 25950...

  • Page 37: Appendix D. Polar Scope Adjustment

    Appendix D. Polar Scope Adjustment Reticle Adj. Screws Eyepiece Objective Lens Locking Ring If you are suspecting that the polar scope may be misaligned to the mount R.A. axis, you may check it by putting a star in the center of the polar scope reticle cross hairs and rotating mount’s R.A. axis.

  • Page 38: Ioptron One Year Telescope, Mount, And Controller Warranty

    Parts or product for which replacement is made shall become the property of iOptron. The customer shall be responsible for all costs of transportation and insurance, both to and from the factory of iOptron, and shall be required to prepay such costs.

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