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Orion StarShoot
Congratulations on your purchase of the Orion StarShoot Compact Astro Tracker (CAT). This
palm-sized, high-precision camera tracking module is designed for long exposure astropho-
tography as well as daytime or nighttime time-lapse photography with a DSLR or mirrorless
camera. The StarShoot CAT houses a right ascension DC servo tracking motor with select-
able sidereal, solar, and lunar tracking rates. Its small size and light weight make it conve-
nient for taking with you to remote locations. It is Wi-Fi enabled and controlled wirelessly from
your smartphone or tablet with the free, downloadable Tracker Console App for Android and
iOS platforms. The StarShoot CAT is easy and fun to use, and will add a new dimension to
your photographic capabilities!
This instruction manual will help you set up, properly operate, and care for your tracker.
Please read the following text thoroughly before getting started.
A N E M P L O Y E E - O W N E D C O M P A N Y
Copyright © 2020 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars. All Rights Reserved. No part of this product instruction or any of its contents
may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of Orion Telescopes & Binoculars.
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Astro Tracker
#21192
* Nightscape Photography
* Long-Exposure Astrophotography
* Daytime and Nighttime Time-lapse Photography
Compact
™
Corporate Offices: 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville CA 95076 - USA
Toll Free USA & Canada: (800) 447-1001
International: +1(831) 763-7000
Customer Support: support@telescope.com
IN 631 08/19
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Table of Contents
Related Manuals for ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS StarShoot Compact Astro Tracker
Summary of Contents for ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS StarShoot Compact Astro Tracker
- Page 1 * Long-Exposure Astrophotography * Daytime and Nighttime Time-lapse Photography Congratulations on your purchase of the Orion StarShoot Compact Astro Tracker (CAT). This palm-sized, high-precision camera tracking module is designed for long exposure astropho- tography as well as daytime or nighttime time-lapse photography with a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Included Components Exposure Time-Lapse Operation ....5 The StarShoot Compact Astro Tracker basic kit includes the Using the Tracker Console App for Time-Lapse following components (Figure 1). -
Page 3: Optional Accessories
8. Optional Accessories The following optional accessories are available for use with the StarShoot CAT: A. Equatorial base (#4802) B. Declination bracket (#4803) C. Counterweight and shaft (#4804) D. DSLR control cable (SNAP) · Canon 3-pin plug (#4805) · Canon 1-pin plug (4808) ·... -
Page 4: Parts And Features Identification
Parts and Features Introduction Identification The StarShoot Compact Astro Tracker (CAT) is a compact, versatile camera tracking module that excels for taking long- SNAP Port: DSLR shutter control exposure night photographs and daytime or nighttime time- Setscrews Micro USB Port lapse videos. -
Page 5: Time-Lapse Photography With Starshoot Cat
Time-Lapse Photography with Power Off: Press and hold the PWR button for about 5 sec- onds to turn off the power. StarShoot CAT Reconnecting the Wi-Fi After a Time-out: In the absence of Wi-Fi traffic the StarShoot CAT’s internal Wi-Fi There are three different time-lapse modes to choose from with the StarShoot CAT: Regular-Exposure Time-Lapse, automatically shuts off and the green Wi-Fi indicator light goes... - Page 6 Orion BHM-13 Panoramic Ball Head Mount A ball head mount is the perfect camera mounting plat- form because it is easily adjustable, solid when tight- ened, and allows pointing of the camera in any desir- able direction. We recommend using the included Orion BHM-13 Panoramic Ball Head Mount with the StarShoot CAT for all photographic and time-lapse applications except possibly when using the Dec Bracket with its Dec...
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Page 7: Using The Tracker Console App For Time-Lapse Photography
Using the Tracker Console App for Time-Lapse Photography Now you are ready to start making time-lapse videos using the Tracker Console app on your smartphone or tablet. This section assumes that you have installed the app on your device. If you have not, please refer back to the section titled Downloading and Installing the Tracker Console App on page 4. -
Page 8: Time-Lapse Progress Screen
Video Length and set Photos directly, the app will calculate a Wi-Fi Off on Run: When enabled, StarShoot CAT will automat- new value for Video Length. ically turn off Wi-Fi at the start of a task to save power. Wi-Fi can be restored at any time by pressing and holding the power Exposure (Sec): Fixed at 0.5 seconds for Regular-Exposure button until the green LED Wi-Fi indicator light comes on. -
Page 9: Astro Time-Lapse Progress Screen
Way rising or a constellation moving across the sky. But in Tracking Rate: If you are making a time-lapse video of the those modes you are not tracking the sky – and the StarShoot Moon then select Lunar. Otherwise, select Sidereal. CAT is not polar aligned –... - Page 10 to record dim night sky objects. The second is the need to have Star trailing is caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis. the camera follow – or “track” – the sky during the exposure. It’s the same phenomenon that causes the Sun and Moon to appear to rise and move across the sky and then set every day.
- Page 11 enabled), or on the internet. The retighten the Altitude Remove the Tripod Mounting Disk from the back of the StarShoot CAT (refer to Figure 2). To do this you will Lock Handle. need to loosen the Mounting Disk Retaining Knob one Next, attach StarShoot CAT to the Dovetail Mounting full turn or so.
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Page 12: Using The Tracker Console App For Night Sky Photography
Installing the Battery in the Polar Scope Illuminator 1. Unthread the knurled battery compartment cap of the Illuminator. 2. Place the 3V CR-2032 lithium battery in the compart- ment, positive (+) side facing up. 3. Replace the battery compartment cap. Operating the Polar Scope Illuminator To turn the Illuminator on, rotate the brightness (MIN/MAX) dial until the red LED bulb lights up. -
Page 13: Reviewing The Settings Of The Tracker Console App
the camera incrementally, without bumping your gear out of Finder LED Auto-Off: alignment. After the selected delay the Polar View Finder Go to the Main Menu and tap on Manual Control. This will LED will automatically bring up the manual control arrows on either side of an angle turn off. -
Page 14: Network Troubleshooting
AP Mode Security: Select Open if no encryption is to be used. Otherwise, tap on the settings field and choose an encryption type from the list. Station Mode (STA): Choose this mode if you wish to have internet access while using StarShoot CAT, control StarShoot CAT via the internet, or to save battery power. -
Page 15: Appendix I. Polar Alignment
Appendix I. Polar Alignment In order to accurately track the movement of the night sky, the Little Dipper (in Ursa Minor) rotation of the camera must occur about an axis that is paral- lel to Earth’s rotational axis. Therefore, the two axes must be N.C.P. -
Page 16: Polar Alignment In The Southern Hemisphere
Attaching the Panoramic Ball Head Mount and Camera The Ball Head Mount will allow you to aim the camera at any area of the sky. Attach the Ball Head Adapter to the bottom of the Ball Head Mount by threading the adapter’s 3/8" post into the 3/8"... - Page 17 Attach the EQ Base to your tripod via the 3/8" mounting post. Then attach the StarShoot CAT to the EQ Base. Once the EQ Base is securely attached, align the tripod so that the Altitude Adjustment Knob on the EQ Base is facing south.
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Page 18: Appendix Ii. Calibration Of The Polar Axis Finder Scope
Appendix II. Calibration of the its support and no longer be adjustable. If this happens you will need to unscrew the eyepiece from the polar scope, manu- Polar Axis Finder Scope ally center the glass reticle as best you can, then reinsert the screw that had lost contact. -
Page 19: Appendix Iii. The Optional Equatorial Base
Allen screws to secure the reticle. Do not overtighten the Saddle lock knob 3/8" post Dovetail mounting screws or you may crack the glass reticle! plate Now reset the polar scope so “0” is up, and repeat steps 2 and 3. Note the location of your target relative to the crosshairs. - Page 20 equatorial mode. Use its adjustable clutch to make coarse movements, and its fine-tuning control knob to make incre- mental movements. The Dec Bracket is a must-have acces- sory if you are going to use the StarShoot CAT extensively for astrophotography. One great benefit of the Dec Bracket is that it allows polar align- ment with your camera already attached to the StarShoot CAT (Figure 32).
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Page 21: Appendix V. How To Restore Factory Wi-Fi Settings
Follow the steps below to update the firmware: Go to www.telescope.com and find the page for the StarShoot Compact Astro Tracker. Click on the Manuals & Videos link below the main product image, then click on “Motor Controller Firmware Loader” . You will need this... -
Page 22: Appendix Vii. Starshoot Cat Specifications
Appendix VII. StarShoot CAT Specifications Product Type Ultra compact tracking mount Regions Northern and Southern hemispheres Functions Astronomical tracking, Camera control, and Time-lapse video Tracking Modes Sidereal, 0.5x Sidereal, 2x Sidereal, Solar, Lunar, and Manual Payload Capacity Up to 6 lb. 10 oz. (3 kg) Wheel Gear 36mm dia., 72 teeth, aluminum alloy Worm Gear... - Page 24 One-Year Limited Warranty This Orion product is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a peri- od of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. During this warranty period Orion Telescopes & Binoculars will repair or replace, at Orion’s option, any warranted instrument that proves to be defec- tive, provided it is returned postage paid.
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