iOptron SkyHunter Portable EQ GOTO System Instruction Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. iOptron Manuals
  4. Accessories
  5. SkyHunter Portable EQ GOTO System
  6. Instruction manual

iOptron SkyHunter Portable EQ GOTO System Instruction Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
®
TM
iOptron
SkyHunter
Portable EQ/AZ GOTO System
Instruction Manual
Product #SHEQA, #SHEQ and #SHAZ
1

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the SkyHunter Portable EQ GOTO System and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for iOptron SkyHunter Portable EQ GOTO System

Summary of Contents for iOptron SkyHunter Portable EQ GOTO System

  • Page 1 ® iOptron SkyHunter Portable EQ/AZ GOTO System Instruction Manual Product #SHEQA, #SHEQ and #SHAZ...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Children should always have adult supervision while observing. Ver. 1.0 2022.07 iOptron reserves the rights to revise this instruction without notice. Actual color/contents/design/function may differ from those described in this instruction.

  • Page 3: Skyhunter Portable Eq/Az Goto Mount Overview

    It is the lightest and most compact full function portable goto mount in iOptron's exceptional history. Weighing in at only 2.9 lbs (including internal rechargeable battery), the SkyHunter is capable of supporting an 11 lbs payload in both equatorial and alt- azimuth modes.
  • Page 4  1.25" Stainless steel tripod (#3221)  Optional carbon fiber tripod (#8061)  Pier-extension (#8041)  One year limited warranty on mount, 90 day for battery...

  • Page 5: Skyhunter Tm Mount Assembly

    One Year Limited Warranty (90 day on battery) OPTIONAL PARTS  Carbon fiber tripod (#8061)  iGuider mini autoguiding system (#3360)  8410 hand controller ONLINE RESOURCES (click on the “Support” menu at www.iOptron.com)  Quick Start Guide  Instructional manual  Tips for set up ...

  • Page 6: Identification Of Parts

    2.2. Identification of Parts DEC Axis Dovetail Saddle iPolar DEC/ALT Clutch RA/AZI Clutch Knob RA Axis/Polar Axis CW Shaft CW Locking Screw ALT Adj. Screw Counterweight (CW) AZI Adj. Screws CW Shaft Safety Lock Pier Extension Tripod Figure 2 SkyHunter mount (EQ) assembly Bubble Level/iPolar Adapter CW Shaft Adapting Thread 2 DEC/ALT Clutch...

  • Page 7: Skyhunter Ports And Buttons

    2.3. SkyHunter Ports and Buttons Mount Status Battery Status Function Buttons Power Switch WiFi Reset Figure 4. Ports and buttons on a SkyHunter mount ① USB Port: MiniUSB port to charge the battery, power the mount and connect the mount to a computer.
  • Page 8 To set up a SkyHunter mount in EQ mode, an EQ base is needed. The EQ base has a 3/8” threaded hole. Attach it onto an iOptron #3221 tripod, #8041 extension pier, #8601 carbon fiber tripod or a camera tripod with a 3/8” mounting pole.
  • Page 9 Latitude Stopper Figure 7 Four (4) latitude position for the EQ base There are 4 threaded holes and a stopper screw on the EQ base. Move the stopper to the position reflecting your site latitude. The dovetail bar also acts as the RA clutch lock. Turn the dovetail bar counterclockwise (or hold the dovetail bar then turn the mount clockwise) to release the RA clutch.
  • Page 10 STEP 3. Adjust latitude Release EQ base Latitude Locking Lever, turn Latitude Adjustment Knob to adjust the latitude until the arrow points to the current latitude on the Latitude Scale. Tighten the locking lever. Turn the lever while pulling it outward to rest the lever at a position that does not interfere with the mount body. Latitude Scale Lat.
  • Page 11 Locking Lever Figure 12 Dovetail saddle and locking lever for telescope mounting Loosen RA and DEC clutches to balance the telescope. Insert a small screwdriver or an Allen wrench into the small hole on the mounting bar for added turning torque as shown in Figure 8. You may need more than one CW for heavier payload or large diameter scope.
  • Page 12 Alt. Adj. Knob Azi. Adj. Screws Figure 15 Polar alignment through Polar Sight Hole If an iPolar is installed, refer to the iPolar Operation Manual from iOptron’s website to perform the polar alignment (https://www.ioptron.com/v/manuals/3339_iPolarOperationManual.pdf) or steps briefly outlined below: • Download and install iPolar Software via iOptron website (Windows) or MacOS App store •...
  • Page 13 Figure 16 Attach a SkyHunter mount head onto a tripod for AA mode Adjust the tripod to level the mount by placing the bubble inside the middle circle. For a better result, check the bubble position while rotating the mount in azimuth and make sure it stays at the same place. Leveling is very important to the mount performance in AA mode.

  • Page 14: Skyhunter Tm Mount Assembly

    3. SkyHunter Mount Operation 3.1. Use mount control panel The mount control panel is located near the power switch. If the mount is set at EQ mode, the mount will be in tracking mode at a rate that is shown on the Mount Status Indicator when the mount is powered If your goal is only to take image of the sky and stars, set the tracking speed to 1X (celestial/sidereal tracking speed).

  • Page 15: Use Mount As A Tracking Mount

    Repeat the above one more time to switch from AA to EQ. When releasing the function button, one tracking speed LED will be on when in EQ mode. If there is ONE (any one) tracking speed LED on, the mount is in EQ mode (left). If NO LED is on, the mode is in AA mode (right).

  • Page 16: Control Skyhunter Mount Via Ioptron Commander Lite

    Commander Lite to adjust the RA and DEC. Then use Zero Position command to set the Zero Position. 3.4. Control SkyHunter Mount via iOptron Commander Lite The mount can be controlled by the iOptron Commander Lite app for GOTO and tracking. Turn the mount power on. Check your SmartPhone WIFI setting and connect to a WIFI device named SH_XXXXXX.

  • Page 17: Control Skyhunter Mount Using A Hand Controller

    Please refer to online Commander Lite Application Note for more detail. https://www.ioptron.com/v/ASCOM/iOptronCommanderLiteAppNote.pdf 3.5. Control SkyHunter Mount Using a Hand Controller ® A SkyHunter mount can be controlled by an optional Go2Nova 8410 hand controller. ® 3.5.1. Go2Nova 8410 Hand Controller ®...
  • Page 18 3.5.1.2. The LCD Screen The 8410 HC has a large 8-line, 21-character per line LCD screen. The user interface is simple and easy to learn. Figure 26. 8410 HC LCD Information Screen 1. Target Name/Mount Position: displays the name of the target that telescope is currently pointed to or the current mount position.
  • Page 19 13. Slew speed: The mount has 9 slew speeds: 1X, 2X, 8X, 16X, 64X, 128X, 256X, 512X, MAX(3.75°/sec). 14. Operation Mode: EQ indicates that the mount is operating in an equatorial mode, AA for altazimuth mode. 3.5.1.3. Install and Check the Hand Controller Battery The hand controller uses a button battery to keep the Real Time Clock running.

  • Page 20: Go2Nova 8410 Hand Controller Function

    ® 3.5.2. Go2Nova 8410 Hand Controller Function EQ and AA mode displays different MENU on LCD. Here lists all the functions in the 8410HC for a SkyHunter mount. 3.5.2.1. Slew to an Object Press MENU => “Select and Slew.” Select an object that you would like to observe and press the ENTER key.
  • Page 21 Enter R.A. DEC Here you can go to a target by entering its R.A. and DEC numbers. 3.5.2.2. Sync to Target This operation will match the telescope's current coordinates to Target Right Ascension and Declination. After slewing to an object, press MENU => “Sync to Target” => ENTER. Follow the screen to perform the sync.
  • Page 22 Select and Slew Sync. to Target Alignment Settings Park Telescope Edit User Objects Firmware Information Zero Position Press ENTER and select “Set Time and Site” Set Time and Site Beep Settings Display Settings Set Guiding Rates Set Tracking Rate Set Parking Position Meridian Treatment Set Altitude Limit Press ENTER.
  • Page 23 Do not manually add or subtract an hour from displayed time to reflect Daylight Saving Time (DST). Instead please select “Y” for DST when daylight saving time begins. Daylight Saving Time Daylight Saving Time UTC -300 Minute(s) 2014-03-09 10:19:18 Longitude:W071°08’50” Latitude: N42°30’32”...
  • Page 24 “On but Keyboard” – a beep will be heard only when the mount is slewing to the object or there is a warning message; “Always Off” – all sounds will be turned off, including the SUN warning message. Display Settings Press MENU =>...
  • Page 25 meridian if an object is close to the meridian, within the angle limit. There will be no meridian flip when pass the meridian. HC Heating Switch Turn on/off the controller LCD back heater. When “Heating ON” is selected, the heater will automatically be turned on when the ambient temperature reaches 0°C (32°F) and shut off at 10°C.
  • Page 26 The hand controller will display the parameter entry screen: Enter Comet Parameter Date: 0000-00-00.0000 q: 0.000000 e: 0.000000 ω: 000.0000 Ω: 000.0000 i: 000.0000 Enter the parameters using the arrow buttons and number keys. Press ENTER and a confirmation screen will be displayed. Press ENTER again to store the object under the assigned user object number, or press BACK button to cancel.

  • Page 27: Star Identifying Function

    3.6. Install iOptron iGuider There are two M3 threaded holes on the side of the dovetail saddle for mounting an iOptron mini autoguiding system, iGuider. Refer to iOptron website for more information on #3360.

  • Page 28: Maintenance And Servicing

    Customer Service hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Call in the U.S. 1.781.569.0200. In the unlikely event that the mount requires factory servicing or repairing, write or call iOptron Customer Service Department first to receive a 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 29: Appendix A. Technical Specifications

    Appendix A. Technical Specifications Mount Ultracompact GOTO EQ/AZ mount Payload* 11 lbs (5 kg), balanced Mount weight 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) with battery Structure Material Metal frame structure Motor drive Dual-axis DC servo motor with optical encoder Transmission Synchronous belt Tracking speed Solar, Lunar, Cel, ½...

  • Page 30: Appendix B. Go2Nova

    ® Appendix B. Go2Nova 8410 HC MENU STRUCTURE MENU Select and Slew Solar System Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Moon Deep Sky Objects Named Object Messier Catalog Caldwell Catalog Abell Catalog Herschel Catalog Stars Named Stars Double/Multi Stars SAO Catalog Comets Asteroids...
  • Page 31 Settings Set Time & Site Beep Settings Display Settings Set Guiding Rates Set Tracking Rate Set Parking Position Meridian Treatment Set Altitude Limit Enable CW Up Pos. HC Heating Switch Set Maximum Rate Switch to AA Mode Switch to EQ Mode Reset All Settings Language Park Telescope...

  • Page 32: Appendix C. Firmware Upgrade

    Appendix C. Firmware Upgrade The firmware of a SkyHunter and 8410 HC can be upgraded by a customer. It is only support Windows OS. Please check iOptron’s website, www.iOptron.com, under SkyHunter product page or Support Directory. If your optional 8410 hand controller does not show SkyHunter when connected to the mount,...

  • Page 33: Appendix D. Computer Control A Skyhunter Mount

    3. Planetarium software that supports ASCOM protocol. Follow software instructions to select the iOptron Telescope. Please refer to iOptron website, www.iOptron.com, under the product page, or Support Directory, Computer Control and iOptron Commander Driver for more detail. iOptron Commander 8.0 for Windows...

  • Page 34: Appendix E. Go2Nova Star List

    ® Appendix E. Go2Nova Star List Named Deep Sky Object 47 Tucanae 47 Integral Sign Galaxy Andromeda Galaxy 48 Iris Nebula Antennae Galaxies 49 Jellyfish Nebula Barnard's Galaxy 50 Jewel Box Cluster Bear-Paw Galaxy 51 Lagoon Nebula Beehive Cluster 52 Lambda Centauri Nebula Black Eye Galaxy 53 Large Magellanic Cloud Blinking Planetary...
  • Page 35 Messier Catalog This table is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article List of Messier objects...
  • Page 36 Named Star 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 37 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 38 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 39 Double/Multi Stars HC Item Constellation Name Rigel Kentaurus A Alpha Centauri Centaurus 71683 14396-6050 252838 Rigel Beta Orionis Orion 24436 05145-0812 131907 Gacrux Gamma Crucis Crux 61084 12312-5707 240019 Sargas Theta Scorpii Scorpius 86228 17373-4300 228201 Castor A Alpha Geminorum Gemini 36850 07346+3153 60198...
  • Page 40 HC Item Constellation Name 53 HIP 95771 Alpha Vulpeculae Vulpecula Anser 19287+2440 87261 54 HIP 30867 Beta Monocerotis Monoceros 06288-0702 133316 55 HIP 35363 NV Puppis Puppis 07183-3644 197824 56 HIP 94761 Gliese 752 Aquila Wolf 1055, Ross 652 19169+0510 57 HIP 21683 Sigma2 Tauri Taurus...
  • Page 41 HC Item Constellation Name 105 HIP 40167 Zeta1 Cancri Cancer Tegmen 08122+1739 97645 106 HIP 40817 Kappa Volantis Volans 08198-7131 256497 107 HIP 81292 17 Draconis Draco 16362+5255 30013 108 HIP 80197 Nu1 Coronae Borealis Corona Borealis 16224+3348 65257 109 HIP 88060 HD 163756 Sagittarius 17591-3015...
  • Page 42 HC Item Constellation Name 157 HIP 28790 HD 41742 Puppis 06047-4505 217706 158 HIP 4675 HD 5788 Andromeda 01001+4443 36832 159 HIP 31676 8 Lyncis Lynx 06377+6129 13897 160 HIP 10176 59 Andromedae Andromeda 02109+3902 55330 161 HIP 25950 HD 36408 Taurus 05322+1703 94630...

  • Page 43: Ioptron One Year Telescope, Mount, And Controller Warranty

    As a condition to the obligation of iOptron to repair or replace such product, the product must be returned to iOptron together with proof-of-purchase satisfactory to iOptron.

This manual is also suitable for:

Skyhunter portable az goto system

Table of Contents