iOptron C261A1 Instruction Manual

Center balanced equatorial mount

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iOptron

CEM26 Center Balanced Equatorial Mount

Instruction Manual

Product CEM26 and CEM26EC

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Summary of Contents for iOptron C261A1

Page 1 ® iOptron CEM26 Center Balanced Equatorial Mount Instruction Manual Product CEM26 and CEM26EC...
Page 2 You must hold the mount firmly when disengaging or adjusting the gear switches. Otherwise personal injury and/or equipment damage may occur. Any worm system damage due to improper gear meshing/slippage will not be covered by iOptron’s limited warranty. If you have any questions please contact us at support@ioptron.com...
Page 3 Table of Content Table of Content ..............................3 1. CEM26 Overview ............................5 2. CEM26 Terms ..............................6 2.1. Parts List ..............................6 2.2. Identification of Parts ..........................7 2.3. CEM26 Port ............................. 8 ® 2.4. Go2Nova 8409 Hand Controller ......................8 2.4.1.
Page 4 Appendix F. Go2Nova Star List ........................40 IOPTRON TWO YEAR TELESCOPE, MOUNT, AND CONTROLLER WARRANTY ......49 Ver. 1.2 2021.4 iOptron reserves the rights to revise this instruction without notice. Actual color/contents/design/function may differ from those described in this instruction.
Page 5 The iPolar ensures the accurate alignment of a telescope, even when the pole star is obscured. The iOptron CEM26 mount uses the new Go2Nova® 8409 hand controller to navigate the night sky. This incredible technology helps observers find celestial objects with the aid of the mount's 212,000+ object database! For those looking for a telescope that has the capability of tracking and finding beautiful night sky objects, this mount is a must have tool.
Page 6 OPTIONAL PARTS  External GPS module (#8438)  iGuider 1 mini autoguiding system (#3360)  Hard case (#C268) ONLINE RESOURCES (click on the “Support” menu at www.iOptron.com)  Quick Start Guide  Instructional manual  Tips for set up ...
Page 7 2.2. Identification of Parts RA gear switch Polar axis cover Dovetail saddle CW mounting housing DEC gear switch Counterweight Alt. adj. knob Az. adj. knob CW bar Azi. locking screw CW safety screw Tripod Alignment Peg Accessory Tray Tray Locking Knob Figure 1.CEM26 mount assembly...
Page 8 DEC: Connect the DEC drive unit to RA unit via RJ11 cable  iPORT: Auxiliary port for connecting to other iOptron accessories, such as a GPS receiver or an electronic focuser. DO NOT plug ST-4 guiding camera cable into this port, It will damage the guide camera electronics.
Page 9 DEC+ DEC- Port Port ® Figure 4. Go2Nova 8409 hand controller 2.4.1. Key Description  MENU Key: Press “MENU” to enter the Main Menu.  BACK Key: Move back to the previous screen, or end/cancel current operation, such as slewing. ...
Page 10 The LCD screen will switch to the information screen, as indicated in Figure 6, with pressing any button. Magnitude Target Name Declination Right Ascension Altitude Azimuth N/S Hemisphere Mount Status Current Time Slew Speed Figure 6. 8409 HC LCD Information Screen 1.
Page 11 3. CEM26 Mount Assembly 3.1. CEM26 Mount Assembly NOTE: The CEM26 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. WARNING: DO NOT rock the counterweight shaft rigorously.
Page 12 space for the alignment peg to be fitted in between the 2x Azi Adjustment Screws. Remove the 2x Azi Locking Screws from the mount base and insert them into the opening next. Secure the mount head by tightening the Azi Locking Screws into the M6 holes on the tripod. Azi.
Page 13 Step 5. Install counterweight (CW) shaft (1) Remove CW Shaft Locking Screw. (2) Insert CW Shaft into the CW Mounting House. (3) Thread in the CW Shaft Locking Screw from the other side. (4) Tighten the Front CW Position Screw. CW Shaft Mounting House CW Shaft Locking Screw Front CW Position Screw...
Page 14 To mount a telescope on to the mount, release the dovetail Saddle Locking Knob and slide the telescope dovetail plate into the saddle. Tighten the Saddle Locking Knob. There are two threaded holes on the side of the dovetail saddle for mounting an iOptron mini autoguiding system, iGuider.
Page 15 Step 8. Balance payload After attaching the scope and accessories, the mount head assembly must be balanced in both DEC and RA axes to ensure minimum stresses on the mount driving mechanism. CAUTION: The telescope may swing freely when the R.A. or DEC Gear Switch is disengaged. Always hold on to the mount and/or telescope assembly before releasing the Gear Switches to prevent it from sudden swinging, which can cause personal injuries and/or equipment damages.
Page 16 Figure 19. Ports for cables Plug optional GPS module into the iPORT with a coiled cable. When powering on, GPS ON sign should be displayed at the upper right corner of the hand controller. You may disconnect the GPS module after it picks up satellites signals and displays GPS OK (It takes a few minutes in normal conditions).
Page 17 In order to make the hand controller reflect your correct local time, time zone information has to be entered. Press the ◄ or ► key, move the cursor to the third line “UTC -300 Minute(s)” to set the time zone information (add or subtract 60 minutes per time zone). For example: ...
Page 18 AccuAlign optical polar scope. iPolar Polar Alignment For a CEM26 with an iPolar, refer to iPolar Operation Manual from iOptron’s website to perform the polar alignment, or steps briefly outlined below:  Download and install iPolar Software (first time use);...
Page 19 (2) Remove both the polar axis cover. Thread the polar scope LED to the Polar Scope. Connect one end of the polar scope power cable to the illumination LED and the other end to the DC12V output located on RA Unit (Figure 22). (3) Turn the mount power on.
Page 20 STEP 11. Return Mount to Zero Position After polar alignment and balancing OTA, return the mount to Zero Position. 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 21 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 CEM26 mount according to Section 3.1. Mount an OTA and accessories, and carefully balance the mount around the polar axis.
Page 22 4.5. Star Identifying Function The 8409 hand controller has a star identifying function. After Polar Alignment and Set Up Time and Site, slew the telescope to an bright star, manually or using GOTO. Press ? button to identify the star name telescope is pointing to, as well as nearby bright stars if there are any.
Page 23 ® 5. Complete Functions of Go2Nova 8409 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 8409 hand controller for CEM26 mount has a database of over 212,000 objects. Use the ►...
Page 24 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 25 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 26 Losmandy/ Takahashi/ Vixen, make sure a proper guiding cable is used. Refer to your guiding camera and guiding software for detailed operation. WARNING: DO NOT plug your ST-4 guiding camera cable into the iOptron port or HBX port. It may damage the mount or guiding camera electronics.
Page 27 5.4.6. Set Parking Position You may park the telescope before powering off the mount. This is very useful if the mount is on a permanent pier or the mount will not be moved in between observation sessions. The mount will keep all the alignment info and reference points.
Page 28 5.5. Electric Focuser This function controls an iOptron electric focuser. 5.6. PEC Option PEC for short is a system that improves the tracking accuracy of the drive by reducing the number of user corrections needed to keep a guide star centered in the eyepiece.
Page 29 5.6.3. PEC Data Integrity This function will check the recorded PEC data integrity. 5.7. Edit User Objects Besides various star lists available in the hand controller, you can add, edit or delete your own user- defined objects. This is especially useful for newly found comets. You can also add your favorite observation object into the user object list for easy sky surfing.
Page 30 Add a New Object Browse Objects Delete an Object Clear All Objects Select “Add a New Object”. A screen will be displayed asking you to Enter R.A. and DEC coordinates: Enter R.A. and DEC R.A.: 00h00m00s DEC: +00d00m00s You may enter the R.A. and DEC coordinates of the object you want to store, and press ENTER to confirm.
Page 31 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 32 Appendix A. Technical Specifications Mount Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount (CEM) Payload* Up to 26 lb (12kg), exclude counterweight Mount weight 10 lb (4.5kg) Payload/Mount weight 2.60 Structure Material All metal, Casting + CNC machined <±10 arcsec for CEM26 Periodic Error (PE)** <0.3 arcsec rms for CEM26EC Permanent PEC/Real-time PEC Φ88mm, 144 teeth aluminum...
Page 33 ® Appendix B. Go2Nova 8409 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 Hipparcors Catalog Comets Asteroids...
Page 34 Alignment Position of Pole Star One Star Alignment Two Star Alignment Three Star Alignment Solar System Align Polar Interate Align View Model Error Clear Alignment Data Settings Set Time and Site Set Beep Set Display Set Maximum Slew Rate Set Guiding Rate Set Parking Position Horizon Position 1 Zenith Position 1...
Page 35 Electric Focuser PEC Options PEC Playback Record PEC PEC Data Integrity Park Telescope Edit User Objects User Defined Comet Add a New Comet Browse Comets Delete a Comet Clear All Comets Other Objects Add a New Object Browse Objects Delete an Object Clear All Objects Firmware Information Zero Position...
Page 36 Appendix C. Gear Meshing Adjustment CEM26/GEM28 gear is designed adjustable by customer although in most cases not necessary. If you experienced DEC/RA motor stall occasionally, or there is free play between the worm and gear, follow this instruction to adjust the gear meshing. Tool needed: 2mm and 3mm hex keys.
Page 37 If the motor stalls or the mount does not tracking smoothly, most likely the meshing is too tight. You may loosen it by about 1/8 turn (or less for tracking). Tighten the set screw in the small hole to LOCK the gear screw (important) before test the mount.
Page 38 Appendix D. Firmware Upgrade The firmware in the 8409 hand controller and motor control boards can be upgraded by the customer. Please check iOptron’s website, www.iOptron.com, under the product page or Support Directory.
Page 39 The CEM26 uses Commander for a CEM120/CEM70/CEM26/GEM28 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, iOptron ASCOM Driver for more detail.
Page 40 ® Appendix F. 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 41 Messier Catalog This table is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article List of Messier objects...
Page 42 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 43 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 44 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 45 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 46 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 47 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 48 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 49 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.

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