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iOptron SmartStar CubePro Instruction Manual

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  • Page 1 ® ® SmartStar CubePro Instruction Manual...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Content Table of Content......................2 1. Introduction ......................... 4 1.1. CubePro Features ....................4 1.2. CubePro Assembly Terms ................5 2. CubePro Assembly...................... 6 3. GOTONOVA 8401 Hand Controller ................. 8 3.1. Key Description..................... 8 3.2. The LCD Screen ....................9 3.3.
  • Page 3 Star List ................22 Appendix D. Set Up USB-PC Connection ..............27 Appendix E. Firmware Upgrade ..................34 Appendix F. Use a PC to Control an iOptron Mount............37 Appendix G. RS-232 Command Set................38 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.

  • Page 4: Introduction

    1. Introduction 1.1. CubePro Features 1” stainless steel tripod with metal platform and metal hinges makes the mount CubePro GOTO altazimuth (A/A) very sturdy. Compact design of the tripod Mount is the ideal portable mount to go with and the mount makes it easy to carry your traveling OTAs, such as a 60mm or around in a travel case.

  • Page 5: Cubepro Tm Assembly Terms

    1.2. CubePro Assembly Terms 1. Telescope (not included) 2. Dovetail Lock 3. Hand Controller 4. Altitude Lock 5. Mount 6. Tripod 7. Inner support/Tripod bolt 8. Tray 9. Tray lock 10. Counterweight (not shown) Figure 1. CubePro mount and tripod...

  • Page 6: Cubepro Assembly

    2. CubePro Assembly Step 1. Extend tripod legs to full extension. Step 2. Attach mount to tripod using the long bolt (#7). Slide tray on bottom of shaft. Then screw on round black knob (#9). Step 3. Installing Batteries Pull the batteries compartment cover (shown) open. Gently pull the batteries holder out of the compartment to avoid breaking the attached wires.
  • Page 7 The other HBX is reserved for accessories, such as electronic focuser, laser pointer and autoguider adapter. DO NOT plug non-iOptron accessories into the unit to avoid damaging the mount or accessories 7. This step allows you to attach the counterweight to the mount.

  • Page 8: Gotonova Tm 8401 Hand Controller

    3. GOTONOVA 8401 Hand Controller Port Port Figure 2. GOTONOVA 8401 Hand Controller GOTONOVA 8401 hand controller (HC) is the standard controller for a CubePro, as shown in Figure 2. • Number Keys: Input numerical values. 3.1. Key Description Also used to adjust speeds (1: 1X; 2: 2X;...

  • Page 9: The Lcd Screen

    For astronomy software that • GPS status: When the power is turned does not have an embedded iOptron mount on, it shows “GPS ON”, which means a driver, an ASCOM driver and related GPS receiver is connected. When the platform are needed.

  • Page 10: Setting Up The Mount

    • Level the Mount. Adjust the leg length to Select and slew make sure the bubble on the side of the Sync. to target mount is centered. Turn the Mount Electronic focuser around to make sure it is always leveled. Set up controller It is also recommended to use additional Align...

  • Page 11: Set Up Daylight Saving Time

    changed to N47º31'48”: 47.53º = 47º +0.53º, For other parts of the world, you can find out 0.53º=0.53x60'=31.8', 0.8'=0.8x60"=48". your “time zone” information from internet, Therefore, 47.53º=47º31'48" or 47d31m48s. such as Same N47º31.8’: 31.8’=31’+0.8’, http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/. 0.8’=0.8x60”=48”. DO NOT COUNT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME.

  • Page 12: Set Anti-Backlash

    Set up site Set N/S hemisphere DEC anti-backlash: Set display contrast 0150 steps Set Eyepiece light Set Backlight One steps equal to Set anti-backlash 1.5 arc second. Set Key Beep Set Mount Type Press Enter. Move the cursor to each digit and use the number keys to set the anti-backlash to 0.

  • Page 13: Turn Off The Mount

    Select an object using ▲ or ▼ key. Then individual number. The check mark (√) press ENTER. Next use the arrow keys to indicates the object is above the horizon, slew to the object until it is centered in your and a cross mark (X) means it is below the eyepiece.

  • Page 14: Asteroids

    selected object. Multiple syncs can be 5.2.4. Asteroids performed if needed. This catalog contains up to 4096 asteroids. “Sync to Target” will only work after “Select This database is customer upgradeable. and slew” is performed. Otherwise, the system may perform incorrectly. You can 5.2.5.

  • Page 15: Set Eyepiece Light

    If the star you choose is too Firmware updating using iOptron close to the first one, the system will let you Downloader through USB port on hand choose another one. When you are aligned controller. (Refer to Appendix E.) with the second star, two star alignment is finished.

  • Page 16: Three-Star Align

    5.6.3. Three-Star Align 5.9. User Objects It will increase the accuracy even higher Besides various star lists available in the and requires an even wider view of the sky. hand controller --you can add, edit or delete This basically asks you to choose a third your own user-defined objects.

  • Page 17: Maintenance And Servicing

    CubePro. More information can be found in our online FAQ section (www.iOptron.com then click on “support”). 3. The object is jumping up and down in the eyepiece or over-slewed, and other unexpected slew behavior or movement.

  • Page 18: Ioptron Customer Service

    Also suggested to send technical questions to check all the plugs and connections. support@ioptron.com Nov, 2009 V1.0 iOptron reserves the rights to revise this instruction without notice. Actual color/contents/design may differ from those described in this instruction.

  • Page 19: Appendix A. Technical Specifications

    Appendix A. Technical Specifications Mount AltAzimuth Mount Body Materials Die-cast Aluminum Gear Aluminum worm wheel/brass worm shaft Bearing 4 steel ball bearings Motor Dual-Axis DC Servomotor, DC12V Dual-Axis, 9-Gear, Electronic Slew Speed (1×,2×,8×,16×,64×,128×,256×,512×,MAX） 32-channel GPS GOTO System GOTONOVA 120,000+ objects database Tracking Automatic Payload...

  • Page 20: Appendix B. Gotonova

    Appendix B. GOTONOVA 8401 HC MENU STRUCTURE MENU Select and Slew Select and Slew Planets, Sun, Moon Planets, Sun, Moon Mercury Mercury Venus Venus Mars Mars Jupiter Jupiter Saturn Saturn Uranus Uranus Neptune Neptune Pluto Pluto Moon Moon Deep Sky Objects Deep Sky Objects Named Deepsky Object Named Deepsky Object...
  • Page 21 Set Up Controller Set Up Controller Set Up Local Time Set Up Local Time Set Up Site Set Up Site Set N/S Hemisphere Set N/S Hemisphere Set Display Contrast Set Display Contrast Set Eyepiece Light Set Eyepiece Light Set Backlight Set Backlight Set Anti-backslash Set Anti-backslash...

  • Page 22: Appendix C. Gotonova Tm Star List

    Appendix C. GOTONOVA Star List GotoNova Deep Sky Object List for 8401 ID No. OBJECT NGC # Messier # A(Abell) U(UGC) Andromeda Galaxy Barnards Galaxy 6822 Beehive Cluster 2632 Blackeye Galaxy 4926 Blinking Planetary Nebula 6826 Blue Flash Nebula 6905 Blue Planetary 3918 Blue Snowball Nebula...
  • Page 23 Keyhole Nebula 3372 Lagoon Nebula 6523 Little Gem 6445 Little Gem Nebula 6818 Little Ghost Nebula 6369 North American Nebula 7000 Omega Nebula 6618 Orion Nebula 1976 Owl Nebula 3587 Pelican Nebula 5070 Phantom Streak Nebula 6741 Pinwheel Galaxy Pleiades Ring Nebula 6720 Ring Tail Galaxy...
  • Page 24 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 25 GOTONOVA Named Star List for 8401 001 Acamar 049 Ascella 097 Kaus Australis 145 Rassalas 002 Achernar 050 Asellus Australis 098 Kaus Borealis 146 Rasagethi 003 Acrux 051 Asellus Borealis 099 Kaus Media 147 Rasalhague 004 Acubens 052 Aspidiske 100 Keid 148 Rastaba 005 Adhafera 053 Atik...
  • Page 26 GOTONOVA Double Star List for 8401 Object Const Name 21732 Achird Alpha 110291 Alrisha Theta 38288 Alpha 168373 Fornacis Alpha 40186 Capella Sigma 132406 113389 Alpha 151881 Sirius Delta 79294 Wasat Castor Alpha 60198 Alpha 115756 Epsilon 117112 HR 3579 42642 Kapa 42661...

  • Page 27: Appendix D. Set Up Usb-Pc Connection

    Appendix D. Set Up USB-PC Connection 1. Download USB2COM driver (cp2102.zip file for 8401) from iOptron Website 2. Install cp2101(usb2com) driver Choose the appropriate driver for your OS. In this case is a Windows XP operation system. Double click on it, and you will see:...
  • Page 28 Select “I accept the terms of license agreement”, and click “Next” Using the default installation path, c:\SiLabs\MCU\CP210x, or specify your own path by click “Change”. Click “Next”. Then click “Install”.
  • Page 29 When finished installation, click “Finish” 3. Plug the USB cable to the USB port on your PC, plug the other end of the USB cable to hand controller. Turn on the power on the mount. 4. Install the Hardware The computer will find a new hardware and show the following screen Select “No, not this time”...
  • Page 30 Select “Install from a list or specific location” and click “Next”. Select “Search for the best driver in these locations,” and check “Include this location in the search.” Click on “Browse” and select the cp210x driver from directory c:\SiLabs\MCU\CP210x\Win2K_XP, click OK.
  • Page 31 Click “Next”. The computer will start to install the driver for the USB2COM. When the installation is done, click “Finish”. If the computer shows “find a new hardware” screen again, just repeat the steps in this section again.
  • Page 32 Now you computer should be ready for Firmware Upgrading, computer communication with the mount via ASCOM platform and planetarium software applications. However, you need to find assigned COM port number for the USB connection. To do so, right click “My Computer”, and click “Properties”...
  • Page 33 Double click on “Ports(COM & LPT)”, find out the COM number and write it down (in the following figure, it is COM4)

  • Page 34: Appendix E. Firmware Upgrade

    Appendix E. Firmware Upgrade 1. Download and install Firmware Downloader from iOptron Website 2. Double click and open “iOptron Downloader” On the interface, select appropriate port using pull-down menu (in this case, COM4):...
  • Page 35 Click “Open Data File”, and select appropriate “.bin” file that matches your hand controller. and click “Open”. Select “Main Program” in Update Type. Click “Start Download” It shows “Please reset GOTONOVA[GOTOSTAR], waiting for connection…” On the hand controller, press “MENU”, and using ▼▲ scroll to select “Set up controller”, press “ENTER”, then select “Upgrade firmware”, press “ENTER”...
  • Page 36 2. Wrong “.bin” file: make sure you have the correct “.bin” file for firmware upgrade. 3. Wrong downloader, you should use iOptron Downloader instead of the Flash Downloader. 4. Use cp210x driver provided by iOptron. The newest version from SiLab may not work properly for iOptron’s hand controller.

  • Page 37: Appendix F. Use A Pc To Control An Ioptron Mount

    5. Planetarium software. Some company integrated iOptron’s products into their planetarium software, such as Voyage and The Sky X Pro. Therefore, an ASCOM plug-in will not be needed. Most planetarium software can be used to control iOptron’s product via ASCOM.

  • Page 38: Appendix G. Rs-232 Command Set

    Appendix G. RS-232 Command Set Abbreviations used: DD or DDD degrees or day of the month depending on the context HH hours MM minutes or month depending on the context MM.M minutes and tenths of minutes s + or – sign, assumed to be + if omitted SS seconds SS.S seconds and tenths of seconds YY last two digits of the year...
  • Page 39 Get the current latitude. Command: :GL# Response: HH:MM:SS.S# Get the current local time in 24 hour format. Overflows from 23:59:59 to 00:00:00. Command: :GS# Response: HH:MM:SS.S# Get the current local sidereal time in 24 hr. format. Command: :GR# Response: HH:MM:SS.S# Get the current Right Ascension of mount.
  • Page 40 Stop motion in the specified axis. Note that :Qn# is identical to :Qs#, and :Qe# is identical to :Qw#. Motion is terminated only if it was not started by a slew (:MS#) command. Command: :Q# Response: (none) Motion in both axes is stopped, regardless of how the motion was invoked. Command: :RG# Response: (none) Selects guide.
  • Page 41 Command: :Sr HH:MM:SS.S# Response: “1” Define the commanded Right Ascension, RA. Command: :Sd sDD*MM:SS# Response: “1” Define the commanded Declination. Miscellaneous Command: :F+# :F-# :FF# :FS# :FQ# Response: (none) Advances (F+) or retracts (F-) focus adjust motor on the eyepiece. F+ or F- commands commence adjustment and :FQ# stops it.
  • Page 42 Response: (none) This command sets the guide rate. 0 – 1.0X of sidereal 1 – 0.8X of sidereal 2 – 0.6X of sidereal 3 – 0.4X of sidereal Command: :GGS# Response: ‘0’,’1’,2,’3’ This command gets the current guide rate. 0 – 1.0X of sidereal 1 –...

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