iOptron SmartStarMiniTower Instruction Manual
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iOptron SmartStarMiniTower Instruction Manual

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Summary of Contents for iOptron SmartStarMiniTower

  • Page 1 ® SmartStar MiniTower Instruction Manual...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Content Table of Content ..........................2 1. MiniTower Overview......................4 1.1. MiniTower Features......................4 1.2. MiniTower Components ....................7 2. MiniTower Assembly ......................8 2.1. MiniTower Assembly ......................9 2.2. OTA Mounting and Balancing................... 11 2.3. Operate a MiniTower on Batteries..................12 ®...
  • 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. June 2011 V2.2 iOptron reserves the rights to revise this instruction without notice. Actual color/contents/design may differ from those described in this instruction.

  • Page 4: Minitower Tm Overview

    MiniTower is the perfect combination of capacity and portability. 25 lbs of Payload Born out of the popular iOptron Cube , The MiniTower is the ultimate observing solution for people who are searching for a capable and portable GOTO telescope mount to counter light pollution in their backyards and for travel convenience.
  • Page 5 Extremely Portable With all the standard components (excluding the tripod) fitted in an aluminum alloy metal case, The MiniTower can easily travel in a car or taken as airline luggage. The system takes about 10 minutes to assemble. This unlimited portability combined with the internal GPS gives amateur astronomers real flexibility in selecting an observing site.
  • Page 6 Additional Unique Features Equipped with additional features such as automatic over-current protection, automatic clutch protection for both axes, easy 3-point level adjustment, dual scope setup with two dovetails and more-- The MiniTower is one of the most user-friendly GOTO mounts available today.

  • Page 7: Minitower Tm Components

    1.2. MiniTower Components Figure 4. MiniTower Components Shown in the picture: 1. Tripod Lock 10. Primary Dovetail Holder 2. Tripod Support 11. Azimuth Clutch Lock 3. Tripod Knob 12. South Alignment Mark 4. Tripod Rod 13. Altitude Clutch Lock 5. Level Adjustment Lock (not 14.

  • Page 8: Minitower Tm Assembly

    2. MiniTower Assembly There are two shipping boxes. One box contains the hard case and mount components. The other box contains the tripod and counterweight. You may find that your tripod differs from the one shown here. Later models have star shaped Level Adjustment Screws (#6) without Level Adjustment Lock (#5) (based on customer feedback).

  • Page 9: Minitower Assembly

    2.1. MiniTower Assembly 1. Setup tripod. Extend tripod legs to full extension. Then lock legs using the lock knobs on sides. Next expand the legs out to their maximum position. Figure 6 2. Assemble the three prong washer and azimuth clutch lock (#11) onto the mount base Washer Figure 7...
  • Page 10 (1:1X) to the fastest (9:MAX). 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. Figure 11 7. This step allows you to attach the counterweight or a second scope.

  • Page 11: Ota Mounting And Balancing

    (#17) Figure 15 2.2. OTA Mounting and Balancing The iOptron MiniTower™ can handle various OTAs. A dovetail plate is needed to mount an OTA onto the MiniTower mount. The width of the MiniTower dovetail holder is 1.75”.

  • Page 12: Operate A Minitower On Batteries

    M6 set screws Figure 16. Secondary Dovetail and set screws A combination of a light OTA and a CW can be used to balance a heavier primary OTA. 2.3. Operate a MiniTower on Batteries Open the battery compartment door to install batteries. Pull the battery holder out from the mount carefully, making sure not to pull the wires loose.

  • Page 13: Gotonova 8401 Hand Controller

    ® 3. GoToNova 8401 Hand Controller Port Port Figure 18. GoToNova 8401 Hand Controller ® GoToNova 8401 hand controller (HC) is the standard controller for a MiniTower, as shown in Figure 18. 3.1. Key Description • MENU: Press “MENU” to enter the Main Menu. •...

  • Page 14: The Lcd Screen

    HBX (Handbox) port: connect the HC to MiniTower mount using a 6-wire RJ11 cable. • USB port: connect the HC to a Computer via a USB cable. 3.2. The LCD Screen The 8401 HC is designed to use for both iOptron’s equatorial (EQ) mount, such as the ® ® SmartStar...
  • Page 15 The MiniTower can be controlled by a number of popular astronomy software programs. For astronomy software that does not have an embedded iOptron mount driver, an ASCOM driver and related platform are needed. Please refer to Appendix F for more...

  • 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. Level and Align the Mount 4.1.1. Level the Mount. Leveling is critical for a good GOTO and tracking accuracy. First, loosen tripod rod (#4) and tripod lock (#1) a little.

  • Page 17: Setting Up The Mount

    Once it is straight re-tighten the altitude lock to make sure OTA is secure and will not spin. 4.2. Setting Up the Mount A MiniTower is equipped with a GPS receiver, which will receive the local time, longitude and latitude information from satellites after the link is established. However, manual input is still needed for time zone and Daylight Saving setting.

  • Page 18: Set Up Daylight Saving Time

    The site coordinates information can be found from internet, such as GPSVisualizer (http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/geocode), by entering the city name or address. In case you only find the site information in decimal format you can convert them into d:m:s format by multiplying the decimal numbers by 60.

  • Page 19: Set Mount Type

    Use the ◄ or ► key to move the cursor to the bottom of the screen, use the ▲ or ▼ button to toggle between “Y” and “N”. Press ENTER to go back the previous screen. The local time also can be manually entered in case of GPS malfunction or testing the mount inside. The time and site information will be stored inside HC memory chip.

  • Page 20: Go To The Moon

    R.A. anti-backlash: 0150 steps One steps equal to 1.5 arc second. To adjust steps move the cursor to each digit and use the number keys to input number directly. Press ENTER – “DEC anti-backlash” will display: DEC anti-backlash: 0150 steps One steps equal to 1.5 arc second.

  • Page 21: Turn Off The Mount

    4.3. Turn Off the Mount When you are finished observing it is recommended to return the mount to Park Position. If the mount is not moved then no initial set up is needed when you turn on the mount next time. To park the telescope press the MENU button, scroll down to “Park Telescope” and press ENTER.

  • Page 22: Use The Minitower

    5. Use the MiniTower 5.1. Manual Operation of a Telescope You may observe land and astronomical objects using hand controller’s arrow keys. After the telescope was assembled (referring to Section 2. Telescope Assembly), flip the I/O switch on the telescope mount to turn on the mount. Use ►,◄,▼ or ▲ buttons to point the telescope to the desired object.

  • Page 23: Comets

    5.2.3. Comets This catalog contains up to 190 comets. This database is customer upgradeable. 5.2.4. Asteroids This catalog contains up to 4096 asteroids. This database is customer upgradeable. 5.2.5. Stars: • Named Stars: consists of 191 stars with their common names. They are listed alphabetically.

  • Page 24: Electric Focuser

    Turn the key beep on/off. 5.5.9. Set Mount Type Set the MiniTower as an Alt/Azi mount. iOptron does not recommend and support for equatorial operation of the MiniTower, although it could be used as a EQ mount. 5.5.10. Reset All...

  • Page 25: Update Firmware

    5.5.11. Update Firmware Firmware updating using iOptron Downloader through USB port on hand controller. (Refer to Appendix E.) 5.5.12. Set gear ratio Not supported. 5.5.13. Set Language Select hand controller display language in English or French. 5.6. Align This function is used for aligning the telescope.

  • Page 26: Test Anti-Backlash

    5.6.5. Test Anti-backlash Not supported for Alt/Azi mode.. 5.6.6. Polaris Position This shows Polaris position. 5.7. PEC Option Not supported. 5.8. Set Up Tracking A user can set up tracking in the main menu by selecting “Set up tracking”. Then the user can select “Sidereal speed”, “Solar speed”, “Lunar speed”, and “User defined speed”.

  • Page 27: Maintenance And Servicing

    The following suggestions may be helpful for the operation of the MiniTower. More information can be found in our online FAQ section (www.iOptron.com then click on “support”). 1. Error Message “Warning! DEC. (or R.A.) driver motor over current. Please check balance.”...

  • Page 28: Ioptron Customer Service

    We have found that most problems can be resolved via e-mails or by telephone calls. So please contact iOptron first to avoid returning the telescope for repair. It is strongly suggested that to send technical questions to...

  • Page 29: Appendix A. Technical Specifications

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

  • Page 30: 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 31 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 32: Appendix C. Gotonova Star List

    ® Appendix C. GoToNova Star List GoToNova Deep Sky Object List for 8401, 8402 and 8403 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...
  • Page 33 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 34 Messier This table is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article List of Messier objects...
  • Page 35 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 36 GoToNova Named Star List 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 101 Kitalpha...
  • Page 37 GoToNova Double Star List Object Const Name Achird 21732 Alrisha Alpha 110291 Theta 38288 Fornacis Alpha 168373 Capella Alpha 40186 Sigma 132406 113389 Alpha 151881 Sirius Wasat Delta 79294 Castor Alpha 60198 Alpha 115756 Epsilon 117112 HR 3579 42642 Kapa 42661 221234 Algieba...

  • Page 38: 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 39 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 40 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 41 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 42 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 43 Now your 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 44 Double click on “Ports (COM & LPT)”. Find the COM number and write it down (in the following figure, it is COM4)

  • Page 45: 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 46 Click “Open Data File” and select the appropriate “.bin” file that matches your hand controller. Then 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 u controller”, press “ENTER”, then select “Upgrade firmware”, press “ENTER”...
  • Page 47 2. Screen is now blank: 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 48: Appendix F. Use A Pc To Control An Ioptron Mount

    Appendix F. Use a PC to Control an iOptron Mount In general you need the followings to use a PC to control an iOptron mount: 1. Download USB2COM driver from iOptron website http://www.ioptron.com, click on Support, select GoToNova Hand Controllers. For 8401 hand controller, download cp2102.zip or CP210x VCP driver depends on your windows operation system;...

  • Page 49: Ioptron Two 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.

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