iOptron 8603 and 8604 manual

SmartStar ® Cube TM -A Series Mount and Telescopes (For 8600, 8602, 8603 and 8604) Instruction Manual ®[...]

2 Table of Content Table of Content ........................................................................................................................... 2 1. SmarStar ® Cube TM -A Series Overview ..................................................................................... 4 1.1. SmartStar ® Cube TM -A Series Features .............[...]

3 6.6.1. One Star Align .......................................................................................................... . 23 6.6.2. Two Star Alignment ................................................................................................... 23 6.6.3. Three-Star Align .............................................................[...]

4 1. SmarStar ® Cube TM -A Series Overview 1.1. SmartStar ® Cube TM -A Series Features Alt-Azimuth Mount– The Cube™, wi th AltAzi/EQ dual application The SmartStar ® Cube tm -A series come with our patented Alt-Azimuth (AltAzi) mount, a.k.a . The Cube™. This compact mount design is probably the most functional and flexible unit on the mark[...]

5 Most light weight (<7lbs) Optical Tube Assembles (OTAs) with dovetail connection should be compatible with the SmartStar ® Cube TM -A GOTO AltAzi mount. If you do not have a dovetail connection -- attach your OTA using mounting rings and dovetail available at your local telescope store or the OTA manufacturer. Contact iOptron for expert’s a[...]

6 1.2. Assembly Terms 1. Telescope tube 2. Dovetail lock 3. Hand controller 4. Altitude lock 5. Mount 6. Tripod 7. Tripod shaft 8. Tray 9. Tray lock 10. Azimuth lock screw 11. Wedge tilt screw 12. Tilt locks 13. Counterweight and shaft ( not included ) 5 6 7 8 9 10 13 11 12 Polaris Zenith Figure 1. Assembly Terms[...]

7 2. Telescope Assembly Step 1. Preparing the Tripod 1. Extend tripod legs to full extension. 2. Slide tray on bottom of shaft (#7). Then screw on round black knob (#9). Step 2. Attaching the Mount 1. Raise wedge plate on the tripod by turning two tilt locks (12); 2. Attach mount to wedge plate using supplied azimuth lock screw (10). 3. lower wedge[...]

8 Step 5. Plug in hand controller and AC adaptor. Plug hand controller into either one of the two HBX ports on the mount. Next plug in AC adaptor. (Or use batteries—see step 3). Turn on power (the red light should go on). At this point you can begin observing manually. Use the 4 Arrow keys ( ▲▼◄► ) to rotate the scope Up, Down, Left, and [...]

9 For 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain (#8504) ……………………………… …. Install Diagonal by screwing it onto the back end of the scope. You can adjust the position of the diagonal by loosening the free-spinning threader on the diagonal. Install the Finderscope by sliding the dovetail plate onto the sleeve (see arrow) and tightening the sid[...]

10 3. GoToNova ® 8401 Hand Controller Figure 1. GoToNova 8401 Hand Controller GoToNova ® 8401 hand controller (HC) is the standard controller for a SmartStar ® Cube TM -A series mount and telescope, as shown in Figure 1. (The earlier version equipped with a 8402 hand controller. Contact iOptron for instruction.) 3.1. Key Description • MENU: Pr[...]

11 • Light Key( ☼ ): Turns on/off the red LED reading light on the back of the controller. • ? Key: For help or extra information. • STOP/0 Key: Stop/Start tracking. • 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[...]

12 4. Getting Started In order to experience the full GOTO capabilit y 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. Level the mount by observing the bubble (shown) on the base of the mo[...]

13 4.2.1. Set Up Local Time and Site Info Press MENU button, from the main menu, scroll down and select “ Set up controller ” Press ENTER. Select “ Set Up Local Time ” Press ENTER. The “Set Local Time” screen will show: The local time will be updated when the GPS picks up satel lite signals. If for any reason your GPS can’t pick up a [...]

14 To adjust minutes, move the cursor to each d igit and use ▲ or ▼ key to change the number. To change the “behind” or “ahead of” UT, move the cursor to “ahead of” and using ▲ or ▼ key to toggle between “behind” and “ahead of”. For o ther parts of the world, you can find out your “time zone” information from interne[...]

15 Press Enter. Select Alt/Azi mount and press ENTER to go back the previous screen. 4.2.3. Set Anti-backlash For an Alt/Azi operation, both R.A. and DEC anti-backlash should be set to 0 step. Scroll down and select “Set anti-backlash” Press ENTER. A R.A. anti-backlash will display: To adjust steps move the cursor to each digit and use the numb[...]

16 4.2.4. Using your telescope Selecting an Eyepiece: 1. Always begin viewing with the lowest power eyepiece. (Note: a 25 mm focal length eyepiece has a lower power than a 10 mm one.) A formula can be used to determine the power of each eyepiece: Telescope focal length divide d by eyepiece focal length equals magnification. Ex. 400mm ÷ 25mm = 16X [...]

17 4.2.6. Initial Star Alignment A simple alignment/synchronization can be performed to improve the GOTO and tracking accuracy. To do so, press MENU button, scroll down to “Align”, select “One Star Align” and press ENTER. A list of three bright objects, such as Moon, Venus, and other stars, will be displayed for you to select from. Select a[...]

18 5. Operate SmartStar ® Cube TM -A mount in EQ Mode The SmartStar can precisely track a celestial object while in the alt-az position. The integrated wedge of an A-series telescope allo ws the telescope to be operated in an equatorial mode, which is a great option for those who want get familiar with the EQ operation. Please Note: the Park Posit[...]

19 5. Align the altitude axle (with or without count erweight) that is pointing straight down, in line with the north-facing tripod leg. This can be done by either loosen the azimuth lock (10) or turn the mount using left or right arrow key. The altitude axle will served as the DEC axis of the EQ mode. 6. Mount the OTA onto the mount and align its [...]

20 6. Use SmartStar ® Cube TM -A Telescopes 6.1. Manual Operation of a Telescope You may observe land and astronomical objects using GoToNova’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 th[...]

21 6.2.4. Asteroids I his catalog contains up to 4,096 asteroids. This database is customer upgradeable. 6.2.5. Stars • Named Stars: It consists of 191 stars with their common names. They are listed alphabetically. A list is attached in Appendix C. • Double Stars: It consists of 40 double stars. A list is attached in Appendix C. • SAO Bright [...]

22 6.5. Set Up Controller 6.5.1. Set Up Local Time Refer to 4.2.1. 6.5.2. Set Up Site Refer to 4.2.1. 6.5.3. Set N/S Hemisphere Set northern or southern hemisphere. 6.5.4. Set Display Contrast Use arrow keys to adjust LCD display contrast. 6.5.5. Set Eyepiece Light If you have an illuminated-reticule eyepiece or illuminated polar scope, and it is s[...]

23 6.5.13. Set Language Select hand controller display language in English or French. 6.6. Align This function is used for align the telescope. Before star alignment, please make sure the mount is well leveled. The system also provides “One Star Align” and “Two Star Align”. An y one can be selected for telescope alignment. 6.6.1. One Star A[...]

24 it means the polar axis of the mount is pointing 7.5” lower and 4.3” to the east to the North Pole. Pointing error is zero when you power on th e mount (u nless you “Park Telescope” before powering off). 6.6.5. Test Anti-backlash This command tests the backlashes in both R.A. and DEC. The saved numbers will show in “Set Anti-backlash?[...]

25 7. Maintenance and Servicing 7.1. Maintenance The SmartStar ® Cube-A mount or telescope is a precision instrument designed to yield a lifetime of rewarding applications. Given the care and respect due any precision instrument, your telescope will rarely require factory servicing or maintenance. Maintenance guidelines include: 1. Using wet cloth[...]

26 7.3. Troubleshooting The following suggestions may be helpful with operation of the SmartStar ® Cube-A mount or telescope. The power indicator light on the mount does not come on or there is no response when pressing hand controller’s arrow keys: (1) Verify that the power switch on the mount is in the ON position. (2) Verify that the hand con[...]

27 • Extension cord: Make sure the cord is in good condition. Power drop along the extension cord has been known to cause this error message. Also check all the plugs and connections. (4) Check the hand controller cord. Unplug it and re-plug into the other HBX port. Error Message “Warning! Can not communicate with DEC motor controller.” (1) C[...]

28 daytime telephone number. The great majority of servicing issues can be resolved by t elephone, avoiding return of the telescope to the factory. It is also strongly suggested that to send your technical questions to support@ioptron.com.[...]

29 Appendix A. Technical Specifications SmartStar ® Cube TM -A GOTO Mount Mount AltAzimuth/Equatorial Dual Mount Body Materials Die-cast Aluminum Motor Dual-Axis DC Servo motor with encoders Gear Acetal worm wheel/Nylon 6 worm gear Bearing 4 steel ball bearings Slew Speed Dual-Axis, 9-Gear, Electronic (1X,2 X,8X ,16X, 64X, 128 X,256 X,512 X,MA X) [...]

30 Appendix B. GoToNova ® 8401 HC MENU STRUCTURE MENU Select and Sl ew Select and Sl ew Plane ts, Sun, Mo on Plane ts, Sun, Mo on Comets Comets Asteroids Asteroids Stars Stars Mercury Venus Mars Jupite r Saturn Uranu s Neptune Pluto Sun Moon Mercury Venus Mars Jupite r Saturn Uranu s Neptune Pluto Sun Moon Deep Sk y Objec ts Deep Sk y Objec ts Nam[...]

31 Set Up Controller Set Up Controller Set Up Local Time Set Up Site Set N/S Hemisphere Set Displa y Contrast Set Eyepiece Light Set Backlight Set Anti-backs lash Set Key Beep Set Mount Type Reset All Upgrad e Fir mwa re Set Gear Ratio Set Language Set Up Local Time Set Up Site Set N/S Hemisphere Set Displa y Contrast Set Eyepiece Light Set Backlig[...]

32 Appendix C. GoToNova ® Star List GoToNova Deep Sky Object List for 8401 ID No. OBJECT NGC # Messier # IC# A(Abell) U(UGC) 1 Andromeda Galaxy 224 31 2 Barnards Galaxy 6822 3 Beehive Cluster 2632 44 4 Blackeye Galaxy 4926 64 5 Blinking Planetary Nebula 6826 6 Blue Flash Nebula 6905 7 Blue Planetary 3918 8 Blue Snowball Nebula 7662 9 Box Nebula 63[...]

33 36 Lagoon Nebula 6523 8 37 Little Gem 6445 38 Little Gem Nebula 6818 39 Little Ghost Nebula 6369 40 North American Nebula 7000 41 Omega Nebula 6618 17 42 Orion Nebula 1976 42 43 Owl Nebula 3587 97 44 Pelican Nebula 5070 45 Phantom Streak Nebula 6741 46 Pinwheel Galaxy 598 33 47 Pleiades 45 48 Ring Nebula 6720 57 49 Ring Tail Galaxy 4038 50 Roset[...]

34 Messier This table is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License . It uses material from the Wikipedia article List of Messier objects[...]

35 Modern Constellations No. Constellation Abbreviation No. Constellation Abbreviation 1 A ndromeda A nd 45 Lacerta Lac 2 A ntlia A nt 46 Leo Leo 3 A pus A ps 47 Leo Minor LMi 4 A quarius A qr 48 Lepus Lep 5 A quila A ql 49 Libra Lib 6 A ra A ra 50 Lupus Lup 7 A ries A ri 51 Lynx Lyn 8 A uriga A ur 52 Lyra Lyr 9 Boötes Boo 53 Mensa Men 10 Caelum C[...]

36 GoToNova Named Star List 001 Acamar 049 Ascella 097 Kaus Australis 145 Rassalas 002 Achernar 050 Asellus Austra lis 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 149 Regulus 006 Adhara 054 Atlas 102 Kochab 150 Rigel 00[...]

37 GoToNova Double Star List No. Object Const SAO Name 1 Eta Cas 21732 Achird 2 Alpha Psc 110291 Alrisha 3 Theta Per 38288 4 Alpha For 168373 Fornacis 5 Alpha Aur 40186 Capella 6 Sigma Ori 132406 7 Mu Ori 113389 8 Alpha CMa 151881 Sirius 9 Delta Gem 79294 Wasat 10 Alpha Gem 60198 Castor 11 Alpha CMi 115756 12 Epsilon Hya 117112 13 HR 3579 42642 14 [...]

38 Appendix D. Set Up USB-PC Connection 1. Download USB2COM driver (cp2102.zip file for 8401) from iOptron Website 2. Install CP210x (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: Click “Next”.[...]

39 Select “I accept the terms of license agreement”, and click “Next” Using the default installation path, c:SiLabsMCUCP210x, or specify your own path by click “Change”. Click “Next”. Then click “Install”.[...]

40 When finished installation, click “Finish” 3. Plug the USB cable in 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” and click “Next”.[...]

41 Select “Install from a list or specific location” and click “Next”. Select “Search for the best driver in these locations,” and che ck “Include this location in the search.” Click on “Browse” and select the CP210x driver from directory c:SiLabsMCUCP210xWin2K_XP, click OK.[...]

42 Click “Next”. The computer will start to install the driver for the USB2COM. When the installa tion is done, click “Finish”. If the computer shows “find a new hardware” screen again, just repeat the steps in this section again.[...]

43 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” Click “Hardware”, click “Device Manager”[...]

44 Double click on “Ports(COM & LPT)”, find out the COM number and write it down (in the following figure, it is COM3)[...]

45 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, COM3):[...]

46 Click “Open Data File”, and select appropriate “.bin” file that matches your hand cont roller, and click “Open”. Select “Main Program” ONLY in Update Type. Click “Start Download”. iOptronDownload will display: “Please reset GoToNova[GOTOSTAR], waiting for connection…” On the hand controller, press “MENU”, and using [...]

47 Now the upgrade is finished. Typical Errors: 1. Invalid Port Number: in Device Manager, make sure you have the correct COM port number for CP210x. 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 dri[...]

48 Appendix F. Use a PC to Control an iOptron Mount In general you need the followings to use a PC to control a SmartStar-A mount, 1. Download USB2COM driver (CP210x.zip file for 8401) http://www.ioptron.com/support.aspx?catalog=28; 2. Install USB2COM and establish the connection between the mount and the PC (see instruction); 3. ASCOM platform (do[...]