iOptron CEM120 Instruction Manual

iOptron® CEM120 Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount

Product #7300, #7301 & #7302

Instruction Manual

Read the Instruction BEFORE setting up and using the mount! Worm/gear system damage due

to improperly use will not be covered by warranty.

If you have any questions please contact us at support@ioptron.com

NEVER USE A TELESCOPE TO LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT A PROPER FILTER!

Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye.

Children should always have adult supervision while using a telescope.

WARNING!

Table of Contents

Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................... 3

1. CEM120 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 6

2. CEM120 Terms ................................................................................................................................................... 7

2.1. Parts List ...................................................................................................................................................... 7

2.2. Identification of Parts ................................................................................................................................... 8

2.3. CEM120 Mount Basic Cable Connection.................................................................................................... 9

2.4. CEM120 Cable Management ....................................................................................................................... 9

2.5. Go2Nova® 8407+ Hand Controller ............................................................................................................ 12

2.5.1. Key Description .................................................................................................................................. 12

2.5.2. The LCD Screen ................................................................................................................................. 13

2.6. Check the Battery ....................................................................................................................................... 14

3. CEM120 Mount Assembly ............................................................................................................................... 15

4. Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................. 22

4.1. Setting the Mount and Performing Polar Alignment ................................................................................. 22

4.2. Manual Operation of the Mount ................................................................................................................ 22

4.3. Push-to Operation of the Mount ................................................................................................................ 22

4.4. The mount can now be used to observe astronomical objects using the HC. Use the arrow keys Initial

Star Alignment .................................................................................................................................................. 22

4.5. GOTO the Moon and Other Objects .......................................................................................................... 23

4.6. Star Identification Function ....................................................................................................................... 23

4.7. Power-Down Memorization....................................................................................................................... 23

4.8. Turning Off the Mount............................................................................................................................... 23

5. Complete Functions of Go2Nova® 8407+ Hand Controller ............................................................................. 24

5.1. Select and Slew .......................................................................................................................................... 24

5.1.1. Solar System ....................................................................................................................................... 24

5.1.2. Deep Sky Objects ................................................................................................................................ 24

5.1.3. Stars..................................................................................................................................................... 24

5.1.4. Comets ................................................................................................................................................ 24

5.1.5. Asteroids ............................................................................................................................................. 24

5.1.6. Constellations ...................................................................................................................................... 24

5.1.7. Custom Objects ................................................................................................................................... 24

5.1.8. Customer R.A. and DEC ..................................................................................................................... 25

5.2. Sync to Target ............................................................................................................................................ 25

5.3. Alignment .................................................................................................................................................. 25

5.3.1. Position of Polaris/SigmaOct .............................................................................................................. 25

5.3.2. One Star Alignment ............................................................................................................................ 25

5.3.3. Two Star Alignment ............................................................................................................................ 25

5.3.4. Three Star Alignment .......................................................................................................................... 26

5.3.5. Solar System Align ............................................................................................................................. 26

5.3.6. Polar Iterate Align ............................................................................................................................... 26

5.3.7. View Model Error ............................................................................................................................... 26

5.3.8. Clear Alignment Data ......................................................................................................................... 26

5.4. Settings ....................................................................................................................................................... 26

5.4.1. Set Time and Site ................................................................................................................................ 26

5.4.2. Beep Settings ...................................................................................................................................... 27

5.4.3. Display Settings .................................................................................................................................. 27

5.4.4. Set Guiding Rate ................................................................................................................................. 27

5.4.5. Set Tracking Rate ................................................................................................................................ 28

5.4.6. Set Parking Position ............................................................................................................................ 28

5.4.7. Meridian Treatment ............................................................................................................................ 28

5.4.8. Set Altitude Limit ............................................................................................................................... 28

5.4.9. Enable CW Up Position ...................................................................................................................... 28

5.4.10. HC Heating Switch ........................................................................................................................... 29

5.4.11. Set RA Guiding ................................................................................................................................. 29

5.4.12. Network Options ............................................................................................................................... 29

5.4.13. Power LED Switch ........................................................................................................................... 29

5.4.14. Reset All Settings .............................................................................................................................. 29

5.4.15. Language ........................................................................................................................................... 29

5.5. Electric Focuser ......................................................................................................................................... 30

5.6. PEC Option ................................................................................................................................................ 30

5.6.1. PEC Playback...................................................................................................................................... 30

5.6.2. Record PEC ......................................................................................................................................... 30

5.6.3. PEC Data Integrity .............................................................................................................................. 30

5.7. Park Telescope ........................................................................................................................................... 30

5.8. Edit User Objects ....................................................................................................................................... 31

5.8.1. Enter a New Comet ............................................................................................................................. 31

5.8.2. Enter Other Objects or Observation List ............................................................................................ 31

5.9. Firmware Information ................................................................................................................................ 32

5.10. Zero Position ............................................................................................................................................ 32

5.10.1. Goto Zero Position ............................................................................................................................ 32

5.10.2. Set Zero Position ............................................................................................................................... 32

5.10.3. Search Zero Pos. ............................................................................................................................... 32

6. Maintenance and Servicing ............................................................................................................................... 33

6.1. Maintenance ............................................................................................................................................... 33

6.2. iOptron Customer Service .......................................................................................................................... 33

6.3. Product End of Life Disposal Instructions ................................................................................................. 33

6.4. Battery Replacement and Disposal Instructions ........................................................................................ 33

Appendix A. Technical Specifications ................................................................................................................. 34

Appendix B. Go2Nova® 8407+ HC MENU STRUCTURE ................................................................................. 35

Appendix C. Firmware Upgrade ........................................................................................................................... 38

Appendix D. Computer Control a CEM120 Mount.............................................................................................. 39

Appendix E. Go2Nova®Star List .......................................................................................................................... 40

IOPTRON TWO YEAR TELESCOPE, MOUNT, AND CONTROLLER WARRANTY ................................. 46

Ver. 1.0 2018.3 iOptron reserves the rights to revise this instruction without notice. Actual color/contents/design/function may differ from those described in this instruction manual.

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Instruction for CEM120 Gear Switch and Axle Locking Knob

Both RA and DEC have the same Gear Switch and Axle Locking Knob, the operations are the same.

Gear Switch Axle Locking Knob

As an example, here are the positions for the Gear Switch and Axle Locking Knob for RA axis:

A: When transferring or installing the mount, lock the Axle Locking Knob and disengage the Gear

Switch . So the RA won’t swing and there is no force applied onto the worm/ring gear.

B: During mount balancing process, pull and turn the Axle Locking Knob to release it and leave the

Gear Switch at disengaged position . Now the mount will swing freely in RA direction.

C: During normal operation of the mount, i.e., GOTO and tracking, turn the Gear Switch to locking

position to engage the worm/ring gear while leave the Axle Locking Knob released 。

A. During transferring and

installing…

ONLY set the Gear Switch at locking position to engage the worm/ring gear during goto, slew or

tracking.

ALWAYS lock the Axle Locking Knob during transferring and installing.

DO NOT lock both Gear Switch and Axle Locking Knob at the same time.

B. During balancing…

C. During operating…

1. CEM120 Introduction

Welcome to a new type of equatorial mount – the iOptron® Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount, or CEM! It offers the benefits of our revolutionary “center balance” design: stability, accuracy, and smooth mechanical operation, while capable of carrying a payload up to 115 lbs (52 kg). The “center balance” design’s natural stability is due to its focusing the mount along with payloads weight directly over the center of the pier or tripod.

The CEM120's performance is demonstrated by its low periodic tracking error: <±3.5 arc seconds for CEM120 and <0.15 arcsec RMS for CEM120EC/CEM120EC2. Along with the stability aspect, the CEM120 features an advanced cable management system consisting of more ports in more locations preventing tangle ups and reducing the chance of fractured cables. It also adds some new features to the CEM family like Wi-Fi and LAN for remote operation and easy to use, reliable clutches on both axes.

The CEM120 family has three versions: CEM120 standard version (#7300), CEM120EC (#7301) with high precision optical encoder on RA axis, and CEM120EC2 (#7302) with high precision optical encoders on both RA and DEC axes.

The CEM12 mount is equipped with the most advanced GOTONOVA making it one of the most powerful and accurate GOTO mounts available. TheGo2Nova controller has a database of over 212,000 objects making it easy to locate even the faintest celestial objects.

Features:

 A new design, center-balanced equatorial mount (CEM) for maximum payload with natural

stability

 Observatory astrophotography mount ideal for both visual and Astro-photographers  Payload of 115 lbs (52 kg) with the mount weight of 57 lbs (26 kg)  Easy to use and reliable gear clutches  Precision altitude and azimuth adjustment.  Precision stepper motor with 0.07 arcsec accuracy for precise GOTO and accurate tracking  Polar alignment routine for those who can't see the Pole Star  Go2Nova

heater

 High precision tracking with low periodic error: PE<±3.5 arcsec for #7300, or PE <0.15 arcsec

RMS for #7301/#7302

 Permanent periodic error correction (PPEC) (#7300) or Real-time periodic error correction

(RPEC) (#7301/#7302)

 Push-to operation for CEM120EC and CEM120EC2  Built-in 32-channel Global Positioning System (GPS)  Built-in WiFi and LAN for remote operation  Integrated ST-4 autoguiding port  AutoZero  Power-down memorization of GOTO and tracking position  Advanced cable management system with more choices  Spring loaded, individual adjustable Losmandy saddle

8407 V2 controller with Advanced GOTONOVA® GOTO Technology with built in

technology for mount remote operation

GOTO technology,

8407+ hand

2. CEM120 Terms

2.1. Parts List1

SHIPPING CONTENTS

Your new CEM120 mount comes in two shipping boxes. One box contains either a CEM120 (#7300), CEM120EC (#7301) or CEM120EC2 (#7302) mount head, hand controller, and accessories. The other box contains a 22lb (10kg) counterweight and counterweight shaft. The contents are:

 1X iOptron

CEM120EC mount (#7301, high precision model with red adjustment knobs), or iOptron CEM120EC2 mount (#7302,dual high precision model with red adjustment knobs)

 1X Go2Nova

 1X 22lb (10 kg) counterweight

 1X Stainless steel counterweight shaft

 1X 12V/5A AC/DC adapter (100V-240V, with 2.5mmX5.5mm plug)

 1X Hand Controller Cable (6P6C RJ11 to RJ11, straight wired)

 1X Serial cable (RS232 to RJ9)

 4X Base mounting screws

 1X external GPS antenna

 1X Wi-Fi external antenna

CEM120 telescope mount (#7300, with silver adjustment knobs), iOptron®

8407 V2 Hand Controller

OPTIONAL PARTS

 Electronic polar scope adapter (#3337-120)

 Pier top mounting plate

 USB to RS232 Converter with FTDI chipset (#8435)

ONLINE RESOURCES (click on the “Support” menu at www.iOptron.com)

 Quick Start Guide

 Instructional manual

 Tips for set up

 Hand controller and mount firmware upgrades (check online for latest version)

 iOptron ASCOM driver

 Reviews and feedback from other customers

 Accessories

US market only. Actual contents may vary.

2.2. Identification of Parts

DovetailSaddle

DovetailLockingKnob

DECGearSwitch

DECAxleLockingKnob

AZIAdjustmentKnob

BaseMountingScrew

MountBase

RAAxis

CWShaftMountingHouse

Counterweight

CWShaft

ALTAdjustmentKnob

CWShaftSafetyLock

RAAxleLockingKnob

RAGearSwitch

ALTLockingClamp

Cablemanagement OutputPanel

Cablemanagement InputPanel

MountBasicPorts

Figure 1.CEM120 mount assembly

2.3. CEM120 Mount Basic Cable Connection

The basic cable connection ports of a CEM120 mount are all located on the mount base, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Ports on a CEM120 mount base

 DC 12V 5A: DC power socket to power the mount (2.5mmX5.5mm, 5525)

 ON/OFF: Power Switch

 HBX (Hand Box): For connecting to an 8407 Hand Controller

 RS232: Serial port for mount computer control and firmware upgrade

 USB: USB port for mount computer control

 LAN: network connection for remote control

 WiFi: Mini coaxial cable connector for WiFi antenna

 GPS: Mini coaxial cable connector for GPS external antenna

2.4. CEM120 Cable Management

The CEM120 mount has a pre-wired Cable Management System that allows the user to connect their accessories and imaging equipment without cables tangling or snagging when the mount is slewing or tracking. The Cable Management Outputs are located at the back of the dovetail saddle, as shown below.

Figure 3. Connects at the end f the dovetail saddle

At the end of the dovetail saddle, there are

 USB 2.0 x 4: 4 USB 2.0 ports with standard type A connectors for connecting accessories

(un powered). They were connected to the USB2.0 input on Input Panel.

 GUIDE: port for autoguiding with ST-4 cable. The wiring is shown in Figure 4.

 AUX (OUT): A DIN-422 port for high power or other connection purpose. It is connected to

the AUX (IN) port on Input Panel.

Figure 4. GUIDE port wiring

Figure 5. AUX port DIN-422 socket

 iPORT: for iOptron compatible accessories, such as electrical focuser.

 USB 3.0: Powered USB 3.0 port. It is connected to the USB3.0 input on the Input Panel.

 5521 5V1A socket: a 2.1mmX5.5mm 5V DC power output for accessories. Maximum 1A,

center positive. This is provided by mount DC 12V power.

Figure 6. Power output sockets

On the side of the dovetail saddle, there are 4 power output sockets:

 5521 12V1A socket X2: There are two 12V1A DC output sockets on the right end side of the

dovetail saddle, with 2.1mmX5.5mm, center positive sockets. They are provided by mount DC 12V power.

 On the left end side of the dovetail saddle, there are one 5525 (2.5mmx5.5mm) and one

5521 (2.1mmX5.5mm) DC output sockets for your accessories. The maximum specified current output is 5A. They are connected to the DC IN 10 port on the Input Panel. The voltage is determined by the input voltage, such as V, 12V or 24V.

Figure 7. Cable Management System Input Panel

The ports on the Cable Management Panel are connected to the Input Panel located at the end of the mount RA axis, as shown in Figure 7:

 1X DC IN 10A power input (2.5mmX5.5mm, 10A max.)

 1X USB 2.0 port with a standard type B connector

 1X USB 3.0 port

 1X AUX IN port (for data or extra power input)

 iPolarScope port for electronic polar scope connection

2.5. Go2Nova® 8407+ Hand Controller

DEC+

R.A.+

R.A.-

DEC-

HBX Port

Serial Port

Figure 8. Go2Nova® 8407+ hand controller

The Go2Nova® 8407+ hand controller (HC) shown in Figure 8 is the standard controller used on the CEM120 mount. It has an integrated heater that ensures the LCD display will work at the temperature as low as -20ºC(-4ºF). It has a large LCD screen, function, direction, and number keys on the front; a red LED reading light on the back; and a HBX (6-pin) and a serial port (4-pin) at the bottom.

2.5.1. 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.

 ENTER Key: Confirm an input, go to the next menu, select a choice, or slew the telescope

to a selected object.

 Arrow (▲▼◄►) Keys: The arrow keys are used to control the movement of DEC and R.A.

axes. Press and hold ▲(DEC+),▼(DEC-) buttons to move a telescope along the DEC direction, ◄(R.A.+), ►(R.A.-) to move a telescope along the R.A. direction. They are also used to browse the menu or move the cursor while in the menu. Press and holding an arrow key for a fast scrolling.

 Number Keys: Input numerical values. Also used to adjust speeds (1: 1X; 2: 2X; 3: 8X; 4:

16X; 5: 64X; 6: 128X; 7: 256X; 8: 512X; 9: MAX)

 Light Key(☼): Turns on/off the red LED reading light on the back of the controller.

 Help (?) Key: Identify and display bright stars or objects that the telescope is pointing to.

 STOP/0 Key: Stop the mount during GOTO. Also toggling between starting and stopping

tracking.

 HBX (Handbox) port: connect the HC to a mount using a 6P6C RJ11 cable.

 Serial port: connect the HC to a computer via a RS232 to 4P4C RJ9 cable. The pin-out of

the serial port is shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9. Serial port pin-out on an 8407+ hand controller

2.5.2. The LCD Screen

The 8407+ HC has a large 8-line, 21-character per line, LCD screen which displays information on the status of the mount as shown in Figure 10.The user interface is simple and easy to operate.

Figure 10. 8407+ 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.

 Zero Position: The reference position for GOTO. The mount can move to Zero Position

using “Goto Zero Position” or “Search Zero Position” command;

 User Position: The mount is pointed to a user defined position, which could be a particular

celestial object or simply a position determined by pressing an arrow key;

 An object name, such as “Mercury” or “Andromeda Galaxy”: Name of the star or celestial

object that the mount is currently slewing to or tracking.

2. Target R.A.: Right Ascension (R.A.) of the target object.

3. Target Declination: Declination (DEC) of the target object.

4. Right Ascension: Current R.A. of the telescope.

5. Declination: Current DEC of the telescope.

6. Altitude: Altitude of the telescope (degrees vertical from the local horizon - zenith is 90º).

7. Azimuth: Azimuth of the telescope (north is 0º, east is 90º, south is 180º, and west is 270º).

8. Local Date and Time: displays the local time in a format of YY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.

9. Mount Status: Displays the current operational status of the mount.

 Stop: mount is not moving;

 Slew: mount is moving with an arrow key is pressed or a GOTO command, such as “Select

and Slew” or “Goto Zero Position”;

 Tracking: mount is at a tracking status.

10. GPS status: When the power is turned on, the initial GPS status will be “GPS ON”, which means that the mount is connected to its GPS receiver and is seeking a satellite signal. When the GPS receiver finds the satellites and receives the GPS signal the status will change to “GPS OK”.

11. PEC status: Display of “PEC” here Indicates the Periodic Error Correction playback is turned on. Default is off.

12. Tracking speed: Displays the current tracking rate of the mount.

 SDRL: mount is tracking at sidereal speed;  Solar: mount is tracking at solar speed;  Lunar: mount is tracking at lunar speed;  King: mount is tracking at king speed;  CSTM: mount is tracking at a custom, user-defined speed.

13. Slew speed: The mount has 9 slew speeds: 1X, 2X, 8X, 16X, 64X, 128X, 256X, 512X, MAX(4°/sec).

14. Operation Mode: EQ indicates that the mount is operating in an equatorial mode.

2.6. Check the Battery

The hand controller has a real time clock (RTC) which should display the correct time every time the mount is turned on. If the time is incorrect, please check the battery inside the hand controller and replace it if needed. The battery is a 3V, CR1220 button battery.

+ 32 hidden pages

iOptron CEM120 Instruction Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual