iOptron SkyGuider Instruction Manual

SkyGuider™ Tracking Equatorial Mount

Product #3500 and #3520

Instruction Manual

NEVER USE A TELESCOPE OR CAMERA TO LOOK AT THE SUN

WITHOUT A PROPER FILTER!

WARNING!

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

Children should always have adult supervision while observing.

1. SkyGuiderTM Tracking Equatorial
Mount Overview

Thank you for choosing the new iOptron SkyGuiderTM
Tracking equatorial mount for astrophotography. This
portable mount makes it easy to take long exposures of
the night sky without streaking or star trailing.

The SkyGuider
the mount to a tripod. Mount your digital camera or
lightweight scope onto the mount and balance it. Align
the mount to the Pole Star using the included
AccuAligning
optional smart phone App. Then turn on the motor and it
will keep your camera tracking at the same speed the
earth rotates. The unique DC servo motor keeps your
camera in motion to avoid star trails and allows you to
take long exposures for beautiful images of the night
sky. A built-in ST-4 compatible guide port will enable you
to use autoguiding and make the tracking even better!

Features:

• Accepts cameras weighing up to 11 lbs (5 kg)

• Capable for dual mount application up to 11 lbs

(5kg) + 7.7lbs (3.5kg), balanced

• Spring loaded gear system with customer adjustable
loading force

• Auto-tracking for smooth camera motion perfect for
long-term exposures

• Four pre-set tracking speeds with northern/southern
hemisphere selection

• Includes iOptron AccuAligning
illuminated polar scope for Quick Polar Alignment

• Built-in ST-4 compatible guide port

• Padded carry bag included

• 1.5” stainless steel short field tripod with padded

carry bag (#3500 only)

• Optional ball heads available separately (#3305)

• Optional AC/DC adapter (#8417)

• Optional 1.5” stainless steel regular height tripod

(#3521)

DO NOT hold and swing the counterweight shaft
rigorously. This will degrade the performance of the
spring loaded gear meshing system and possibly
damage it.

TM

mount is simple to set up. Just attach

TM

dark field illuminated polar scope and an

TM

dark-field

The Tension Adjuster is used as the last step to
lock, and the first step to release the gears. When
disengaging the gear system, release the Tension
Adjuster first. Then turn the Gear Switch to OPEN
position. When engaging the gear system, turn the
Gear Switch to LOCK position first. Then tighten the
Tension Adjuster.

Never fully tighten the Tension Adjusters during
operations. Fully screw in the Tension Adjuster and
then back out by from half a turn to about 2 turns.
The optimum spot varies with actual conditions, but
is mostly within 2 turns from the fully tightened
position. Ideally, it should be at a position just deep
enough to eliminate any free movement (“play”),
while any force on the worm assembly is kept at a
minimum.

2. SkyGuiderTM Tracking Equatorial
Mount Assembly

2.1. Introduction

You have just purchased a tracking equatorial mount
that is capable of taking you to a new level of
astrophotography. When the polar axis of the
SkyGuider
Pole (CNP), or celestial South Pole (CSP), the mount
will evenly match the Earth’s rotation against the sky.
Since all celestial objects appear to rotate around the
CNP, or CSP—the polar alignment allows the mount to
“track” with the celestial sphere and provide accurate
tracking for visual observations and astrophotography.

The AccuAligning
Polar Alignment procedure, provides a fast and accurate
polar alignment for the mount. A built-in ST-4 compatible
guide port will enable you to use autoguiding for high­performance tracking.

The SkyGuider
astrophotography. The following sections of this manual
provide detailed steps to successfully set up and operate
the SkyGuider

TM

mount is aligned with the celestial North

TM

polar scope, along with the Quick

TM

mount is designed for wide field

TM

mount.

2.2. Parts List1

The SkyGuiderTM comes with either a mount only (#3520)
or as a package (#3500) with mount and a short field
tripod.

#3520 SkyGuider

• SkyGuider
AccuAligning

• Padded carry bag

• Counterweight shaft

• One 3.5 lbs (1.5kg) counterweight

• A short latitude adjust knob for low altitude

#3500 SkyGuider

2):

• #3520 SkyGuider

• #3501 1.5” stainless steel short field tripod with

padded carry bag

TM

Mount Includes (Figure 1):

TM

Tracking equatorial mount with

TM

polar scope

TM

Mount Package Includes (Figure

TM

mount

ONLINE CONTENTS (click under “Support” menu)
www.iOptron.com

• This manual

• Tips for set up

• Reviews and feedback from other customers

2.3. Assembly Terms

CW

3/8”‐16screw

DECadapter

Polaraxiscover

DEC

lockscrew

Az.Adj.Screw

CWshaft

Ten s i o n adjuster

Polarscopecover

Figure 1. Parts for a

#3520 SkyGuider

TM

Figure 2. Parts for a #3500

SkyGuider

TM

mount package

mount

ADDITIONAL PARTS NEEDED:

The following parts are needed to take astrophotography
but are not included in the package:

• Power source provided by a battery pack or an
AC/DC adapter (#8417)

• Ball head adapter (#3305)

• DLSR camera

• Tripod (for #3520)

YOU MAY NEED THIS FOR POLAR ALIGNMENT:

• iPhone/iPad app for accurate polar alignment
(https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ioptron-polar-

scope/id564078961?mt=8)

• Or other application/program to calculate the
pole star position. Please refer to the FAQ
section under “Support” at

http://www.ioptron.com

for more information.

Centerrodwithknob

Tri pod supporttray

Tra y lockingknob

Figure 3. SkyGuideTM mount with tripod

2.4. SkyGuiderTM EQ Mount Assembly

NOTE: The SkyGuiderTM mount is a precision
astronomical instrument. It is highly recommended
that you read the entire manual and become familiar
with the nomenclature and functions of all
components before starting the assembly.

WARNING: Please DO NOT hold and swing the
counterweight shaft rigorously. This will degrade the
performance of the spring loaded gear meshing
system and possibly damage it.

WARNING: The new Gear Switch will allow you to
have more precise weight balance. This also means
the mount will swing FREELY when the Gear Switch
is disengaged. Always hold the mount when
releasing the Gear Switch or adjusting the gear
tension.

NOTE: The mount is shipped with the latitude setting
at high range (35º ~ 60º). If your site latitude is lower
than 35º please switch the latitude range before
using.

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US market only. Actual contents and appearances may vary.

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