iOptron SkyTracker Instruction Manual

®

SkyTracker™ Camera Mount

Instruction Manual

Product #3302B, #3302W and #3303

Table of Content

Table of Content ...................................................................................................................... 2

1. SkyTrackerTM Camera Mount Overview .............................................................................. 3

2. SkyTrackerTM Camera Mount Assembly .............................................................................. 3

2.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3

2.2. Parts List ....................................................................................................................... 4

2.3. Assembly Terms ........................................................................................................... 5

2.4. SkyTrackerTM Camera Mount Assembly ....................................................................... 6

3. Maintenance and Servicing ............................................................................................... 11

3.1. Maintenance ............................................................................................................... 11

3.2. Trouble Shooting ......................................................................................................... 11

3.3. iOptron Customer Service ........................................................................................... 12

3.4. Product End of Life Disposal Instructions .................................................................... 12

3.5. Battery Replacement and Disposal Instructions .......................................................... 12

Appendix A. Technical Specifications .................................................................................... 13

IOPTRON ONE YEAR TELESCOPE, MOUNT, AND CONTROLLER WARRANTY ............ 14

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 observing.

Rev.2.2
iOptron reserves the rights to revise this instruction without notice. Actual color/contents/design may differ from those described in this
instruction.

WARNING!

2

1. SkyTrackerTM Camera Mount Overview

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

The SkyTrackerTM mount is simple to set up. Just attach the unit to a camera tripod with 3/8”
thread. Then slide and lock your digital camera into the saddle. Align SkyTracker
Star through the polar sight hole on the mount, or using an iOptron AccuAlign

TM

mount to the Pole

TM

dark field illuminated
polar scope, with built in latitude and azimuth adjusters. Then turn on the motor and it keeps 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.

Features:

 Attaches to a camera tripod with 3/8” thread
 Accepts cameras weighing up to 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)
 Auto-tracking for smooth camera motion perfect for long-term exposures
 Cast aluminum body with plastic spray finish
 Built in latitude and azimuth adjusters for easy polar alignment
 Built in compass
 Reversible mounting post for both 3/8” and 1/4” threaded ball head mounting
 Includes iOptron AccuAlign

only)

 Operation in both Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere (N/S switch)
 1X celestial tracking for imaging the sky and stars; 1/2X tracking speed for imaging both

the starry night and the landscapes at the same time

 Up to 24 hours of operation on 4 AA batteries
 Padded carry bag included
 Optional ball heads available separately (#3305)
 Optional AC/DC adapter (#8417)
 Optional tripod (#3101)

TM

dark-field illuminated polar scope (#3302B and #3302W

2. SkyTrackerTM Camera Mount Assembly

2.1. Introduction

You have just purchased a tracking camera mount that is capable of taking you to a new level
of astrophotography. When aligned the polar axis of the SkyTracker
North Pole (CNP), or celestial South Pole (CSP), the mount will provide rotation matching the celestial
sphere rotation around the Earth. Since all celestial objects appear to rotate around the CNP, or CSP,
the polar axis allows the mount to rotate with the celestial sphere and provide accurate tracking for
visual observations and astrophotography.

The AccuAlign
easy and accurate polar alignment for the mount.

The SkyTracker mount is a totally new camera mount for astrophotography. The following
sections of this manual provide the detailed steps required to successfully set up and operate the
SkyTracker

TM

mount.

TM

polar scope, along with the Quick Polar Alignment procedure, will provide an

TM

camera mount with the celestial

3

2.2. Parts List1

PARTS INCLUDED:

The SkyTracker

 SkyTracker

 Padded carry bag

 AccuAlign

TM

camera mount shipping box contains:

TM

camera mount

TM

dark field illuminated polar scope (for models #3302B and #3302W only)

TM

Figure 1. Parts in a SkyTracker

#3302 package

PARTS NEEDED:

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

 A sturdy tripod with 3/8” thread. If your tripod only has a 1/4” thread, you need a 1/4” to

3/8” tripod adapter screw

 Fresh 4 AA batteries or an AC/DC adapter

 Ball head adapter

 DLSR camera

YOU MAY NEED IT 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 FAQ

session under Support at http://www.ioptron.com

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

 This manual

 Tips for set up

 Reviews and feedback from other customers

for more information.

1

US market only. Actual contents and appearances may vary.

4

2.3. Assembly Terms

Polar scope lock screw

Polar scope

SkyTracker body

Camera mounting block

Lat. adjust. lock

Rotating azi. base

Polar sight hole

Azi. locking screw

Lat. adjust. screw

Figure 2. Front view of a SkyTracker

Compass

Figure 3. Top view of a SkyTracker

Power indicator/
Polar scope illuminator

Battery compartment cover

Tracking speed switch

N/S switch

DC power in

Power switch

Figure 4. Part of back view of a SkyTracker

5