iOptron SkyTracker 3300B, SkyTracker 3300W, SkyTracker 3301 Instruction Manual

®

SkyTracker™ Camera Mount

Instruction Manual

Product #3300B, #3300W and #3301

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....................................................................................................................... 3

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

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

3. Maintenance and Servicing ............................................................................................... 12

3.1. Maintenance ............................................................................................................... 12

3.2. iOptron Customer Service........................................................................................... 12

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

3.4. 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.1.1
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
North Star, through the polar sight hole on the mount, or using a iOptron AccuAligning

TM

to Polaris, the

TM

dark field
illuminated polar scope. 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:

y Attaches to a camera tripod with 3/8” thread
y Accepts cameras weighing up to 6.6 lbs (3 kg)
y Auto-tracking for smooth camera motion perfect for long-term exposures
y Cast aluminum body with plastic spray finish
y Built in compass and latitude adjustment for easy polar alignment
y Includes iOptron AccuAligning

TM

dark-field illuminated polar scope (#3300B and #3300W

only)

y Up to 24 hours of operation on 4 AA batteries
y Padded carry bag included
y Optional ball heads available separately
y Optional AC/DC adapter

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 AccuAligning

TM

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

an 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

camera mount with the celestial

2.2. Parts List

PARTS INCLUDED:

TM

The SkyTracker

• SkyTracker

• Padded carry bag

• AccuAligning

camera mount shipping box contains:

TM

camera mount

TM

dark field illuminated polar scope (for models #3300B and #3300W only)

3

TM

Figure 1. Parts in a SkyTracker

#3300 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 get a 1/4” to
3/8” tripod adapter screw

• Fresh 4 AA batteries

• 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)

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

• This manual

• Tips for set up

• Reviews and feedback from other customers

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2.3. Assembly Terms

Polar sight hole

Camera mounting block

Lat. adjust. lock

Lat. Adjust. screw

Polar scope lock screw

Polar scope mounting hole

SkyTracker body

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