iOptron SmartEQ, SmartEQ Pro Instruction Manual

SmartEQ™ and SmartEQ

Portable German Equatorial GOTO Mount

Instruction Manual

Product #3100 & 3200

Pro

Table of Content

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

1. SmartEQTM Mount Overview.........................................................................................................................4

2. SmartEQTM Mount Assembly.........................................................................................................................4

2.1. Parts List..................................................................................................................................................4

2.2. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................5

2.3. SmartEQTM Mount Assembly..................................................................................................................6

3. Go2Nova® 8408 Hand Controller ................................................................................................................10

3.1. Key Description.....................................................................................................................................10

3.2. The LCD Screen....................................................................................................................................11

4. Getting Started..............................................................................................................................................13

4.1. Setup the Mount and Polar Alignment..................................................................................................13

4.1.1. Quick Polar Alignment...................................................................................................................13

4.1.2. Adjust Polar Scope Focuser............................................................................................................15

4.2. Manual Operation of the Mount............................................................................................................15

4.2.1. Manual Operation using a Hand Controller ...................................................................................15

4.2.2. Manual Operation without a Hand Controller................................................................................15

4.3. Setting Up the Hand Controller.............................................................................................................15

4.3.1. Set Up Time and Site......................................................................................................................15

4.3.2. Initial Star Alignment.....................................................................................................................17

4.3.3. Go to the Moon and Other Stars.....................................................................................................17

4.3.4. Star Identifying Function................................................................................................................17

4.4. Autoguiding (Only for SmartEQTM Pro Mount) ...................................................................................17

4.5. Turn Off the Mount...............................................................................................................................17

5. Complete Functions of Go2Nova® Hand Controller....................................................................................18

5.1. Slew to an Object...................................................................................................................................18

5.1.1. Solar System...................................................................................................................................18

5.1.2. Deep Sky Objects...........................................................................................................................18

5.1.3. Stars:...............................................................................................................................................18

5.1.4. Constellations.................................................................................................................................18

5.1.5. Comets............................................................................................................................................18

5.1.6. Asteroids.........................................................................................................................................18

5.1.7. User Objects ...................................................................................................................................19

5.1.8. Enter R.A. DEC..............................................................................................................................19

5.2. Sync to Target........................................................................................................................................19

5.3. Electric Focuser.....................................................................................................................................19

5.4. Set Up Controller...................................................................................................................................19

5.4.1. Set Up Time & Site ........................................................................................................................19

5.4.2. Set Display & Beep........................................................................................................................19

5.4.3. Set Anti-backlash............................................................................................................................19

5.4.4. Meridian Treatment........................................................................................................................20

5.4.5. Set Polar Light................................................................................................................................20

5.4.6. Firmware Information ....................................................................................................................20

5.5. Align......................................................................................................................................................20

5.5.1. One Star Alignment........................................................................................................................20

5.5.2. Two Star Alignment.......................................................................................................................21

5.5.3. Three Star Alignment.....................................................................................................................21

5.5.4. Disp R.A Axis Error.......................................................................................................................21

5.5.5. Pole Star Position ...........................................................................................................................21

5.6. Set User Objects....................................................................................................................................21

5.7. To Zero Position....................................................................................................................................22

6. Maintenance and Servicing ..........................................................................................................................23

6.1. Maintenance ..........................................................................................................................................23

6.2. iOptron Customer Service.....................................................................................................................23

6.3. Product End of Life Disposal Instructions ............................................................................................23

6.4. Battery Replacement and Disposal Instructions....................................................................................23

Appendix A. Technical Specifications.............................................................................................................24

Appendix B. Go2Nova® 8408 HC MENU STRUCTURE ..............................................................................25

Appendix C. Firmware Upgrade ......................................................................................................................27

Appendix D. Computer Control an SmartEQ Mount.......................................................................................32

Appendix E. Polar Scope Adjustment..............................................................................................................36

Appendix F. Go2Nova® Star List.....................................................................................................................37

IOPTRON ONE YEAR TELESCOPE, MOUNT, AND CONTROLLER WARRANTY.............................44

WARNING!

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

1. SmartEQTM Mount Overview

Born out of the popular iOptron CubeTM and iEQTM mounts, the SmartEQTM mount is the ultimate Grab N’ Go German equatorial GOTO mount fitting into almost everyone’s budget. It is ideal for visual observation and wide field astrophotography. The compact design and light weight make traveling with the mount easy.

SmartEQ generation GOTO technology from iOptron. The Go2Nova screen, with which you can easily set up your telescope and select where you want to navigate.

SmartEQ mount performance. It also equipped with an ST-4 compatible guiding port for those who wants to autoguide the mount. An iOptron AccuAligning SmartEQ

SmartEQ making it useful for beginners as well as hobbyists with multiple tubes.

Features:

y Specialized Grab N’ Go mount ideal for visual observer and wide field astro-photographer y Portable, compact, and sturdy German equatorial mount that is easy to travel with y Payload: 11 lbs (5 kg) (excluding counterweight) y Mount weight: 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) y Dual-axis servomotor with optical encoder y Drive motor with 9-speed setting for precise tracking y Resolution: 0.5 arc second y Go2Nova y Over 50,,000 celestial objects for easy surfing y Low power consumption (8 AA batteries for 16 hours consecutive tracking) y Retractable counterweight shaft y Vixen-type dovetail saddle y Standard 1.25 inch heavy-duty stainless steel tripod y Serial port for firmware upgrade and computer controller y Metal wheels and worm shafts (SmartEQ Pro mount only) y ST-4 guiding port (SmartEQ Pro mount only) y AccuAligning

for Pro mount)

y Optional 1.25A AC/DC adapter

mount).

mount is a fully computerized mount with a database of 50,000 objects. It offers the next

Hand Controller is intuitive with a large LCD

Pro mount has metal wheels (aluminum alloy) and worm shafts (brass) to enhance the

Polar Scope is also equipped for better polar alignment (optional for

mount is universally compatible with any tubes using a Vixen-style dovetail connection,

8408 controller with Advanced GOTONOVA® GoTo Technology

bright field polar scope (optional for SmartEQTM mount, Part# 3130, and standard

2. SmartEQTM Mount Assembly

2.1. Parts List1

The SmartEQTM mount shipping box contains:

• SmartEQ

• Go2Nova

• 1.25-inch stainless steel tripod with accessory tray

• One 2lbs (0.9 kg) counterweight

• One hand controller cable

• Installed polar scope for SmartEQ

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

US market only. Actual contents may vary.

telescope mount

#8408 hand controller

Pro mount.

• Quick Start Guide

• This manual

• Tips for set up

• Hand controller firmware upgrade (check online for latest version)

• Reviews and feedback from other customers

2.2. Introduction

You have just purchased a telescope mount that is capable of taking you to a new level of astronomy. No matter which telescope or optical tube assembly (OTA) you select to install on the mount, the overall performance will be greatly enhanced. In order for you to get the optimum performance from the mount and OTA combination, you must assemble and adjust the mount correctly. The following fundamentals of telescope mounts are included to help you understand the big picture before you get into the specific details of the SmartEQ

Telescope mounts are either equatorial mounts or altitude-azimuth (Alt-Az) mounts. Both types of mounts rotate the OTA around two perpendicular axes to point to a desired object in the night sky. An equatorial mount has the right ascension (R.A.) axis aligned with the celestial North Pole (CNP), or celestial South Pole (CSP), to provide rotation matching the celestial sphere rotation around the Earth and the declination axis (DEC) to provide elevation relative to the celestial equator. Since all celestial objects appear to rotate around the CNP, the R.A. axis allows the OTA to rotate with the celestial sphere and provide accurate tracking for visual observations and astrophotography. R.A. is the celestial equivalent of longitude. Like longitude, R.A. measures an angle that increases toward the East as measured from a zero reference point on the celestial equator. An Alt-Az mount has a horizontal axis to provide vertical (altitude) OTA movement from the local horizon and a vertical axis to provide horizontal (azimuth) OTA movement, similar to compass headings. An Alt-Az mount can provide tracking that is good enough for visual observing and short exposure photos, but not good enough for serious astrophotography. Alt-Az mounts require star alignments for the OTA to track stars and they do not have adjustment components on the mount. Equatorial mounts require alignment of the mount components as well as star alignments for accurate OTA tracking.

mount.

In order to provide the required Polar Axis alignment, equatorial mounts use a combination of both mount types described above. The adjustable part of the mount moves in the Alt-Az mode in order to align the R.A. axis, also known as the mount’s Polar Axis, with the CNP. These Polar Axis adjustments do not involve any rotations of the OTA about the R.A. or DEC axes and can be performed without the OTA installed. The first step is to make an approximate azimuth alignment of the Polar Axis by aligning the specified tripod leg or reference point toward True North using a compass for reference (you must allow for the variation between True and Magnetic North at your location). Precise horizontal alignment of the Polar Axis is accomplished with azimuth adjustments on the mount. The second step is to adjust the Polar Axis vertically (altitude) above the North horizon by setting the observer’s latitude on the provided latitude scale. This procedure is based on the fundamental geometry of the Earth’s coordinate system in conjunction with the concept of the celestial sphere. You can verify this by visualizing yourself at the North Pole (latitude N90°) and Polaris will be 90° from the horizon, or directly overhead. These steps will place the Polar Axis very close to the CNP. Both of the above adjustments can be enhanced by the use of an opening along the R.A. axis that allows direct viewing of the North Star and the use of a polar scope to view through this opening. If you are going to get the most out of your equatorial mount it is essential to understand the concept of the Polar Axis and how the equatorial mount helps you establish and maintain a true Polar Axis alignment. Now, you are ready to perform star alignments using the equatorial mount’s electronic controller and enjoy the night sky.

The SmartEQ provide the detailed steps required to successfully set up and operate a SmartEQ

mount is a next-generation equatorial mount. The following sections of this manual

mount.

2.3. SmartEQTM Mount Assembly

)

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

STEP 1. Setup Tripod

Expand the tripod legs. Put the Accessory Tray onto the Tripod Support Bracket. Slightly push down

Accessory Tray while turn it, until the tray is locked into the Tripod Support Bracket. (Figure 1). Adjust the

tripod height by unlocking and re-locking the tripod leg screws (not shown) to a desired height. Position the

tripod so that the Alignment Peg faces north, if you are in Northern Hemisphere (Figure 2).

Accessory tray

Alignment peg

Tripod support bracket

Lock point

Figure 1. Install tripod support bracket

Figure 2. Alignment peg position

The Alignment Peg may be moved to the opposite position if used at latitude lower than 20º to avoid counterweights hit the tripod leg.

STEP 2. Attach the SmartEQ

Mount:

Remove the Latitude Adjustment Screw from its Storage Position by unscrewing it all the way out

(Figure 3). Retract the Azimuth Adjustment Knobs to allow enough clearance for the Alignment Peg seating in the house. Tighten the Azimuth Lock to secure the mount (Figure 4).

Lat. adj. scre

Azimuth lock

Azi. adj. knob (X2

Figure 3. Remove Latitude Adjustment Screw

Thread in the Latitude Adjustment Screw into the Adjustment Position, a threaded hole above the

Storage Position (Figure 5). Loosen the Latitude Clutch Screw and tune the Latitude Adjustment Screw to raise the mount altitude (latitude) to about 30 degree, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 4. Install mount onto the tripod

)

Adjustment position

Storage position

Figure 5. Move latitude adjustment screw

Latitude dial

Latitude clutch

Figure 6. Adjust mount latitude

STEP 3. Install Batteries and Connect Cables:

There are two battery compartments that each can hold 4 AA batteries (Figure 7). Lift the battery

cover. Carefully pull out the battery holder from the compartment. Be sure not to accidentally disconnect the wires. Insert 4 AA batteries into each holder. Replace the holder back into the battery compartment and

replace the lid. Plug hand controller into the HBX port on the mount (Figure 8). Turn on power and use four

Arrow keys (▲▼◄►) to rotate the mount Up, Down, Left, and Right. Use the NUMBER key to change the slew rate from the slowest (1 for 1X) to the fastest (9 for MAX).

Battery holder (X2

Figure 7. Battery holder

Figure 8. Connect control cable

STEP 4. Set the Location Latitude and Polar Alignment:

In order for an equatorial mount to track properly, it has to be accurately polar aligned. This is achieved by making the polar axis of the mount parallel to that of the Earth’s axis of rotation.

This step requires you to know the latitude of your current location. It can be easily found on the Internet, with your GPS navigator or a GPS capable cell phone. You will have to change this latitude setting every time you significantly change your night sky viewing location. This setting directly affects the mount’s tracking and GOTO accuracy.

Unlock Latitude Clutch. Turn the Latitude Adjustment Screw to set your current latitude as indicated on the Latitude Dial. This should be good enough for a casual visual observation.

Polar axis

(R.A. axis)

Latitude dial

Polar scope cover

Latitude adj. screw

Polar axis cove

Latitude clutch

Azi. adj. knob

Figure 9. Align mount to the celestial pole

For a better polar alignment, one may use the polar scope opening on the R.A. axis. Take off the Polar Axis Cover and Polar Scope Cover. Release the Counterweight (CW) Shaft Locking Screw to pull the CW Shaft out of the mount. Look through polar scope opening to find the Polaris. If the opening is blocked by the DEC axis, power the mount on and use the ▲ or ▼ button on the hand controller to turn the DEC axle to unblock the view. (You may use the number button to change the slewing speed. 9 for MAX speed). Loosen the Azimuth Locking Screws and adjust the mount to center the Polaris in the azimuth direction using Azimuth Adjustment Knobs. Tighten the locking screws to secure the mount. Loosen Latitude Clutch on the side of the mount, turning the Latitude Adjustment Screw to adjust the latitude (altitude) to center the

Polaris along the altitude direction. Re-tighten the locking screws.

If an AccuAligning a SmartEQ

mount), please follow Section 4.1.1 to perform the Quick polar Alignment.

STEP 5. Install Counterweight (CW):

polar scope is installed (standard for a SmartEQTM Pro mount, and optional for

The mount comes with one 2 lbs (0.9 kg) counterweight. However, because of its unique design, no CW is needed if the payload is less than 4 lbs. The mount and installed batteries will provide balancing weight needed. If a payload is greater than 8.8 lbs (4 kg), additional CW is needed. The Counterweight Shaft is stored inside the mount head. If a CW is needed, release the CW Shaft Locking Screw to pull out

the shaft (Figure 10). Mount a CW onto the shaft and tighten the CW Locking Screw to hold the CW in place. Tighten the CW Safety Screw (Figure 11).

Counterweight

Figure 11. Install CW

Retractable CW shaft

CW shaft lockin

screw

Figure 10. Release CW shaft

CW locking scre

CW safety scre

STEP6. Attach and Balance an OTA on the Mount:

After attaching an OTA and accessories to the mount, balance the mount in both R.A. and DEC to ensure minimum stress on the mount.

CAUTION: The telescope may swing when the R.A. or DEC clutch is released. Always hold on to the OTA

DEC clutch screw

before you release the clutch to prevent it from swinging. It can cause personal injury or damage to the equipment.

Balance the mount in R.A. axis

Release the R.A. Clutch and rotate the R.A. axis to place the DEC axis in the horizontal position. The OTA can

R.A. clutch screw

be on either side. If the DEC axis stays in the horizontal position, it means the R.A. axis is balanced. Otherwise, you may adjust the length of CW shaft, or install and adjust CW position to balance the mount in R.A. axis. Remember to

Figure 12. R.A. and DEC cluthes

install the CW Safety Lock and tighten the CW Locking Screw, if a CW is installed.

Balance the mount in DEC. axis

Balance in DEC axis is not that critical since the maximum payload is only 11 lbs. Release the DEC Clutch and if the OTA does not rotate along the DEC axis, it is OK. Tighten the DEC Clutch again.

Adjust the Mount to Zero Position

The Zero Position is the position where the counterweight shaft points to ground, telescope is at the highest position with its axis parallel to the polar axis and the telescope is pointing to the Celestial Pole. Loosen the DEC and R.A. Clutches to adjust the mount to the Zero Position by align three marks located on DEC unit, R.A. unit and mount, respectively. Tighten the screws after adjustment. Make sure the hand controller is also at the zero position, which can be ensured by turn the mount power off and on again.

Figure 13. Zero Position

3. Go2Nova® 8408 Hand Controller

DEC+

RA+

RA-

DEC-

Serial Port

HBX Port

Figure 14. Go2Nova 8408 hand controller

The Go2Nova for the SmartEQ number keys on the front; and a HBX port (6-pin) and a serial port (4-pin) at the bottom.

8408 hand controller (HC) shown in Figure 14 is the standard controllers that used

mount. It has a 4 line, 21 character large LCD screen, function keys, direction keys and

3.1. 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 RA direction. They are also used to browse the

menu or move the cursor while in the menu. Holding an arrow key for a fast scrolling.

• Number Keys: Input numerical values. Also used to adjust slewing speeds (1: 1X; 2: 2X; 3: 8X; 4: 16X; 5: 64X; 6: 128X; 7: 256X; 8: 512X; 9: MAX)

• ? Key: Identify and display nearby bright stars or objects where the telescope points to.

• 0 Key: Stop the mount during GOTO. Also toggling between start and stop tracking.

• HBX (Handbox) port: connect the HC to the SmartEQ mount using a 6 pin 4 wire (6P4C) RJ11

plug.

• Serial port: connect the HC to a Computer via a RS232 to 4 pin 4 wire (4P4C) RJ-9 cable (iOptron item# 8412

). The pin out of the serial port is shown in Figure 15.

ount Status

Figure 15. Serial port pin out on an 8408 hand controller

3.2. The LCD Screen

The 8408 HC has a large 4-line, 21-character per line LCD screen. The user interface is simple and

easy to learn. When the mount first turned on, an initial information screen will be displayed as shown in

Figure 16, after company logo displayed. It displays the Zero Position, current date and time.

Figure 16. 8408 Initial Information Screen

The LCD screen will switch to the information screen, as indicated in Figure 17, with pressing any

button.

Target Name

Right Ascension

Azimuth

Slew Speed

Current Time

Magnitude Declination

Altitude N/S Hemis

here

Figure 17. 8408 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.

• An object name, such as “Mercury” or “Andromeda Galaxy”: Name of the Star or celestial object that the mount is currently slewing to, GOTO or tracking;

• User Position: The mount is point to a user defined position, which could be a real sky object or just simply due to press an arrow key.

2. Magnitude: the magnitude of the current celestial object

3. Right Ascension: Right Ascension of the telescope, or R.A.

4. Declination: Declination of the telescope, or DEC.

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

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

7. Mount Status: Display current operation status of the mount.

• Stop: mount is not moving;

• Slew: mount is moving with an arrow key is pressed;

• GoTo: mount is slewing to a celestial object using “Select and Slew”;

8. Slew speed: It has 9 speeds: 1X, 2X, 8X, 16X, 64X, 128X, 256X, 512X, MAX (~4º/sec, depends on power source).

9. Current Time: display local time in a format of HH:MM:SS.

4. Getting Started

In order to experience the full GOTO capability of GOTONOVA® technology it is very important to set

up the mount correctly before observation.

4.1. Setup the Mount and Polar Alignment

Assemble your SmartEQTM mount, perform Polar Alignment and mount your telescope or camera.

The default position for the mount is the Zero Position when the power is switched on, as shown in Figure 13: the counterweight shaft is pointing to ground, telescope is at the highest position with its axis parallel to

the polar axis and the telescope is pointing to the North Celestial Pole, if you are located in northern hemisphere. Point the telescope to South Celestial Pole if you are located in southern hemisphere.

4.1.1. Quick Polar Alignment

If your SmartEQTM mount has an optional AccuAligningTM polar scope installed, or you have an SmartEQ alignment.

Pro mount, you may use this Quick Polar Alignment procedure to perform a precise polar

Reticle Adj. Screws

Eyepiece

Objective Lens

Locking Ring

Figure 18. Polar Scope

1. Insert 8 AA batteries into the battery packs or connect the mount with an AC/DC power adapter. Plug

the Go2Nova hand controller into the mount HBX port. Turn the power switch on.

2. Make sure that the DEC axle is not blocking the polar scope view by turn the DEC axle using UP or

DOWN button. Press the Number key to change the speed.

3. Use hand controller Set Polar Light command under Set Up Controller menu to adjust the LED

brightness to a comfort level.

4. Adjust polar scope eyepiece shown in Figure 18 to bring the Polar Scope Dial in focus.

Figure 19. Polar Scope Dial

Figure 20. Zero position mark

As indicated in Error! Reference source not found., the Polar Scope Dial has been divided into 12 hours

)

along the angular direction with half-hour tics. There are 2 groups, 6 concentric circles marked from 36’ to 44’ and 60’ to 70’, respectively. The 36’ to 44’ concentric circles are used for polar alignment in northern hemisphere using Polaris. While the 60’ to 70’ circles are used for polar alignment in southern hemisphere using Sigma Octantis.

5. Release R.A. Clutch Screw. Press the LFTT or RIGHT button on the hand controller to rotate the polar

scope to align the 12 o’clock position of the dial on the top, as shown in Error! Reference source not found.. (Or align to the zero position mark on the R.A. unit as shown in Error! Reference source not found.). You may press number 9 button to change the rotation speed to MAX.

6. Make sure that the time and site information of the hand controller is correct. Press the MENU button,

then select “Align” and “Pole Star Position” to display the current Polaris position. For example, on

May 30, 2010, 20:00:00 in Boston, United States (Lat N42º30’32” and Long W71º08’50”, 300 min behind

UT, DST set to Y), the Polaris Position is 1hr 26.8m and r = 41.5m, as shown in Figure 21 (a).

7. Adjust the mount in altitude (latitude) and azimuth (heading) direction to place Polaris in the same

position on the Polar Scope Dial as indicated on the HC LCD. In this case, the Polaris will be located at

a radius of 41.5’ and an angle of 1 hour 26.8 minute, as shown in Figure 21 (b).

(a) (b)

Figure 21. Place the Polaris at the position as shown on hand controller

You need to loose Azimuth Lock a little and use Azimuth Adjustment Knobs to adjust the mount

in azimuth (heading) direction (Figure 22). Unlock Latitude Clutch, and turn Latitude Adjustment Screw or push the mount down to adjust the altitude (latitude), as shown in Figure 23. Secure all the locks

after the polar alignment is done.

Now the mount is polar aligned.

Azi. adj. knob (X2

Azimuth lock

Figure 22. Azimuth adjustment

Latitude dial

Latitude Adj. Screw

Latitude clutch

Figure 23. Latitude Adjustment

+ 30 hidden pages

iOptron SmartEQ, SmartEQ Pro Instruction Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual