iOptron SmartStar 8503, SmartStar 8403, SmartStar 8500, SmartStar 8502, SmartStar 8504 User Manual

SmartStar®-E Series Mount and Telescopes

(For 8500, 8502, 8503 and 8504)

Instruction Manual

Table of Content
Table of Content..............................................................................................................	2
1. SmarStar®-E Series Overview.....................................................................................	4
1.1. SmartStar®-E Series Features ..............................................................................	4
1.2. Assembly Terms ...................................................................................................	6
2. Telescope Assembly ...................................................................................................	7
3. GOTONOVATM 8403 Hand Controller .......................................................................	10
3.1. Key Description...................................................................................................	10
3.2. The LCD Screen .................................................................................................	10
4. Getting Started ..........................................................................................................	11
4.1. Level and Align the Mount ..................................................................................	11
4.1.1. Level the Mount............................................................................................	11
4.1.2. Initial Positions .............................................................................................	11
4.2. Setting Up the Mount ..........................................................................................	12
4.2.1. Set Up Time and Site ...................................................................................	12
4.2.2. Using your telescope....................................................................................	13
4.2.3. Go to the Moon ............................................................................................	14
4.2.4. Initial Star Alignment ....................................................................................	14
4.3. Turn Off the Mount..............................................................................................	14
5. Use SmartStar®-E Telescopes ..................................................................................	14
5.1. Manual Operation of a Telescope.......................................................................	14
5.2. Slew to an Object................................................................................................	14
5.2.1. Planets, Sun, Moon......................................................................................	15
5.2.2. Deep Sky Objects ........................................................................................	15
5.2.3. Comets.........................................................................................................	15
5.2.4. Asteroids ......................................................................................................	15
5.2.5. Stars.............................................................................................................	15
5.2.6. User Objects ................................................................................................	15
5.2.7. Enter Position...............................................................................................	15
5.2.8. Watch List ....................................................................................................	15
5.2.9. Watch List Auto ............................................................................................	15
5.3. Land Objects.......................................................................................................	15
5.4. Sync to Target ....................................................................................................	17
5.5. Set Up Controller ................................................................................................	17
5.5.1. Set Up Time and Site ...................................................................................	17
5.5.2. Set Display Info ............................................................................................	17
5.5.3. Set Key Beep ...............................................................................................	17
5.5.4. Reset All.......................................................................................................	17
5.6. Align....................................................................................................................	17
5.6.1. One Star Align..............................................................................................	17
5.6.2. Two Star Alignment......................................................................................	18
5.7. User Object List ..................................................................................................	18
5.7.1. R.A. and DEC...............................................................................................	18
5.7.2. Comets.........................................................................................................	19
5.7.3. Asteroids ......................................................................................................	20
5.8. Watch List...........................................................................................................	20
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5.9. Set Telescope Coord. .........................................................................................	20
5.10. Park Scope .......................................................................................................	20
6. Maintenance and Servicing .......................................................................................	21
6.1. Maintenance .......................................................................................................	21
6.2. Storage and Transport........................................................................................	21
6.3. Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................	21
6.4. iOptron Customer Service ..................................................................................	22
Appendix A. Technical Specifications............................................................................	23
Appendix B. GOTONOVATM 8403 HC MENU STRUCTURE ........................................	24
Appendix C. GOTONOVATM Star List ...........................................................................	26
IOPTRON ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY..............................................................	32

WARNING!

NEVER USE A TELESCOPE TO LOOK AT THE SUN!

Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Children should always have adult supervision while observing.

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1.SmarStar®-E Series Overview

1.1. SmartStar®-E Series

Features

Alt-Azimuth Mount– The Cube™

The SmartStar®-E series come with our patented Alt-Azimuth (AltAzi) mount, a.k.a. The Cube™. This compact mount design is probably the most functional and flexible unit on the market. It was named “Hot Product 2008” by Sky and Telescope. Both axis motors are built into a small single unit with optical encoders which provides accurate GOTO and tracking. The mount is universally compatible with all telescopes using a dove-tail connection. In addition, there are no “dead spots” – so you can point your telescope to ANYWHERE above the horizon, whereas, other mounts block the telescope tube at certain points of rotation. This mount also comes standard with AC connection. An optional DC adaptor is available so you can plug your telescope mount into your car if you’re camping or at any remote location.

Compatible with many OTAs

Most Optical Tube Assembles (OTAs) with dovetail connection should be compatible with the SmartStar®-E GOTO AltAzi mount. The payload of a SmartStar®- E mount is between 7 to 11 lbs, depending on OTAs and observing condition. (If you do not have a dovetail connection -- attach your OTA using mounting rings and dovetail available at your local telescope store or the OTA manufacturer). Contact iOptron for expert’s advice on compatibility issues.

The easy to understand controller on the market

The GOTONOVATM hand controller is much easier to use than other similar products. The hand controller is more intuitive with menu categories better organized. It also has a larger LCD screen with more lines of content compared with the competition. Using the easy-to-use hand controller and its large LCD screen, you can easily set up your telescope and select where you want to go.

More precise speed control for viewing objects

The control system also allows you to slew the telescope at 5 different drive speeds, keeping the object within the telescope’s viewfinder for as long as you wish.

GOTONOVATM Computerized Control

System

The revolutionary GOTONOVATM computerized control system is by far the most technologically advanced automated tracking system available on the market today. With a database over 5,000 celestial objects, including all of the most famous galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, not to mention the planets, you’ll be able to enjoy star gazing with the simple push of a button.

Package Contents1

(1) SmartStar®-E Mount, the CubeTM (Models 8500, 8502, 8503 and 8504)

(1) GOTONOVATM Hand Controller (Part No. 8403)

(1) Controller Cable

(1) Tripod

(1) Tripod bolt and Tray Lock

(1) Tripod Tray

(1) AC adapter with cord

For Model 8502 (SmartStar®-E-R80)

(1)80mm Refractor Telescope

(2)Eyepieces (PL 10mm & PL 25mm)

(1)3X Barlow Lens

(1)45º Diagonal

For Model 8503 (SmartStar®-E-N114)

(1)114mm Newtonian Reflector Telescope

(2)Eyepieces (PL 10mm & PL 25mm)

(1) Red Dot Finderscope

For Model 8504 (SmartStar®-E-MC90)

(1)90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope

(2)Eyepieces (PL 10mm & PL 25mm)

(1) Red Dot Finderscope

(1) 45º Diagonal

1 The contents may vary from batch to batch.

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1.2.Assembly Terms

1.Telescope tube

2.Dovetail lock

3.Hand controller

4.Altitude lock

5.Mount

6.Tripod

7.Tripod bolt

8.Tray

9.Tray lock

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2. Telescope Assembly

Step 1. Preparing the Tripod

Extend tripod legs to full extension.

Step 2. Attaching the Mount

Attach mount to tripod using the long bolt (#7). Slide tray on bottom of shaft. Then screw on round black knob (#9).

Step 3a. Installing Batteries (not included)

Note: you may use 8 AA batteries (Step 3) or the AC adaptor (Step 5) to operate the mount.

Pull the batteries compartment cover (shown) open. Gently pull the batteries holder (shown next) out of the compartment to avoid breaking the attached wires.

Step 3b.

Insert 8 AA batteries (not included) according to the diagrams on the holder. Refer to the diagram on the holder to orient the batteries properly. Replace the holder back into the batteries compartment and replace the cover.

For reference: the battery pack fits in with wires on the bottom right (See arrow in photo). Use only fresh batteries. Using/mixing old or low batteries may cause error messages.

Optional AC Adapter and Car Charger accessories are available at www.ioptron.com

Step 4. Attaching Telescope

DovetailAttach telescope to mount using the dovetail lock knob (#2).

lock (#2)(Picture shows 80mm refractor. However all scopes will attach in the same manner.)

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					Step 5. Plug in hand controller and AC adaptor.
					Plug hand controller into either one of the two HBX ports on the
					mount. Next plug in AC adaptor. (Or use batteries—see step 3).
					Turn on power (the red light should go on).
					At this point you can begin observing manually. Use the 4 Arrow
					keys (▲▼◄►) to rotate the scope Up, Down, Left, and Right.
					Use the SPEED key to change the slew rate from the slowest
					(2X) to the fastest (MAX).
				Plug in AC	The other HBX is reserved for accessories, such as external GPS
				adaptor	module, electronic focuser or laser pointer. DO NOT plug non-
				here	iOptron accessories into the unit to avoid damaging the
					mount or accessories.
				For 80mm Refractor (#8502)…….....................................................
					Insert 45º diagonal: Insert the diagonal into the eyepiece side of
					the telescope. Tighten the thumbscrews to a firm feel only.
					Insert the eyepiece: Slide the eyepiece into the open end of the
					diagonal. Tighten the thumbscrews to a firm feel only. Remove
	45º		diagonal		the dust cover from the other end of optical tube assembly.
				eyepiece	Use the focus knob to bring objects into focus. You may need to
					turn the focus knob quite a few turns to focus your telescope for
					the first time. Always start observing using a low power eyepiece
					(such as a 25mm eyepiece) to get a nice wide field of view. Later
					you can change to high power if so desired. Higher powered
	Focus knob				eyepieces have a much narrower field of view. So it’s more
					difficult to initially locate objects using higher powered eyepieces.
			For 114mm Newtonian (#8503) …….................................................
	Point toward open				Attach the red dot finder scope to the telescope tube		(#1):
					First remove the two washers on the tube. Then place the finder
	end of telescope
					scope onto the two bolts and re-attach the washers securely. The
				Bolts	finder scope should face towards the open end of the tube (see
					arrow in diagram).
					Turn on the beam using the switch on the side. (note: you may
					need to remove the plastic insulation placed next to the battery
				Switch	underneath)
				Eyepiece	Insert the eyepiece: Slide the eyepiece into the open end of the
					eyepiece holder. Tighten the thumbscrews to a firm feel only.
					Remove the round dust cover lid from the end of telescope.
					Use the focus knob to bring objects into focus. You may need to
					turn the focus knob quite a few turns to focus your telescope for
					the first time. Always start observing using a lower power
				Focus knob	eyepiece (such as a 25mm eyepiece) to get a wider field of view.
					Later on you can change to higher powers.
					8

Flip switch

For 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain (#8504)………………………………….

Diagonal	Install Diagonal by screwing it onto the back end of the scope.
	You can adjust the position of the diagonal by loosening the free-
	spinning threader on the diagonal.

Eyepiece	Install the Finderscope by sliding the dovetail plate onto the
	sleeve (see arrow) and tightening the side screw.
	The eyepiece can be placed on the end of the scope or on the
	side (see next step). Secure the eyepiece using the side screw.
	Use the focus knob to adjust the focus.
	This picture shows the eyepiece on the side. Remove the
	protective cap to insert the eyepiece. The diagonal is not used for
	side viewing.
	Use the flip switch to flip the internal mirror to view from the side
	or the end of the scope.

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3. GOTONOVATM 8403 Hand

Controller

•SPEED Key: To select slew speed (2X, 8X, 64X, 256X, and MAX)

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

•HELP Key: For help and display more information on an object.

•HBX (handbox) port: connect the HC to SmartStar mount using a 6-wire RJ11 cable.

3.2. The LCD Screen

The 8403 hand controller consists of a large 4-line LCD screen, which displays all the information as shown in Figure 2. The user interface is simple and easy to learn.

Figure 1. GOTONOVA #8403

Hand Controller

Target Name	Mount/GPS Status
Right Ascension	Declination
Altitude	Azimuth
Local Date and Time	Slew Speed

GOTONOVATM 8403 hand controller (HC) is the standard controller for a SmartStar®-E series mount and telescope, as shown in Figure 1.

3.1. Key Description

•MENU: Press “MENU” to enter the Main Menu.

•BACK: Move back to the previous screen, or end/cancel current operation, such as slewing.

•ENTER: Confirm an input, go to the next menu, select a choice, slew the telescope to a selected object, or stop/start tracking.

•Arrow (▲▼►◄): Press ▲▼ buttons to move a telescope along the altitude direction, ►◄ to move a telescope along the azimuth direction. Brows the menu or move the cursor in operating menu.

Figure 2. 8403 HC LCD Information Screen

1. Target Name: display the name of the target that telescope is currently point to.

•Park Position: A default position when the mount is turned on, i.e., the telescope is point to zenith (altitude is 90º) and the mount is facing south (azimuth is 180º);

•An object name, such as “Mercury” or “Andromeda Galaxy”: Name of the celestial object or land target that is currently slewing, gotoing, observing or tracking;

•User Position: The mount has been manually slewed to an object; or an R.A and DEC value of an object was manually entered; or a goto or tracking process has been interrupted.

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