iOptron 9503, 9803, SmartStar 9503 User Manual

SmartStar® N114 Telescope

Instruction Manual

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Table of Content
Table of Content .............................................................................................................................	2
1. SmarStar® N114 Overview.........................................................................................................	4
1.1. SmartStar® N114 Features ...................................................................................................	4
1.2. SmartStar® N114 Assembly Terms .....................................................................................	5
2. Telescope Assembly ...................................................................................................................	6
3. GOTONOVATM 8405 Hand Controller......................................................................................	8
3.1. Key Description ...................................................................................................................	8
3.2. The LCD Screen ..................................................................................................................	8
4. Getting Started ..........................................................................................................................	10
4.1. Level and Align the Mount................................................................................................	10
4.1.1. Level the Mount..........................................................................................................	10
4.1.2. Initial Positions ...........................................................................................................	10
4.2. Setting Up the Mount.........................................................................................................	10
4.2.1. Time and Site Set Up ..................................................................................................	10
4.2.2. Using your telescope...................................................................................................	12
4.2.3. Go to the Moon ...........................................................................................................	12
4.2.4. Initial Star Alignment .................................................................................................	12
4.3. Turn Off the Mount............................................................................................................	13
5. Use SmartStar® N114 ...............................................................................................................	14
5.1. Manual Operation of the Telescope...................................................................................	14
5.2. Slew to an Object...............................................................................................................	14
5.2.1. Planets, Sun, Moon .....................................................................................................	14
5.2.2. Deep Sky Objects........................................................................................................	14
5.2.3. Comets ........................................................................................................................	14
5.2.4. Asteroids .....................................................................................................................	14
5.2.5. Stars.............................................................................................................................	14
5.2.6. User RA&DEC JD2000 Objects.................................................................................	14
5.2.7. Enter Position..............................................................................................................	14
5.2.8. Watch List...................................................................................................................	14
5.2.9. Watch List Auto..........................................................................................................	15
5.3. Land Objects ......................................................................................................................	15
5.4. Sync to Target....................................................................................................................	15
5.5. Set Up Controller ...............................................................................................................	15
5.5.1. Set Display Info ..........................................................................................................	15
5.5.2. Set Key Beep...............................................................................................................	16
5.5.3. Set Azi Work Mode ....................................................................................................	16
5.5.4. Reset All......................................................................................................................	16
5.6. Align ..................................................................................................................................	16
5.6.1. Solarsys Align.............................................................................................................	16
5.6.2. One Star Align ............................................................................................................	16
5.6.3. Two Star Alignment....................................................................................................	16
5.7. Modify Star Catalog...........................................................................................................	17
5.7.1. User RA&DEC JD2000..............................................................................................	17
5.7.2. Comets ........................................................................................................................	18
5.7.3. Asteroids .....................................................................................................................	19
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5.8. Watch List..........................................................................................................................	19
5.9. Set Telescope Coord. .........................................................................................................	19
5.10. Park Scope .......................................................................................................................	19
6. Maintenance and Servicing.......................................................................................................	20
6.1. Maintenance.......................................................................................................................	20
6.2. Storage and Transport........................................................................................................	20
6.3. Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................	20
6.4. iOptron Customer Service..................................................................................................	21
Appendix A. Technical Specifications .........................................................................................	22
Appendix B. GOTONOVATM 8405 HC MENU STRUCTURE..................................................	23
Appendix C. GOTONOVATM Star List........................................................................................	25
IOPTRON ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY.......................................................................	38

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® N114 Overview

1.1. SmartStar® N114 Features

Introducing our SmartStar® N114 computerized GOTO telescope system. Designed with the latest technology the 114 mm mirror is crafted with aluminum coated mirrors and exacting alignment.

Alt-Azimuth Mount– The Cube™

The SmartStar® N114 reflector telescope comes with our patented AltAzimuth Mount, a.k.a. The Cube™. This compact mount design is one of the most functional and flexible units on the market. Sky & Telescope magazine named it “Hot Product 2008”. Both axis motors are built into a small single unit with optical encoders that provide accurate GOTO and tracking. The mount is universally compatible with all telescopes using a dove-tail connector plate. With an optional DC adaptor you can plug your telescope mount into your car if you’re camping or at any other remote location.

Easy to understand controller

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 hand controller and its large LCD screen you can quickly set up your telescope and select where you want to go.

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 of 10,000+ celestial objects including all of the more 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® mount with built-in

GPS receiver (Model #9803 only) or

(1) SmartStar® mount (Model #9503)

(1) Newtonian reflector telescope (114mm)

(1) GOTONOVATM Hand

Controller (Part # 8405)

(1) Controller cable

(1)Red dot finder scope

(2)Eyepieces (K9mm & K25mm)

(1)Tripod

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.

1 Package contents may vary slightly

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1.2.SmartStar® N114 Assembly Terms

1.Telescope tube

2.Dovetail Lock

3.Hand Controller

4.Altitude Lock

5.Mount

6.Red dot finder scope

7.Eyepiece

8.Height Adjustment Handle

9.Center Tripod Lock Knob

10.Tripod Leg Locks (3)

11.Tripod

12.Tripod Height Lock Knob

13.Height Extender

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2. Telescope Assembly

Step 1. Preparing the Tripod

Unlock the tripod leg locks (#10).

Extend tripod legs.

Lock the leg locks afterwards.

	#10
		Step 2.
		Pull tripod legs apart to a fully opened position.
		Turn the center tripod lock knob (#9) to secure the tripod. Tighten to a
	#9	firm feel.
		Caution: Make sure you loosen this lock knob before collapsing
		the tripod to store away.
Threaded		Step 3. Attaching the Mount
		Attach mount to tripod by placing the mount onto the threaded on
bolt
		tripod. Then turn the mount until it is securely fastened to the tripod.
		Use height adjustment handle (#8) to adjust the height of the mount if
Height lock		needed. (Caution: Do not extend beyond 6 inches.)
(#12)		Make sure to tighten the tripod height extender lock (#12).

Step 4. Installing Batteries (not included)

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 4a.

Insert 8 AA batteries (not included) according to the diagrams on the holder.**

Replace the holder back into the batteries compartment and replace the cover.

Note: fit the batteries holder back into the compartment with the attached wires at the bottom right corner (see arrow in the photo).

** Use only fresh batteries; do not mix fresh and old batteries;insufficient battery power may cause error messages;optional AC Adapter and Car Charger accessories are available at www.ioptron.com

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Step 5. Attaching Telescope

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

Point toward open end	Step 6. Attaching Optics
of telescope	Attaching the red dot finder scope (#6) to the telescope tube (#1):
Bolts	First remove the two washers on the tube. Then place the finder scope
	onto the two bolts and re-attach the washers securely. The 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 underneath)

Insert the eyepiece: Remove the supplied K 25mm eyepiece (#7) from

Switch its container and slide it into the open end of eyepiece holder. Tighten the thumbscrews to a firm feel only.

Eyepiece (#7)

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 eyepiece (such as the K25mm eyepiece) to get a wider field of view. Later on you can change to higher powers. (Eyepieces of higher powers have narrower field of views; it’s more difficult to locate objects using high-power eyepieces.)

Focus knob

Step 7. Connecting Hand Controller

Plug hand controller into any one of the HBX (handbox) ports on the mount.

Turn on power. Now you are ready to observe. Use the 4 Arrow keys (▲▼◄►) to rotate the scope Up, Down, Left, and Right. Use the SPEED key to change the slew speed from the slowest (2X) to the fastest (MAX).

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3. GOTONOVATM 8405 Hand Controller

Figure 1. GOTONOVA 8405 Hand Controller

GOTONOVATM 8405 hand controller (HC) is the standard controller for a SmartStar N114 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.

•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 8405 HC 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.

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

Figure 2. #8405 Hand Controller LCD Information Screen

1.Target Name: displays the name of the target that telescope is currently pointed to.

•Park Position: A default position when the mount is turned on, i.e., the telescope is pointed 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 Star or celestial object currently that is currently slewing, gotoing or tracking;

•LandMark #: The telescope is working in Land mode and is pointing to a land mark # (note: telescope does not track in land mode)

•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.

2.Mount/GPS Status: display current status of the mount. If the mount equipped with a GPS (integrated GPS receiver or external GPS module), it also indicates GPS status, when the mount is turned on.

Stop (Mount Status): the telescope is in a standby position;

•Slew (Mount Status): the telescope is manually slewing to the target;

•Goto (Mount Status): the telescope is going to the target;

•Track (Mount Status): the telescope is tracking a target;

•Align (Mount Status): the telescope is in align mode;

•G-ON (GPS Status): GPS is on and trying to lock on to a satellite;

•G-OK (GPS Status): The connection between GPS receiver and satellites has been established (This status will be replaced by Mount Status after a few minutes).

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

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

5.A: Altitude of the telescope (zenith is 90º).

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

7.Local Date and Time: display local time in a format of YY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.

8.Slew speed: There are 5 speeds: 2X, 8X, 64X, 256X (1º/sec), MAX(4º/sec). Press the SPEED key to change the speed while slewing.

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4. Getting Started

In order to experience the full GOTO capability of GOTONOVA technology it is important to set up the mount correctly before observation.

4.1. Level and Align the Mount

4.1.1. Level the Mount.

Leveling is critical for good GOTO and tracking accuracy.

Level the mount by observing the bubble (shown) on the base of the mount by adjusting the tripod legs. The bubble should be in the center of

the circle. It is also recommended to use additional levelers (such as a torpedo leveler) to assure precise leveling. Turn the mount around by pressing ► or ◄ button to make sure it is always leveled during movement.

4.1.2. Initial Positions

Each time the mount is turned on the default position is Park Position, (i.e.,its altitude is 90º0.0’ and azimuth is 180º0.0’) which means the “SOUTH” mark is pointing to south and the telescope is pointing straight up at the zenith. To set the Park Position you can:

1. Align the mount to south by moving the mount so that the South mark faces south. An additional compass is needed. Unlock the altitude lock (#4) and rotate the telescope to point straight up at the Zenith. A torpedo level may help. Make sure the mount is leveled. Then turn the mount power on.

or

2. Turn the mount power on. Press the SPEED button to select a slew speed (MAX for fast slew and 2X for fine tuning). Turn the SOUTH mark pointing to south using ► or ◄ button. An additional compass is needed. Rotate the telescope to point to zenith using the ▲ or ▼ buttons. A torpedo level may help. Then turn the mount power off and turn it on. Or you can press MENU. Scroll down to “Set Telescope Coord.” Press ENTER. The default number is “Alt: 90º00.0’ and Azi: 180º00.0’”. Press ENTER to complete the initialization.

Up	Alt. Lock
	(#4)

South

4.2. Setting Up the Mount

For a SmartStar® telescope equipped with a GPS receiver, the local time, longitude and latitude information will be received from satellites after a link is established. For units without a GPS receiver this information can be entered manually. Regardless, manual input is still needed for the time zone and Daylight Time Saving settings for all models.

A clear sky outside is needed for GPS to communicate well with the satellites.

4.2.1. Time and Site Set Up

This is critical to ensure the telescope will point to the right direction.

Press MENU button. From the main menu scroll down and select “Set Up Controller”

Select and slew

Land Objects

Sync. to Target

Set Up Controller

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Press ENTER. Select “Set Up Time and

Site”

Set Up Time and Site

Set Display Info

Set Key Beep

Set Azi Work Mode

Press ENTER. The Set Local Time screen will show:

Set Local Time:

2009-06-01 11:55:09 DaylightTime Saving Y

Set local time:

Use the ◄ or ► key to move the cursor, and the ▲ or ▼ button to change the numbers.

Set daylight saving time:

Use ▲ or ▼ button to toggle the DaylightTime Saving between Y and N. Press ENTER to go to Setup Site Info screen:

Setup Site Info: Longi: W071d27m47s Lati : N42d15m40s 300 Min. behind UT

“W/E” means west/east hemisphere; “N/S” means north/south hemisphere; “d” means degree; “m” means minute; and “s” means second.

Set site coordinates:

Use the ◄ or ► key to move the cursor, and the ▲ or ▼ button to change the numbers or toggle between “W” and “E”, “N” and “S”.

The site coordinates information can be found online at sites such as GPSVisualizer http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/geocode).

Simply enter a city name or address.

Set time zone

Press ◄ or ► key. Move the cursor to the bottom of the screen to set the time zone information (add or subtract 60 minutes per time zone). Enter minutes “ahead” or “behind” of UT (universal time). The minimum time difference is 15 minutes.

•New York City is 300 minutes “behind” UT

•Los Angeles is 480 minutes “behind” UT

•Rome is 60 minutes “ahead” of UT

•Beijing is 480 minutes “ahead” of UT

•Sydney is 600 minutes “ahead” of UT

Time Zone	Hours	Enter
	behind UT	Minutes
Hawaii	-10	600
Alaska	-9	540
Pacific	-8	480
Mountain	-7	420
Central	-6	360
Eastern	-5	300

All time zones in North America are behind UT as shown in the following table (Be sure it shows “behind” instead of “ahead of” UT).

To adjust minutes, use the ◄ or ► keys to move the cursor and the ▲ or ▼ keys to change the numbers. To change the “behind” or “ahead of” UT, move the cursor to “ahead of” and using ▲ or ▼ keys to toggle between “behind” and “ahead of”. When the number is correct press ENTER and go back to the previous screen.

For other parts of the world, time zone information can be found online such as http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/.

DO NOT COUNT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME.

If your mount is equipped with a GPS receiver only Daylight Time Saving and

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Time Zone settings are needed. However, the local time and site info can still be manually entered (in case the GPS signal is too weak from clouds or buildings). It is always recommended to get the GPS coordinates before traveling to a new observation site.

4.2.2. Using your telescope

Selecting an Eyepiece:

1.Always begin viewing with the lowest power eyepiece. (Note: a 25 mm focal length eyepiece has a lower power than a 9 mm one.) A formula can be used to determine the power of each eyepiece: Telescope focal length divided by eyepiece focal length equals magnification. Ex. 1000mm ÷ 25mm = 40X (magnification)

2.Astronomical telescopes are designed in such a way that the image you see may be UPSIDE DOWN and REVERSED.

Focusing Telescope:

1.After selecting the desired eyepiece aim the telescope tube at a land-based target at least 200 yards away (e.g. A telephone pole or building). Fully extend focusing tube by turning the focus knob.

2.While looking through selected eyepiece, slowly retract focusing tube by turning focusing knob until object comes into focus.

Aligning Finderscope:

1.Look through Main Telescope Tube and establish a well-defined target (see focusing telescope section). Tighten all lock knobs (Declination, Latitude, Right Ascension, Horizontal Axis) so that telescope’s aim is not disturbed.

2.Turn on the red dot finder scope and look through the finder window. Adjust the red dot alignment screws to center the red dot on the object.

3. Now, objects located with the finder scope first will be centered in field of view of the main telescope.

4.2.3. Go to the Moon

After performing these setups, the mount is ready to GOTO and track objects. The most common object will be Moon.

Press MENU button, select “Select and Slew” by press ENTER button. Select “Planets, Sun, Moon”, and using ▲ or ▼ button to select Moon. Press ENTER. The telescope will automatically slew to the Moon and lock on. Press BACK key to stop GOTO. It will automatically begin to track once it locks on to it. Use the arrow keys to center the Moon in your eyepiece, if it is not centered. Press ENTER key to stop the tracking.

4.2.4. Initial Star Alignment

A simple alignment/synchronization can be performed to improve the GOTO and tracking accuracy. To do so, press MENU button, scroll down to “Align”, select “Solarsys Align” and press ENTER. The screen will list Moon, Sun and other planets for you to select from. Select an object using ▲ or ▼ key. Then press ENTER. The mount will slew to the object. Use ◄ ► ▲ or ▼ key to center the object in your eyepiece. Press SPEED button to change the slew speed if needed. Then press ENTER to complete the alignment. Or press the BACK key to cancel the process.

An alternate way is performing “Sync to Target”. To do so, press MENU button, select “Select and Slew” and press ENTER. Then select a known sky object, such as Moon from “Planets, Sun, Moon” menu and press ENTER. The mount will slew to the Moon. When the mount stopped slewing, the Moon could be just inside your eyepiece or way off. Press MENU button and scroll down the menu to “Sync to Target” and press ENTER. Follow the instruction, use ◄ ► ▲ and ▼ keys to move the Moon in the center of your eyepiece and press ENTER.

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