1247 - EN - Omegon Push + Mini-Montierung
Instruction Manual
Omegon® Push+ Mini mount
Art. Nr. - 55041
The compl ete or partial repro duction of th e contents of this do cument out side of priv ate use is expr essly pr ohibited in ev ery way. Err ors and omis sions excepted.
All texts, photos a nd drawings ar e the property of nimax Gm bH.
Instruction Manual
Azimuth axis
place the white dot aligned with vertical spikes.
Altitude axis
Align both back and white dots.
Parts
1. Dovetail knob (2 pcs); 2. Altitude Axis; 3. Smartphone holder; 4. Eyepiece-tray;
5. Power-bank holder; 6. Dovetail holder; 7. Main board; 8. Cable;
9. Side panel; 10. Plate-Right; 11. Plate-Left. 12. Rubber foot;
13. Disc base;
Figure A. Release the two dovetail knobs (part 1)
Figure B. Move the dovetail down and the tube up!
Figure C. Slide the telescope dovetail and tighten firmly the
two knobs.
Congratulations on the purchase of the new Omegon® Push+ Mini mount. This mount with a dual encoder-system is compatible with most telescopes equipped
with a Vixen-Style dovetail. The Dobson-style telescope mount reads the absolute encoders positions and transmits this information via Bluetooth® to a
smartphone, tablet or computer. A dedicated software or app is required to interpret the encoder information and display it on screen allowing the user to
calibrate and search for deep-sky objects.
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
1. Parts
Power Features
Power Supply requirements: 12Volt DC
Jack 2.1mm with positive in the centre.
Power consumption (idle): 100 mA/h
Power consumption (average): 150mA/h
Connection socket type: Jack 2.1mm
Figure D. Location of the power socket and the red LED.
Figure 1. The car cigarette socket plug (supplied).
Figure 3. Converter cable (not supplied).
Figure 2. USB powerbank/battery (not supplied)
The Omegon® Push+ Mini Mount is supplied pre-assembled, no additional assembly is necessary. Please take some time to identify the
different mount parts in the figures above.
2. First align indexes, than power!
The Push+ technology relies on absolute encoders. The encoders have been previously calibrated based on a set of Altitude and Azimuth
indexes. Please align indexes (as shown on the right) with the mount unpowered. Only after the indexes alignment is made should you
power your mount using the supplied cable.
3. Mounting the telescope tube to the Push+ base.
First thing to do is to rotate the dovetail knobs (part 1) to the up-right position and release them so that the dovetail’s slot is unobstructed
– figure A. Hold the tube and match the telescope dovetail Vixen-style to the dovetail holder (part 6) and tighten the two dovetail knobs
(part 1) – figure C. It is important that the tube is balanced to the dovetail so that it does not tilt either to the front or the back.
3.1. Balancing the tube. Slide the tube or the dovetail to the front or the back to achieve perfect balancing.
3.2. Powering Push+ base. In order for the digital encoders
and the electronics built around it to work and transmit the axes
absolute positions of the telescope, a power supply is required. The
Push+ is designed to work with a 12Volt DC power supply. We
recommend using a field battery for that purpose. Please pay
attention when connecting power to the Push+.
Exceeding the recommended 12Volt DC power will
destroy the electronic components!
When the Push+ is powered, the red LED (part 5) on the side panel
will light up and blink. This means the Push+ is connected to power
and ready to pair with a Bluetooth® compatible device.
3.2.1. Powering Push+ with Car cigarette socket cable. The
supplied Car cigarette socket cable (figure 1)
allows to connect the Push+ to a field battery.
Positive pole is in the inside. Please make
sure the field battery matches this
specifications - it has the symbol on the right.
3.2.2. Powering Push+ with USB Powerbanks. There are many USB
powerbanks available that are used commonly to charge
smartphones, tablets and other 5Volt devices through a USB port.
These batteries vary in terms of capacity and features. The smallest
ones have a capacity of about 1500 mA/h and only a USB Out port.
They are quite small and can be easily transported to the field as
they are pocket size batteries. Most of them don’t supply enough
voltage to power the Push+. Some of them have 9Volt or 12Volt
outputs. These are great as they can be connected directly to the
Push+.
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
3.2.3. Power booster cables. Some small USB (5Volt) Batteries can also be used to power the Push+. Although the Push+ base is rated to
Important: The mount should be horizontal, so that the encoder system is orthogonal to the ground!
6. Push+ compatibility. Push+ is compatible with devices that use
Android® or with computers that use Windows® operating system.
The devices must also be Bluetooth® 2.0 (or higher) compatible. The
following logos apply.
Android® logos and symbols are trademarks of Google Inc.
Microsoft ® and Windows ® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Bluetooth ® is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG Inc.
12V, with a power jump cable, the 5Volt can be increased to the required 12Volt. These cables are available from different suppliers.
These small USB batteries with a converter cable have capacity to run the Push+ for more than 8 hours.
4. Coordinate System. The Push+ uses two encoders, one on each axis. They measure angular changes to the telescope’s position
and “pass” this information to the electronics. These are relative changes, meaning that the Push+ must be calibrated for every observing
session - during the session as well to a known set of objects to “know” where it is pointing to. The two altitude and azimuth relative axial
positions are transformed into signals that can be interpreted by a dedicated planetarium App. The App will then, based on the current
time and location, transform these coordinates into night-sky coordinates. To get the best performance, these two altitude and azimuth
coordinates need to be orthogonal to the ground where the Push+ sits. So making the mount horizontal is very important to achieve good
results.
4.1. Making the mount horizontal to the ground. To obtain the best pointing precision, we recommend making the mount
horizontal. Place the Push+ on a good-levelled ground. An inclined driveway should be avoided! Place a bubble level (builders bubble level
not supplied) on the Push+ disc. The level should point to the centre (az-axis) and to one of the plastic foot-set. Rotate the foot-base if
necessary so that the bubble shows horizontal levelling. Now, without touching the level, rotate the Push+ so that the level is aligned with
the next foot-set. Adjust the foot-base if necessary. Proceed likewise to the last of the foot-set, this one should confirm that the base is
levelled. Repeat if necessary until a good horizontal base is reached. Make sure at this point:
1. Mount is levelled;
2. Optical tube fixed to the Push+;
3. Push+ is powered (red LED blinking).
You are now ready to go to the next step.
5. Preparing the Push+ to be used with a device and dedicated App.
The Push+ alone cannot point to a sky object. The Push+ is only the encoder and the integrated Bluetooth®
transmission systems. One still needs a device – smartphone, tablet or computer and an app.
The smartphone or the computer is used to work as a display for the software that will use the relative
encoders positions to point the telescope to a target. One of the most popular softwares for telescope control
is SkySafari. This is a planetarium app that works virtually with every telescope system. Push+ is also
compatible with many other software or apps. We will continuously update software compatibility. Please
check our website for software updates and firmware updates.
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
7. How to pair Push+ to a device or computer?
Push+ pairing code is “1234”
Figure 6. Enable the Bluetooth® function.
Figure 7. Click to show hidden icons.
Figure 8. Add Bluetooth® device.
Pairing is done as you would do with a cell phone or other
device. First power the Push+ by using the supplied power cable
or by using a power supply. As soon as Push+ is powered the
red LED will start to blink.
Now you have two options, you can pair Push+ to an Android®
device (phone or tablet) or to a Window™ based Computer.
7.1. Pairing Push+ to a device like an Android®
phone. Make sure you phone is compatible with
Bluetooth 2.0 (or higher).
Step 1
Enable the Bluetooth® option in your device. Do this by going to the Settings Tab or directly by pressing the
Bluetooth® symbol as shown in figure 6.
Step 2
A window with a list of the available devices will be visible. If you had a previously paired device, it will show
up on the list. If Push+ is powered it will also show either as Unknown Device or as Push+.
Step 3
Select Push+ from the list and pair it by inserting the 4-digit pairing code. Each Push+ has its own signature and
when pairing it will “remember” to which device it is paired. This avoids
problems when several Push+ are working close to one another.
Remember the maximum recommended Bluetooth® pairing distance is
10m. Make sure you are within this distance.
Your Push+ is now paired to your Android® device.
7.2. Pairing Push+ to a laptop or computer. Make sure your computer or laptop is compatible with
Bluetooth® 2.0 (or higher). There are several ways to pair
your Push+ to a computer. We will describe in the
following steps a simple and effective way to do it.
Step 1
Select from Windows™ initial menu the arrow pointing up (show hidden icons) red circle (right bottom corner on the screen) – figure 7.
Step 2
Click on the Bluetooth® icon. Select “Add Bluetooth device” – figure 8
Step 3
Look for Push+, sometimes it may show up as “unknown device”
Click pair
Step 4
Insert pairing code “1234”
Your Push+ is now paired with your computer.
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
7.3. Selecting COM port for apps such as SkyCharts (Cartes du ciel)
Figure 9. Right-click “Open settings” on the Bluetooth® symbol.
Figure 10. Click “COM” tab.
Figure 11. Click “Add”.
When pairing a device to a computer via Bluetooth® a
COM port is automatically assigned to the device so that it
“talks” to the computer and vice-versa. To determine
which port corresponds to the Push+ please follow these
steps.
Step 1
Select from the Windows™ initial menu the arrow
pointing up (show hidden icons) as shown in 7.2.
Step 2
Right-click on the Bluetooth® icon. Select “Open Settings”.
Step 3
Make sure the Discovery check box is checked as show in
figure 9. Click “OK”.
Step 4
Select “COM Ports” – figure 10.
Step 5
An incoming COM port was already assigned to Push+.
Select “Push+ Dev B”.
Click “Add” button– figure 11.
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
Step 6
Figure 12. Select “Outgoing” and “Push+”
Figure 13. Select “Dev B”, click “OK”.
Figure 14. The assigned COM ports will show up. Use this information
for the settings of “Cartes du Ciel” or other computer softwares that
required this setup information.
Figure 15. Telescope settings.
We now need to select the Outgoing port. Select
“Outgoing” if not already selected.
Step 7
Click on the drop-down menu and select “Push+”.
Step 8
From the Service area select “Dev B”.
Step 9
Click “OK”.
Step 10
The two assigned COM ports will show up. The “Push+ Dev
B” COM port number should be used with softwares that
require this setting information such as “Cartes du Ciel”.
7.4. “Cartes du Ciel”. Settings for this planetarium software.
Step 1
To configure “Cartes du Ciel” select “Telescope” and click
“Telescope settings”
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
Step 2
Figure 16. Select “Encoders”.
Figure 17. Select “Control panel”
Figure 18. Select “Control panel”
Select “Encoders” if not yet selected.
Step 3
Click “OK”
Step 4
Click on “Control panel” to configure the encoder pulses.
Step 5
Select the “Encoder Configuration” tab and change so that
it reads as shown:
Type: “Intelliscope”
Steps (Alpha): “36000”
Steps (Delta): “36000”
Read Interval (ms): “100”
Mount type: “Alt-Az”
Encoder initialization angle: “90”
Latitude: “insert your latitude here”
Longitude: “insert your longitude here”
Form always visible: check this box
Step 6
Click “Save Setting”
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
Step 7
Figure 19. Port configuration.
Figure 20. Click “Connect”.
Select “Port Configuration” tab and change so that it
reads as shown:
Serial Port: use the data from 7.3 Step 10
Speed: “115200”
Data bits: “8”
Parity: “N”
Stop bits: “1”
Timeout (ms): “1000”
Interval Timeout: “400”
Step 8
Click on “Save Settings” when finished.
Step 9
Select the “Coordinates” tab and click “Connect”.
The red square will turn green and some numbers will
show up in the upper blank spaces.
You are now ready to start using “Cartes du Ciel”!
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
8. Which software and apps to use?
Electronics
Encoder resolution: 36000 ticks/pulses per axis
Protocol: Intelliscope
Bluetooth®: 2.0
Pairing range: 10m (although when unobstructed can reach up to 30m)
Power Characteristics
Power: 12Volt DC
Power consumption: 150mA/h
Power consumption (idle): 100mA/h
Connection type: Jack 2.1mm with positive centre
Maximum carrying weight: 14kg
Accessories:
Smartphone adapter
Shipping
Shipping box dimensions: 780x760x160mm
Shipping weight: 20kg
Net-Weight: 15kg
Pointing Accuracy
Usually between 0.5deg and 0.7deg, should be in the FOV for a 25mm
eyepiece with a 8” Newton OTA.
8.1. SkySafari® from Simulation Curriculum
One of the most popular existing planetarium apps is SkySafari® from Simulation Curriculum®. This
planetarium app shows the sky on a device screen (they have both Android® and iOS versions) and allows
telescope control. It has a huge database with its constellations, deep-sky objects, stars, asterisms and many
other objects. To know more visit www.simulationcurriculum.com. SkySafari® is available in several versions
from entry level to the most advanced ones. We recommend using the SkySafari® Plus 4 for Android®. It can
be downloaded from the Google Play® app centre. Please notice, this is not a free app. The free version does
not allow controlling telescopes or Push+. SkySafari® has a quite intuitive interface and is easy to use.
8.2. Cartes du Ciel. This is a very advanced software, which enables precision location of deep-sky objects.
While SkySafari® only uses two stars for calibration, “Cartes du Ciel” can use every start or deep-sky object as a
calibration object. This is great because for each part of the sky it will use the nearest object as a calibration
object increasing dramatically the pointing accuracy. It creates a calibration map for each object calibrated to
the system. Any encoder reading error is evenly distributed through the night sky and the software
“remembers” the error behaviour making the required compensations.
We strongly recommend this software as it is free and very advanced.
9. Important Push+ Features.
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
10. How to configure the settings to SkySafari®. SkySafari® has many features that are not covered by the
Time and Coordinates
Date and Time
Current Time
Location
Munich Univ. Obs., Munich
Coordinates
Horizon
Tap Date and Time, insert current date and time. It is important to
get this data the most accurate possible as the pointing accuracy will
rely on this given data.
Time and Coordinates
Date and Time
Current Time
Location
Munich Univ. Obs., Munich
Coordinates
Horizon
…
Tap Location, insert your location, please do not forget to choose
your hemisphere N/S and meridian position W/E. Most WestEuropean countries are GMT +1 exceptions are UK, IRL and PT, which
are GMT.
Telescope
Setup
Orion IntelliScope
Display
FOV = 1,5º
Equipment
Tap to Configure
Setting Files
Save and Restore Settings
1 Saved Settings
Tap Setup, a scope setup settings tab will show
Equipment Selection
Scope Type -- Orion IntelliScope
Mount Type -- Alt-Az. Push-To
.
Communication Settings
Connect via Bluetooth
Connect via WIFI
Common Settings
Set Time & Location
Save Log File
Readout Rate – 10 per second
Mount Type
Equatorial Push-To
Equatorial GoTo (Fork)
Equatorial GoTo (German)
Alt-Az. Push-To on Equ. Platform
Alt-Az. Push-To
Alt-Az. GoTo
____________________________________________
Encoder Steps Per Revolution
(Plus = cloclwise; Minus = counterclockwise)
RA/Azm:
+36000
RA/Azm:
+36000
Get Automatically
existing instruction manual. To configure SkySafari® to be used with Push+ please follow these steps.
- Tap on the SkySafari® icon on your device to start the app.
- Now from the menu below tap “Settings” . This will open the settings menu.
.
.
Please make sure that when inserting the Mount Type -- Alt-Az. Push-To
you select and insert the following parameters
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
11.1. Connecting SkySafari® App to Push+. Make sure you followed all the steps. This is really important as
Important!
After the settings are done, please exit the App and re-start it so that SkySafari® assumes the recent
changes to the settings!
Rule. Always Up and Left - for consistent results we recommend that the final fine
adjustments to the object centring in the telescope’s eyepiece to be made Up – in Alt and
Left – in Az.
without this information SkySafari® will not be able to work with Push+. It is very important at this point to exit
the app and re-start it.
11.1.1. Connect. Tap “Connect” to connect the telescope to Push+.
Connection may take a few seconds. When connection is established,
the red LED stops blinking and remains powered ON.
11.1.2. Cross hair. As soon as connection is established, a crosshair will randomly appear on the screen. If
you move the telescope on both axes, you will see this crosshair moving accordingly. This is a good sign; it
means both encoders are working. When calibrated, the crosshair will point to a certain region in the sky. This
region will match the field of view as seen through the telescope eyepiece.
11.1.3. Choosing calibration stars. Alignment is done with one-star or two-stars. We recommend the two-star
alignment as it provides a much better pointing accuracy. The two-star separation should be no more than 30
degrees but no less than 10 degrees - both in Altitude (Alt) and Azimuth (Az). Avoid using alignment stars close
to the horizon and zenith.
Step 1
Centre a bright star - a star that you know or recognize from a constellation - in the
centre of eyepiece field of view. Follow the rule mentioned above – final movements
always Up and Left. It is important to centre the star in the eyepiece field of view with
some accuracy, we recommend using a crosshair eyepiece for this procedure.
Step 2
Match the star to the one shown on the device’s screen. Just swipe the screen so that
the sky rotates and zoom in our out to look for that particular object. Make sure you
know the object matches the one observed through the eyepiece – a
common mistake is aligning the wrong object. Tap on the star. A small cross
will show on top of the star.
Step 3
Tap “Align” to use that star.
“Align Telescope?”
For a one-star alignment, this is enough. Tap “Align”.
The selected star also named “First Target” or “First Alignment Star” was used
for calibration. You will now see the crosshair moving across the screen
pointing approximately to the same direction as the telescope.
For additional pointing accuracy, we recommend using a second alignment
star.
Select a second star and align, make sure it is not more than 30 degrees apart
from the “First Target”.
Alignment should be successful. You are now ready to point to objects using
your Push+.
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
12. Troubleshooting with SkySafari®. The most common problems as described below.
Problem
Solution
Crosshair does not move
If the connection cable is not properly installed, the encoder
position is not read. Please check cable connection.
SkySafari® gives an error
message when aligning the
second target
There is a big difference between the position read by the encoders
and the object’s database coordinates. Please make sure you use
the right-hand rule (up-left).
If the problem persists, make sure you are not using a star too close
to the first one.
I get pointing errors higher
than 0.7 degrees
Make sure the two alignment-stars are not separated more than 30
degrees.
Objects are completely off
the FOV.
Wrong star used for alignment.
Position the mount horizontal to the ground
Follow the instructions mentioned in 4.1.
Align indexes
Make sure to align the indexes before powering the mount.
Power Push+
Follow the instructions
Pair Push+ via Bluetooth (this only needs to be done
once)
Follow the instructions mentioned in 7.1. or 7.2.
Adjust app settings (SkySafari® or other app)
Follow the instructions mentioned in 10.
Connect device to App
Follow the instructions mentioned in 11.
Align/Calibrate
Follow the instructions mentioned in 11.
Locate objects and observe
Follow the instruction mentioned in 11.
13. Step by step – use procedure. To use Push+ please make sure you always follow this procedure completing
each step before moving to the next one.
The complete or partial reproduction of the contents of this document outside of private use is expressly prohibited in every way. Errors and omissions excepted.
All texts, photos and drawings are the property of nimax GmbH.
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