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® TM
SmartStar MiniTower Pro
Instruction Manual
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Table of Content Table of Content ............................................................................................................................. 2 TM 1. MiniTower Overview.............................................................................................................. 4 TM 1.1. MiniTower Features ......................................................................................................... 4 TM 1.2. MiniTower Components ...............................
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5.5.7. Set Anti-backlash ........................................................................................................ 19 5.5.8. Set Key Beep............................................................................................................... 19 5.5.9. Set Mount Type ........................................................................................................... 19 5.5.10. Reset All................................................................................
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TM solution for people who are searching for a 1. MiniTower Pro capable and portable GOTO telescope Overview mount to counter light pollution in their backyards and for travel convenience. With a standard payload of 33 lbs, a rock solid 2” TM stainless steel tripod, metal worm and gear 1.1. MiniTower Pro Features and two dovetail adaptors, The MiniTower TM TM Pro is capable of handling various optical MiniTower Pro is the perfect combination tube assemblies (OTAs). A 10-lbs counter
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Figure 2. MiniTower Pro in an aluminum case connection with ASCOM compliant PC Accurate GOTO and Tracking planetarium programs. With a typical GOTO ® Equipped with our SmartStar GOTO accuracy of 1 arc minute and the ® TM SmartStar precision auto-tracking, The technology, the MiniTower Pro is one of TM the most powerful and accurate GOTO MiniTower Pro will consistently bring the celestial object of your choice to the center mounts available on the market. The of the eyepiece
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Additional Unique Features level adjustment, dual scope setup with two TM dovetails and more-- The MiniTower Pro Equipped with additional features such as is one of the most user-friendly GOTO automatic over-current protection, automatic mounts available today. clutch protection for both axes, easy 3-point Figure 3. MiniTower Pro with dual scope setup 6
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TM 1 1.2. MiniTower Pro Components Figure 4. MiniTower Pro Components Shown in the picture: 1. Tripod Lock 10. Primary Dovetail Holder 2. Tripod Support 11. Azimuth Clutch Lock 3. Tripod Knob 12. South Alignment Mark 4. Tripod Rod 13. Altitude Clutch Lock 5. Level Adjustment Lock (not included 14. Counter Balance Shaft Lock with MiniTower Pro) 15. Secondary Dovetail Holder Lock 6. Level Adjustment Screw 16. Secondary Dovetail Holder 7. Tripod 17. Secondary Dovetail
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TM 2. MiniTower Pro Assembly There are two shipping boxes. One box contains the hard case and mount components. The other box contains the tripod and counterweight. 2.1. MiniTower Pro Assembly 1. Setup tripod. Extend tripod legs to full extension. Then lock legs using the lock knobs on sides. Next expand the legs out to their maximum position. Figure 5 2. Assemble the three prong washer and azimuth clutch lock (#11) onto the mount base Washer #11 Figure 6 3. Carefully p
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4. Secure the mount to the tripod by using the long tripod rod #4 Rod (#4). Hand tighten the rod into the bottom of the mount by #3 Knob turning the tripod knob (#3). Next, slide tripod support (#2) onto bottom of rod (#4). Position the three edges to fit against the three tripod legs. Then hand tighten tripod lock knob (#1) to secure the tripod support in place. #2 #1 Figure 8 5. Attach an OTA to the primary dovetail holder (#10) using the #10 primary dovetail lock (#9). Tig
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If you are attaching a second scope, do not add the counterweight. Instead, skip to Step 10 to add a second scope. 8. Slide the counterweight onto the counterbalance shaft (#18). Next, insert the brass pin into the hole on the counterweight. groove Figure 12 9. Secure the counterweight by tightening the lock knob. Lock Counter weight is heavy. Please handle with care to avoid injury! Figure 13 #17 This step is for attaching a second scope. #16 10. Attach Secondary Doveta
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and accurate GOTO and tracking. The heavier the OTA, the more necessary it is to use a CW. For lightweight OTAs, i.e. 5-6 lbs, however, the CW may not be necessary. If you have a secondary OTA on the secondary dovetail holder, make sure you align it with the primary OTA. This alignment is done easier during the daytime. Point the primary telescope to a target at a remote building or flagpole and center the target in the eyepiece. Loosen the secondary Figure 16. Battery compartment
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3. TM 4. GOTONOVA 8401 Hand Controller USB HBX Port Port Figure 17. GOTONOVA 8401 Hand Controller TM GOTONOVA 8401 hand controller (HC) is the standard controller for a MiniTower Pro, as shown in Figure 17. • ENTER: Confirm an input, go to the next menu, select a choice, or slew the 4.1. Key Description telescope to a selected object. • MENU: Press “MENU” to enter the Main • Arrow ( ▲▼ ►◄): Press ▲▼ buttons to Menu. move a telescope along the DEC • BACK: Move back to the
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2X; 3: 8X; 4: 16X; 5: 64X; 6: 128X; 7: 4.2. The LCD Screen 256X; 8: 512X; 9: MAX) • Light Key( ☼): Turns on/off the red LED The 8401 HC is designed to use for both reading light on the back of the iOptron’s equatorial (EQ) mount, such as ® controller. the SmartStar-PR GOTO German TM • ? Key: For help or extra information. Equatorial Mount and the GOTONOVA • STOP/0 Key: Stop/Start tracking. Equatorial Kit, and AltAzimuth (A/A) mount, ® • HBX (Handbox) port: connect the HC to which inc
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5.1. Level and Align the Mount 5. Getting Started 5.1.1. Level the Mount. In order to experience the full GOTO capability of GOTONOVA technology it is Leveling is critical for a good GOTO and very important to set up the mount correctly tracking accuracy. before observation. tripod lock (#1). Make sure the mount is First, loosen tripod rod (#4) and tripod lock always leveled. (#1) a little. Then loosen azimuth clutch lock (#11) half turn. Check the bubble level indicator (#19),
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longitude and latitude information from cursor and using ▲ or ▼ key to toggle satellites after the link is established. between “W” and “E”, “N” and “S”, using However, manual input is still needed for number key to change the numbers. It is time zone and Daylight Saving setting. always a good idea to do your home work to get the GPS coordinates before traveling to A clear sky outside is needed for GPS to a new observation site. communicate well with the satellites. The site coordinates
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To adjust minutes, move the cursor to each 5.2.3. Set Mount Type digit and use the number keys to input number directly. To change the “behind” or The #8401 hand controller that comes with “ahead of” UT, move the cursor to “ahead” the MiniTower Pro can function in both EQ and using ▲ or ▼ key to toggle between and AltAz. For the MiniTower Pro you will “behind” and “ahead”. When the number is need to set the hand controller to function in correct, press ENTER and go back to the Alt
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Press ENTER. A R.A. anti-backlash will 5.2.6. Initial Star Alignment display: A simple star alignment/synchronization can R.A. anti-backlash: be performed to improve the GOTO and 0150 steps tracking accuracy. To do so, after slew the mount to an object, such as Moon, press One steps equal to MENU button, scroll down to “Sync. To 1.5 arc second. Target”, follow the on-screen instruction and press ENTER. An alternate way is to perform an “Easy To adjust steps move the c
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the number keys to change the slewing • MCG Catalog: consists of 29004 speed. Simply press a number while objects. They are listed numerically from slewing to change the slew speed. MCG+15 to MCG-05. • Caldwell Catalog: consists of 109 6.2. Slew to an Object objects. • Abell Catalog: consists of 2712 objects. Press the MENU button. From the main menu, select “Select and Slew.” Select an • Herschel Catalog: consists of 400 object that you would like to observe and objects. press the
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6.2.8. Enter R.A. DEC 6.5.2. Set Up Site Here you can go to a target by entering its Refer to 4.2.1. R.A. and DEC numbers. 6.5.3. Set N/S Hemisphere 6.3. Sync to Target Set north or south hemisphere. This operation will match the telescope's 6.5.4. Set Display Contrast current coordinates to Target Right Ascension and Declination. After slew to an Use arrow keys to adjust LCD display object, press MENU—then scroll to “Sync to contrast. Target” and press ENTER. Follow the screen to
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second star. If the star you choose is too 6.5.11. Update Firmware close to the first one, the system will let you Firmware updating using iOptron choose another one. When you are aligned Downloader through USB port on hand with the second star, two star alignment is finished. You can reject the suggested star controller. (Refer to Appendix E.) if it is blocked by the tree or behind the 6.5.12. Set gear ratio house. “Two Star Align” results will be overridden if Reserved for future pr
