iOptron 3500 User's Manual
Contents
1. If warranty problems arise or if you need assistance in using your telescope mount or controller contact iOptron Corporation Customer Service Department 6E Gill Street Woburn MA 01801 www ioptron com support ioptron com Tel 781 569 0200 Fax 781 935 2860 Monday Friday 9AM 5PM EST NOTE This warranty is valid to U S A and Canadian customers who have purchased this product from an authorized iOptron dealer in the U S A or Canada or directly from iOptron Warranty outside the U S A and Canada is valid only to customers who purchased from an iOptron Distributor or Authorized iOptron Dealer in the specific country Please contact them for any warranty2. SkyGuider Tracking Equatorial Mount Instruction Manual Product 3500 and 3520 WARNING NEVER USE A TELESCOPE OR CAMERA 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 1 SkyGuider Tracking Equatorial Mount Overview Thank you for choosing the new iOptron SkyGuider Tracking equatorial mount for astrophotography This portable mount makes it easy to take long exposures of the night sky without streaking or star trailing The SkyGuider mount is simple to set up Just attach the mount to a tripod Mount your digital camera or lightweight scope onto the mount and balance it Align the mount to the Pole Star using the included AccuAligning dark field illuminated polar scope and an optional smart phone App Then turn on the motor and it will keep your camera tracking at the same speed the earth rotates The unique DC servo motor keeps your camera in motion to avoid star trails and allows you to take long exposures for beautiful images of the night sky A built in ST 4 compatible guide port will enable you to use autoguiding and make the tracking even better Features e Accepts cameras weighing up to 11 Ibs 5 kg e Capable for dual mount application up to 11 Ibs 5kg 7 7lbs 3 5kg balanced e Spring loaded gear system with customer adjustable loading force e Auto tra
3. released Always hold on to the mount before you release the gear switch to prevent it from swinging Otherwise it may cause personal injury or damage to the equipment Turn the Tension Adjuster counterclockwise until the Gear Switch Knob can be turned 90 degree to OPEN position to disengage the worm from the worm wheel s T pens Tension Adjuster om i a Figure 7 Gear switch and Tension Adjuster Rotate the mount head along the R A axis to horizontal position Adjust the CW position to balance the mount Figure 8 Balance a SkyGuider mount CAUTION The balancing must be performed while the Gear Switch is disengaged OPEN position Turn Gear Switch Knob 90 degree again to LOCK position to re engage the worm to the worm wheel Retighten the Tension Adjuster a few turns clockwise The rule of thumb is to fully screw in the Tension Adjuster and then back out by about 2 turns The optimum spot varies with actual conditions which can be from half a turn to 2 turns Ideally it should be at a position just deep enough to eliminate any free movement play while force on the worm assembly is kept at a minimum Step 6 Polar Alignment In order for an equatorial mount to track properly it has to be polar aligned to the pole star For those located in the northern hemisphere Polaris is the pole star For those in the southern hemisphere use Sigma Octantis in Octans as the pole star To loca
4. scope Level indicator Counterweight shaft Counterweight Power consumption Power requirement Base connect Field Tripod Operation Temperature Warranty Rev 1 0 3 3 Product End of Life Disposal Instructions This electronic product is subject to disposal and recycling regulations that vary by country and region It is your responsibility to recycle your electronic EE equipment per your local environmental laws and regulations to ensure that it will be recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment To find out where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling please contact your local waste recycle disposal service or product representative Single Axis Tracking EQ 5kg 3 5kg balanced 2 6kg w o counterweight shaft Cast aluminum 0 60 10 88mm 144 teeth aluminum alloy DC servo motor with optical encoder R A automatic Cel 1 2 Cel Solar Lunar N S ST 4 compatible AccuAligning dark field illuminated 6 FOV Level bubble 20x200 mm stainless steel w 3 8 16 threads 1 5kg 0 05A at maximum load DC 10 14V 1Amp 3 8 16 threaded socket 1 5 2 section stainless steel 3 8kg for 3500 only About 460 720mm in height 510 800mm in length 10 C 40 C One year limited iOptron reserves the rights to revise this instruction without notice Actual color contents design may differ from those described in this instruction IOPTRON ONE YEA
5. R TELESCOPE MOUNT AND CONTROLLER WARRANTY A iOptron warrants your telescope mount or controller to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one year iOptron will repair or replace such product or part which upon inspection by iOptron is found to be defective in materials or workmanship As a condition to the obligation of iOptron to repair or replace such product the product must be returned to iOptron together with proof of purchase satisfactory to iOptron B The Proper Return Merchant Authorization Number must be obtained from iOptron in advance of return Call iOptron at 1 781 569 0200 to receive the RMA number to be displayed on the outside of your shipping container All returns must be accompanied by a written statement stating the name address and daytime telephone number of the owner together with a brief description of any claimed defects Parts or product for which replacement is made shall become the property of iOptron The customer shall be responsible for all costs of transportation and insurance both to and from the factory of iOptron and shall be required to prepay such costs iOptron shall use reasonable efforts to repair or replace any telescope mount or controller covered by this warranty within thirty days of receipt In the event repair or replacement shall require more than thirty days iOptron shall notify the customer accordingly iOptron reserves the right to replace any product which has been discont
6. a scope mounting as shown below Figure 14 Dual mounting Additional accessories are needed for autoguiding and dual mounting 3 Maintenance and Servicing 3 1 Maintenance The SkyGuider equatorial mount is designed to be maintenance free Do not overload the mount Do not drop the mount This will damage the mount or degrade the tracking accuracy permanently Use a damp cloth to clean the mount if necessary Do not use solvent 3 2 Optron Customer Service If you have any question concerning your mount contact iOptron Customer Service Department Customer Service hours are 9 00 AM to 5 00 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday In the unlikely event that the mount requires factory servicing or repairing write or call iOptron Customer Service Department first to receive an RMA before returning the mount to the factory Please provide details as to the nature of the problem as well as your name address e mail address purchase info and daytime telephone number We have found that most problems can be resolved by e mails or telephone calls Please contact iOptron first to avoid returning the mount for repair It is recommended to send technical questions to support ioptron com or call in the U S 1 781 569 0200 Technical Specifications Mount Payload Max Mount weight Body material Latitude adjustment range Azimuth adjustment range Worm wheel Motor drive Tracking Tracking speed Guiding port Polar
7. aded holes Short Lat Adj Knob we Level Bubble Lat Locking T bolt Bottom Lat Adj Post Locking Screw Latitude Indicator Long Lat Adj Knob For Low Latitude For High Latitude Azi Adj Knob Figure 4 Switching latitude adjustment knobs STEP 2 Setup Tripod and Mount Expand the tripod legs and adjust the tripod height Position the tripod so that the Alignment Peg faces north if you are located in the northern hemisphere If you are located in southern half face the Alignment Peg south Thread the Tripod Center Rod into the tripod head Install the Tripod Support Tray and thread the Tray Locking Knob onto it Do not fully tighten the Tray Locking Knob There are two threaded holes on the tripod head for alignment peg installation You may place the peg at either position as long as the mount does not hit the tripod leg when tracking Retract both Azimuth Adj Knobs to allow enough clearance inside the chamber Position the mount on the tripod head with the Alignment Peg in between the 2 Azimuth Adj Knobs Thread the Center Rod into mount to secure it with tripod Tighten the Tray Locking Knob to fully spread the tripod legs Adjust the tripod legs to level the mount using the Level Bubble Ww Azimuth r Adjustment Knob P Alignment Peg N t Alignment Peg Figure 5 Set up tripod and mount STEP 3 Adjust Latitude This step requires you to know the latitud
8. cking for smooth camera motion perfect for long term exposures e Four pre set tracking speeds with northern southern hemisphere selection e Includes iOptron AccuAligning dark field illuminated polar scope for Quick Polar Alignment e Built in ST 4 compatible guide port e Padded carry bag included e 1 5 stainless steel short field tripod with padded carry bag 3500 only e Optional ball heads available separately 3305 e Optional AC DC adapter 8417 e Optional 1 5 stainless steel regular height tripod 3521 DO NOT hold and swing the counterweight shaft rigorously This will degrade the performance of the spring loaded gear meshing system and possibly damage it The Tension Adjuster is used as the last step to lock and the first step to release the gears When disengaging the gear system release the Tension Adjuster first Then turn the Gear Switch to OPEN position When engaging the gear system turn the Gear Switch to LOCK position first Then tighten the Tension Adjuster Never fully tighten the Tension Adjusters during operations Fully screw in the Tension Adjuster and then back out by from half a turn to about 2 turns The optimum spot varies with actual conditions but is mostly within 2 turns from the fully tightened position Ideally it should be at a position just deep enough to eliminate any free movement play while any force on the worm assembly is kept at a minimum 2 SkyGuider Trackin
9. e of your current location This can be found on the Internet with a 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 accuracy Slightly loosen the Latitude Locking T bolts Turn Latitude Adjust Knob to adjust the latitude until the arrow points to your current latitude on the Latitude Indicator see Figure 4b Relock the Latitude Locking T bolts At this point with the mount leveled and pointed north and the latitude set the Polar Axis R A axis should be pointing very close to the NCP and Polaris This alignment accuracy will be sufficient for visual tracking and short duration astrophotography STEP 4 Install Counterweight CW shaft and CW Thread the stainless steel counterweight shaft onto the 3 8 16 threaded hole on the short arm of the DEC Adapter Remove CW Safety Screw and slide the CW onto the CW shaft Tighten the CW Locking Screw to hold the CW in place f Tighten the CW Safety Screw CW shaft CW locking screw CW safety screw Figure 6 CW shaft and CW STEP 5 Balance the SkyGuider Mount After attaching an optional ball head and a camera or telescope onto the mount the SkyTracker mount must be balanced to ensure minimum stress on the mount gears and motors inside CAUTION The mount may swing freely when the Gear Switch is
10. g Equatorial Mount Assembly 2 1 Introduction You have just purchased a tracking equatorial mount that is capable of taking you to a new level of astrophotography When the polar axis of the SkyGuider mount is aligned with the celestial North Pole CNP or celestial South Pole CSP the mount will evenly match the Earth s rotation against the sky Since all celestial objects appear to rotate around the CNP or CSP the polar alignment allows the mount to track with the celestial sohere and provide accurate tracking for visual observations and astrophotography The AccuAligning polar scope along with the Quick Polar Alignment procedure provides a fast and accurate polar alignment for the mount A built in ST 4 compatible guide port will enable you to use autoguiding for high performance tracking The SkyGuider mount is designed for wide field astrophotography The following sections of this manual provide detailed steps to successfully set up and operate the SkyGuider mount 2 2 Parts List ONLINE CONTENTS click under Support menu Th TM ee www iOptron com e SkyGuider comes with either a mount only 3520 or as a package 3500 with mount and a short field tripod e This manual e Tips for set up e Reviews and feedback from other customers 3520 SkyGuider Mount Includes Figure 1 e SkyGuider Tracking equatorial mount with AccuAligning polar scope Padded sany bag lt 7 Tensio
11. ing FREELY when the Gear Switch is disengaged Always hold the mount when releasing the Gear Switch or adjusting the gear tension e iPhone iPad app for accurate polar alignment https itunes apple com us app ioptron polar scope id564078961 mt 8 e Or other application program to calculate the pole star position Please refer to the FAQ section under Support at http www ioptron com for more information NOTE The mount is shipped with the latitude setting at high range 352 60 If your site latitude is lower than 35 please switch the latitude range before using US market only Actual contents and appearances may vary STEP 1 Select Mount Latitude Range Carefully remove the mount from the package and familiarize yourself with the components shown in Error Reference source not found The mount is by default shipped with the Long Latitude Adjustment Knob installed for 35 60 At lower latitudes of 0 35 the Short Latitude Adj Knob needs to be used To change this knob remove the Latitude Locking T bolts on both sides Be careful not to lose the washers Unscrew Bottom Post Locking Screw to free the Bottom Latitude Adj Post and remove the Latitude Adj Knob Thread in evenly the Short Latitude Adj Knob to Top and Bottom Latitude Adjustment Posts Reinstall and tighten bottom locking screw Lastly with 4 washers all properly placed insert and tighten the Latitude Locking T bolts into the upper thre
12. inued from its product line with a new product of comparable value and function This warranty shall be void and of no force of effect in the event a covered product has been modified in design or function or subjected to abuse misuse mishandling or unauthorized repair Further product malfunction or deterioration due to normal wear is not covered by this warranty IOPTRON DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WHETHER OF MERCHANTABILITY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HERE THE SOLE OBLIGATION OF IOPTRON UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE COVERED PRODUCT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SET FORTH HERE IOPTRON EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY LOST PROFITS GENERAL SPECIAL INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY OR ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY IOPTRON PRODUCT ANY WARRANTIES WHICH ARE IMPLIED AND WHICH CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO A TERM OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state iOptron reserves the right to modify or discontinue without prior notice to you any model or style telescope
13. n adjuster Counterweight shaft DEC adapter gt j One 3 5 Ibs 1 5kg counterweight A short latitude adjust knob for low altitude 2 3 Assembly Terms 3 8 16 screw m gt Polar axis cover lt gt 3500 SkyGuider Mount Package Includes Figure 2 t DEC lock screw e 3520 SkyGuider mount e 3501 1 5 stainless steel short field tripod with padded carry bag Tripod support tray A lt Tray locking knob Figure 2 Parts for a 3500 TM SkyGuider mount package Figure 3 SkyGuide mount with tripod Figure 1 Parts fora OTM 3520 SkyGuider 2 4 SkyGuider EQ Mount Assembly mount NOTE The SkyGuider mount is a_ precision ADDITIONAL PARTS NEEDED astronomical instrument It is highly recommended l that you read the entire manual and become familiar The following parts are needed to take astrophotography with the nomenclature and functions of all but are not included in the package components before starting the assembly e Power source provided by a battery pack or an AC DC adapter 8417 WARNING Please DO NOT hold and swing the e Ball head adapter 3305 counterweight shaft rigorously This will degrade the e DLSR camera performance of the spring loaded gear meshing e Tripod for 3520 system and possibly damage it YOU MAY NEED THIS FOR POLAR ALIGNMENT WARNING The new Gear Switch will allow you to have more precise weight balance This also means the mount will sw
14. our 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 the northern hemisphere using Polaris While the 60 to 70 circles are used for polar alignment in the Figure 9 Polar scope southern hemisphere using Sigma Octantis You will need to know where Polaris is in the northern hemisphere You may find this information via an iPhone iPad app iOptron Polar Scope in Apple iTune store Shown in Figure 11 is a screen shot of an iPhone chart For example on December 3 2012 12 48 36 in Boston USA Lat N42 30 28 and Long W71 08 49 the Polaris Position is 10hr 24 1m and r 40 8min the green dot on the chart at ATET T Adjust the mount in latitude and azimuth direction to place Polaris in the same position on the Polar Scope Dial as indicated on your iPhone iPad screen In this case the Polaris will be located at a radius of 40 8 and an angle of 10 hour 24 1 minute If you don t have an iPhone iPad you can still get a better polar alignment using other programs software to calculate the pole star position Figure 11 iPhone display STEP 7 Start Sky Tracking Now you are ready to track the sky Point the camera to the sky you are interested in You may also release two DEC locking screws to rotate the DEC adapter along the RA axis Make sure all the screw
15. s locks are tightened afterwards Select N or S northern or southern hemisphere depending on your location Select 1X tracking speed to take photos of only the sky Select 0 5X tracking speed to include landscape in the photo S and L speeds are for Solar and Lunar tracking Double check the polar alignment and realign it if needed Turn power switch on to begin tracking the sky SSS ae Ss es EPEE F e a L S 05K 1X Sa i ra P i _ i ye Figure 12 SkyGuider mount control board Using 0 5X Speed The 0 5X tracking speed evenly divides image blur between the sky and foreground With wide angle lenses it can produce dramatic images of a starry sky suspended above a landscape with everything sharp to the eye Advanced Application The SkyGuider mount is equipped with a guiding port to enable autoguiding while tracking The guide port wiring is shown in Figure 13 which is same as that from Celestron Starlight Xpress Orion Mount Orion Autoguider QHY5 autoguider pinout 1 NC 2 Ground 3 RA left 4 DEC up 5 DEC down 6 RA right 654321 Figure 13 Guide port pinout If you have an autoguider that has a pinout similar to ST of SBIG such as Meade Losmandy Takahashi Vixen make sure a proper guiding cable is used with the SkyGuider mount Refer to your guiding camera and guiding software for detailed operation The SkyGuider mount is also capable of dual camer
16. te the pole star from the polar scope take off the Polar Axis Cover and Polar Scope Cover Look through the polar scope eyepiece to locate Polaris if you are located in northern hemisphere Slightly turn the tripod Center Rod Knob to loosen the mount head Adjust the Azimuth Adjustment Knobs to do a fine adjustment of the mount to center the pole star in the azimuth direction Tighten the Center Rod Knob to secure the mount Slightly loosen the two Latitude Locking T bolts on the side of the mount turning the Latitude Adjustment Knob to adjust the latitude altitude Re tighten the locking screws The SkyGuider mount is equipped with iOptron s AccuAligning dark field illuminated polar scope You can do a fast and accurate polar alignment with iOptron s Quick Polar Alignment procedure to maximize the benefit of the iOptron polar scope LED thread Figure 10 Threaded polar scope LED socket Plug a power source to the mount Connect the polar scope LED to the mount by threading the polar scope illuminating LED into the polar scope LED threading hole Figure 9 Plug the other end of the LED cable into the LED socket located on the control board Press the power switch on the mount to turn the SkyGuider mount on Look through the polar scope eyepiece Adjust the eyepiece to bring the reticle dial in focus As indicated in Figure 10 the Polar Scope Dial has been divided into 12 hours along the angular direction with half h
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search