iOptron SkyGuide Pro 3550A User manual

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iOptron Corp. | 6E Gill Street | Woburn, MA 01801 USA | [phone] | Toll Free [phone] | www.iOptron.com
Quick Start Guide
SkyGuide™ Pro Camera Mount
Model: 3550 & 3550A
PACKAGE CONTENTS1
SkyGuiderTM Pro camera mount with built-in Li-ion rechargeable battery
AccuAlignTM dark field illuminated polar scope (#3550) or iPolar (#3550A)
Alt-azi base
DEC mounting bracket with DEC camera mounting block
Vixen-style dovetail saddle for telescope mounting
Counterweight –3 lbs (1.35 kg)
Counterweight shaft
USB cable
Padded carry bag
ONLINE RESOURCES ( www.iOptron.com)
Full Instruction Manual with optional 8408 hand controller
iPolar (#3339) software and Operation Manual (https://www.ioptron.com/product-p/3339.htm)
Optional accessories, such as ball head, tripod, hand controller and camera electrical trigger cables
Firmware upgrades (check online for the latest version)
Reviews and feedbacks from other customers
1Packaging and color may change from time to time without notice. Camera and tripod not included.
®

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iOptron Corp. | 6E Gill Street | Woburn, MA 01801 USA | [phone] | Toll Free [phone] | www.iOptron.com
1. Charge the battery: The SkyGuiderTM Pro is shipped
with battery partially charged. It is suggested to fully
charge the battery before each session.Insert the
MiniUSB plug into the USB port on the mount, and
connect the other end of the USB cable into a USB
port of a computer, a smart phone charger or a
portable battery pack (not included). The input power
should be 5V, 1A. It usually takes 5 hours to charge
the internal Li-Poly battery to reach 80% of full
power. When the battery status indicator stays
steady on, the battery power should be sufficient for
observation. When the indicator blinks slowly (about
0.5Hz), it indicates the power is low and the battery
needs be charged. For a new battery, when the
battery is fully charged, the indicator may flash
rapidly (about 5Hz). You may charge the mount with
the power switch either on or off. However, the LED
only turned on when the power switch if on.
Please don’t charge the battery or use USB
power when temperature is at or below 0°C
(32°F), otherwise the rechargeable battery
might be permanently damaged.
2. Attach the SkyGuiderTM Pro mount onto a tripod:
The SkyGuiderTM Pro mount can be mounted onto a
stable tripod with or without the alt-azi base, as
shown below. When the alt-azi base is not used, a
ball head (such as #3305A, not included) is suggested
for an easy adjustment.
To use the alt-azi base, just simply slide the mount
head base into the alt-azi base dovetail saddle. You
can slide the mount head in from either direction
depending on your latitude position and payload.
The latitude adjustment range can be from -30° to
65°. If possible, choose the one with the center of
gravity of the system as close to the center of the
base as possible.
3. Install a ball head and mount a camera: A DSLR
camera can be mounted to the SkyGuiderTM Pro
mount in many ways. Here are two most practical
methods.
For a light payload (less than 1.5kg or 3.3lbs,
including lens), a DSLR can be attached directly to the
SkyGuiderTM Pro mount through a ball head. Loosen
the Camera Mounting Block locking screw to remove
the Camera Mounting Block from the SkyGuiderTM Pro
mount. Screw the ball head (not included) to the
mounting block securely.
Reattach the mounting block to the SkyGuiderTM Pro
mount and tighten the locking screws. Finally, attach
the quick release plate of the ball head to the bottom
of the DSLR camera, secure it and attach the camera
to the ball head.
Battery
Indicator

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iOptron Corp. | 6E Gill Street | Woburn, MA 01801 USA | [phone] | Toll Free [phone] | www.iOptron.com
For a heavy DSLR, especially with a long lens (more
than 1.5kg or 3.3lbs, including lens), a DEC Mounting
Bracket and a counterweight (CW) and CW shaft are
needed for better balance and performance.
To install the DEC Bracket, remove the Camera
Mounting Block from the mount. Remove the polar
scope cap. Install the DEC Bracket and tighten the
locking screw to secure it. Place the polar scope cap
on DEC bracket.
Install the CW shaft and load the CW.
Loosen two camera mounting block locking screws to
remove the DEC Camera Mounting Block from the
DEC Base on the DEC Mounting Bracket. Attach the
DEC Camera Mounting Block to the bottom of the
DSLR camera and secure it by turning the block.
Reattach the DEC Camera Mounting Block to the DEC
Base and tighten the two locking screws.
Release the RA Clutch Disk while hold the camera.
Slowly move the camera/CW to horizontal position
and balance the load in RA direction by moving the
CW position. More than one CW may be used. Return
the mount to upward position and lock the RA Clutch
Disk again.
4. Set the SkyGuiderTM Pro mount: Assume you are in
northern hemisphere, face the SkyGuiderTM Pro
mount to the true north, with the assistance of a
compass. Please note that true north is not
necessarily aligned to the magnetic north from your
compass. Release the Latitude Lock half a turn by
simply rotating the locking lever counterclockwise.
Set the latitude scale at your current latitude by
turning the Latitude Adjustment Knob and retighten
the latitude lock. The latitude lock handle can be
rotated to any suitable position by pulling and
turning. Loosen the two Azimuth Locking Knobs,
adjust the Azimuth Adjusting Knobs to align the polar
axis to the north, and then tighten the Azimuth
Locking Knobs. More details on polar alignment are in
next step.
When power on, the SkyGuiderTM Pro mount will be
in tracking mode at a rate that shown on the Mount
Status Indicator.

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iOptron Corp. | 6E Gill Street | Woburn, MA 01801 USA | [phone] | Toll Free [phone] | www.iOptron.com
If your goal is only to take the wide field image of the
sky and stars, set the tracking speed to 1X (celestial
tracking speed). With a good polar alignment, this will
keep the stars rounded in your image. If you would
like to take an image of both the starry sky and the
night landscape at the same time, you need to set the
tracking speed at 1/2X. This will let you take clear
images of both the sky and the land objects at a
proper exposure. Solar speed is for tracking the Sun
and lunar speed for the moon.
Keep pressing the center round button to change
the tracking speed from Solar=>Lunar=>1/2X =>1X.
You may fast slew the RA axis by pressing and holding
◄or ►button while the mount is at tracking mode.
The letter “S” indicates if the mount is set to northern
or southern hemisphere. If the LED under “S” is on, it
indicates the mount is set to southern hemisphere.
To change this setting, press and hold the center
round button until the LED under letter “S” starts
to blink. Press the button to toggle between the “S
(LED on)” and “N(LED off)”.
5. Polar Alignment: To achieve accurate tracking,
precise polar alignment is crucial. SkyGuiderTM Pro
mount offers a quick polar alignment.
Easy alignment through polar scope
Aim through the polar scope to the Polaris (or Sigma
Octantis) while adjusting the azimuth and altitude
angles until putting the Polaris at the cross hairs of
the polar scope dial. Lock all the knobs when done.
The misalignment to North Pole is about 40 min (or
about 1 degree in southern hemisphere with Sigma
Octantis).
If you are using the mount without DEC Bracket, you
need to remove the Camera Mounting Block and the
camera to perform the polar alignment. If you are
using the mount with DEC Bracket, you can do polar
alignment with the payload on it.
Quick Polar Alignment
You can use iOptron’s AccuAlignTM dark field
illuminated polar scope for easy and accurate polar
alignment. This is achieved by making the polar axis
of the mount parallel to the Earth’s axis of rotation.
As indicated below, the Polar Scope Dial is divided
into 12 hours along the angular direction with 10 min
ticks, with a large ticks every one hour. Any one large
tick on top can be assigned as 12 o’clock. There are 2
groups, 6 concentric circles marked from 36’ to 44’
and 60’ to 70’, respectively. The 36’ to 44’ concentric
circles are for polar alignment in the northern
hemisphere using Polaris. While the 60’ to 70’ circles
are for polar alignment in the southern hemisphere
using Sigma Octantis.
Press the power switch on the mount to turn on the
mount. Look through the polar scope eyepiece. If you
Mount
Status
Indicator
Large ticks

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iOptron Corp. | 6E Gill Street | Woburn, MA 01801 USA | [phone] | Toll Free [phone] | www.iOptron.com
can not see red polar scope dial or a large tick mark is
not on top, release RA Clutch Disk slightly. Rotate the
RA axis until you see the red LED illumination and/or
adjust one of the large tick mark to the top. Lock the
RA axis again. Adjust the eyepiece to bring the reticle
dial in focus.
To maximize the benefits of the iOptron polar scope
for polar alignment, you need to know where the
Polaris is in the northern (Sigma Octantis in southern)
hemisphere. You may find this information via an
iPhone/iPad app (Search iOptron Polar Scope in
Apple iTune store). As shown in a screen shot of an
iPhone, on August 10, 2016, 17:50:18 in Boston, USA
(Lat N42°30’28” and Long W71°08’49”), the Polaris
Position is 00hr 18.4m and Radius is 40.2min (the
green cross on the chart).
Adjust the mount in latitude (using Latitude
Adjustment Knob) and azimuth (Azimuth Adjusting
Knobs) directions 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 40.2’ and an angle of 00 hour
18.4 minute.
If you feel the polar scope LED is not bright enough,
or too bright, you can adjust it. Press and hold the
center round button until the LED under letter “S”
start to blink. Release button. Press and hold
button again until the LED beneath the “ ” is on.
Now you can press ◄or ►button to adjust the polar
scope illumination intensity.
When done light intensity adjustment, double check
the LED under letter “S” to make sure the correct
hemisphere is selected.
Polar Alignment with iPolar (#3550A)
If you have a SkyGuider Pro with iPolar, please go to
iPolar product page to download iPolar software and
instruction manual for polar alignment:
https://www.ioptron.com/product-p/3339.htm. A
PC or Mac computer is needed at the moment.
6. Advanced Applications: The SkyGuiderTM Pro mount
is a versatile mount that can be used in many ways.
Some advanced applications/functions are:
Telescope operation (with included Vixen
dovetail saddle)
Autoguide via built-in ST-4 compatible GUIDE
port.
Dual camera mounting
Guiding rate adjustment and camera shutter
control via Optional Go2Nova®8408 hand
controller.
Visit www.iOptron.com for a full instruction manual and
accessories. Contact [e-mail] for technical
supports.
Rev 3.1, Dec. 2020.

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iOptron Corp. | 6E Gill Street | Woburn, MA 01801 USA | [phone] | Toll Free [phone] | www.iOptron.com
IOPTRON WARRANTY
1. iOptron battery has 90 day limited warranty
2. iOptron mount has One (1) year limited 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. Contact iOptron at
[email protected] or 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 discontinued 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 product.
If warranty problems arise, or if you need assistance in using your telescope, mount, or controller contact:
iOptron Corporation
Customer Service Department
6F Gill Street
Woburn, MA 01801
www.ioptron.com
[email protected]
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
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
warranty.