iOptron MiniTower GOTO User manual

iOptronCorp.|6EGillStreet|Woburn,MA01801USA|(781)569‐0200|TollFree(866)399‐4587|www.iOptron.com
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The MiniTower™ GOTO AltAz Mount
with GPS and dual Mount set-up
#8300
FEATURES
•25 lb Payload
•8 lbs of additional payload on the balancing side
•All metal (aluminum alloy and stainless steel) heavy duty tripod
•1.5”/1.25” stainless steel legs
•Internal GPS
•#8401 controller with USB port and 130,000 objects in database
•Accurate SmartStar® GoTo and auto-tracking
•Conical bearings, 4 steel ball bearings
•Metal worm/gears
•Automatic over-current protection
•Automatic clutch protection for both axes
•Typical GoTo accuracy: 1 Arc Min.
•Resolution: 1 Arc Sec.
•Dual scope setup with two dovetails
•High accuracy level indicator
•3-point easy level adjustment system
•Manual push-to for both Axes
PACKAGE CONTENTS
•Telescope Mount (with built-in GPS)
•#8401 Hand Controller
•Controller Cable
•1.75-inchTripod
•Tripod bolt
•Tripod Support
•3 kg Counterweight
•Tripod Lock
•Tripod Support
•Tripod Rod
•Primary Dovetail Lock
•Primary Dovetail Holder
•Azimuth Lock
•Altitude Lock
•Counter Balance Arm Lock
•Secondary Dovetail Holder Lock
•Secondary Dovetail Holder
•Secondary Dovetail Lock
•Counter Balance Arm
•AC adapter
•USB cable
•12V DC adaptor cable with car
lighter plug
•Hard travel case
ONLINE CONTENTS (click under “Support” menu) www.iOptron.com
•Manuals (you will need to refer to the full manual for details on set-up and operation).
•Tips for set up
•Hand controller firmware upgrades (check online for latest version)
•Reviews and feedback from other customers

iOptronCorp.|6EGillStreet|Woburn,MA01801USA|(781)569‐0200|TollFree(866)399‐4587|www.iOptron.com
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Quick Start Guide
Step 1.
Extend tripod legs to full extension. Then lock legs
using the lock knobs on sides.
Step 3.
Secure the mount to the tripod by using the long rod
(#4). Hand tighten the rod into the bottom of the mount.
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.
Step 4.
Attach telescope to primary dovetail holder (#10) using
primary dovetail lock (#9).
Step 5.
Set telescope to PARK POSITION. (1) Position the
mount so that the “S” is facing south. (2) The telescope
tube should be pointed directly up at the zenith. If it is
not perfectly straight then loosen the altitude lock (#13)
to adjust telescope. Once it is straight re-tighten the
altitude lock to make sure OTA is secure and will not
spin.
1)South
2)Up
#10
#9
#4Rod
#2
#6
#5
Step 2.
Carefully position telescope
mount onto the tripod by
aligning the three holes onto
the matching three pins.
Note: later models have the
black star knobs (right photo)
#6

iOptronCorp.|6EGillStreet|Woburn,MA01801USA|(781)569‐0200|TollFree(866)399‐4587|www.iOptron.com
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Step 6.
This step allows you to attach the counterweight or a
second scope. (note: if you have a light scope less than 10
lbs. on the primary side, then attaching a counterweight is not
needed).
First, make sure altitude lock (#13) is tight (see step 5).
Screw the counterbalance arm (#18) into the threaded
hole (#14).
If you are attaching a second scope do not add the
counterweight. Instead, skip to Step 9 to add a
second scope.
Step 7.
Slide the counterweight onto the counterbalance arm
(#18). Next, insert the brass locking rod into the hole on
the counterweight. Note: when tightened this brass rod
should fit into the groove of the arm.
Step 8.
Secure the counterweight by tightening the lock knob.
Again, the counterweight should fit over the groove of
the arm so that the brass rod fits into the groove when
tightened.
Next: Skip to step 10.
This step is for attaching a second scope. Go to steps 7
and 8 if you are attaching the counterweight.
Step 9.
Attach Secondary Dovetail Holder (#16) by tightening
the holder lock (#15) onto the counterweight arm (#18).
After sliding your scope into the dovetail holder—
secure the scope by tightening the secondary lock
(#17).
Refer to the full manual for more details on attaching a second
scope and aligning both scopes together.
Step 10.
Level the mount using the bubble on side of mount by
adjusting the three metal adjusters (see step 2 left
photo). Use the top knob (#6) to make adjustments.
Use the bottom knob (#5) to lock the position.
For later models with star knobs (see step 2 right photo)
adjust knobs until mount is level. Then use #4 Rod to
lock in position.
It is also suggested to use additional levels to assure
very precise level.
#18
groove
Lockknob
#17
#15
#16

iOptronCorp.|6EGillStreet|Woburn,MA01801USA|(781)569‐0200|TollFree(866)399‐4587|www.iOptron.com
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Step 11.
Plug in power plug and hand controller.
Note: You can also install 8 AA batteries in the side panel. Be
sure to use fresh batteries as low batteries can cause error
messages to occur.
Step 12.
Turn on and wait for controller lights to come on. (For
GPS signal wait for controller to say “GPS_OK”—not
“GPS_ON”).
GPS provides Latitude, Longitude, and current time only. If
you are not receiving a signal (due to clouds or buildings) you
can manually enter the lat. and long. in step 15.
Step 13.
Go to:
Set up controller. Press ENTER.
Step 14.
Go to:
Set up Local Time. Press ENTER.
Enter date and day-light savings (Y-yes. N-no).
Then press ENTER
(Note: use numbered keypad to change numbers)
Step 15.
Go to:
Set Up Site. Press ENTER.
Enter time zone: (add or subtract 60 minutes per time zone)
Enter minutes “behind” UT or “ahead” of UT
•New York City is 300 minutes “behind” UT
•Los Angeles is 480 minutes “behind” UT
•Rome is 60 minutes “ahead” of UT
•Sydney is 600 minutes “ahead” of UT

iOptronCorp.|6EGillStreet|Woburn,MA01801USA|(781)569‐0200|TollFree(866)399‐4587|www.iOptron.com
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Step 16. Select and Slew to an object
The mount is now ready to GOTO and track objects.
Go to: Menu>Select and Slew
Press ENTER.
Step 17.
Select a category (ex. “planets, sun, moon”). Then
select an object (ex. “moon”). Then press ENTER.
The telescope will automatically slew to the object and
lock on. It will automatically begin to track once it locks
on to the object.
Step 18. Sync to Target (Use this to center and
synchronize the object from Step 12 into the memory).
Go to: MENU>Sync. To Target. Press ENTER. Next
use the arrow keys to slew to the object until it is
centered in your eyepiece. Then press ENTER again
on the hand controller.
To slew to other objects repeat steps 16 and 17. You
do not need to repeat step 18 except for adjustments.
(Refer to the online manual for 1-star and 2-star alignments. Sync to
Target is similar to 1-star Alignment except that you choose the
object to align to.)
Additional Features/Tips
Anti-backlash
The factory default is 150. If experiencing “jiggle”
motion try adjusting anti-backlash down to 0. (under
“Set up controller” go to “Set anti-backlash”)
Mount Mode/Mount Type
The hand controller default setting is EQ mode. Make
sure you change the mount type to AltAz (under “Set up
controller” go to “mount type”)

iOptronCorp.|6EGillStreet|Woburn,MA01801USA|(781)569‐0200|TollFree(866)399‐4587|www.iOptron.com

MiniTower Components
1. Tripod Lock
2. Tripod Support
3. Rod knob
4. Rod
5. Level Adjustment Lock
6. Level Adjustment Screw
7. Tripod
8. Mount Base
9. Primary Dovetail Lock
10. Primary Dovetail Holder
11. Azimuth Lock
12. South Mark
13. Altitude Lock
14. Counter Balance Arm Lock
15. Secondary Dovetail Holder Lock
16. Secondary Dovetail Holder
17. Secondary Dovetail Lock
18. Counter Balance Arm
19. Bubble Indicator
20. #8401 Hand Controller
21. DC Adapter
22. AC Adapter
23. Coiled Cable
24. USB Cable
25. Counter Weight