iOptron SmartStar MiniTower Pro User manual

SmartStar®MiniTower ProTM
Instruction Manual

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Table of Content
Table of Content ............................................................................................................................. 2
1. MiniTowerTM Overview.............................................................................................................. 4
1.1. MiniTowerTM Features......................................................................................................... 4
1.2. MiniTowerTM Components.................................................................................................. 7
2. MiniTowerTM Assembly ............................................................................................................. 8
2.1. MiniTower Assembly .......................................................................................................... 8
2.2. OTA Mounting and Balancing........................................................................................... 10
2.3. Operate a MiniTower on Batteries..................................................................................... 11
3. GOTONOVATM 8401 Hand Controller.................................................................................... 12
3.1. Key Description................................................................................................................. 12
3.2. The LCD Screen ................................................................................................................ 13
3.3. Connection to a Computer................................................................................................. 13
4. Getting Started.......................................................................................................................... 14
4.1. Level and Align the Mount................................................................................................ 14
4.1.1. Level the Mount.......................................................................................................... 14
4.1.2. Initial Positions ........................................................................................................... 14
4.2. Setting Up the Mount......................................................................................................... 14
4.2.1. Set Up Time Zone....................................................................................................... 15
4.2.2. Set Up Daylight Saving Time..................................................................................... 16
4.2.3. Set Mount Type........................................................................................................... 16
4.2.4. Set Anti-backlash........................................................................................................ 16
4.2.5. Go to the Moon........................................................................................................... 17
4.2.6. Initial Star Alignment ................................................................................................. 17
4.3. Turn Off the Mount............................................................................................................ 17
5. Use the MiniTower................................................................................................................... 17
5.1. Manual Operation of a Telescope...................................................................................... 17
5.2. Slew to an Object............................................................................................................... 18
5.2.1. Planets, Sun, Moon..................................................................................................... 18
5.2.2. Deep sky objects......................................................................................................... 18
5.2.3. Comets ........................................................................................................................ 18
5.2.4. Asteroids..................................................................................................................... 18
5.2.5. Stars: ........................................................................................................................... 18
5.2.6. Constellations.............................................................................................................. 18
5.2.7. User Objects................................................................................................................ 18
5.2.8. Enter R.A. DEC .......................................................................................................... 19
5.3. Sync to Target.................................................................................................................... 19
5.4. Electric Focuser ................................................................................................................. 19
5.5. Set Up Controller............................................................................................................... 19
5.5.1. Set Up Local Time...................................................................................................... 19
5.5.2. Set Up Site .................................................................................................................. 19
5.5.3. Set N/S Hemisphere.................................................................................................... 19
5.5.4. Set Display Contrast ................................................................................................... 19
5.5.5. Set Eyepiece Light...................................................................................................... 19
5.5.6. Set Backlight............................................................................................................... 19

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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.................................................................................................................... 19
5.5.11. Update Firmware ...................................................................................................... 20
5.5.12. Set gear ratio............................................................................................................. 20
5.5.13. Set Language............................................................................................................. 20
5.6. Align .................................................................................................................................. 20
5.6.1. One Star Align ............................................................................................................ 20
5.6.2. Two Star Align............................................................................................................ 20
5.6.3. Three-Star Align ......................................................................................................... 20
5.6.4. Dis R.A axis error....................................................................................................... 20
5.6.5. Test Anti-backlash...................................................................................................... 20
5.6.6. Polaris Position ........................................................................................................... 20
5.7. PEC Option........................................................................................................................ 20
5.8. Set Up Tracking................................................................................................................. 21
5.9. User Objects....................................................................................................................... 21
5.10. Auto Guide....................................................................................................................... 21
5.11. Park Scope ....................................................................................................................... 21
5.12. To Park Position............................................................................................................... 21
6. Maintenance and Servicing....................................................................................................... 21
6.1. Maintenance....................................................................................................................... 21
6.2. Troubleshooting................................................................................................................. 21
6.3. iOptron Customer Service.................................................................................................. 22
Appendix A. Technical Specifications ......................................................................................... 23
Appendix B. GOTONOVATM 8401 HC MENU STRUCTURE.................................................. 24
Appendix C. GOTONOVATM Star List........................................................................................ 26
Appendix D. Set Up USB-PC Connection ................................................................................... 31
Appendix E. Firmware Upgrade................................................................................................... 38
Appendix F. Use a PC to Control an iOptron Mount ................................................................... 41
Appendix G. RS-232 Command Set............................................................................................. 42
IOPTRON TWO YEAR TELESCOPE, MOUNT, AND CONTROLLER WARRANTY........ 47
WARNING!
NEVER USE A TELESCOPE TO LOOK AT THE SUN!
Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye.
Children should always have adult supervision while observing.

1. MiniTower ProTM
Overview
1.1. MiniTower ProTM Features
MiniTower ProTM is the perfect combination
of capacity and portability.
33 lbs of Payload
Born out of the popular iOptron CubeTM, The
MiniTower ProTM is the ultimate observing
solution for people who are searching for a
capable and portable GOTO telescope
mount to counter light pollution in their
backyards and for travel convenience. With
a standard payload of 33 lbs, a rock solid 2”
stainless steel tripod, metal worm and gear
and two dovetail adaptors, The MiniTower
ProTM is capable of handling various optical
tube assemblies (OTAs). A 10-lbs counter
weight and a secondary dovetail holder are
provided for balancing an OTA weights
more than 10 lbs, or for a secondary OTA.
Figure 1. MiniTower Pro Mount and Tripod
Extremely Portable
With all the standard components
(excluding the tripod) fitted in an aluminum
alloy metal case, The MiniTower ProTM can
easily travel in a car or taken as airline
luggage. The system takes about 10
minutes to assemble. This unlimited
portability combined with the internal GPS
gives amateur astronomers real flexibility in
selecting an observing site.

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Figure 2. MiniTower Pro in an aluminum case
Accurate GOTO and Tracking
Equipped with our SmartStar®GOTO
technology, the MiniTower ProTM is one of
the most powerful and accurate GOTO
mounts available on the market. The
standard 8401 hand controller offers a
superb navigation experience with an 8-line
LCD backlit display, a 130,000-object
database, and a USB port for easy
connection with ASCOM compliant PC
planetarium programs. With a typical GOTO
accuracy of 1 arc minute and the
SmartStar® precision auto-tracking, The
MiniTower ProTM will consistently bring the
celestial object of your choice to the center
of the eyepiece and keep tracking for
hours.

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Additional Unique Features
Equipped with additional features such as
automatic over-current protection, automatic
clutch protection for both axes, easy 3-point
level adjustment, dual scope setup with two
dovetails and more-- The MiniTower ProTM
is one of the most user-friendly GOTO
mounts available today.
Figure 3. MiniTower Pro with dual scope setup

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1.2. MiniTower ProTM Components1
Figure 4. MiniTower Pro Components
Shown in the picture:
1. Tripod Lock
2. Tripod Support
3. Tripod Knob
4. Tripod Rod
5. Level Adjustment Lock (not included
with MiniTower Pro)
6. Level Adjustment Screw
7. Tripod
8. Mount Base
9. Primary Dovetail Lock
10. Primary Dovetail Holder
11. Azimuth Clutch Lock
12. South Alignment Mark
13. Altitude Clutch Lock
14. Counter Balance Shaft Lock
15. Secondary Dovetail Holder Lock
16. Secondary Dovetail Holder
17. Secondary Dovetail Lock
18. Retractable Counter Weight Shaft
19. Bubble Level Indicator
Not shown in picture:
•8401 Hand Controller
•Controller Cable
•AC Adapter
•12V DC Adapter with Car Lighter Plug
•USB Cable
•Counter Weight
•Counter Weight Lock Pin
•Counter Weight Lock
•Hard Travel Case
1The contents may vary slightly by generation.

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2. MiniTower ProTM 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
Figure 5
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 6
2. Assemble the three prong washer and azimuth clutch lock
(#11) onto the mount base
Figure 7
3. Carefully position telescope mount onto the tripod by aligning
the three holes on the bottom of the mount base (#8) to the
three level adjustment screws (#6) on the top of the tripod (#7),
hold the mount with your hands.
Adjust level adjustment screws (#6) to level the mount using the
bubble level on the base.
#11
Washer
#6

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Figure 8
4. Secure the mount to the tripod by using the long tripod rod
(#4). Hand tighten the rod into the bottom of the mount by
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.
Figure 9
5. Attach an OTA to the primary dovetail holder (#10) using the
primary dovetail lock (#9).
Tighten both the azimuth clutch lock (#11) and the altitude
clutch lock (#13)
Figure 10
6. Plug one end of supplied 6pin RJ-11 cable into either one of
the two HBX (Handbox) sockets on the mount; plug the other
end into the GOTONOVA 8401 hand controller. Plug in 12V
power cable.
Turn on power. Now you are ready to observe. Use the 4 Arrow
keys (▲▼◄►) to rotate the scope Up, Down, Left, and Right.
Use the number key to change the slew speed from the slowest
(1:1X) to the fastest (9:MAX).
The other HBX is reserved for accessories, such as electronic
focuser, laser pointer and autoguider adapter. DO NOT plug
non-iOptron accessories into the unit to avoid damaging
the mount or accessories.
Figure 11
7. 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 optional).
First, make sure the altitude clutch lock (#13) is tight. Loose the
counter weight shaft lock (#14), pull the counter weight shaft
(#18) out and tighten the counter balance shaft lock (#14).
#4 Rod
#2
#10
#9
#18
#14
#3 Knob
#1
#13

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Figure 12
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.
Figure 13
9. Secure the counterweight by tightening the lock knob.
Counter weight is heavy. Please handle with care
to avoid injury!
Figure 14
This step is for attaching a second scope.
10. Attach Secondary Dovetail Holder (#16) by tightening the
holder lock (#15) onto the counterweight shaft (#18).
After sliding your scope into the dovetail holder—secure the
scope by tightening the secondary lock (#17)
2.2. OTA Mounting and
Balancing
The iOptron MiniTower Pro™ can handle
various OTAs. A dovetail plate is needed to
mount an OTA onto the MiniTower Pro
mount. The width of the MiniTower ProTM
dovetail holder is 1.75”.
Most telescopes come with a dovetail plate
installed on the bottom of the telescope. If
the size of dovetail plate does not match un-
screw the plate and install an appropriate
dovetail plate that matches the holder. 1.75”
dovetail plates are available from iOptron at
www.iOptron.com (part number #8422) or
visit an online or local camera store.
Some telescopes may not have screw holes
on the bottom. In this case you may need
compatible mounting rings to attach the
dovetail plate. The size of the mounting
rings should match the aperture of your
OTA.
The counter weight (CW) is always helpful
to balance the OTA in order to have smooth
groove
Lock
#17
#15
#16