SKY-WATCHER Star Discovery 2i User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
202007-V1
Star Discovery 2i

CONTENT
Part I: Introduction
A simple mount, yet efficient ..............................................................................................3
Part II: Getting Started
Parts description
................................................................................................................4
Installing the Star Discovery 2i mount for an observation ...................................................4
Attaching the red dot finder ...............................................................................................6
Mounting the telescope accessories
..................................................................................6
Using the Red Dot Finder ..................................................................................................6
Aligning the Red Dot Finder
..............................................................................................7
Download SynScan or SynScan Pro APP
.........................................................................7
Terrestrial photography
.....................................................................................................7
Download APP Manual
Wireless telescope control
......................................................... ........................................7
............................................................................7
Wireless terrestrial photography control
............................................................. ........................................8
Installing the Mounting Bracket ..........................................................................................8
Tips for observing the sky .................................... .............................................................11
Choosing the Appropriate Eyepiece .................................................................................10
Appendix

Part I: Introduction
3
A simple mount, yet efficient
Part II: Getting Started
NEVER USE YOUR TELESCOPE TO LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE
SUN. PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE WILL RESULT.
NEVER USE AN EYEPIECE-TYPE SOLAR FILTER.
NEVER USE YOUR TELESCOPE TO PROJECT SUNLIGHT ONTO
ANOTHER SURFACE; THE INTERNAL HEAT BUILD-UP WILL
DAMAGE THE TELESCOPE OPTICAL ELEMENTS.
USE A CERTIFIED SOLAR FILTER FIRMLY MOUNTED ON THE
FRONT OF THE TELESCOPE FOR VIEWING THE SUN.
WHEN OBSERVING THE SUN, PLACE A DUST CAP OVER
YOUR FINDERSCOPE OR REMOVE IT TO PROTECT YOU
FROM ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE.
NEVER LET A TELESCOPE POINTING THE SUN UNATTENDED.
The Star Discovery 2i mount is designed to be connected by WiFi to your smartphone, tablet or
laptop computer, using the free downloadable software SynScan or SynScan Pro and / or Syn-
Scan Photo.
There is no need for an external WiFi signal as the mount produces its own WiFi signal to connect
with your smart device. So operation is possible anywhere, even in remote areas far away from
any other signal source. All you need is charged batteries in your mount and your smart device,
and to have the SynScan software already installed on your smart device.
The Sky Discovery 2i mount will then be able to aim your telescope or camera to any astronomical
object selected from its huge 42000+ object database, including objects from Messier, IC, NGC
and Caldwell catalogs, the planets, named stars, double stars, variable stars and even user-de-
fined objects like new comets (SynScan) or positions on the landscape (SynScan Photo).
As an option, it is also possible to buy the SynScan handcontroller, which can replace your WiFi
connected smart device for astronomy application.
When designing the Star Discovery 2i mount,
Sky-Watcher engineers kept these words in mind.
A simple mount that can really do astronomy,
helps beginners to discover the night sky effciently
and will become a tool that can fulfill your passion.
The Star Discovery 2i mount is not only designed
to drive a telescope, but is also a multi-role
platform for cameras and video recorders. Perfect
for lightweight astrophotography, time lapse photog-
raphy, wide view and panorama photography,
video panning and so many more activities.
With motors on both axes the Star Discovery 2i
mount can be driven from one point to another
accurately in no time and can pinpoint any object.
Any night sky object will be in the center of the
field of view in no time, or your camera will frame
that scene exactly as you like it.
The Star Discovery 2i mount even includes digital
encoders and the patented “Freedom FindTM”
technology like the biggest Sky-Watcher mounts.
After moving to a new object the telescope will
automatically begin to track the new object accurately.
No resetup is required in one observing session.

Part II: Getting Started
4
Parts description
When unpacking the mount box, you will find the following parts enclosed:
Installing the Star Discovery 2i mount for an observation
Install the base on the observation point. Extend the legs at desired height and level the base
(Fig. 1). You don’t have to align a leg to a specific direction. Please note the three screws
position on the base.
Star Discovery 2i SD
-
GoTo bundle
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Standard parts:
1. The Star Discovery 2i mount
2. The tripod with adjustable legs
3. The accessory tray
Optional parts：
B1.SynScan hand controller
B2.Leg support for SynScan
hand controller
B4.
B3.RJ12 connection cable for
SynScan hand controller
L bracket and secondary
accessory plate

Part II: Getting Started
5
Install the mount’s head on the base so the three threads [shown by arrows in (Fig. 2)] are
aligned with the three screws on the base [shown by arrows in (Fig. 1)].
Tight the three screws from the base onto the head threads [shown by an arrow in (Fig. 3)].
Be sure the head is secure onto the base.
If not done yet, please install 8xAA cells inside the box located on the external side of the
mount’s arm. To open the box, gently lift the panel with one finger. Please note the cell
holder gets place for 4xAA cells on one side, and 4xAA more on the other side. Please insert
the cells with right polarity. When done close the panel (Fig. 4).
To install a telescope, loosen the handle screw (Fig. 5.2) until you can slide the telescope
dovetail bar (Fig. 5.1)inside the bracket. Once inserted, tighten the handle screw (Fig. 5.2)
until the dovetail bar on the telescope tube is securely fastened on the mount. Adjust the
clutch knob (Fig. 6) to obtain a locking force enabling the main tube to be pushed manually
while staying steady once released.
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
To install the camera instead of the telescope,
please refer to chapter “Terrestrial Photography”.
Connectors description:
1: ON / OFF switch
2: Snap connector for camera shutter release
3: external power 12V DC input
4: RJ12 hand controller connection port

Attaching the red dot finder
Fig. 7
Fig. 9
Fig. 8
Part II: Getting Started
6
Azimuth
adjustment
knob
Bracket
Thumbscrews
Azimuth
adjustment
knob
LED Tab
Battery
compartment
cover
Slide the red dot finder bracket into the rectangular slot and tighten the screw to hold the red
dot finder in place (Fig. 7).
Mounting the telescope accessories
Unscrew the thumbscrews on the end of the focus tube to remove the black plastic end-cap.
Insert the desired eyepiece then re-tighten thumbscrews to hold the eyepiece in place
(Fig. 8).
Using the Red Dot Finder
The Red Dot Finder is a zero magnication
pointing tool that uses a coated glass window
to superimpose the image of a small red dot
onto the night sky. The Red Dot Finder is
equipped with a variable brightness control,
azimuth adjustment control, and altitude
adjustment control (Fig. 9). The Red Dot
Finder is powered by a 3-volt lithium battery
located underneath at the front. To use the
Finder, simply look through the sight tube and
move your telescope until the red dot merges
with the object. Make sure to keep both eyes
open when sighting.
1.
2.

Wireless telescope control
Fig.10
Part II: Getting Started
7
The Star discovery 2i mount will be equipped with a telescope optical tube for astronomy obser-
vation purpose. Please refer to the telescope optical tube manual for use of the telescope and
its accessories.
Aiming the telescope automatically with the Star Discovery 2i mount, connected to your smart
device equipped with WiFi (smartphone, tablet, laptop):
Wireless terrestrial photography control:
The Star discovery 2i mount can be equipped with a camera for terrestrial panorama photogra-
phy, timelapse photography etc.
The connection procedure is identical. The app to be installed is different: SynScan Photo.
The Wi-Fi will be turned off automatically to conserve energy if no connection is established
within 15 minutes after being turned on.
By default, the SSID of the built-in Wi-Fi is “SynScan_xxxx” with no password.
Reset Wi-Fi configuration to factory default by turning on the power without the SynScan hand
control connected and no app operations via the Wi-Fi connection for 1 hour.
Entry-level users are recommended to start with SynScan app, the SynScan Pro app is for
experienced users.
Make sure the freely available software (SynScan or SynScan Pro) app is installed on your
smart device. You can find them in your App Store, Google Play or on our webpage
Switch on the Star Discovery 2i mount.
Connect your smart device with the WiFi signal with identification “SynScan …..”
Refer to SynScan App User’s Manual.
-
-
-
-
Aligning the Red Dot Finder
Plastic
shipping
cover
Like all finderscopes, the Red Dot Finder must be properly aligned with the main telescope
before use. This is a simple process using the azimuth and altitude control knobs.
Open the battery cover by pulling it down (you can gently
pry at the 2 small slots) and remove the plastic shipping
cover over the battery (Fig. 10).
Turn on the Red Dot Finder by rotating the variable bright-
ness control clockwise until you hear a “click”. Continue
rotating the control knob to increase the brightness level.
Insert a low power eyepiece into the telescope’s focuser.
Locate a bright object and position the telescope so that
the object is in the centre of the field of view.
With both eyes open, look through the sight tube at the
object. If the red dot overlaps the object, your Red Dot
Finder is perfectly aligned. If not, turn its azimuth and
altitude adjustment controls until the red dot is merged
with the object.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Download SynScan or SynScan Pro APP
http://www.skywatcher.com/download/software/synscan-app/
http://www.skywatcher.com/download/manual/synscan-hand-control-and-synscan-app/
Download SynScan App User’s Manual

8
Part IV: Terrestrial Photography
The Star Discovery 2i mount is also perfectly suited to
shoot amazing panoramic images or do video cruising
automatically. But not only… It is also perfect for
lightweight astrophotography, time lapse photography,
wide view and panorama photography, video panning
and so many more activities.
The Star Discovery 2i mount is capable of automatically
moving to various preprogrammed positions and
controls the camera shutter to take a picture at each
position automatically, taking the complexity out of
producing panoramic video or photographs.
The Star Discovery 2i mount also supports Sky -Watcher
latest patented Freedom Find (dual-encoder)
technology. With two encoders the mount will keep
track of stored position even if the mount has been
manually rotated. A feature many nature photographers
awaited for so long.
Installing the Mounting Bracket
Before installing the mounting bracket please note the bracket has a
metal plate reinforcement on one side, as shown in (Fig.11). This
metal plate should face the blocking screw on the vertical axe.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
PLEASE CHECK CAREFULLY THAT YOU HAVE INSERTED THE
MOUNTING BRACKET WITH THE METAL PLATE FACING THE
BLOCKING SCREW.
INSERTING THE MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE WRONG SIDE
MAY BREAK THE MOUNTING BRACKET WHILE TIGHTENING
THE BLOCKING SCREW OR MAY SUDDENLY FALL OFF WITH
ACCESSORIES LOADED DURING OPERATIONS.
You can assemble on the mounting bracket any device having a
standard photo thread ( ¼ “), like a camera, a camcorder
or a spotting scope.
To assemble and secure a camera body on the mounting bracket
you need to align the thread inside the camera body with the
screw (step 1), then tighten the screw until the camera is tight
(step 2).
Don’t over tight the screw; you may damage the camera
body’s thread and/or the mounting bracket screw.
Part II: Getting Started
Gently slide the mounting bracket inside the dovetail clamp, roughly
to the middle or the height of the mounting bracket.
Secure the mounting brackets in place by tighten the blocking screw.
Terrestrial photography
Fig.
11

9
Part II: Getting Started
It is also possible to attach two devices on the mounting
bracket by using the secondary accessory plate. You will
find the secondary accessory plate and two screws inside
the box.
To mount the secondary accessory plate: locate two
threads on the internal side of the mounting bracket (part
1)and use the two screws (part 2)to assemble the
secondary accessory plate (part 3)on the mounting
bracket (part 1). Take care to mount the secondary
accessory plate with it screw on the same side as the
screw of the mounting bracket.
The secondary plate is designed to support light accessories (< 400g).
Please do not install a digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) or a spotting scope
on the secondary accessory plate. The mounting bracket may break, or the
secondary accessory plate may bend over the accessory installed below.

10
Part II: Getting Started
Calculating the magnication (power)
Choosing the Appropriate Eyepiece
The magnification produced by a telescope is determined by the focal length of the eyepiece that is
used with it. To determine a magnification for your telescope, divide its focal length by the focal
length of the eyepieces you are going to use. For example, a 10mm focal length eyepiece will give
80X magnification with an 800mm focal length telescope.
Calculating the field of view
The size of the view that you see through your telescope is called the true (or actual) field of view
and it is which is supplied by the manufacturer. Field of view is usually measured in degrees and/or
arc-minutes (there are 60 arc-minutes in a degree). The true field of view produced by your
telescope is calculated by dividing the eyepiece’s apparent field of view by the magnification that
you previously calculated for the combination. Using the figures in the previous magnification exam-
ple, if your 10mm eyepiece has an apparent field of view of 52 degrees, then the true field of view
is 0.65 degrees or 39 arc-minutes.
Calculating the exit pupil
The Exit Pupil is the diameter (in mm) of the narrowest point of the cone of light leaving your
telescope. Knowing this value for a telescope-eyepiece combination tells you whether your eye is
receiving all of the light that your primary lens or mirror is providing. The average person has a fully
dilated pupil diameter of about 7mm. This value varies a bit from person to person, is less until your
eyes become fully dark adapted and decreases as you get older. To determine an exit pupil, you
divide the diameter of the primary of your telescope (in mm) by the magnification.
For example, a 200mm f/5 telescope with a 40mm eyepiece produces a magnification of 25x and
an exit pupil of 8mm. This combination can probably be used by a young person but would not be
of much value to a senior citizen. The same telescope used with a 32mm eyepiece gives a magnifi-
cation of about 31x and an exit pupil of 6. 4mm which should be fine for most dark adapted eyes. In
contrast, a 200mm f/10 telescope with the 40mm eyepiece gives a magnification of 50x and an exit
pupil of 4mm, which is fine for everyone.
To put this in perspective, the moon is about 0. 5° or 3 arc-minutes in diameter, so this combination
would be fine for viewing the whole moon with a little room to spare. Remember, too much magnifi-
cation and too small a field of view can make it very hard to find things. It is usually best to start at
a lower magnification with its wider field and then increase the magnification when you have found
what you are looking for. First find the moon then look at the shadows in the craters!
When you are looking at astronomical objects, you are looking through a column of air that reaches
to the edge of space and that column seldom stays still. Similarly, when viewing over land you are
often looking through heat waves radiating from the ground, house, buildings, etc. Your telescope
may be able to give very high magnification but what you end up magnifying is all the turbulence
between the telescope and the subject. A good rule of thumb is that the usable magnification of a
telescope is about 2X per mm of aperture under good conditions.
Too much magnification and too small a field of view can make it very hard to find things. It is usually
best to start at a lower magnification with its wider field of view and then increase the magnification
when you have found what you are looking for. First find the moon then look at the shadows in the
craters!
Focal length of the eyepiece
Focal length of the telescope 800mm 80X
==
10mm
True Field of View = 52° 0.65°
==
80x
Apparent Field of View
Exit Pupil = Diameter of Primary mirror in mm

11
Appendix: Tips for observing the sky
Appendix: Tips for observing the sky
Sky conditions
Sky conditions are usually defined by two atmospheric characteristics, seeing, or the
steadiness of the air, and transparency, light scattering due to the amount of water vapor and
particulate material in the air. When you observe the Moon and the planets, and they appear
as though water is running over them, you probably have bad "seeing" because you are
observing through turbulent air. In conditions of good "seeing", the stars appear steady,
without twinkling, when you look at them with unassisted eyes (without a telescope). Ideal
"transparency" is when the sky is inky black and the air is unpolluted.
Selecting an observing site
Travel to the best site that is reasonably accessible. It should be away from city lights, and
upwind from any source of air pollution. Always choose as high an elevation as possible; this
will get you above some of the lights and pollution and will ensure that you aren't in any
ground fog. Sometimes low fog banks help to block light pollution if you get above them. Try
to have a dark, unobstructed view of the horizon, especially the southern horizon if you are in
the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa. However, remember that the darkest sky is usually
at the "Zenith", directly above your head. It is the shortest path through the atmosphere. Do
not try to observe any object when the light path passes near any protrusion on the ground.
Even extremely light winds can cause major air turbulence as they flow over the top of a
building or wall.
Observing through a window is not recommended because the window glass will distort
images considerably. And an open window can be even worse, because warmer indoor air
will escape out the window, causing turbulence which also affects images. Astronomy is an
outdoor activity.
Choosing the best time to observe
The best conditions will have still air, and obviously, a clear view of the sky. It is not
necessary that the sky be cloud-free. Often broken cloud conditions provide excellent seeing.
Do not view immediately after sunset. After the sun goes down, the Earth is still cooling,
causing air turbulence. As the night goes on, not only will seeing improve, but air pollution
and ground lights will often diminish. Some of the best observing time is often in the early
morning hours. Objects are best observed as they cross the meridian, which is an imaginary
line that runs through the Zenith, due North-South. This is the point at which objects reach
their highest points in the sky. Observing at this time reduces bad atmospheric effects. When
observing near the horizon, you look through lots of atmosphere, complete with turbulence,
dust particles and increased light pollution.
Cooling the telescope
Telescopes require time to cool down to outside air temperature. This may take longer if
there is a big difference between the temperature of the telescope and the outside air. This
minimizes heat wave distortion inside telescope tube (tube currents). A rule of thumb is to
allow 5 minutes per inch of aperture. For example, your telescope would require at least 30
minutes cooling off to outside conditions. Tip: use this time for polar alignment.
Adapting your eyes
Do not expose your eyes to anything except red light for 30 minutes prior to observing. This
allows your pupils to expand to their maximum diameter and build up the levels of optical
pigments, which are rapidly lost if exposed to bright light. It is important to observe with both
eyes open. This avoids fatigue at the eyepiece. If you find this too distracting, cover the non-
used eye with your hand or an eye patch. Use averted vision on faint objects: The center of
your eye is the least sensitive to low light levels. When viewing a faint object, don't look
directly at it. Instead, look slightly to the side, and the object will appear brighter.

CAUTION!
NEVER USE YOUR TELESCOPE TO LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN.
PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE WILL RESULT. USE A PROPER SOLAR FILTER
FIRMLY MOUNTED ON THE FRONT OF THE TELESCOPE FOR VIEWING
THE SUN. WHEN OBSERVING THE SUN, PLACE A DUST CAP OVER YOUR
FINDERSCOPE OR REMOVE IT TO PROTECT YOU FROM ACCIDENTAL
EXPOSURE. NEVER USE AN EYEPIECE-TYPE SOLAR FILTER AND NEVER
USE YOUR TELESCOPE TO PROJECT SUNLIGHT ONTO ANOTHER
SURFACE, THE INTERNAL HEAT BUILD-UP WILL DAMAGE THE
TELESCOPE OPTICAL ELEMENTS.