® SkyGuider™ Pro Camera Mount Instruction Manual Product #3550, #3550A, #3551 and #3552
Table of Content Table of Content ....................................................................................................................................... 2 1. SkyGuiderTM Pro Camera Mount Overview......................................................................................... 3 2. SkyGuiderTM Pro Camera Mount Assembly ........................................................................................ 6 2.1. Introduction...........................................................
1. SkyGuiderTM Pro Camera Mount Overview Introducing The SkyGuiderTM Pro -- iOptron’s next generation camera tracking device! Leading the camera tracker market for nearly four years, iOptron's SkyGuider Pro pushes closer to perfection. Figure 1. SkyGuiderTM Pro mount head only The redesigned SkyGuiderrTM Pro mount is more compact, small enough to fit on your palm, better precision, silent tracking, built-in rechargeable power source, ST-4 guiding port and camera trigger port.
Figure 2. SkyGuiderTM Pro mount system (tripod not included) Features: All metal mechanical structure Attaches to a camera tripod with 3/8” or 1/4” threads Capable for dual mount application up to 11lbs (5kg) + 7.7lbs (3.
DEC mounting bracket Counterweight and CW shaft Vixen dovetail saddle for scope mounting Optional ball head available separately (#3305A) Optional tripod (#3221) Optional Go2Nova® 8408 hand controller (#8408) Optional DSLR camera shutter trigger cable 5
2. SkyGuiderTM Pro Camera Mount Assembly 2.1. Introduction You have just purchased a tracking camera mount that is capable of taking your astrophotography to a new level.. When aligned the polar axis of the SkyGuiderTM Pro camera mount with the celestial North Pole (CNP), or celestial South Pole (CSP), the mount will provide rotation matching the celestial sphere rotation around the Earth.
OTHER ITEMS NEEDED: The following items are needed for astrophotography or observation but are not included in the package: A sturdy tripod with 3/8” or 1/4” threaded post. An power source with a USB port for mount charging, such as a smartphone charger, a laptop with a USB port, or car cigarette adapter, or a portable battery pack A camera YOU MAY NEED IT FOR POLAR ALIGNMENT: iPhone/iPad app for accurate polar alignment (https://itunes.apple.
Figure 5. Control panel and ports of a SkyGuiderTM Pro mount head 56789- Power switch Battery status indicator Function button Direction button Mount status indicator 10- GUIDE port for ST-4 autoguiding 11- Camera shutter triggering port 12- Micro USB port 13- HBX port for optional hand controller Figure 6.
Figure 7. DEC mounting bracket and counterweight package 28- 3/8” Ball head mounting screw 29- Counterweight shaft 30- Counterweight shaft safety screw 31- Counterweight 23- Vixen-type dovetail saddle 24- DEC camera mounting block 25- DEC base 26- DEC mounting bracket 27- Screws for dovetail saddle mounting 2.4. SkyGuiderTM Pro Camera Mount Assembly NOTE: The SkyGuiderTM Pro mount is a precision astronomical instrument.
You may use an external battery/power to power the mount through the USB port while using the mount 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. If the mount is not to be used for an extended period of time, charge the battery in full and recharge every 6 months. STEP 2.
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. The factory default mounting position is on 30° side. Figure 11. Alt-azi base latitude settings STEP 3. Install a ball head and mount a camera A DSLR camera can be mounted to the SkyGuiderTM Pro in many ways. Here are two most common methods. For a light payload (less than 1.5kg or 3.
Figure 13. Attach a camera For a heavy DSLR, especially with a long lens (more than 1.5kg or 3.3lbs, including lens) A DEC Mounting Bracket with a counterweight (CW) and CW shaft (or Balance Package) is needed for better balance and performance. To install the DEC Mounting 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. Install the CW shaft and load the CW.
Release the RA Clutch Disk by tuning it counterclockwise (CCW) while holding the DEC Mounting Bracket. Slowly move the camera/CW to horizontal position and balance the load in RA direction by moving the CW in or out. More than one CW may be used. Return the mount to upward position and lock the RA Clutch Disk again. Figure 15.
STEP 4. Set the SkyGuiderTM Pro mount Assuming you are using the SkyGuiderTM Pro mount with the alt-azi base and located in northern hemisphere. Face the mount to the true north with assistance of a compass or an electronic compass from your smart phone. Please note that true north is not necessarily aligned to the magnetic north from you compass. However, some smart phone compass may display both magnetic north and true north. Rotate the base to align the mount to the north as close as possible.
If you are using the mount without DEC Mounting Bracket, you need to remove the Camera Mounting Block to perform the polar alignment. If you are using the mount with DEC Mounting Bracket, you can do polar alignment with the payload. 1. Easy alignment through polar scope Aiming 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.
Press the power switch on the mount to turn the SkyGuiderTM Pro mount on. Remove metal polar scope cover in the back and polar axis cover in front. (If you are not using the DEC Mounting Bracket, you have to remove the Camera Mounting Block and ball head to expose the polar scope.) Look through the polar scope eyepiece. If you can not see red polar scope dial or 12 o’clock mark is not on top, release RA Clutch Disk slightly.
3. Advanced Applications The SkyGuiderTM Pro mount is a versatile mount that can be used in many ways. Here are some advanced applications/functions. 3.1. Autoguide The SkyGuiderTM Pro mount is equipped with a ST-4 compatible guiding port to enable autoguiding while tracking. The default guiding speed is (1 ± 0.5X). You may change it from (1 ± 0.1X) to (1 ± 0.9X) via an optional 8408 hand controller.
3.3. Dual Camera/Scope Mount The SkyGuiderTM Pro mount is also capable of dual camera/scope mounting as shown below. To maintain a proper balance, you may mount the cameras/scope to DEC mounting bracket with or without extra ball heads, with or without counter weight shaft/CW, with additional accessories. Figure 25. Dual mounting 3.4.
The optional Go2Nova® 8408 hand controller (HC) shown in Figure 26 has a 4 line, 21 character large LCD screen. It has function keys, direction keys and number keys on the front; a HBX port (6-pin) and a serial port (4-pin) at the bottom. 3.4.1.1. Key Description: MENU Key: Press “MENU” to enter the Main Menu. BACK Key: Move back to the previous screen. ENTER Key: Confirm an input, go to the next menu or select a choice. Arrow (▲▼◄►) Keys: The arrow keys are used to control the mount movement.
3.4.1.3. Check the Battery The hand controller has a real time clock (RTC) to keep date and time display correctly after you set the Time Zone and Daylight Saving Time. If the time is incorrect, please check the battery inside the hand controller and replace it if needed. The battery is a 3V, CR1220 button battery. 3.4.2. Go2Nova® 8408 Hand Controller Function 3.4.2.1. Polar Star Position Press MENU button to bring the hand controller submenu, select Polar Star Position.
Polar Star Position Settings Tracking Photography Firmware Information A. Set Time and Site The correct time and coordinates are important to display the Pole star position correctly. Press MENU=>Settings=>Set Time and Site Set Set Set Set Time and Site Beep Display Tracking Rate Press ENTER.
Set Observation Site Coordinate The third and fourth lines display the longitude and latitude coordinates, respectively. “W/E” means western/eastern hemisphere; “N/S” means northern/southern hemisphere; “d” means degree; “m” means minute; and “s” means second. Press ◄ or ► key to move the cursor and using ▲ or ▼ key to toggle between “W” and “E”, “N” and “S”, using number key to change the numbers.
D. Set Tracking Rate Press MENU => “Settings” => “Set Tracking Rate,” Set Display Set Tracking Rate Set Eyepiece Light Language Then you can select “Solar Rate”, “Lunar Rate”, “0.5 Sidereal Rate” or “Sidereal Rate”. The Mount Status Indicator will reflect the setting changes. Solar Rate Lunar Rate 0.5X Sidereal Rate Sidereal Rate E. Set Eyepiece Light Use this function to adjust the light intensity of SkyGuider Pro illuminated polar scope.
3.4.2.3. Tracking Photography When a supported camera is connected to the mount via a electric shutter trigger cable, the camera can be controlled by the hand controller. You can set the camera Shutter Length, time between each shot (Interval) and total Number of Shots. You may use these images to make time lapse video later. Press MENU => “Tracking Photography” => ENTER Polar Star Position Settings Tracking Photography Firmware Information It will bring up the shutter setting menu.
4. Maintenance and Servicing 4.1. Maintenance The SkyGuiderTM Pro camera 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. 4.2. Trouble Shooting 1. Unit does not power on? Make sure battery is fully charged. 2. The battery status indicator is flashing quickly even the mount is unplugged from the charger. This is normal.
9. My mount still does not work properly after tried the above solution? Contact iOptron at support@ioptron.com for technical support. 4.3. iOptron Customer Service If you have any questions concerning your mount, contact iOptron Customer Service Department. Customer Service hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Appendix A.
Appendix B. Polar Alignment using iPolar Electronic PolarScope Please refer to iPolar (#3399) product page for latest update. 1. Connect iPolar to a PC and Download iPolar Software (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Connect the iPolar Electronic PolarScope to your PC USB port; The iPolar driver will be automatically installed if it is the first time connecting to the computer; You should see “iOptron iPolar” under Camera catalog in computer Device Manager; Goto www.ioptron.
(4) Adjust Exposure Time and Gain (from 1.0X pull down menu in main display menu) to obtain a sky image with clear stars displayed; (5) Click on Take Dark Frame; (6) Follow the on screen instruction to cover the camera, finish taking dark frame and uncover the camera; (7) You may check the Auto-Load Last Dark Frame for next time use. Close Setting Menu. . Step 3.
(4) Click Confirm to complete the location setting. Step 4. Plate Solving and Polar Alignment If the iPolar has been calibrated (see Section 3 below for calibration), there will be a bright red cross on the screen, which is the polar scope/mount RA axis rotating center. The alignment software will perform plate solving near the pole star area. There is no need to see the pole star, nor a crystal clear night sky.
Adjust the altitude and azimuth screws to move the read dot towards read cross. The image will be enlarged when they are moving close. When read dot fully covers red cross, the pole alignment is done. NOTE: You can click on Settings and check RAW to see the real sky image at any time. Please uncheck RAW during polar alignment for better results. 3. iPolar Calibration If do not see the red cross on the screen, the iPolar has not been calibrated.
位置 1 Position 位置 2 Position 位置 3 Position Note: If the software does not bring up Confirm Position 2, the initial RA axis is too aloes to the pole axis. Just move the mount away a bit in altitude or azimuth direction and try it again.
IOPTRON ONE YEAR 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-ofpurchase satisfactory to iOptron. B.
