iOptron GoToNova 8401 User manual
GoToNovaTM 8401 Hand Controller
Instruction Manual
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Table of Content
Table of Content ............................................................................................................................. 2
1. GoToNovaTM Overview.............................................................................................................. 3
1.1. GoToNovaTM Computerized Control System...................................................................... 3
1.2. 8401 Hand Controller Features............................................................................................ 4
2. GoToNovaTM 8401 Hand Controller .......................................................................................... 5
2.1. Key Description................................................................................................................... 5
2.2. The LCD Screen .................................................................................................................. 6
2.3. Connection to a Computer...................................................................................................6
3. Park Position of the Mount......................................................................................................... 8
3.1. Altazimuth (A/A) Mount .....................................................................................................8
3.2. Equatorial (EQ) Mount........................................................................................................ 8
4. Use the Hand Controller ............................................................................................................. 9
4.1. Manual Operation of a Telescope........................................................................................ 9
4.2. Select and Slew.................................................................................................................... 9
4.2.1. Planets, Sun, Moon.......................................................................................................9
4.2.2. Deep sky objects........................................................................................................... 9
4.2.3. Comets ........................................................................................................................ 10
4.2.4. Asteroids..................................................................................................................... 10
4.2.5. Stars: ........................................................................................................................... 10
4.2.6. Constellations.............................................................................................................. 10
4.2.7. User Objects................................................................................................................ 10
4.2.8. Enter R.A. DEC .......................................................................................................... 10
4.3. Sync to Target.................................................................................................................... 10
4.4. Electric Focuser ................................................................................................................. 11
4.5. Set Up Controller............................................................................................................... 11
4.5.1. Set Up Local Time...................................................................................................... 11
4.5.2. Set Up Site .................................................................................................................. 11
4.5.3. Set N/S Hemisphere.................................................................................................... 13
4.5.4. Set Display Contrast ................................................................................................... 13
4.5.5. Set Eyepiece Light...................................................................................................... 13
4.5.6. Set Backlight............................................................................................................... 13
4.5.7. Set Anti-backlash........................................................................................................ 13
4.5.8. Set Key Beep............................................................................................................... 14
4.5.9. Set Mount Type........................................................................................................... 15
4.5.10. Reset All.................................................................................................................... 15
4.5.11. Update Firmware ...................................................................................................... 15
4.5.12. Set gear ratio............................................................................................................. 15
4.5.13. Set Language............................................................................................................. 15
4.6. Align .................................................................................................................................. 15
4.6.1. Easy One Star Align.................................................................................................... 15
4.6.2. One Star Align ............................................................................................................ 16
4.6.3. Two Star Align............................................................................................................ 16
4.6.4. Three-Star Align ......................................................................................................... 16
4.6.5. Dis R.A axis error....................................................................................................... 17
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4.6.6. Test Anti-backlash...................................................................................................... 17
4.6.7. Polaris Position ........................................................................................................... 17
4.7. PEC Option........................................................................................................................ 17
4.8. Set Up Tracking................................................................................................................. 17
4.9. User Objects....................................................................................................................... 18
4.10. Auto Guide....................................................................................................................... 18
4.11. Park Scope ....................................................................................................................... 18
4.12. To Park Position............................................................................................................... 18
5. Maintenance and Servicing....................................................................................................... 19
5.1. Maintenance....................................................................................................................... 19
5.2. Error Messages................................................................................................................... 19
5.3. iOptron Customer Service.................................................................................................. 19
Appendix A. Technical Specifications ......................................................................................... 21
Appendix B. GoToNovaTM 8401 HC MENU STRUCTURE ...................................................... 22
Appendix C. GoToNovaTM Star List ............................................................................................ 24
Appendix D. Set Up USB-PC Connection ................................................................................... 30
Appendix E. Firmware Upgrade................................................................................................... 37
Appendix F. Use a PC to Control an iOptron Mount ................................................................... 40
Appendix G. RS-232 Command Set............................................................................................. 41
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. GoToNovaTM Overview
1.1. GoToNovaTM Computerized Control System
The revolutionary GoToNovaTM computerized control system is by far one of the most
technologically advanced automated tracking systems available on the market today. With a
database of 130,000 celestial objects, including all of the most famous galaxies, nebulae, star
clusters, not to mention the planets, you’ll be able to enjoy star gazing with the simple push of a
button.
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1.2. 8401 Hand Controller Features
This is an advanced version of iOptron’s flagship product. The revolutionary
GoToNovaTM computerized control system that is one of the most technologically advanced
automated tracking systems available on the market today. With a database of over 130,000
celestial objects and 256 user-defined objects, this GoToNovaTM computerized control system
allows even amateur astronomers to become masters of the night sky while being a perfect fit
for the serious astronomer as well.
Using the easy-to-use hand controller and its large LCD screen, you can easily set up
the telescope and select where you want to go with the very friendly user-interface. The control
system also allows you the user to slew the telescope at 9 different drive speeds, keeping the
object within the telescope’s viewfinder for as long as you wish.
The GoToNovaTM Controller is much easier to use than other similar products. The hand
controller is more intuitive with menu categories better organized. It also has a larger LCD
screen with more lines of content compared with the competition. Using the easy-to-use hand
controller and its large LCD screen, you can easily set up your telescope and select where you
want to go.
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2. GoToNovaTM 8401 Hand Controller
Figure 1. GoToNova 8401 Hand Controller
GoToNovaTM 8401 hand controller (HC), as shown in Figure 1, can be used to control
most of iOptron’s GOTO mounts and telescopes, such as SmartStar®series, AstoBoy®series,
CubeProTM, MiniTowerTM, MiniTower ProTM, GoToNovaTM kit and SmartStar®-PR.
2.1. Key Description
•MENU: Press “MENU” to enter the Main Menu.
•BACK: Move back to the previous screen, or end/cancel current operation, such as
slewing.
•ENTER: Confirm an input, go to the next menu, select a choice, or slew the telescope
to a selected object.
•Arrow (▲▼►◄): Press ▲▼ buttons to move a telescope along the DEC direction,
►◄ to move a telescope along the RA direction. Brows the menu or move the cursor
in operating menu.
HBX
Port USB
Port
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•Number Keys: Input numerical values. Also used to adjust speeds (1: 1X; 2: 2X; 3: 8X;
4: 16X; 5: 64X; 6: 128X; 7: 256X; 8: 512X; 9: MAX)
•Light Key(☼): Turns on/off the red LED reading light on the back of the controller.
•? Key: For help or extra information.
•STOP/0 Key: Stop/Start tracking.
•HBX (Handbox) port: connect the HC to MiniTower mount using a 6-wire RJ11 cable.
•USB port: connect the HC to a Computer via a USB cable.
2.2. The LCD Screen
The 8401 HC is designed to use for both iOptron’s equatorial (EQ) mount, such as the
SmartStar®-PR GOTO German Equatorial Mount and the GoToNovaTM Equatorial Kit, and
AltAzimuth (A/A) mount, which includes all SmartStar®GOTO mounts and telescopes. It
consists of a large 8-line LCD screen, which displays all the information as shown in Figure 2.
The user interface is simple and easy to learn.
Figure 2. 8401 HC LCD Information Screen
•GPS status: When the power is turned on, it shows “GPS ON”, which means a GPS
receiver is connected. When the GPS receiver finds the satellite and receives GPS
signal, it shows “GPS OK”. The “GPS OK” may turn off after few minutes.
•Slew speed: It has 9 speeds: 1X, 2X, 8X, 16X, 64X, 128X, 256X(1º/sec),
512X(2º/sec), MAX(4º/sec).
•Tracking speed: It has 4 speeds: Cel (celestial), Sol (Solar), Lun (Lunar), Def (user
defined)
•Mount Type: EQ is equatorial and A/A altazimuth.
2.3. Connection to a Computer
The GoToNova hand controller has a USB port which can be connected to a computer.
This will allow Firmware Upgrading, Database Updating, or Planetarium application. A
USB2COM driver is needed to simulate the USB port to a RS-232 serial port. (see Appendix D)
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The iOptron mounts can be controlled by a number of popular astronomy software
programs. For astronomy software that does not have an embedded iOptron mount driver, an
ASCOM driver and related platform are needed. Please refer to Appendix F for more
information.
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3. Park Position of the Mount
In order to experience the full GOTO capability of GoToNova technology it is very
important to set up the mount correctly before observation. The most important position is its
Park Position.
3.1. Altazimuth (A/A) Mount
Each time the mount is turned on, the default position is Parking Position, i.e., altitude is
90º 0’ 0” and azimuth is 180º 0’ 0”, which means the “SOUTH” mark is pointing to south and the
telescope is pointing straight up at the zenith. To set the Park Position, you can:
Face the South. Align the mount to south by turning the South mark facing south. An
additional compass is needed. There are two ways to do so. One is loosen the azimuth clutch
lock a little and manually turn the mount to face south. Then tighten the azimuth clutch lock
again. The other is turn on the mount. Turn the mount facing south using hand control. Then
turn off the power. Note: Do not put the compass directly on top of the mount. The motor parts
of the mount could affect the pointing accuracy of the compass.
Point to Zenith. Unlock the altitude clutch lock and rotate the telescope to point up
directed at the Zenith. A torpedo level may help. Once it is straight, re-tighten the altitude lock to
make sure OTA is secure and will not spin.
3.2. Equatorial (EQ) Mount
The Park Position of an EQ mount is when the mount is Polar aligned. Or roughly the
R.A. axis is pointing to North and inclined at an angle above the horizon equal in magnitude to
your latitude.
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4. Use the Hand Controller
4.1. Manual Operation of a Telescope
You may observe land and astronomical objects using GoToNova’s arrow keys.
After the telescope was assembled, flip the I/O switch on the telescope mount to turn on
the mount. Use ►,◄,▼or ▲buttons to point the telescope to the desired object. You may
need to use the number keys to change the slewing speed. Simply press a number while
slewing to change the slew speed.
4.2. Select and Slew
Press the MENU button. From the main menu, select “Select and Slew.” Select an object
that you would like to observe and press the ENTER key.
The GoToNovaTM 8401 hand controller has a database of about 130,000 objects. Use
the ►or ◄buttons to move the cursor and the ▼▲ buttons to change the individual number.
The check mark (√) indicates the object is above the horizon, and a cross mark (X) means it is
below the horizon. In some catalogs those stars below the horizon will not display on the hand
controller.
4.2.1. Planets, Sun, Moon
There are 10 objects in the Solar system catalog.
4.2.2. Deep sky objects
This menu includes objects outside our Solar system such as galaxies, star clusters,
quasars, and nebulae.
•Named Deep Sky Objects: consists of 60 deep sky objects with their common
names. A list of named deep sky objects is attached in Appendix C.
•Messier Catalog: consists of all 110 objects.
•NGC IC Catalog: consists of 7840 objects in NGC catalog and 5386 objects in IC
catalog. To select an object from NGC or IC catalog, move the cursor to NGC,
using▲or ▼button to toggle between NGC and IC. Then move the cursor to
numerical position and use the number button to select the object.
•UGC Catalog: consists of 12939 objects.
•MCG Catalog: consists of 29004 objects. They are listed numerically from MCG+15
to MCG-05.
•Caldwell Catalog: consists of 109 objects.
•Abell Catalog: consists of 2712 objects.
•Herschel Catalog: consists of 400 objects.
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4.2.3. Comets
This catalog contains up to 190 comets. This database is customer upgradeable.
4.2.4. Asteroids
This catalog contains up to 4096 asteroids. This database is customer upgradeable.
4.2.5. Stars:
•Named Stars: consists of 191 stars with their common names. They are listed
alphabetically. A list is attached in Appendix C.
•Double Stars: consists of 40 double stars. A list is attached in Appendix C.
•GCVS Variable Stars: consists of 38624 GCVS variable stars. They are listed
numerically.
•SAO Catalog: consists of 26584 SAO catalog objects. They are listed numerically.
4.2.6. Constellations
This catalog consists of 88 modern constellations with their names. They are listed
alphabetically. A list is attached in Appendix C.
4.2.7. User Objects
This catalog can consist up to 256 user predefined objects. These objects need to be
entered before they can be selected for slewing.
4.2.8. Enter R.A. DEC
Here you can go to a target by entering its R.A. and DEC numbers.
4.3. Sync to Target
This operation will match the telescope's current coordinates to Target Right Ascension
and Declination. After slew to an object, press MENU—then scroll to “Sync to Target” and press
ENTER. Follow the screen to do the sync. Using this function will re-calibrate the computer to
the selected object. Multiple syncs can be performed if needed.
“Sync to Target” will only work after “Select and slew” is performed. Otherwise, the
system may perform incorrectly. You can change the slewing speed to make the centering
procedure easier. Simply press a number (1 through 9) to change the speed. The default slew
speed is 64X.
“Sync to Target” does the same thing as one star alignment except that you choose the
object to “sync” to. One star alignment chooses the star/object for you.
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