Scope Setup Features
SetupTime-Site- Allows the user to customize the StarSeeker display by changing time and location parameters (such as time zone and daylight savings).
Anti-backlash- All mechanical gears have a certain amount of backlash or play between the gears. This play is evident by how long it takes for a star to move in the eyepiece when the hand control arrow buttons are pressed (especially when changing directions). The StarSeeker’s anti-backlash features allows the user to compensate for backlash by inputting a value which quickly rewinds the motors just enough to elimi- nate the play between gears. The amount of compensation needed depends on the slewing rate selected; the slower the slewing rate the longer it will take for the star to appear to move in the eyepiece. Therefore, the anti-backlash compen- sation will have to be set higher. You will need to experiment with different values; a value between 20 and 50 is usually best for most visual observing, whereas a higher value may be necessary for photographic guiding. Positive backlash compensation is applied when the mount changes its direction of movement from backwards to forwards. Similarly, negative backlash compensation is applied when the mount changes its direction of movement from forwards to backwards. When tracking is enabled, the mount will be moving in one or both axes in either the positive or negative direction, so backlash compensation will always be applied when a direction button is released and the direction moved is opposite to the direc- tion of travel.
To set the anti-backlash value, scroll down to the anti-back- lash option and press ENTER. Enter a value from 0-100 for both azimuth and altitude directions and press ENTER after each one to save these values. StarSeeker will remember these values and use them each time it is turned on until they are changed.
Slew Limits - Sets the limits in altitude that the telescope can slew without displaying a warning message. The slew limits prevent the telescope tube from slewing to an object below the horizon or slewing to an object that is high enough that the tube might hit one of the tripod legs. However, the slew limits can be customized depending on your needs. For example, if you would like to slew to an object that is close to the zenith and are certain that the tube will not hit the tripod legs, you can set the slew limits to 90° in altitude. This will allow the telescope to slew to any object above the horizon without warning.
Filter Limits - When an alignment is complete, the StarSeeker automatically knows which celestial objects are above the horizon. As a result, when scrolling through the database lists (or selecting the Tour function), the StarSeeker hand control will display only those objects that are known to be above the horizon when you are observing. You can customize the object database by selecting altitude limits that are appropriate for your location and situation. For example, if you are observ- ing from a mountainous location where the horizon is partially obscured, you can set your minimum altitude limit to read +20°. This will make sure that the hand control only displays objects that are higher in altitude than 20°.
If you want to explore the entire object database, set the maxi- mum altitude limit to 90° and the minimum limit to -90°. This will display every object in the database lists regardless of whether it is visible in the sky from your location or not.
Direction Buttons -The direction a star moves in the eye- piece varies depending on the accessories being used (Image Orientation, page 17). This can create confusion when guiding on a star using an off-axis guider versus a straight through guide scope. To compensate for this, the direction of the drive control keys can be changed. To reverse the button logic of the hand control, press the MENU button and select Direction Buttons from the Utilities menu. Use the Up/Down arrow keys (10) to select either the Azimuth buttons (left and right) or Altitude but- tons (up and down) and press ENTER. Pressing ENTER again will reverse the direction of the hand control buttons from their current state. Direction Buttons will only change the eyepiece rates (rate 1-6) and will not affect the slew rates (rate 7-9).
Select Model - The first time the StarSeeker is powered on, the hand control display allows you to select your StarSeeker from a list of different models. If for some reason the incorrect model was selected or you wish to use your hand control on a different StarSeeker model, the Select Model utility feature allows you to re-select the proper StarSeeker model from the displayed list. Once the correct StarSeeker model has been selected the power needs to be restarted before beginning the alignment procedure. The Select Model feature will return the hand control to its original factory settings. Parameters such as backlash compensation values along with slew and filter limits will be reset. However, stored parameters such as user defined objects will remain saved even after the model has been changed.
Utility Features
Version - Selecting this option will allow you to see the version number of the hand control software.
Lights Control - This feature allows you to turn off both the red key pad light and LCD display for daytime use to conserve power and to help preserve your night vision.
Factory Setting - Returns the StarSeeker hand control to its original factory setting. Parameters such as backlash compensation values, initial date and time, longitude/latitude along with slew and filter limits will be reset. However, stored parameters such as PEC and user defined objects will remain saved even when Factory Settings is selected. The hand con- trol will ask you to press the “0” key before returning to the factory default setting.
Get Alt-Az- Displays the relative altitude and azimuth for the current position of the telescope.
Goto Alt-Az- Allows you to enter a specific altitude and azi- muth position and slew to it.
Hibernate - Hibernate allows the StarSeeker to be completely powered down and still retain its alignment when turned back on. This not only saves power, but is ideal for those that have their telescopes permanently mounted or leave their telescope in one location for long periods of time. To place your telescope in Hibernate mode:
