LCD Screen, Connection to a Computer

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 Pro mount using a 6-wire RJ11 cable.

•USB port: connect the HC to a Computer via a USB cable.

4.2. 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 18. The user interface is simple and easy to learn.

Figure 18. 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.

4.3. 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)

The MiniTower ProTM 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.