Utility Features

CALIBRATE GOTO

HOME POSTION

GOTO

SET

POLAR ALIGN LIGHT CONTROL

KEYPAD OFF

KEYPAD ON

DISPLAY OFF

DISPLAY ON

FACTORY SETTING

PRESS UNDO PRESS "0"

VERSION GET ALT-AZ GOTO ATL-AZ HIBERNATE TURN ON/OFF GPS

in R.A. (azimuth) until it reaches the point that the cables are extended to their maximum. Then by displaying the telescopes azimuth in this position (by looking at Get Alt-Azunder the Utilities menu) you can determine the telescopes azimuth at its most extended position. Enter this azimuth reading for either the maximum or minimum azimuth slew limit to ensure that the telescope will not slew beyond this point.

Warning: In order for the telescope to be able to slew to a star from the direction that minimizes the amount of backlash in the gears, it may be necessary for the telescope to slew beyond the specified slew limit in order to approach the star from the correct direction. This can limit your ability to slew to an object by as much as 6º from the azimuth slew limit set in the hand control. If this proves to be a problem, the direction that the telescope takes to center an object can be changed. To change the telescopes slewing direction, see Goto Approach under the Scope Setup menu. In order to guaranty that the telescope will have a full range of motion in R.A. (azimuth), set the azimuth slew limits to 354 and 186. This will allow the mount to slew without regard to the slew limits.

East/West (E/W) Filtering - In order to ensure the best possible full sky pointing accuracy, the Advanced series telescopes automatically filters and chooses its initial alignment stars so that the first two alignment stars are located on one side of the Meridian and the third star is on the opposite side of the Meridian. East/West Filtering allows you to turn off this automatic filtering feature, allowing the hand control to display all of its alignment stars when doing a Auto Three Star Align, without regard to the Meridian.

Scrolling through the MENU (9) options will also provide access to several advanced utility functions within the Advanced Series telescopes such as; Calibrate Goto, Polar Alignment, Hibernate as well as many others.

Calibrate Goto - Goto Calibration is a useful tool when attaching heavy visual or photographic accessories to the telescope. Goto Calibration calculates the amount of distance and time it takes for the

mount to complete its final slow goto when slewing to an object. Changing the UTILITIES balance of the telescope can prolong the time it takes to complete the final slew.

Goto Calibration takes into account any slight imbalances and changes the final goto distance to compensate.

Home Position – The telescopes "home" position is a user-definable position that is used to store the telescope when not in use. The home position is useful when storing the telescope in a permanent observatory facility. By default the Home position is the same as the index position used when aligning the mount. To set the Home position for your mount simply use the arrow buttons on the hand control to move the telescope mount to the desired position. Select the Set option and press Enter.

Polar Align- The Advanced GT has a polar alignment function that will help you polar align your telescope for increased tracking precision and astrophotography. After performing an Auto Alignment, the telescope will slew to where Polaris should be. By using the equatorial head to center Polaris in the eyepiece, the mount will then be pointed towards the actual North Celestial Pole. Once Polar Align is complete, you must re-align your telescope again using any of the alignment methods described earlier. To polar align the mount in the Northern Hemisphere:

1. With the telescope set up and roughly positioned towards Polaris, align the mount using the Auto Align or Auto Three Star method.

2. Select Polar Align from the Utilities menu and press Enter.

Based on your current alignment, the telescope will slew to where it thinks Polaris