the locking screws to secure the mount. Loosen four Latitude Locking Screws on the side of the mount, turning the Latitude Adjustment Knob to adjust the latitude (altitude). Use the Lever for a fine latitude adjustment.
Initializing the polar scope
During initial setup of the iEQ mount, it is likely that the viewing hole on the DEC axis of the polar scope may be blocked by the DEC axle. The Polar Scope Dial in the polar scope should be set at the normal clock position with 12 o’clock located at the top, as shown in Figure 11. Before doing the Quick Polar Axis Alignment, complete the following steps:
(1)Take off both the Polar Axis Cover and the Polar Scope Cover from the mount.
(2)Thread the dark field illuminating LED end into the threaded hole and plug the other end into the Reticle socket located on the control box (Figure 12). The illumination intensity can be adjusted using the hand controller (HC) via the “Set Eyepiece Light” function under the “Set Up Controller” menu.
(3)Use the UP or DOWN button to turn the DEC axle if it blocks the Polar Scope view, press number buttons to change the slew speed.
(4)If the 12 o’clock of the Polar Scope dial is not at the top, as shown in Figure 11, rotate it using HC’s LEFT or RIGHT button.
Figure 12. Connect the illumination LED to Polar Scope
NOTE: Do not disassemble the Polar Scope to rotate it. It is adjusted at the factory and can be misaligned if you disassemble it. A good Polar alignment is the basis for good GOTO and tracking performance.
Quick polar axis alignment
(1)Turn on the mount power by pressing the On/Off switch on the R.A. unit. After “GPS OK” is shown in the upper right corner of the HC, the LCD will display the Polaris Position as shown in Figure 13 (a). If you are practicing inside or when there is no GPS signal, you can view this chart by pressing the MENU button, then select “Align” and “Polaris Position”. For example, on May 30, 2010, 20:00:00 in Boston, US (Lat N42º30’32” and Long W71º08’50”), 300 min behind UT, the Polaris Position is 1hr 26.8m and r= 41.5m, as shown in Figure 13 (a).
(2)Look through the polar scope; make sure the polar scope is not blocked by the DEC axle. The 12 o’clock indicator of the Polar Scope Dial must be positioned on top.
(3)Follow the Polar axis adjustment procedure (not the hand controller) to adjust the mount in altitude (latitude) and azimuth (heading) direction and place Polaris in the same position on the
12
