Want to learn more about using the Date menu?
See the LX200GPS TIPS
box page 23.
Park Scope: Designed for a telescope that is not moved between observing sessions. Align the telescope one time, then use this function to park the telescope. The next time it is powered up, pressing ENTER causes the telescope to move to its predeter- mined Park position. Once parked, the screen prompts to turn off power.
Important Note: When the "Park Scope" option is chosen and the display prompts you to turn off the telescope's power, Autostar II is unable to be returned to operation without turning the power off and then back on.
Setup Menu
The Setup menu’s primary function is used for manual telescope alignment (see MANUAL ALT/AZ ALIGNMENTS, pages 37 and 38). However, there are numerous other features available within the Setup menu, including:
Date: Changes the date used by Autostar II. This function is useful to check events in
the past or future. For example: Set the Date menu for a day three months in the
future. Then check the "Select Item: Event" menu for the Sunset time on that date. See EVENT MENU, page 26.
Time: Changes the time entered into Autostar II. Setting the correct time is critical for Autostar II to properly calculate locations and events. Time may be set to "AM," "PM," or
Daylight Saving: Enables or disables the Daylight Savings time setting.
Important Note: If you use Automatic Alignment, you must turn this set- ting on or off on the two days a year when Daylight Saving changes. See TIMING IS EVERYTHING below.
Note: Daylight Savings Time may be referred to by different names in vari- ous areas of the world. Check local time to verify.
Telescope: Accesses the several options, including:
■Model: Allows you to select the telescope model connected to Autostar II.
■Focal Length: Displays the focal length of the selected telescope.
■Az Ratio and Alt Ratio: The Az (Azimuth) ratio and Alt (Altitude) ratio refers to the gears of the telescope's motors. Do not alter these numbers.
■Mount: Set this option to "Alt/Az" if using alt/az alignment and to "Polar" if using polar alignment. "Alt/Az" is the default value.
■Max Slew Rate: Sets the upper limit for the slew rate. 8 degrees per second is the fastest setting.
■Mount Upper Limit: Allows you enter a percentage that sets an upper limit as to how far the optical tube can swing upward during a programmed slew. (Note that it does not prevent you from performing a manual slew past this limit.) This is use- ful when you have a camera or other peripheral attached to the telescope— you can prevent it from striking the telescope base. 90% (straight up) is the maximum value that can be entered.
LX200GPS TIPS
Timing is Everything
Your telescope receives the precise time when it synchs with the GPS. Precise time is very critical in aligning your telescope so that it can accurately locate celestial objects.
Autostar II receives time data in the Universal Time format. However, if you wish to display the correct time in your local time zone, use the Daylight Saving menu (see above) to turn the Daylight Saving option on or off. Keep in mind that the telescope is receiving the correct time whether or not you set this option to display your local time.
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