ioptron HEM27 Hybrid Harmonic GoTo Equatorial Mount User Guide
- June 5, 2024
- iOptron
Table of Contents
HEM27 Hybrid Harmonic GoTo Equatorial Mount
User Guide
PACKAGE CONTENTS
- Telescope mount with an iPolar™ electronics polar scope
- Hand controller (HC) – Go2Nova® 8409 with built-in WiFi
- 6P6C hand controller cable
- USB 2.0 cable
- AC adapter – 100-240V, 12V 5A DC output (for indoor use only)
- Carrying case
- Optional carbon fiber tripod (#8061)
- Optional external guide for auto-guiding (#3360)
- Optional counterweight shaft (#8456SL) and counterweight (#3006-10)
ONLINE RESOURCES (www.iOptron.com)
- User’s Manual
- Hand controller and mount firmware upgrades (check online for the latest version)
- Computer control
STOP!!!
Carefully read this Guide BEFORE setting up and using the equipment! Worm
system damage due to user operation errors will not be covered by warranty.
WARNING: Never disengage Gear Switches without holding the mount firmly!
Personal injury and/or equipment damage may happen.
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Remove mount head from package: Check the DEC Gear Switch and make sure it is at the unlock position before removing it from the box.
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Set up tripod: Setup and level the tripod. Adjust the tripod height. Tighten tripod locking knob to secure the tripod. The mount has a 102mm base. Thread the Alignment Peg onto the tripod head, on top of a tripod leg or between two legs depending on the latitude.
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Attach mount head: Retract the 2x Azimuth (Azi) Adjustment Screws from both sides to leave ample space for the alignment peg to be fitted in between the 2x Azi Adjustment Screws. Remove the 2x Azi Locking Screws from the mount base. Secure the mount head by tightening the Azi Locking Screws into the M6 holes on the tripod. There is an Allen wrench stored on the mount base for tightening the screws or adjusting the latitude.
Level the mount by adjusting the
tripod legs. Use the build-in Bubble Level Indicator or an external leveler
for this purpose. -
Adjust latitude: Without any payload, slightly loosen the 4x Latitude Locking Screws. Use the Latitude Adjustment Knob to set the correct latitude value, as displayed in the Latitude Mark Window. Insert the Allen wrench into the Latitude Adjustment Knob for more turning torque.
Two latitude ranges, 15~41° and 39~65°, can be set up for the mount head. To change the latitude range from one to the other, both the Latitude Position Bolt and the Latitude Locking Screws need to be moved to the correct locations. To switch the latitude range:
• Loosen the Latitude Locking Screws just enough to adjust the latitude setting to between39～41°.
Tighten Latitude Locking Screws.
• Unthread and pull out the Position Bolt. Do not lose two black tubes. Insert the Position Bolt to a new latitude position with one black tube on.
• Adjust the Latitude Adjustment Knob while holding the brass eyebolt until it lines up with the Position Bolt. Insert another black tube and secure the Latitude Position Bolt.
• Move the Latitude Locking Screws (one on each side) to the new locations revealed. -
Install telescope: HEM27 accepts a Vixen or a Losmandy-D dovetail mounting bar. The default is a Vixen-type one. Release the dovetail Saddle Locking Lever and slide the telescope dovetail plate into the saddle with Gear Switch disengaged. Make sure that the arrow sign on the saddle is pointing forward.
Tighten the Saddle Locking Lever. Pull the lever and turn it to the position the lever is parallel to the saddle to prevent it from interfering with the DEC unit during mount goto and tracking. To convert the dovetail saddle from a Vixen-type to a Losmandy-type.
(1) Remove two socket screws (red circled) and move the saddle fixed block outward.
(2) Remove two blue circled screws and pull the dovetail saddle locking block from the saddle.
(3) Release four screws (yellow circled) to separate the saddle from the mount. Flip the dovetail saddle locking block and secure it onto the saddle from the bottom of the dovetail saddle.
(4) Put the dovetail saddle back and retighten four yellow circled screws. -
Connect cables: Connect the Go2Nova 8409 Hand Controller to the HBX port on the mount back. Plug in a 12V DC power supply to the DC12V IN socket.
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Balance payload: No RA balance is needed for a HEM27 mount.
Turn the mount power on. Press number 9 to change the slew speed to max. Press ◄ or ► button to slew the mount to the side of the mount. Hold the telescope and disengage DEC Gear Switch to check the balance. Release the dovetail saddle locking lever and move the scope back and forth to adjust the position. Tighten the dovetail saddle locking lever and engaged the gear switch after balancing is completed. Return the mount to Zero Position after balancing and engage the DEC gear switch. -
Set Zero Position: The Set Zero Position command registers the current position as zero position. So before registering, the mount should be physically set at Zero Position either manually or slewed by hand controller. The Zero Position is defined as the telescope being on top of the mount head and pointing to the North Pole, with a CW shaft mounting hole pointing to the ground. To register, press MENU => Zero Position => Set Zero Position. Press ENTER to confirm. One can also use MENU => Zero Position => Search Zero Position to set the zero position.
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Set controller: Press the MENU button; then “Settings” => “Set Time & Site”.
Enter the current date. Enter the time zone offset to the UTC; for example:
Boston is “UTC -300 minutes”
Los Angeles is “UTC -480 minutes”
Rome is “UTC +060 minutes”
Sydney is “UTC +600 minutes”
Enter longitude and latitude coordinates according to your GPS information. Toggle the Daylight Saving Time (DST) between N(No) and Y(Yes) using the arrow key. Move the cursor to the end of the screen to select the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.
[TIPS: All time zones in N. America is “UTC -XXX minutes”. Latitude and longitude coordinates can be obtained from GPS-equipped devices (navigator, phone), or from internet if you are entering them manually. “W/E” = western/eastern hemisphere; “N/S” = northern/southern hemisphere; and “d” = degree; “m” = minute; and “s” = second. Use arrow and number keys to enter location information.] -
Polar alignment: For a HEM27 mount without polar scope or the pole star is not in sight, you may use two bright stars for coarse polar alignment.
1. Level the mount and set it to the Zero Position.
2. Align the telescope to the R.A. axis of the mount. An eyepiece with an illuminated crosshair is highly recommended.
3. Use the Hand Controller (MENU => “Alignment” => “Polar Iterate Align”) to display the azimuth and altitude position of several bright stars near the meridian. Select one that is visible at a high altitude as Alignment Star A. Follow the HC instruction to move Alignment Star A to the center of the eyepiece using a combination of the Latitude Adjustment Knob and the “◄” or “►” buttons. Press ENTER to confirm when the star is centered. Next, select a bright star that is close to the horizon as Alignment Star B. Center it using the Azimuth Adjustment Knob and the “◄” or “►” button. Press ENTER to confirm the settings.
The telescope will now slew back to Alignment
Star A. Repeat the steps above. The iteration can be
stopped when it is determined that the alignment error has been minimized. Press the BACK button to exit the alignment procedure.
For a HEM27 quipped with a bipolar electronic
polar scope, refer to the bipolar Operation Manual from iOptron’s website to perform the polar alignment, or steps briefly outlined below: -
Manual operation: The mount can now be used to observe astronomical objects with the HC. Use arrow keys (►, ◄, ▼, and ▲) to point the telescope to the desired object. Use the number keys to change the slewing speed. Press the STOP/0 button to start tracking.
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One Star Alignment: Perform One Star Align to correct the Zero Position discrepancy and improve GOTO accuracy. Refer to the User’s Manual for more details about improving GOTO accuracy.
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Go to an object: The mount is now ready for GOTO and tracking targets. Press MENU, select and ENTER Select and Slew. Select a category (e.g., Solar System), then select an object of interest (e.g., Moon). Press ENTER and the telescope will slew to the object and automatically start tracking.
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Sync to Target: If the object is not in the center of the eyepiece, use this function to center and synchronize the object to improve local GOTO accuracy. Press MENU and select and ENTER Sync to Target. Follow the on-screen instruction to perform the sync.
[TIP: After slewing to an object, a list of nearby bright object(s) can be displayed by pressing the? button.] -
Install hand controller battery: The hand controller uses a CR2032 button battery to keep the Real-Time Clock running. The HC is shipped without a battery installed due to shipping restrictions. Open the HC back cover. With the battery + sign facing up, slide the battery under two small metal hooks on the positive side first. Then push the battery down to make good contact.
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Put the mount back into the package/carrying case:
It is recommended to return the mount to Zero Position at the end of the observing session. Lay the mount into the carrying case. Disengage the gear system for transportation.
Use support@ioptron.com for technical support.
Rev. 1.0 June 2022
ioptron TWO-YEAR TELESCOPE, MOUNT, AND CONTROLLER WARRANTY
A. iOptron warrants your telescope, mount, or controller to be free from
defects in materials and workmanship for two years. iOptron will repair or
replace such product or part which, upon inspection by iOptron, is found to be
defective in materials or workmanship. As a condition to the obligation of
iOptron to repair or replace such product, the product must be returned to
iOptron together with proof-of-purchase satisfactory to iOptron.
B. The Proper Return Merchant Authorization Number must be obtained from
iOptron in advance of return. Call iOptron at 1.781.569.0200 to receive the
RMA number to be displayed on the outside of your shipping container. All
returns must be accompanied by a written statement stating the name, address,
and daytime telephone number of the owner, together with a brief description
of any claimed defects. Parts or products for which replacement is made shall
become the property of iOptron.
The customer shall be responsible for all costs of transportation and
insurance, both to and from the factory of iOptron, and shall be required to
prepay such costs.
iOptron shall use reasonable efforts to repair or replace any telescope,
mount, or controller covered by this warranty within thirty days of receipt.
In the event repair or replacement shall require more than thirty days,
iOptron shall notify the customer accordingly. iOptron reserves the right to
replace any product which has been discontinued from its product line with a
new product of comparable value and function.
This warranty shall be void and of no force or effect in the event, a covered
product has been modified in design or function or subjected to abuse, misuse,
mishandling or unauthorized repair. Further, product malfunction or
deterioration due to normal wear is not covered by this warranty.
IOPTRON DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WHETHER OF
MERCHANTABILITY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET
FORTH HERE. THE SOLE OBLIGATION OF IOPTRON UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL
BE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE COVERED PRODUCT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SET
FORTH HERE. IOPTRON EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY LOST PROFITS, GENERAL, SPECIAL,
INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM BREACH OF ANY
WARRANTY, OR ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY IOPTRON PRODUCT.
ANY WARRANTIES WHICH ARE IMPLIED AND WHICH CAN NOT BE DISCLAIMED SHALL BE
LIMITED IN DURATION TO A TERM OF TWO YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL RETAIL
PURCHASE.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages or limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so
the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other
rights which vary from state to state. iOptron reserves the right to modify or
discontinue, without prior notice to you, any model or style telescope. If
warranty problems arise, or if you need assistance in using your telescope,
mount, or controller contact:
iOptron Corporation
Customer Service Department
6F Gill Street
Woburn, MA 01801
www.ioptron.com
support@ioptron.com
Tel. (781)569-0200
Fax. (781)935-2860
Monday-Friday 9 AM-5 PM EST
NOTE: This warranty is valid to the U.S.A. and Canadian customers who have purchased this product from an authorized iOptron dealer in the U.S.A. or Canada or directly from iOptron. Warranty outside the U.S.A. and Canada is valid only to customers who purchased from an iOptron Distributor or Authorized iOptron Dealer in the specific country. Please contact them for any warranty.
iOptron Corp. | 6E Gill Street
Woburn, MA 01801 USA
781-569-0200
Toll-Free 866-399-4587
www.iOptron.com