![]() ![]() NOTE: A colleague at the same field trip has one of the new iOptron ‘AZ Mount Pro GOTO’ mounts and this did not have any problems. This does not seem to be a major problem when using this excellent mount and I am quite happy not to obtain a replacement gps module. The iOptron software appears to only set the date from the gps module once. Happily, even though the gps is still ‘OK’, it will not then try to reset the date incorrectly until the start of the next observing session. So I let the gps set the correct location but the wrong date and then simply reset the date within the iOpton menus. However, I would not, and have not done so for the simple reason that the gps system also provides the exact location of the mount which is most important when taking it to different locations around the country. In web discussions some have suggested unconnecting the gps module from the main electronics board. Split clamp design grips the dovetail bar along the entire surface of the saddle and will not dent or scratch the dovetail bar. Accepts both D Series and V Series dovetail bars. One has to contact them directly to ship one outside the USA. Not compatible with the MiniTower or the MiniTower Pro. On the iOptron website there are details as to obtaining from their ‘shop’ a replacement gps module at a reduced price of $50 (from $99). This was thus the obvious cause of the problem. The MiniTower Pro is the CubePros big brother, so it is larger in all respects, but it is still easy to handle and very fast to set up. In tests on the 13 th May 2019, I found that, once the GPS system has said ‘OK, the date was set to rather than. However, I was aware that on April 6 th 2019 the 10-bit week counter in GPS systems would ‘rollover’ and reset to zero giving GPS systems not allowing for this problem a false date. When I asked to ‘goto’ the Sun it was low in the west and when I asked to ‘goto’ the Moon it had not risen! Portab Bigger No doubt you’ve heard about the MiniTower. Initially I found and tracked the Sun as usual but then when the GPS said ‘OK’ thing went haywire. Product description iOptron MiniTower-PRO You’ve seen the MiniTower Now you’ve got to go Pro. My targets were, first the Sun in white light and H-alpha and then the Moon, both high in the sky. My first outing with the mount since the beginning of April 2019 was on May 10 th 2019. It is one of the very first imported into the UK and I reviewed it for the Astronomy Now magazine. ![]() It is easy to align and has excellent ‘goto’ and tracking abilities. My iOptron MiniTower (as described in detail the iOptron article in the digest) is my ‘Get-up and Go’ mount for taking to star parties or when I go on astronomy field trips with my smaller telescopes. It is easy to align and has excellent ‘goto’ and tracking abilities. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |