Telescope Reviews: iOptron GotoNova Kit

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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

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amys
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: GlenM]
#2894098 - 01/28/09 06:44 PM

You didn't listen to me. I TOLD you to get an Intes Micro Mak.

Post Extras:

GlenM
Vendor - Lyra Optic

Reged: 05/20/07

Loc: Lancashire England

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: amys]
#2894110 - 01/28/09 06:48 PM

You're a wicked woman

Hey! nothing wrong with British workmanship

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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: GlenM]
#2894707 - 01/28/09 11:31 PM

Amy! You got rain and we have over 16" of S_N_O_W!!!

When are you coming up to observe? I need to turn you into a Mini Tower convert! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Steve

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#2894713 - 01/28/09 11:33 PM

Amy, I know better than to argue with you, at least when you are correct! LOL

Steve

Post Extras:

---Ozzy---
newbie

Reged: 09/14/07

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#2894953 - 01/29/09 03:21 AM

Quote:

Quote:

The G11 and Ci-700 is 360:1 ratio.

The CI700 is 180:1 (like the GM-8). The G11 is 360:1.

Thanks for correcting me, I did not know that!
Oz

Post Extras:

amys
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#2895049 - 01/29/09 06:54 AM

Quote:

Amy! You got rain and we have over 16" of S_N_O_W!!!

When are you coming up to observe? I need to turn you into a Mini Tower convert! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Steve

Hey, Steve: When my Starbook looked like it had bitten the dust recently, my choice was going to be pay $800 for a new one or get a mini-Tower. Fortunately, my Starbook has been repaired and its on its way back to me. Since I'm recently unemployed, neither was a very feasible option.

By the way, Richard and I will be heading to Sunday River on Saturday to enjoy some of that new white stuff.

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: amys]
#2896563 - 01/29/09 08:20 PM

I will always have a Mini with your name on it! I'm patient! LOL

YOU can HAVE that white "STUFF"!! The Winter Star Party cannot happen soon enough!!!

Call or stop by if you wish. You know that you are always welcome.

CS

Steve

Post Extras:

amys
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#2897219 - 01/30/09 07:12 AM

Thanks Steve. While I like the snow on the mountains, I'm sick of it everywhere else. Let me know when the snow (and mud) disappear this spring and I'll head up there. Gotta check out that mini-Tower.

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: amys]
#2897540 - 01/30/09 11:20 AM

Amy:

I expect that the snow and mud should be gone by, hmmmmmmmm, AUGUST!?! That's if we are lucky! LOL
You will most likely be as spoiled by it as I have been.

I'll look forward to seeing you sometime soon.

Steve

Post Extras:

amys
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/06

Loc: Groton, CT

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#2897884 - 01/30/09 02:25 PM

Me too Steve.

Post Extras:

nitrohepcat
member

Reged: 12/04/07

Loc: Milwaukee, WI

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: amys]
#3052377 - 04/19/09 10:38 AM

I am using a VixenGP with an Ioptron GOTONova EQ Conversion. The scope is a 4" f9 refractor.
Although I am very careful in setting the time/date/location (using Googlemaps and a clock that updates with a built-in shortwave radio), making sure the mount is level, accurately setting the polar alignment and doing a 3 star alignment - the pointing accuracy is still not that great. Most objects are about one degree from the center of the FOV.
Is adding the GPS antenna a worthwhile option?
When synching to an alignment star nearby the object I'm looking for - do I do a choose ALIGN and then perform a 1 star alignment on that star?
How can I check the alignment of the telescope tube to the mount?

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: nitrohepcat]
#3053953 - 04/20/09 01:47 AM

Is it off by exactly the same amount each time or does it vary? Have you done a GOOD polar alignment? Do you have a solid dovetail and is everything tight? Are the spur gears meshed correctly and are they lubricated?

If you location data is accurate to within several hundred meters/yards then the targeting should be darned close. Check all of the above questions carefully.

Steve

Post Extras:

nitrohepcat
member

Reged: 12/04/07

Loc: Milwaukee, WI

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#3055482 - 04/20/09 05:37 PM

The distance between the center of the FOV and the target object varies.
The polar alignment is good.
The location data is within 200 feet.
The dovetail is solid.
The gears have no grease on them. Well, that could be my problem. I'll put some grease on them the next time it's clear.
With regard to the gears meshing correctly - They seem to be meshing OK. I adjusted the backlash with the hand controller and it works OK. Is there a measurement I should be making on the gear to gear interface?

Post Extras:

nitrohepcat
member

Reged: 12/04/07

Loc: Milwaukee, WI

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: nitrohepcat]
#3055513 - 04/20/09 05:51 PM

Also, the correction factor displayed when I did a 3 star alignment was:
Altitude 246.3' lower
Azimuth 367.9' east
I double checked my observing notes from past sessions and these correction factors are typical.

I was also very careful with the polar alignment and double checked it with the telescope tube and counterweight attached. In the past I've done a drift align after polar alignment, with similar results.

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: iOptron GotoNova Kit new

[Re: nitrohepcat]
#3056369 - 04/21/09 01:10 AM

The gears are best spaced by placing a piece of printer paper in between them to use as a gauge. Turn the motor to get the paper out when you are done.

It sounds as if you may need to update the controller. The latest firmware along with the downloader program is on the iOptron web site.

Did you set up the controller with the correct UT offset and is there a check mark set next to the Daylight Savings line?

Drop me a line via email if you need further information or help.

CS

Steve

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