Telescope Reviews: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review.

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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: Jimyw123]
#2946293 - 02/24/09 07:39 AM

Quote:

Quote:

I think I'm pretty much sold on this mount now.

The iOptron website says you can increase payload by 50% with "heavy duty accessories,"
but when I open their accessories tab for the MiniTower, it's blank.

Bob

Asked the same question. The answer I got was that the heavy duty accessories were counter weight, shaft, and secondary saddle. Pretty amazing words.

Yes, the accessories, which are included, are the items to which the copy is referring. It's a bit confusing so just consider it as, ah, hmmm... Marketing? LOL

Steve

Post Extras:

Fred1
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/19/07

Loc: Somewhere in the Orion Spur

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: ragebot]
#2947373 - 02/24/09 04:36 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Can anyone tell me if the MiniTower's hand controller has a cradle on the mount?

With m CG5 I can keep the HC in its cradle and just press the buttons without lifting the HC out of the cradle. Can you do that with the MiniTower?

As posted earlier the answer is no.

What I wonder is how easy it is to reach the controller. I have always placed strips of velcro on all three legs of my mounts and velcro on the back of the hand controller. Even so several times a night I have to move the hand controller from one leg to the other as I slew from one object to another. I also have to once in awhile walk the controller around the mount because the cord is not long enough for another turn around the mount.

Well, that's a little disappointing but not a deal breaker. Does anyone know if the MiniTower controller will fit in the Nexstar controller cradle?

And are there aftermarket extension cables available?

Post Extras:

ragebot
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/26/05

Loc: Tallahassee, FL, USA

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: Fred1]
#2947622 - 02/24/09 07:12 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Can anyone tell me if the MiniTower's hand controller has a cradle on the mount?

With m CG5 I can keep the HC in its cradle and just press the buttons without lifting the HC out of the cradle. Can you do that with the MiniTower?

As posted earlier the answer is no.

What I wonder is how easy it is to reach the controller. I have always placed strips of velcro on all three legs of my mounts and velcro on the back of the hand controller. Even so several times a night I have to move the hand controller from one leg to the other as I slew from one object to another. I also have to once in awhile walk the controller around the mount because the cord is not long enough for another turn around the mount.

Well, that's a little disappointing but not a deal breaker. Does anyone know if the MiniTower controller will fit in the Nexstar controller cradle?

And are there aftermarket extension cables available?

I doubt the iOptron controller would fit in a cradle for other controllers since iOptron advertises its controllers have 8 lines of data, more than any other controller (hope I got that right) The cable looks standard to me, but why would you want a longer cable to get in the way when you could just reach your hands around the mount and solve the "cable wrapped around the mount" problem.

I normally sit in a chair observing and have no problem reaching the controller around the mount, the walk around the mount comment was suppose to be funny.

Sorry, I am humor impaired.

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: ragebot]
#2947689 - 02/24/09 07:40 PM

I have used the controller cable from ,y CG5 on the MT controller. It fits just fine.

I am not aware of any extension cables.

Steve

Post Extras:

Nathan84y
Banned - Duplicate Account

Reged: 09/12/08

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#2947989 - 02/24/09 10:49 PM

Maybe iOptron should develop a bluetooth or IR enabled controller.

Post Extras:

jasonj998
Banned - Duplicate Account

Reged: 08/19/08

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: ragebot]
#2948000 - 02/24/09 10:58 PM

I found the way to avoid any "cable wrapped around the mount". If your MiniTower has been moving clockwise, your next slew better to be lower angle of RA, then the mount would slew counter clockwise. Whether slew CW or CCW, MiniTower would choose the shortest way. The RA position of the star to be slewed to is displayed on the HC screen.
Jason

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: jasonj998]
#2948453 - 02/25/09 08:13 AM

I see no reason to go to the expense of developing a bluetooth or IR interface. It would only drive up the cost since it would require a completely new controller to allow such functions and the desire for them seems to be quite limited.

Just my opinion and observations.

CS

Steve

Post Extras:

Fred1
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/19/07

Loc: Somewhere in the Orion Spur

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: ragebot]
#2948616 - 02/25/09 09:59 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Can anyone tell me if the MiniTower's hand controller has a cradle on the mount?

With m CG5 I can keep the HC in its cradle and just press the buttons without lifting the HC out of the cradle. Can you do that with the MiniTower?

As posted earlier the answer is no.

What I wonder is how easy it is to reach the controller. I have always placed strips of velcro on all three legs of my mounts and velcro on the back of the hand controller. Even so several times a night I have to move the hand controller from one leg to the other as I slew from one object to another. I also have to once in awhile walk the controller around the mount because the cord is not long enough for another turn around the mount.

Well, that's a little disappointing but not a deal breaker. Does anyone know if the MiniTower controller will fit in the Nexstar controller cradle?

And are there aftermarket extension cables available?

I doubt the iOptron controller would fit in a cradle for other controllers since iOptron advertises its controllers have 8 lines of data, more than any other controller ....

The pictures of the MT contoller, except for the LCD screen, appear to have the same dimensions as the Nexstar. Since only that portion of the HC with the buttons needs to fit the Nexstar cradle, can any one comment on how wide, long and thick the MT controller is? If it matches or is close to the Nexstar then there are possibilities.

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: Fred1]
#2949657 - 02/25/09 07:54 PM

Hey Fred! It fits! I have one in a CG5 cradle right now!!

However, I prefer the lanyard. It provides more flexibility.

Steve

Post Extras:

therocksal
professor emeritus

Reged: 12/02/08

Loc: Everett, WA

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: ragebot]
#2951133 - 02/26/09 02:44 PM

Quick Q for those with the mini tower.

Can you manually move the scope, say to point to the moon, and then tighten the levers and use the electronics to move the mount yourself, like a push to with electronics, instead of having to do the whole alignment thing.

I still cant decide between this and a CG5...I have a $300 gift certificate at Orion so I figure I'd get this for the same price with the certificate...still not sure If I'll ever get into long exposure AP.

And, still going to get either a C8 or 9.25 for visual

Thanks.

Edited by therocksal (02/26/09 02:48 PM)

Post Extras:

Covey32
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/09/04

Loc: Georgia

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: therocksal]
#2951333 - 02/26/09 04:24 PM

Sure you can, at any of 9 different speeds, in fact.
But...why not just align it to the moon, hit "sync" and let it track for you as well?
Great mount, really.

Post Extras:

jasonj998
Banned - Duplicate Account

Reged: 08/19/08

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: Covey32]
#2951378 - 02/26/09 04:48 PM

There are also DEC and RA clutches. You can move manually when disengaged the clutches.
The MiniTower is perfect for C8 or 9.25. Unless you are seriously considering long exposure AP, CG5 is not at the same level of MiniTower. For less than 1 min exposure, A-A mount is a best choice along with many other advantages.
Jason

Post Extras:

Fred1
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/19/07

Loc: Somewhere in the Orion Spur

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#2952001 - 02/26/09 10:33 PM

Quote:

Hey Fred! It fits! I have one in a CG5 cradle right now!!

However, I prefer the lanyard. It provides more flexibility.

Steve

Thanks, Steve, that's great. I know what I'll be checking over at NEAF this year.

Post Extras:

BobG
Vendor-Trapezium

Reged: 01/16/08

Loc: Miramar Beach FL (Gulf Coast)

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: ragebot]
#2953675 - 02/27/09 07:13 PM

I use the iOptron Minitower and overall am happy with it. But some nighs the GPS is ON and other nighrts it is OK. Only thing I can figure is a loose electrical connection within the mount somewhere. Any ideas.

Bob Gaskin
Miramar Beach, FL

Post Extras:

Covey32
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/09/04

Loc: Georgia

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: BobG]
#2953703 - 02/27/09 07:26 PM

All the GPS connections are at the top under the square cover with 4 little screws holding it down. Pop that off and check them out. Had the same problem with mine and reseated everything.
No problems since. It's perfectly safe to do.

Post Extras:

Bob Moore
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 04/07/06

Loc: New York

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: ragebot]
#2958073 - 03/01/09 11:44 PM Attachment (75 downloads)

Let me say this about the Mini Tower

Bob

Edited by Bob Moore (03/01/09 11:46 PM)

Post Extras:

Fred1
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/19/07

Loc: Somewhere in the Orion Spur

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: Bob Moore]
#2958583 - 03/02/09 10:24 AM

Great pic!!! Very interesting set up with the side by side refractors with counterweight.
Is that just for a laugh or really usable that way?
If usable, what size and weights are the refractors?
Any problems viewing zenith?

Post Extras:

ragebot
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/26/05

Loc: Tallahassee, FL, USA

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: Fred1]
#2958731 - 03/02/09 11:47 AM

Quote:

Great pic!!! Very interesting set up with the side by side refractors with counterweight.
Is that just for a laugh or really usable that way?
If usable, what size and weights are the refractors?
Any problems viewing zenith?

I cant answer your question about that setup being usable, but here is a link to a pick of my MiniTower with two OTAs and while it takes a couple of minutes to get the OTAs level in the park position it is usable for me; and the other peeps who were at the outreach event discussed in this thread

Post Extras:

Bob Moore
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 04/07/06

Loc: New York

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: Fred1]
#2959427 - 03/02/09 05:42 PM Attachment (67 downloads)

Fred, Ya it's a fun photo and that is what it was meant to be. The setup on the MT is usable but the CW is a bit to far to the right it needs to be slid all the way to the left. The scopes are a 127 F6.2 and an AT 80mm ED. Here's a photo of how it would be setup normally.

Bob

Post Extras:

NHRob
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/27/04

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: iOptron MiniTower Mini Review. new

[Re: Bob Moore]
#2959490 - 03/02/09 06:21 PM

Could the Mini-Tower handle a TEC-140?

Rob

Post Extras:

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