I won’t go into every function and choice available in the Hand Controller apart from mentioning that the menus are fairly logically laid out and easy to understand and navigate. I have owned both Celestron and Meade SCT’s and I would say that the Ioptron controller is both easier to read and navigate. The scope can be manually slewed using the arrow keys and you can change the slew speed by pressing the numbers from 1 to 9 where 9 is Fastest.
There are a number of options for choosing Targets to GOTO such as selecting named objects, entering catalogue numbers or inputting direct coordinates all fairly easily laid out and simple to select. The object list is filtered automatically by the controller based on your time and location so it does not show objects that are not above the horizon. Once selected the mount will slew to the object. Comparatively the speed and noise is similar to Meade and Celestron SCT Forks. Once located the mount beeps once to let you know you should on Target then enters tracking mode. I found the tracking mode to be quieter than my recollection of my past Meade and Celestron SCT Forks and can only be made out when you put your ear close to the mount.
TIP: Using the mount with the TSA120 I quickly realised that the Losmandy Dovetail is mandatory for a scope of the TSA120 size and weight, especially when you start using Tak Diagonal and Nagler Eyepieces. The Losmandy Dovetail will dramatically reduce any smaller stability issues over using the Vixen Dovetail.
I have found that the Controller Database has quite a few common objects missing from the named lists. While this is not a severe problem as you can enter the catalogue number or coordinates it is a little annoying for example you would think that Tuc 47 or the Jewel Box would be in the named lists. Fortunately the mount can be controlled by Sky Safari Pro using the SkyFi adaptor and a Iphone or Ipad in native mode or using a ASCOM compliant App.
Since applying all the aftermarket fixes and using my leveling procedure I have found the mount to be quite simple and pleasing to use. I can now have the tripod and mount setup and aligned in 5 minutes or 10 minutes if I am going slow. Then quickly balance the OTA and ready to go within another 5 minutes. So you can literally be setup from scratch in 10-15 minutes.
I now find that by using My Levelling procedure and One Star Alignment that my Goto’s will put the target close to centre in my 10mm Pentax or Delos eyepiece even after slews from objects on opposite sides of the sky and keep them there while tracking for long periods. Over time some error will creep in but it is minor and a quick resync/alignment takes care of that within one or 2 minutes.
In Summary:
It appears that it is common for Ioptron to ship Ioptron Minitower Pro mounts with some or all of the following issues:
- Alt/Dec Clutch Unable to Disengage and Random Disengagement
- Tripod Leg Incorrectly Oriented
- Tripod Bubble Level inaccurate
- Ability for OTA to slew into Tripod Legs due to Orientation & Height on the Mount
- Level Adjustment Screw Holes not properly threaded
These appear to be mainly due to poor quality control during assembly (the OTA slew into the tripod I think is a design flaw) and Ioptron have not provided fixes for any of these in the past 3 years. However the Ioptron Support seem to be willing to replace items under warranty especially if cajoled.
There are aftermarket fixes and procedures to fix all of these shortcomings but that means spending approximately and additional $500.00 on top of the Mount cost and being a little handy with some tools.
As already mentioned, after the aftermarket fixes are all applied the mount does seem to perform really well and is very quick and easy to setup and easily portable for grab’n’go purposes. A quick summary of the positives after all fixes/procedures
- Low Weight and Portability
- Reasonable Payload
- Quick and Easy Setup and Breakdown
- Accurate and Ease of Use with GOTO and Tracking & GPS
- Ability to Plug into Laptop or Iphone/Ipad and use Sky Safari or ASCOM compliant apps
While I am now happy with the unit I have got, I personally I would not recommend this mount until potential purchasers can confirm that the Quality Control and other fixes are taken care of by Ioptron.