GPS AltAzi-Eq Dual Mounts
Cube-A Mount - Astro Blue
iOptron Dual Mount: Alt-Azimuth & German Equatorial – The Cube™
The SmartStar® CubeTM-A comes with our patented Dual Mount: Alt-Azimuth & German Equatorial, a.k.a. The Cube™. This compact mount design is probably the most functional and flexible unit on the market. Both axis motors are built into a small single unit which is universally compatible with all telescopes using a dove-tail connection. The mount can be level for Alt-Azimuth or locked into position for German Equatorial. In addition, there are no “dead spots” – so you can point your telescope to ANYWHERE above the horizon, whereas, other mounts block the telescope tube at certain points of rotation. This mount also comes standard with AC connection. An optional DC adaptor is available so you can plug your telescope motor into your car if you’re camping or at any remote location.
The most easy to understand controller on the market
The GoToNova® Controller is much easier to use than other similar products. The hand controller is more intuitive with menu categories better organized. It also has the largest LCD screen on the market with 8 lines of content compared with others that only have 2 lines. Using the easy-to-use hand controller, you can easily set up your telescope and select where you want to go.
More precise speed control for viewing objects
The control system also allows you to slew the telescope at 9 different drive speeds, keeping the object within the telescope’s viewfinder for as long as you wish.
USB Port
The #8401 hand controller comes with a USB port that tremendously expands the functionalities of the already powerful system. With the USB2COM driver installed, the USB port works as an RS232 serial port. It supports firmware upgrades and computer control.
Stainless Steel Tripod
Made of 1-inch heavy-duty stainless steel the Cube™ Tripod is sturdy yet elegant, and gives the user unparalleled stability during operation.
GoToNova® Computerized Control System
The revolutionary GoToNova® computerized control system is by far the most technologically advanced automated tracking system available on the market today. With a database of 130,000 celestial objects, including all of the most famous galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, not to mention the planets, you’ll be able to enjoy star gazing with the simple push of a button.
32-Channel GPS Module
All A-series telescopes come standard with a 32-channel GPS module for fully automated operation and alignment. Simply turn on the GoToNova® Controller and the GPS module will automatically synchronize your telescope location and time with the GoToNova® computerized control system. View celestial objects without having to manually punch in the date, time, latitude or longitude.
$390 + postage.
Last edited by Karls48; 26-10-2012 at 01:21 PM.
Reason: Change status
5Kgs is the suggested upper limit.
So Refractors up to 100mm (not all 100mm are light enough esp if you put cameras etc on them) Tube rings add a fair bit of weight and I wonder if their are Carbon Fibre ones available.
U can reduce weight by using a red-dot finder if you are not looking for deep-sky objects that are way down the mag scale.
The Skywatcher type 127 MakCass the Vixen 114 modified MakCass etc. will work on this.
What I want to find is a review of one that has been used for over a year consistently to find out how well the drive is tracking, esp if the load is in the upper limit for the mount.
I would like one but want to see a reliable report on them as a used item.
Karl what is the package dimensions and weight so I can see what freight costs might be involved.
Hi Trevor
I got original box somewhere, I will send you details tomorrow. Tracking improves a lot if you add counterweight. I don't think that Mak would work on it satisfactory without counterweight.
