Ioptron mini tower experiences?

takdriver (Graeme) · #1 06-06-2011, 07:05 PM

Hi all, I am contemplating one of these mounts for use with a small refractor (80) mm. does anyone have any comments as to mechanical , electrical, or software reliability for this go-to mount. I realise it is not really intended for imaging, my use would be strictly visual. Thanks in advance. Graeme.

casstony · #2 06-06-2011, 07:29 PM

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea.../o/all/fpart/1

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #3 06-06-2011, 08:12 PM

iOptron very kindly gave me a Mini Tower in 2009 (the first one in Oz ). It just, to coin a phrase, "keeps on keeping on".
I've never had any trouble with it.
I was very active on the iOptron forums for a couple of years, and found that the majority of complaints about the iOptron mounts could be attributed to user error.
Not leveling properly, not doing a correct alignment (learn your star names boys) and people just can't leave well enough alone and just HAVE to open up the case and pull it apart. durrrrr. if it's not broke, don't try to fix it.
I love the accuracy of the go to, the hand paddle is a joy to use. Best of all, if you have to, it runs off AA batteries.

Hagar just took delivery of one the other day, to use as a travel mount. He's very happy with his too.

renormalised (Carl) · #4 06-06-2011, 08:25 PM

That's most likely what the trouble was with the guys over at CN. Too willing to rip things apart to try and fix them for the littlest of worries, only to stuff things up even worse. Most of them aren't as smart as they like to think they are and end up causing the problems themselves....then whinge about what's wrong with the equipment.

takdriver (Graeme) · #5 06-06-2011, 08:41 PM

Thanks for all the comments thus far. I am especially interested in what present or past OWNERS/USERS think of this mount. Thanks again, Graeme.

renormalised (Carl) · #6 06-06-2011, 10:01 PM

That guy was lucky he knew a bit about electronics, so he knew what to do. But your average user isn't and I wouldn't recommend them to hack into the mount to try and rectify any problems.

casstony · #7 06-06-2011, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renormalised

That guy was lucky he knew a bit about electronics, so he knew what to do. But your average user isn't and I wouldn't recommend them to hack into the mount to try and rectify any problems.

The average person wouldn't be capable of doing those repairs but the thread is quite informative I think - I don't want leaky or burned capacitors in my mount. I seriously considered buying one of these some time back but there were just too many reports of problems.

In contrast the main problems reported with the Nexstar SE mount are slipping clutch (fixed by slightly tightening a large nut under the cover) and mechanical drive failure (fixed by tightening a grub screw on the gears in the base).

I like to look for the collective problems and fixes before I buy something to see whether the most common problems are within my ability to fix.

rider · #8 07-06-2011, 08:16 AM

I've had one for about 18 months as my grab and go,
its so easy to handle and set up that I tend to use it much more than my big scope/mount.

It carries a Vixen VMC200 on one side and a Vixen VMC110 on the other.
- Very satisfied, its light, it reliable, its extremely quick to set up (under 3 minutes usually) and if you ensure it is level, it is wonderfully accurate.

I have made one modification. I obtained the tripod from the tower pro, which is interchangeable but has BIG legs, and the stability (which wasn't bad before) is now remarkable.

Only downside: whilst it has 130000 objects in its data base, which are listed under the usual sub-directories, it no functions like "tours" - "identify?" etc. - not a big deal.

oh, and if you are running it on batteries it will get eratic when they are getting flat.

Regards Rider

Hagar (Doug) · #9 07-06-2011, 08:42 AM

Hi Graeme, As JJ has said I have just taken delivery of one so I can take it away in my caravan with me instead of lugging the big G11 accross the country. I haven't done a lot with it yet but am very impressed with this little mount at the moment. I have put the Takahashi TSA 120 on it and it handles it very easilly.
I intend to set up my DSLR on a dovetail bar for some widefield photography after some initial trials on it's ability to hold a target for several hours.
Pointing accuracy seems very good as long as it is set up correctly.

Looks very good to me so far.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #10 07-06-2011, 08:49 AM

Black and gold batteries last around 4 hrs, Generic alkaline will keep you going all night. Duracell and Energizer, seem to just keep on keeping on.
It all depends on how much slewing you do I guess.

Graham Beazley · #11 15-06-2011, 06:11 AM

hi all, im from New Zealand and have had a minitower for 2 years now and it has been a superb performer, totaly reliable and very accurate in its targeting and tracking abilities.. i also own an MTPRO but its not as consistant in targeting as the MT.. The changes in firmware have improved it but still has a little way to go to get to the level of the MT.
I made a mod to the dec clutch knob to improve grip, designed and developed spreaders and tray for both tripods and also a seperate accessory tray which fits both.
You can see these on my photo-folder (mini-tower mods) on the mini-tower yahoo forum, 3 pages of stuff to look thru.
cheers.
Graham.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #12 15-06-2011, 10:28 AM

I'll be using my MT and ED80 tomorrow morning to image the eclipse.
Love my MT.

Graham Beazley · #13 15-06-2011, 06:23 PM

I wish you luck that the weather is kind to you and you get some good images with your beloved mini-tower.
cheers.
Graham.

Blue Skies (Jacquie) · #14 15-06-2011, 09:31 PM

I've just opened the boxes on a new mintower pro but I can't test yet because its raining here (at last!) and also its going to take me some time to sort out attaching a dovetail to the scope/s I want to use on it.

But (edit: ok, I just found the online manual that answers all of this...)

1) I was disappointed with the lack of literature in the box. Is there a more comprehensive manual around anywhere?

2) What's that little black knob on one side of the tower for?

3) How will I know when to use the counterweight and work out where it needs to be?

4) Where does the usb cable go and what is it for?

Thanks!

Blue Skies (Jacquie) · #15 16-06-2011, 12:08 AM

I should ask about dovetails - what are other people using? I'm just thinking about what I'm hoping to use on it: a Meade 8" SCT OTA, an old Meade 4" SCT and a PST. The PST and 4" have the same bolt holes underneath - I've got a home-made set up on another mount that works for both. I got a Skywatcher dovetail to go on the mount, but looking at things at the moment I've got to tap new holes on the 8" mounting plate to get it to fit. And make some new kind of 'shoe' for the others too. Is there a simpler solution?

rider · #16 16-06-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Skies

I should ask about dovetails - what are other people using? I'm just thinking about what I'm hoping to use on it: a Meade 8" SCT OTA, an old Meade 4" SCT and a PST. The PST and 4" have the same bolt holes underneath - I've got a home-made set up on another mount that works for both. I got a Skywatcher dovetail to go on the mount, but looking at things at the moment I've got to tap new holes on the 8" mounting plate to get it to fit. And make some new kind of 'shoe' for the others too. Is there a simpler solution?

Hi Blueskys,
you may have a weight problem with carrying the Meades,
I run an 8 inch and a 4 inch on my MT, but they are Klevtsov-Cassegrain Vixens, which have no collector plate and weigh about half the weight of a Schmid Cassegrain. I don't think I would like to load mine with much more than its got on it now. You would probably be wise to check the carrying capacity of the MTpro against your scope weights.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #17 16-06-2011, 10:11 AM

Just need to brag about my Mini Tower a little.
This morning's eclipse......it took me all of 5 minutes to set up and align before taking my first pics.
Ponders and Houghy? I don't know.....20minutes? possibly more?
The mount tracked superbly, keeping the moon dead centre for the few hours we were out there.
What a great mount it is!!

rider · #18 16-06-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Just need to brag about my Mini Tower a little.
This morning's eclipse......it took me all of 5 minutes to set up and align before taking my first pics.
Ponders and Houghy? I don't know.....20minutes? possibly more?
The mount tracked superbly, keeping the moon dead centre for the few hours we were out there.
What a great mount it is!!

Me Too, JJJ, - woke up 10 min before it started, had it carted outside & setup in time to see the first of the penumbra... usual perfect tracking.
- Luv them MT's!

Blue Skies (Jacquie) · #19 16-06-2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rider

Hi Blueskys,
you may have a weight problem with carrying the Meades,
I run an 8 inch and a 4 inch on my MT, but they are Klevtsov-Cassegrain Vixens, which have no collector plate and weigh about half the weight of a Schmid Cassegrain. I don't think I would like to load mine with much more than its got on it now. You would probably be wise to check the carrying capacity of the MTpro against your scope weights.

Really? That's why I got the MTpro, to handle the extra weight. But I don't intend to run them all together, just one at a time. And I've heard of others running an 8" on just the MT without problems as well.

rider · #20 17-06-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Skies

Really? That's why I got the MTpro, to handle the extra weight. But I don't intend to run them all together, just one at a time. And I've heard of others running an 8" on just the MT without problems as well.

You may be right, I have put a number of large scopes on mine over time, including an 8 inch Neut. (think I once saw a photo of JJJ's mount with one of those on it too) but I am under the impression that the Meade is at the heavy end of the 8 inch range though.
(BTW I do carry 2 scopes at the same time, because my wife and I observe together, and we have a choice of hi-mag or widefield without EP changes. (and I can't see the point of carrying a counterweight if you can put a scope on instead).

Like most Alt/Az mounts, one affect that you need to be aware of with the ioptron is that accessories and long EP/barlows have an effect on the balance of these mounts if they extend above the plane of the Alt axis.
So, if you have finder-scopes, cameras or other accessories attached to the TOP of the scope, don't balance the scope when it is horizontal because it will be very back heavy as it approaches vertical. That places unnecessarily strain on the motors.

The best compromise seems to be balancing with the scope about 45-55 degrees up at the front. that way it will be slightly nose heavy when pointed at the horizon, and a bit back heavy closer to the zenith. - after balancing, just take the clutch off and move the scope up and down to check overall balance.