APPENDIX I:
Smart Mount
Introduction
Smart Mount improves the pointing accuracy of your LX200-ACF telescope’s “Go To”
system. Despite careful efforts to calibrate and align telescopes, they may fail to
precisely center objects. Smart Mount allows your telescope to learn about, and then
correct for, any systematic pointing errors, regardless of the cause.
Because training your mount takes some time, we recommend that it be primarily
used on permanently mounted instruments or when imaging requires very accurate
pointing. Once Smart Mount training has been performed, the scope will benefit from
it so long as you carefully park the telescope at the end of each session and do not
modify the mounting.
For portable instruments, we recommend training Smart Mount each time you set up
your telescope to insure best results.
We recommend that you use an
illuminated reticle
during the training procedure. An
illuminated reticle allows you to precisely center celestial objects in a telescope’s
eyepiece. The more precisely you center objects during Smart Mount training, the
more pointing precision your telescope will be able to achieve. If you do not have an
illuminated reticle, see
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 44 for more information.
Operation
The Smart Mount feature is located in the AutoStar II Setup menu.
In order to use Smart Mount, create a model that allows Smart Mount to improve your
telescope’s accuracy. This is normally done by training Smart Mount. Once training
has been completed, you will save your model. AutoStar II allows you to save
several models under different names. This allows you to, for example, save one
model for a heavy imaging camera configuration on a permanently aligned scope, and
another when you have a lighter load on the mount.
Training
In order to obtain solid, repeatable results, perform the following procedures
before
you create a model:
• Setup and align your telescope.
• Perform both RA/Az and Dec/Alt drive training calibration.
Once you have calibrated and aligned your telescope, if you wish to start a new
model, go to the Smart Mount main menu. Locate and select “Erase” to clear the
current model. Next, proceed with the steps below:
Note: If you do not erase the current model, the training session will refine
the current model.
• Locate “Train” in the Smart Mount Configuration menu and press enter.
• The telescope will select and slew to several (over 40) stars.
• When requested to do so, carefully center each star and then press ENTER.
If you find that you cannot see a star because there is an obstruction blocking
your view:
• Press MODE briefly to skip this star. Another star will be chosen.
To exit the training sequence before it is completed:
• Press and hold MODE for about two seconds and then release it.
When you have completed training:
• Save your model, using a good, descriptive name, using the “Save As” menu.
Upon completion of the training, Smart Mount is enabled and
remains on
until
you choose “Off” from the Smart Mount Configuration menu.
Want to learn more
about Alignment?
See page 19.
Want to learn more
about training your
drive? See page 63.
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