SmartStar® Cube-A Mount (8600) iOptron

Description

iOptron® Cube^TM-A Mount: The Cube with Alt-Azimuth & German Equatorial Modes
The SmartStar® Cube^TM-A mount comes with our proprietary Grab ‘N Go Alt-Azimuth Mount, a.k.a. The Cube, rated 4-star by Sky and Telescope Magazine. This compact mount design is one of 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 Vixen-type dovetail connection. The mount can be level for Alt-Azimuth or locked into position for German Equatorial. The Go2Nova® hand controller on each Cube mount is easy to use with menus for planets, stars, nebulas, and constellations. And at only 12 lbs. you can take it anywhere and get accurate tracking! It also has a large LCD screen with more lines of content compared with the competition (so you don’t have to keep scrolling to read the screen). The controller is designed so you can easily set up your telescope and select where you want to go. The revolutionary GOTONOVA® computerized control system is one of the most technologically advanced automated tracking system available on the market today. 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 can be operated by 8 AA battery or a external AC/DC power adapter, makes it an idea travel mount.

Compatible with most tubes on the market
Telescopes and cameras with Vixen-type dovetail connection and a weight up to 7 lbs. (including accessories) are compatible with the Cube^TM-A GOTO mount. (If you do not have a dovetail connection — attach your OTA using mounting rings and dovetail available at your local telescope store or the OTA manufacturer). Contact iOptron for expert advice on compatibility issues.

GOTONOVA® computerized control system
The revolutionary GOTONOVA® computerized control system is by far the most technologically advanced automated goto and tracking system available on the market today. With its large celestial object database, including all of the well-known galaxies, nebulae, star clusters– not to mention the planets, sun and moon– you’ll be able to enjoy star gazing with the simple push of a button. Both axis motors are built into a small single unit with optical encoders that provide accurate GOTO and tracking. The control system also allows you to slew the telescope at different drive speeds, keeping the object within the telescope’s viewfinder for as long as you wish.

The most easy to understand controller on the market
The Go2Nova® 8401 hand 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 with more lines of content compared with the competition. Using the easy-to-use hand controller and its large LCD screen, you can easily set up your telescope and select where you want to go.

32-Channel GPS Module
All A-series telescope mounts come standard with a built-in 32-channel GPS module for fully automated operation and alignment. Simply turn on the Go2Nova® Controller and the GPS module will automatically synchronize your telescope location and time with the Go2Nova® computerized control system. View celestial objects without having to manually punch in the date, time, latitude or longitude.

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.

Simply a better tripod
Made of 1.25-inch heavy-duty stainless steel, the Cube tripod is sturdy yet light weight, and gives the user unparalleled stability during operation. Solid construction joints keep your mount locked securely. A built-in wedge will allow you to convert the mount from an AA mount to a EQ one in minutes.

“This seems like such a good idea, we wonder why someone didn’t think of it sooner. The iOptron Cube is a standalone alt-azimuth mount that will add Go To pointing and sidereal tracking to just about any small telescope with a Vixen-style dovetail connector.” Contributing editor Gary Seronik of “Sky and Telescope”

Features

• Grab ‘N Go alt-azimuth mount– The Cube™ with equatorial operation mode
• 7 lbs payload for various scopes and cameras
• Go2Nova® 8401 Controller with Advanced GOTONOVA® GOTO Technology. The most intuitive controller on the market
• ~130,000+ object database with 128 user-defined objects
• Large LCD screen on the market with 8 lines and 21-character Hand Control with backlit LED buttons
• Dual-axis servomotor with optical encoder
• 9 speed gear system for precise GOTO and tracking
• 32-channel GPS
• Operate on 8 AA batteries (not included)
• 100~240V AC power adapter included, optional 12V DC adaptor available
• USB Port for computer control and firmware upgrades
• Sturdy 1.25” stainless steel tripod with integrated wedge

For surprisingly little money, you can get a well-functioning computerized drive on a stainless-steel tripod.

Specifications

Manual:
Quick Start Guide
Instruction Manual

Firmware:
Download Latest Firmware

iOptron Telescope ASCOM Driver:
Install ASCOM Driver 3.11
OR (if 3.11 does not perform well)
Install ASCOM Driver 2.4