Instruments Telescopes Instruction Manual RCX400

scope), you can use Autostar to control both the RCX and the microfocuser. Make sure
you have connected the saddle plate to the RCX and the microfocuser to your tele-
scope and also the saddle plate's F
ocuser port. Follow this procedure:
• Press the Number Key 4 and Autostar displays "OTA: Fast" displays. You are
no
w in control of the RCX focuser.
• Use the Up/Down keys to scroll through the RCX focuser speeds.
• Press the Number Key 4 again and "Define Presets" displays. Define the
RCX presets as described earlier.
• Press the Number Key 4 and Autostar displays "Saddle Focus: Speed Fast."
You are now in control of the microfocuser focuser.
•
Use the Up/Down keys to scroll through the four microfocuser speeds.
• Use the Up and Down arrow keys to move the focus in or out.
Press MODE to exit the Focus menu at any time.
To select a previously defined focus preset
1. Press the Focus key twice. “Focuser Preset: Go To Preset” displays. Press
ENTER to select this menu.
2. Use a Scroll key and scroll down the list of previously defined presets. When the
desired preset displa
ys (for example, “Deep Sky Imager”), press ENTER.
Important Note: If you do not park your telescope, you will need to select
one of the presets and refocus your telescope using the Sync On menu. See
TO SYNC ON A FOCUS PRESET below.
To sync on a focus preset
If you park your telescope, AutoStar II remembers all the focus positions you defined
as presets and you will not need this menu.
If you do not park your telescope, you will need to select just one of the presets and
refocus your telescope using the Sync On menu. Then AutoStar II will reset all the
other presets back to the focus preset positions you previously defined.
1. Press the Focus key twice. “Focuser Preset: Go To Preset” displays. Use a Scroll
key and scroll until “Focuser Preset: Sync On Preset” displays and press ENTER
to select this menu.
2. Use a scroll key to choose one of the previously entered presets from this list (the
most likely preset you will choose will be one that accounts for your own
eyesight).
3. Use the Up or Down Arrow keys to focus the eyepiece.
4. Press ENTER. AutoStar II now “remembers” the relative focus positions of the
eyepiece.You can now choose any preset and it will be correctly focused.
T
o exit the focus operation at any time:
1. Press MODE.
Slew Speeds
Autostar II has several slew speeds that move the optical tube at rates that are directly
proportional to the sidereal rate and have been calculated to accomplish specific func-
tions. Press the Speed key (Number key "1") and then press a Number key to change
the slew speed, which is shown for about two seconds on Autostar II’s display.
The available speeds are:
Number Key 1= 0.01x to1.0x sidereal, variable in 0.01x increments Guide Rate
Number Key 2 = 2x = 2 x sidereal (0.5 arc-min/sec or 0.008°/sec)
Number K
e
y 3
=
8x = 8 x sidereal (2 arc-min/sec or 0.033°/sec)
Number Key 4 = 16x = 16 x sidereal (4 arc-min/sec or 0.067°/sec)
Number Key 5 = 64x = 64 x sidereal (16 arc-min/sec or 0.27°/sec)
Number K
e
y 6
= 128x = 128 x sidereal (32 arc-min/sec or 0.25°/sec)
Number Key 7 = .5° = 45 arc-min/sec or .5°/sec
Number Key 8 = 1° = 60 arc-min/sec or 1°/sec
Number K
e
y 9
= Max Slew Speed (2°/sec)
26
Important Note:
Press MODE at any time to exit
Focus modes.
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible damage t
o your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the
Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.