Learning how to use SynScan

Using SynScan

The telescope should be setup in the home position.

SynScan has two operating modes:

1. Full-feature mode - the hand control must be connected to a Sky-Watcher telescope mount before completing initialisation and alignment, which allows automatic location of a celestial object

2. Easy tracking mode - the hand control must be connected to a Sky-Watcher telescope mount. Set it up at a proper ‘home position’ before turning on the power. The hand control must complete an ‘initialisation routine’, but the alignment routine can be skipped if you want to start the tracking function yourself. Locate an object in the sky and use the hand control to manually point the telescope at it.

SynScan initialisation

The telescope should be setup in the home position for an equatorial mount:

tripod head is level

RA axis points towards north celestial pole

counterweight rod is at its lowest position

telesope points towards the north celestial pole

Initialise the hand control

1. Turn on the power when the mount is in the home position

2. When the LCD screen displays ‘Operating Mode’ in the first line, use the scrolling keys at the bottom left and right of the keypad to choose ‘Equatorial Mode’ and press Enter

3. When the ‘Firmware version’ is displayed press Enter

4. Next a warning message is displayed. Press Enter to confirm you have read it

Setting your longitude and latitude

You can find your latitude and longitude on many sky orientated apps, including Polar Scope Align Pro, or by looking them up online (search latitude in [your area]).

The screen will display ‘Set longitude’ or ‘Set latitude’ on the first line and display the coordinates on the second line. Press the numeric keys to enter your latitude and longitude and use the scroll keys to change east/west (E/W for longitude) and north/south (N/S for latitude). Use the left and right direction keys to move the cursor. Press ‘Enter’ when each is correct

Setting your timezone

1. Use the scroll keys to change the + or - sign (the + sign is for timezones in the eastern hemisphere and the - for timezones in the western hemisphere)

2. Enter your timezone digits using the numeric keys. Press Enter to confirm

You can find your time zone on apps set for this use (like Polar Scope Align Pro, as previously mentioned) or on google.

Setting your elevation

You can find your elevation on apps set for this use (like Polar Scope Align Pro, as previously mentioned) or on google.

Use the scroll keys to change the + or - sign and enter your elevation using the numeric keys. Press Enter to confirm

Date, time and daylight saving time

1. Enter the current date in mm/dd/yyyy format. Press the Enter key to confirm

2. Enter the current time in 24 hour format. Press Enter to confirm

3. When ‘Daylight saving’ is displayed use the scroll keys to select ‘Yes’ if in Daylight saving time and ‘No’ if not

Display the position of Polaris

The display will show ‘Polaris position in P.Scope=HH:MM’. This is the orientation of Polaris in the polar-scope’s FOV (field of view). Imagine the FOV of the polar-scope as a clock face with 12 o’clock at the top and put Polaris at the HH:MM position of the circle when using the polar-scope to do the polar alignment. Press Enter to confirm

Starting the mount alignment

The screen will ask if you want to ‘Begin alignment’. Choose:

‘1) YES’ - the SynScan hand control will operate in full feature mode after the alignment

or

‘2) NO’ - the hand control will enter standby mode and you can start the tracking functions to roughly locate objects

Alignment

Choosing an alignment method

There are 3 different methods:

1-star alignment

Benefits - it is the quickest alignment

Preconditions - accurate polar alignment is necessary; small cone error in the telescope mount setup

2-star alignment

Benefits - the mount does not need to be polar aligned accurately

Preconditions - small cone error in the telescope mount setup

3-star alignment

Benefits - good accuracy even with cone error; the mount does not need to be accurately polar aligned

Preconditions - the skies both sides of the meridian are clear of obstructions eg trees, clouds

Aligning the first star

1. Use the scroll keys to browse through a list of star names and pick the one you wish to use by pressing Enter. The mount will automatically point towards your chosen star. The hand control will display ‘Use arrow buttons Ctr. To eyepiece..’

2. Use the direction keys to centre the star in the FOV of the finder-scope and then in the FOV of the telescope’s eyepiece. Press Enter to confirm the centring of the star

3. If you chose 1 star alignment the hand control will display ‘Alignment successful’, so press ‘Enter’ to complete the alignment process. If you chose 2- or 3-star alignment the hand control will proceed to the next step

Aligning the second star

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 of ‘Aligning the first star’ above

2. When done the hand control will display ‘Alignment successful’ if you chose 2-star alignment

3. Two seconds later the LCD screen will display the polar alignment offset of the mount. The Mel value is the offset in elevation and the Maz value is the offset in azimuth. Press Enter

Aligning the third star

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 of ‘Aligning the first star’ above

2. When done the hand control will display ‘Alignment successful’ if you chose 3-star alignment

3. Two seconds later the LCD screen will display the polar alignment offset of the mount as above

Cancelling the alignment process

You can press the Esc key at any time to cancel the alignment process. The hand control screen will then display ‘MOUNT STOPPED!! Press any key…’ Press any key and the hand control will ask you to select another alignment star, beginning the process all over again.

Press the Esc key a second time and the hand set will display ‘ Exit alignment? 1) YES 2)NO

If you press ‘No’ you return to choosing an alignment star.