iOptron SmartStar A MC90 GoTo GPS Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount
Item#: HN-IOPT012
Sale Price:
$449.98
53%
Description
Our SmartStar™ E-MC90 telescope system is the ideal choice for deep space viewing and astrophotography. This 90mm-diameter Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope dramatically reduces the chromatic aberration that plagues its Refractor counterparts and has a focal length of 1200mm. This light weight, ultra-compact scope offers a great combination of power and transportability, and brings stargazing to a whole other level.
Dual Mount: Alt-Azimuth & German Equatorial – The Cube™
The SmartStar™-A-MC90 comes with our patented Dual Mount: Alt-Azimuth & German Equatorial, a.k.a. The Cube™. This compact mount design is probably 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 dove-tail connection. The mount can be level for Alt-Azimuth or locked into position for German Equatorial. In addition, 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 also comes standard with AC connection. An optional DC adaptor is available so you can plug your telescope motor into your car if you’re camping or at any remote location.
The most easy to understand controller on the market
The GoToNovaTM 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 on the market with 8 lines of content compared with others that only have 2 lines. Using the easy-to-use hand controller, you can easily set up your telescope and select where you want to go.
More precise speed control for viewing objects
The control system also allows you to slew the telescope at 9 different drive speeds, keeping the object within the telescope’s viewfinder for as long as you wish.
USB Port
The 8402 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. With ASCOM protocol, you can control your telescope with most ASCOM compatible software. This enables you to utilize the CPU, large screen, and disk space of your PC/laptop. With a wide selection of software, your star gazing experience will never be the same again.
Simply a better tripod
Made of 1-inch heavy-duty stainless steel the SmartStar™ Tripod is sturdy yet elegant, and gives the user unparalleled stability during operation. Solid construction joints keep your mount locked securely. With an all-metal support system your valuable telescope will keep still even on a windy night.
GoToNovaTM Computerized Control System
The revolutionary GoToNovaTM computerized control system is by far the most technologically advanced automated tracking system available on the market today. With a database of 80,000 celestial objects, including all of the most famous galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, not to mention the planets, you’ll be able to enjoy star gazing with the simple push of a button. The database can also be upgraded to include over 130,000 celestial objects. So your control system can grow as you increase your level of star gazing!
32-Channel GPS Module
All A-series telescopes come standard with a 32-channel GPS module for fully automated operation and alignment. Simply turn on the GoToNovaTM Controller and the GPS module will automatically synchronize your telescope location and time with the GoToNovaTM computerized control system. View celestial objects without having to manually punch in the date, time, latitude or longitude.
Features:
- 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope
- 1200mm Focal Length
- Red Dot finderscope for locating objects
- Heavy duty stainless steel tripod
- Dual Mount: Alt-Azimuth and German Equatorial– The Cube™-- The only mount of its kind for ultimate rotation and universal compatibility
- Includes the GoToNovaTM Controller. The most intuitive controller on the market.
- 80,000 object database plus 256 user-defined objects
- The largest LCD screen on the market with 8 lines and 21-character Hand Control with backlit LED buttons.
- USB Port for PC Laptop control and firmware upgrades (ASCOM protocol)
- Drive motor with 9-speed setting for precise tracking
- Dual-axis Servomotor
- Standard-equipment AC connection (Optional DC adaptor available)
- 32-channel GPS module standard on all A series telescopes
Dimensions & Specifications
Aperture
90mm
Battery
8 x AA
Battery Included
No
Brand
iOptron
Color
Astro Blue
Eyepiece 1
10mm
Eyepiece 2
20mm
Features
GoTo
Finderscope
Red Dot
Focal Length
1200mm
Focal Ratio
f/13.3
Good for Astrophotography
Yes
GoTo
Yes
GPS
Yes
Highest Useful Magnification
250x
Limiting Magnitude
11.7
Mount Design
Single Fork Arm
Optical Design
Maksutov Cassegrain
Recommended Usage
Viewing the Moon, Viewing the Planets
Resolution
1.3
Telescopes Series
iOptron SmartStar Maksutov Cassegrain Telescopes
User Level
For the Beginner
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Suggestions for You
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 5 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
60%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Accurate (3)
- Quality lenses (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (4)
Reviewed by 5 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-5
Pros
Cons
- Doesn't work
Best Uses
Comments about iOptron SmartStar A MC90 GoTo GPS Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount:
I bought this telescope to enjoy the night sky with my 8 year old son, an avid astronomy book reader. The day the telescope arrived he was jumping up and down in excitement. We assembled the telescope, plugged it on the wall, and the charger literally exploded inside. I can't understand why iOptron pairs a seemingly good quality optics telescope with a 25 cents [*] charger. My kid's obvious question was, "is it broken?" Imagine his disappointment! We powered the unit with 8 AA batteries, turned on the handheld controller, and tried to set up the time and location. What would happen was that after 10 seconds or so pressing the keys on the controller, it would start beeping and fading out, until it turned off on its own. At this point all I had was a crying kid. This is not why I invested [$] of my hard-earned money for. To end on a positive note, telescopes.com promised to refund me fully upon returning the telescope.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Quality Lenses
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Unstable
Best Uses
- Astronomy
Comments about iOptron SmartStar A MC90 GoTo GPS Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount:
I'm having a blast. This scope is a build up for my next rather larger scope. I purchased this one to tune up and to play with, and I'm having a blast. First, for the money, not a bad way to fly, It goes where it's supposed to, and it's generally accurate. I think it'd be more accurate if I had a compass that didn't fly around in circles everytime I get near it. I must have a magnetic personality...
Scope is nicely constructed. Optics are very good, I used it with my Variscope 5 Megapixel CCD Camera on the first night and captured images of the moon, Jupiter and Saturn with little to no effort.
The focus knob is a bit stiff, and there is some bounce, but once you do get a nice focus on the instrument, it tracks well, and I had no issue making a 25 minute exposure on Jupiter and then on Saturn with no corrections needed once I figured out the tracking set up for the scope.
I connected this to my computer, and was able to take full control of the scope and pretty much just had a blast zipping from one object to the next. Very close on each object, and as I slewed through the objects the scope became more accurate as I was able to tweak the locations each time an object was in my FOV.
Regarding Hayneedle. They saved Christmas for me, in particular, a CSR named Amanda who stepped in when another vendor dropped the ball and made it her business to help me overcome the issues the other vendor created.
My next purchase is going to be a Meade LX90 10 inch scope in February, I bet you can't guess who'll be getting my business!
Indeed, Hayneedle. I am very pleased overall with their attitude, their customer service, and their product delivery. I'm a fan!
You could do much worse, but to be fair, given my experience, I am not sure you can do much better, Hayneedle is tops!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Great GOTO
- Quality Lenses
Cons
- Poor Manual
Best Uses
- Bird Watching
- Travel
Comments about iOptron SmartStar A MC90 GoTo GPS Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount:
Bery nice mount and telescope. Easy to use as long as you figured it out initially. Like the EQ capability.
Pros
- none
Cons
- Difficult to align setup
- Difficult to Use
- Poor Lens Quality
- Sticky Zoom
- Uncomfortable
Best Uses
- none
Comments about iOptron SmartStar A MC90 GoTo GPS Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount:
I was quite disappointed with this purchase. I returned it after several days of hassle & frustration. Firstly, the tracking was inaccurate. Secondly, the alignment procedure was very difficult, which can be directly attributed to the poorly written and 'hardly there' "manual". Perhaps if the manual was more helpful and informative I may have eventually got it working. Also, contacting the company got me no further than the inadequate manual. [...]overall I would rate this as a very bad experience/product/company.[...] My advice, steer clear of Ioptron, and go for the more well known brands such as Celestron, Orion, and Meade.
Pros
- Accurate
- Quality Lenses
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Astronomy
- Bird Watching
- Travel
Comments about iOptron SmartStar A MC90 GoTo GPS Maksutov Cassegrain Telescope - EQ Wedge Mount:
Good combination of sharp optical tube and powerful goto mount. Equ mode is a good addition for small tube.
Displaying reviews 1-5
