Read the full iOptron Minitower Review in Astronomy Now Magazine 2010 (new window, PDF format).
25 lb Payload. Born out of the popular iOptron Cube™, the MiniTower™ is the ultimate observing solution for people who want a portable GoTo telescope mount to counter urban light pollution and for air travel. With a payload of 25 lbs, a rock solid full-height 1.5” stainless steel tripod, metal worm and gears and two dovetail adaptors, the MiniTower™ is capable of handling the majority of telescopes. Its payload can be even further enhanced by more than 50% with the heavy-duty accessories.
For example, you can mount an 8" Schmidt Cassegrain, an 4" refractor, a 6" Newtonian or even a 6" Maksutov Cassegrain telescope.
Highly Portable. With all the standard components (excluding the tripod) packaged in an alloy metal case, MiniTower™ can easily be carried around in a car trunk or as an airline luggage. The whole system is quick to assemble. This ultra-portability, combined with the internal GPS receiver, lets you take your minitower anywhere.
Accurate GoTo and Tracking: Equipped with advanced SmartStarÒ GoTo technology, the MiniTower™ has high pointing accuracy and smooth tracking. The standard
model 8401 hand controller lets you navigate the night sky with an 8 line LCD back-lit display, a 130,000 object database and a USB port for easy connection with ASCOM compliant PC planetarium programs. With a typical GoTo accuracy of 1 arc minute and the SmartStarÒ precision auto-tracking, MiniTower™ will consistently bring the celestial object of your choice to the center of the eye-piece and keep tracking it for hours. This is a great mount for the solar observer too and it will track the sun very easily without a lengthy alignment routine. Simply level the mount and synch to the sun and that's it.
(We have tested this both day and night, and were very impressed! - Nick & Ian, Altair)
Additional Unique Features. Powered with other features such as automatic over-current protection, automatic clutch protection for both axes, easy 3-point level adjustment, dual scope setup with two dovetails
(click for more detailed images opposite) and much more, MiniTower™ is one of the most user-friendly GoTo mounts available today.
PLEASE NOTE:
Do not be concerned if the box appears to have been opened we need to assemble the mount, and put through it’s paces. All Minitower and Minitower PRO are removed from their boxes, and set up by us in the shop on a 12v supply. We then check the software, slew the servos back and forth 360 degrees, check the cables are transmitting and the GPS is picking up satellites, and apply a unique serial number to every product, so that’s it’s supported under our warranty. We than put the mount back into the box, reseal it, and ship it out.
