The Sky-Watcher SynScan provides computerized control for the manufacturer’s GoTo mounts, including a Hungarian-language user interface.
Its database contains data for more than 42,900 objects, allowing you to slew to any of them at the touch of a few buttons. The two-line LCD display lets you select your desired target from numerous catalogues, while a computer connection also enables you to control your telescope remotely from indoors. A GPS receiver can also be connected to simplify entering the current date, time and geographical coordinates.
In addition to computerized object location (GoTo control), the SynScan hand controller offers numerous additional functions that are useful for both visual observers and astrophotographers. These include adjustable backlash compensation, which can reduce the mount’s response time, as well as storage for 25 user-defined objects for easy return at a later time. The hand controller can also automatically slew to the most spectacular objects of the night as part of a tour.
For astrophotographers, the mount’s guide correction rate via the autoguider port can be precisely adjusted between 0.25x and 1x sidereal rate. It also supports periodic error correction, helping to improve the quality of astrophotographs.
An important feature of the hand controller is that its software can be updated free of charge online, ensuring it always has the latest capabilities in the future. Version 5 features a USB port for easy connection to a computer.
The product price does not include the cable (RJ45-RJ45 or RJ45-RJ11) required to connect it to the mount! The cable type depends on the mount: equatorial mounts use an RJ45 connector, while alt-azimuth versions generally feature an RJ11 connector.
