The iOptron SmartStar® CubeProTM system combines the same precision goto and tracking technology found in the MiniTowerTM-- but packaged in a portable, easy-to-carry system. The latest version of CubeProTM mount features the latest GOTONOVA® computerized control system and all new all control electronics. The Go2Nova® 8408 hand controller features over 150,000 celestial objects with a 4-line backlit LCD screen. A 32 channel internal GPS, easy alignment procedure and accurate GoTo and auto-tracking minimize the setup time. The standard Vixen-type dovetail saddle makes this mount compatible with many different OTAs. CubePro mount is compatible with all ASCOM compliant planetarium programs and many other programs such as The Sky X, Starry Night and Sky Safari. 

 

 

 

 

FEATURES

The new CubePro^TM mount has a completely redesigned electronics and firmware while keeping the simplicity and sturdy of the original CubePro mount. The new features including:

• All new electronics
• Super quiet tracking
• 8408 Go2Nova® hand controller with AA/EQ dual operation
• Large database with 150,000+ objects
• Fully computer controllable using latest iOptron Commander and ASCOM
• Attaches to a camera tripod with 3/8” thread (or ¼ thread via a converter)
• Wireless control with optional StarFiTM Wi-Fi adapter

The other features include:

• Grab ‘N Go altazimuth mount – The CubePro: the only mount of its kind for ultimate rotation
• Metal worms and ring gears
• 8 lbs payload for various scopes and cameras, with 3.1 lb mount head
• Go2Nova® 8408 hand controller with Advanced GOTONOVA® GOTO Technology
• 150,000+ object database with 60 user-defined objects
• Large LCD screen with 4 lines and 21-characters hand control with backlit LED buttons
• Dual-axis servomotor with optical encoder
• 9 speed for precise mount moving control
• Built-in 32-channel Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Altazimuth/equatorial (AA/EQ) dual operation (need a wedge for EQ operation)
• Vixen-type dovetail saddle
• 3 lbs counterweight and stainless steel CW shaft included
• Operate on 8 AA batteries (not included)
• 3/8" threads to fit on camera mount
• 100~240V AC power adapter included, optional 12V DC adapter (#8418) available
• Serial port for firmware upgrade and computer control
• Latest ASCOM and iOptron Commander for mount remote control
• RS232-RJ9 serial cable for firmware upgrade and computer control
• Sturdy 1.25” stainless steel tripod
• Optional StarFiTM WiFi adapter #8434 for mount wireless control

 

Compatible with most tubes on the market 
Telescopes and cameras with Vixen-type dovetail connection and a weight up to 8 lbs. (including accessories) are compatible with the Cube^TM Pro GOTO Dual Altazimuth/EQ Mount. (If you do not have a dovetail connection -- attach your OTA using mounting rings and dovetail available at your local telescope store or the OTA manufacturer). Contact iOptron for expert advice on compatibility issues. 

  

GOTONOVA® computerized control system 
The revolutionary GOTONOVA® computerized control system is by far the most technologically advanced automated goto and tracking system available on the market today. With its large celestial object database, including all of the well-known galaxies, nebulae, star clusters-- not to mention the planets, sun and moon-- you’ll be able to enjoy star gazing with the simple push of a button. Both axis motors are built into a small single unit with optical encoders that provide accurate GOTO and tracking. The control system also allows you to slew the telescope at different drive speeds, keeping the object within the telescope's viewfinder for as long as you wish. 

               

The most easy to understand controller on the market 
The GoToNova hand controller is much easier to use than other similar products. The hand controller is more intuitive with menu categories better organized. It also has a larger LCD screen with more lines of content compared with the competition. Using the easy-to-use hand controller and its large LCD screen, you can easily set up your telescope and select where you want to go.

 

32-Channel GPS Module  
All Smartstar Cube Pro telescope mounts come standard with a built-in 32-channel GPS module for fully automated operation and alignment. Simply turn on the Go2Nova® Controller and the GPS module will automatically synchronize your telescope location and time with the Go2Nova® computerized control system. View celestial objects without having to manually punch in the date, time, latitude or longitude.

 

USB Port

The 8408 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.

Simply a better tripod 
Made of 1.25-inch heavy-duty stainless steel, the Cube Pro tripod is sturdy yet light weight, and gives the user unparalleled stability during operation. Solid construction joints keep your mount locked securely. It also supports altazimuth/equatorial (AA/EQ) dual operation. An optional wedge will allow you to convert the mount from an AA mount to a EQ one in minutes. 

 

WiFi Support on Android/iOS/PC/MacOS (with optional iOptron StarFi WiFi Adapter #8434)

 

Package Contents

• 1X SmartStar® CubePro^TM mount
• 1X 8408 Go2Nova® hand controller
• 1X 3.5lb counterweight
• 1X Counterweight shaft
• 1X Controller cable
• 1X Serial cable
• 1X 12V AC/DC adapter
• 1X Tripod

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Mount	AltAzimuth Mount
Body Materials	Die-cast Aluminum
Maximum Payload	8 lbs
Mount Weight	3.1 lbs (w/o batteries)
System	GoToNova®
Motor	Dual-Axis DC Servo motor with encoders
Gear	Aluminum worm wheel/Brass worm gear
Bearing	4 steel ball bearings
Hand controller	Go2Nova® 8408 w AA/EQ dual mode
LCD display	8 line, 21 character with LED backlit
Database	150,000+ object database
Slew Speed	1x, 2×,8×,16x, 64×,128x, 256×,512x and MAX(~4º/sec)
Tracking Control	Automatic
Tracking Rate	Celestial, Solar, Lunar, King and Sser defined
Resolution	0.5 arc second
GPS	32-channel GPS
Processor	32bit ARM
Level indicator	Yes
Dovetail Saddle	Integrated VIXEN saddle
Counterweight	3.5lb (Included)
Battery	AA x 8 (Not Included)
AC/DC adapter	Included
Power Consumption	0.2A (Tracking),0.6A (Slew)
Power Requirement	DC 12V±2V, >1.2A
Tripod	1.25” Stainless Steel
Serial Port	Yes (on hand ller)
Firmware Upgrade	Yes
PC Computer Control	Yes (iOptron Commander and ASCOM)
Wireless Control	Yes (with optional StarFi TM adapter #8434)
Operating Temp.	0 ~ 40°C
Warranty	One Year Limited Warranty

 

REVIEW

BBC Sky at Night magazine
Original article at: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/reviews/mounts/ioptron-cubepro-go-to-mount/

 

Our rating

 4.5

 

The iOptron CubePro is a compact, battery-operated altaz mount with unique looks and impressive features under the hood. Its portability and host of functions will appeal if you have a lightweight celestial or solar telescope (up to about 5kg load), and are looking for easy access to the night sky.

We were impressed by how straightforward it was to set up. The tripod legs are easy to extend and clamp. The brace, which doubles up as an eyepiece holder, is tightened by a threaded shaft that also centres and secures the head on top.

For our tests we attached an ST-80 refractor using the Vixen-style dovetail clamp. At just over 2kg, this setup didn’t require the counterweight or shaft provided. Once aligned and levelled, it only takes a few seconds for the GPS system to pinpoint your location. You select the time zone and adjustment for daylight-saving using the menu system and the settings are stored in the memory for future sessions.

We initially found that the Go-To function was frustratingly inaccurate, so we decided to double-check the orientation and levelling of the mount. A spirit level revealed that our test mount had a badly-fitted bubble level, which had thrown out the levelling by a few degrees. Once we’d corrected the problem, we carried out a two-star alignment with a low-power 40mm eyepiece, choosing the stars Castor in the west and Vega in the east from the controller’s suggested list.

Our first slew using the Go-To took us straight to Castor’s companion Pollux. After further successful slews around the sky, we selected several non-stellar targets. The Moon and Saturn were both placed nicely inside the field of our higher power 12mm eyepiece.

We then tested the tracking. Having centred Saturn on the crosshairs of our eyepiece, we watched closely to see if there was any drifting. We were unable to notice any movement after several minutes so we left the mount to see how long it would hold its position. After 50 minutes Saturn was still right on the crosshairs – an impressive achievement. We’re pretty convinced that it would have carried on like this for hours, but we had other tests to carry out and it was time to choose another target.

Selecting our next quarry was no trouble with the  GoToNova’s handset – it has a large and clear LCD screen that is easy to read. The input buttons also glow red, but all illumination switches off to preserve power and darkness when no input has been made for a while. There are plenty of objects to explore in the database but, unfortunately, no tours or information about the targets. The menus, with their up, down, enter, back options are intuitive, but a lack of specifically named shortcut buttons did make some of the operations a touch long-winded. The illuminated rubber buttons are quite soft and we found some of them stuck slightly once pushed, which meant it wasn’t always easy to finely adjust the position of a target in the eyepiece.

There are nine different slew speeds to choose from for precise alignment and numerous fine-tuning features on the handset menu. Some – such as periodic error correction – only function with equatorial mounts, however.

Integration with hardware such as electric focusers and support for ASCOM software drivers means that you can control your scope with planetarium software packages.

For some of our tests, we used the supplied AC adaptor and power cable. The mount seemed to slew clockwise more often than anti-clockwise between targets and the cable wrapped round the mount, so care needs to be taken to prevent this.

At full height, the tripod was a little flexible; damping of vibrations at higher powers and with larger loads could have been better. That said, if you want an easy-to-assemble, simple-to-operate, reliable and portable system for a small telescope, then the iOptron CubePro mount is a great choice.

 

Tracking perfection

As well as its compact size, the most outstanding aspect of this mount was its Go-To and tracking performance. Once we had sorted out the levelling and alignment, this diminutive performer was able to successfully locate and place any of the chosen database objects within our low- and medium-power eyepieces. A ‘sync to target’ feature allows small adjustments to be made using the controller buttons to centralise subsequent targets in the eyepiece, which further refines the accuracy of future slews.

We were equally impressed with its tracking performance – the iOptron CubePro was able to hold targets perfectly central in the eyepiece for very long periods, even at higher magnifications. This high-performing tracking is particularly useful if you want to indulge in detailed sketching and long observing sessions.

Although an altazimuth setup is not ideal for long-exposure photography, it would certainly be possible to use this mount for short-exposure, wide-field shots and lunar or solar imaging.

If you’re eager to get started locating challenging targets with your telescope, the simplicity of setup, accuracy of pointing and reliable tracking all score highly in this mount’s favour.