IntelliScope: The Controller to the Heavens
Installation
I received my IntelliScope Computerized Controller on June 3, 2004. Opening it up, there were 3 bubble wrapped parts: Altitude Encoder Assembly/Object Locator Computer (controller)/Coil Cable (and 2 other wires). The Altitude Encoder Assembly was what I faced first. This was placed on the right side panel of the base (the panel opposite the side of the IntelliScope Computerized Controller Port). 2 wood screws were placed through the encoder, than a washer on each screw. The washers were difficult to keep on the screws when trying to align the screws with the pilot holes, but the directions did warn you of the challenge. I finally got them going in after a few drops of the washers, and the encoder was in. Because of it's reasonably long length, the top part protrudes outward, which could end up being very bad. When the tube is put on the base, it is highly possible for the base to sit on the encoder instead, causing permanent damage to the encoder itself. Nothing much can be done about this problem (like taping or velcro) for the top part of the encoder has to stay loose, which allows the vertical alignment (up and down) of the scope to take place.
2 cables were supplied to link the IntelliScope Computerized Controller Port to the Altitude encoder assembly (just installed as explained above), and than to the bottom of the base, which controls the horizontal (left and right) alignment of the scope. To prevent the OTA from pulling and getting caught in wires, Orion provides you with 6 wire retaining clips with sticky stuff on the back, allowing you to run the wires on the sides or bottom of the base.
Lastly, and simply, the coil cable was attached to the outside of the IntelliScope Computerized Controller, and than the other end was attached to the larger of the two jacks on the top of the Controller itself. The IntelliScope Computerized Controller accepts one 9-volt alkaline battery. To make my viewing experience easier, and to help protect the Controller, I purchased the holster for the controller. It would probably be very easy to produce your own holster out of products laying around the house, but I bought it anyway. A problem (probably more personal than factual) that I saw with the holster was that the controller does not slide in all the way, it stops about 1/3 up the controller, leaving 2/3 of controller sticking up. Force applied, it can be pushed in fully but creating scratch marks on the controllers case. It isn't a big problem but if placed loosely, it has the possibility of falling.
In Action
Surprisingly enough, I was amazed at the IntelliScope Computerized Controller's accuracy. I brought it out for testing when the sun had just dropped below the horizon, and very few, but bright stars were visible. Before choosing what you want to see, and searching for it through the menu on the controller, you must go through an alignment process called the 2 Star Alignment. Before going through that process, you must make sure that your scope is in the vertical position, and level. On the SkyQuest models (which was used in this experiment), Orion supplies you with the "Vertical Stop", which is screwed into the base, giving the OTA a level and vertical position. Just to make sure, I took an actual level and placed it over the aperture. Thankfully, the Vertical Stop came through, and the OTA was precisely level, no adjustments required.
Installation complete, scope vertical, we are now ready to align this monster. At the back of the manual (Appendix B), Orion supplies you with a sky chart of bright stars (with names), labeled with seasons. I know my basic stars so this was not necessary, but essential for those who are just starting. First runner up, Arcturus. The main star in the constellation Boötes. I scrolled through the menu of the controller (which is not alphabetized) and found Arcturus. I directed my scope, found it in the view finder, and centered it in the eyepiece. I pressed "Enter" and the LCD read "Thank You".
Next star, I chose another brighty, this time in the east: Vega. I once again faced, found, and centered. Pressed Enter and received another Thank You. 2 Star Alignment complete. After you complete this, the controller will give you what is called a Warp Factor. This being my first attempt at alignment, and according to the manual, I did exceptionally well. The LCD read "Warp= -0.4". According to the manual, "+" and "-" signs do not matter, it is the decimal that decides. Anything larger than "+- 0.5" is unacceptable and will most likely put you off track when searching for an object.
We are now ready to find our first object in the sky. Being M13 is exceptionally bright, high in the sky, and just having seen it the previous night star hopping, I decided to electronically find it again. I pressed the "1" key which is the Messier Log. The LCD read "M001" with the "1" blinking. I hit the "1" key and the "3" key, than pressed "Enter". The LCD gives you coordinates to the object, which decrease when you are approaching the object, but increase when you move away. When on target, the screen reads "0" for both vertical and horizontal alignments.
Overall
Overall, I would highly recommend the IntelliScope Computerized Controller to anyone with the option of IntelliScope, or interested in the Orion Dobsonians. I was amazed at it's accuracy, and believe it should be a handy tool for the ones who don't like sky charts.
On a 1-5 Star Scale (1 being worst, 5 being best), I would give the IntelliScope Computerized Controller 5 Stars.
Click here for more about the Intelliscope. -Ed.
I received my IntelliScope Computerized Controller on June 3, 2004. Opening it up, there were 3 bubble wrapped parts: Altitude Encoder Assembly/Object Locator Computer (controller)/Coil Cable (and 2 other wires). The Altitude Encoder Assembly was what I faced first. This was placed on the right side panel of the base (the panel opposite the side of the IntelliScope Computerized Controller Port). 2 wood screws were placed through the encoder, than a washer on each screw. The washers were difficult to keep on the screws when trying to align the screws with the pilot holes, but the directions did warn you of the challenge. I finally got them going in after a few drops of the washers, and the encoder was in. Because of it's reasonably long length, the top part protrudes outward, which could end up being very bad. When the tube is put on the base, it is highly possible for the base to sit on the encoder instead, causing permanent damage to the encoder itself. Nothing much can be done about this problem (like taping or velcro) for the top part of the encoder has to stay loose, which allows the vertical alignment (up and down) of the scope to take place.
2 cables were supplied to link the IntelliScope Computerized Controller Port to the Altitude encoder assembly (just installed as explained above), and than to the bottom of the base, which controls the horizontal (left and right) alignment of the scope. To prevent the OTA from pulling and getting caught in wires, Orion provides you with 6 wire retaining clips with sticky stuff on the back, allowing you to run the wires on the sides or bottom of the base.
Lastly, and simply, the coil cable was attached to the outside of the IntelliScope Computerized Controller, and than the other end was attached to the larger of the two jacks on the top of the Controller itself. The IntelliScope Computerized Controller accepts one 9-volt alkaline battery. To make my viewing experience easier, and to help protect the Controller, I purchased the holster for the controller. It would probably be very easy to produce your own holster out of products laying around the house, but I bought it anyway. A problem (probably more personal than factual) that I saw with the holster was that the controller does not slide in all the way, it stops about 1/3 up the controller, leaving 2/3 of controller sticking up. Force applied, it can be pushed in fully but creating scratch marks on the controllers case. It isn't a big problem but if placed loosely, it has the possibility of falling.
In Action
Surprisingly enough, I was amazed at the IntelliScope Computerized Controller's accuracy. I brought it out for testing when the sun had just dropped below the horizon, and very few, but bright stars were visible. Before choosing what you want to see, and searching for it through the menu on the controller, you must go through an alignment process called the 2 Star Alignment. Before going through that process, you must make sure that your scope is in the vertical position, and level. On the SkyQuest models (which was used in this experiment), Orion supplies you with the "Vertical Stop", which is screwed into the base, giving the OTA a level and vertical position. Just to make sure, I took an actual level and placed it over the aperture. Thankfully, the Vertical Stop came through, and the OTA was precisely level, no adjustments required.
Installation complete, scope vertical, we are now ready to align this monster. At the back of the manual (Appendix B), Orion supplies you with a sky chart of bright stars (with names), labeled with seasons. I know my basic stars so this was not necessary, but essential for those who are just starting. First runner up, Arcturus. The main star in the constellation Boötes. I scrolled through the menu of the controller (which is not alphabetized) and found Arcturus. I directed my scope, found it in the view finder, and centered it in the eyepiece. I pressed "Enter" and the LCD read "Thank You".
Next star, I chose another brighty, this time in the east: Vega. I once again faced, found, and centered. Pressed Enter and received another Thank You. 2 Star Alignment complete. After you complete this, the controller will give you what is called a Warp Factor. This being my first attempt at alignment, and according to the manual, I did exceptionally well. The LCD read "Warp= -0.4". According to the manual, "+" and "-" signs do not matter, it is the decimal that decides. Anything larger than "+- 0.5" is unacceptable and will most likely put you off track when searching for an object.
We are now ready to find our first object in the sky. Being M13 is exceptionally bright, high in the sky, and just having seen it the previous night star hopping, I decided to electronically find it again. I pressed the "1" key which is the Messier Log. The LCD read "M001" with the "1" blinking. I hit the "1" key and the "3" key, than pressed "Enter". The LCD gives you coordinates to the object, which decrease when you are approaching the object, but increase when you move away. When on target, the screen reads "0" for both vertical and horizontal alignments.
Overall
Overall, I would highly recommend the IntelliScope Computerized Controller to anyone with the option of IntelliScope, or interested in the Orion Dobsonians. I was amazed at it's accuracy, and believe it should be a handy tool for the ones who don't like sky charts.
On a 1-5 Star Scale (1 being worst, 5 being best), I would give the IntelliScope Computerized Controller 5 Stars.
Click here for more about the Intelliscope. -Ed.
Funding Member
