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Set Local Time
The time will be updated automatically when the GPS receiver has established its link with the
GPS satellites. In the event that the GPS module is unable to establish a link to the satellites, local time
can be entered manually. Use the ◄ or ► key to move the cursor _ and use the number keys to
change the numbers. Use the ▲ or ▼ button to toggle between “Y” and “N” for Daylight Saving Time,
or “+” and “-“ for UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) setting. Hold the arrow key to fast forward or
rewind the cursor.
In order to make the Hand Controller reflect your correct local time, time zone information has
to be entered. Press the ◄ or ► key, move the cursor to the third line “UTC -300 Minute(s)” to set the
time zone information (add or subtract 60 minutes per time zone). For example:
Boston is “UTC -300 minutes”
Los Angeles is “UTC -480 minutes”
Rome is “UTC +60 minutes”
Beijing is “UTC +480 minutes”
Sydney is “UTC +600 minutes”
All the time zones in North America are “UTC –“, as shown in the following table, so ensure the
display shows “UTC -” instead of “UTC +” if in North or South America.
Time Zone Hawaii Alaska Pacific Mountain Central Eastern
Hour behind UT -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5
Enter UTC -600 -540 -480 -420 -360 -300
To adjust minutes, move the cursor to each digit and use the number keys to input the number
directly. Use ▲ or ▼ key to toggle between “+” and “-”. After the time zone information is entered, press
ENTER and go back to the previous screen. Note that fractional time zones can be entered.
Do not manually add or subtract an hour from displayed time to reflect Daylight Saving Time
(DST). Only select “Y” after DST begins.
For other parts of the world you can find your “time zone” information from the internet.
Set Observation Site Coordinate
The third and fourth lines display the longitude and latitude coordinates respectively. The
longitude and latitude coordinates will be automatically updated when the GPS picks up a satellite
signal. “W/E” means Western/Eastern Hemisphere; “N/S” means Northern/Southern Hemisphere; “d”
means degree; “m” means minute; and “s” means second.
If, for any reason, your GPS does not pick up the satellite signal, you can manually enter your
longitude and latitude coordinates. Press the ◄ or ► key to move the cursor, use the ▲ or ▼ key to
toggle between “W” and “E”, and “N” and “S”, and use the number keys to change the numbers. It is
always a good idea to do your homework and get longitude and latitude coordinates before traveling to
a new observation site.
The site coordinates information can be found from your smart phone, GPS receiver or via the
internet. Site information in decimal format can be converted into d:m:s format by multiplying the
decimal numbers by 60. For example, N47.53 can be changed to N47º31'48”: 47.53º = 47º +0.53º,
0.53º=0.53x60'=31.8', 0.8'=0.8x60"=48". Therefore, 47.53º=47º31'48" or 47d31m48s.
Select N/S Hemisphere
This option is active only if the latitude of observation site is below 10°. If polar axis is aligned to
the North Celestial Pole, then set the mount to Northern Hemisphere. If the polar axis is pointing to the
South Celestial Pole, set the mount to Southern Hemisphere. Use the ▲ or ▼ key to toggle between
“Northern Hemisphere” and “Southern Hemisphere”.
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