SKY-WATCHER VIRTUOSO GTi

The VIRTUOSO GTi Mount is a sophisticated astronomical and terrestrial photography device designed for both novice and experienced users. It serves as a motorized alt-azimuth mount for telescopes, enabling precise tracking and automated pointing to celestial objects, as well as offering features for terrestrial panorama and timelapse photography.

Function Description

At its core, the VIRTUOSO GTi Mount functions as a stable and motorized platform for various telescope optical tubes. It is equipped with auxiliary encoders on both the azimuth and altitude axes, allowing it to maintain an accurate record of its current position even when the clutches are unlocked and the mount is manually rotated. This "Freedom Find"™ function is a key feature, ensuring that users can manually adjust the telescope's position without losing its alignment status. When the user wishes to resume motorized operation with the SynScan hand control or App, no re-alignment is necessary, only re-locking the clutches. This feature can be enabled or disabled via the SynScan hand controller or App; disabling it is recommended for optimal pointing accuracy if manual rotation after alignment is not required.

The mount supports astronomical observation through integration with a SynScan hand control or a mobile device running the free "SynScan" App (available on App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android). This allows for automated slewing to celestial targets and tracking their movement across the sky. For terrestrial photography, the mount can be paired with a camera to facilitate panorama and timelapse photography, utilizing a dedicated "SynScan Photo" app.

Powering the VIRTUOSO GTi Mount can be achieved either through an external power source (DC 7.5V to 14V, barrel type, central positive, at least 750mA) or via an internal battery compartment designed for 8x AA batteries. An ON/OFF switch controls the power to both the mount and any connected hand controller. A Power LED indicates the mount's operational status, including internal Wi-Fi activity and firmware update mode.

The mount features a SNAP port, a stereo jack outlet, which connects to a camera's shutter control port. This allows the SynScan hand control or App to automatically trigger the camera for taking pictures. The SNAP port provides two trigger signals, accommodating cameras that require both a shutter-release and a "Focus" signal.

Usage Features

Setting up the VIRTUOSO GTi Mount involves installing the telescope optical tube onto the saddle. This process requires loosening the altitude clutch wheel to orient the dovetail groove horizontally, then loosening the dovetail locking knob. The telescope's dovetail bar is then slid into the saddle's groove and secured by tightening the locking knob. Proper balance in the altitude axis is achieved by adjusting the dovetail bar's position while the altitude clutch is fully loosened.

Manual rotation of the mount is facilitated by loosening the Alt clutch wheel for vertical movement and the Azimuth adjustment knob for horizontal movement. For motor-driven applications, clutches should be fully tightened for best pointing accuracy. For manual pointing while preventing free movement, clutches can be half-engaged. Fully loosening the clutches allows for quick manual repositioning.

Control of the mount can be established in several ways:

SynScan Hand Control: Plugging the SynScan hand control into its dedicated port enables full control over the telescope and mount for astronomical observation, following the instructions in the SynScan hand control manual.
Mobile Device Control: Users can download the "SynScan" App (or "SynScan Pro" for experienced users) to control the mount wirelessly via Wi-Fi. The mount's built-in Wi-Fi, with a default SSID of "SynScan_xxxx" and no password, must be connected to within 15 minutes of powering on, otherwise, it automatically turns off to conserve energy. The Wi-Fi configuration can be reset to factory default by powering on the mount without the hand control connected and no app operations for one hour.
Wireless Terrestrial Photography Control: For panorama and timelapse photography, the mount can be controlled wirelessly using the "SynScan Photo" app, with an identical connection procedure to the astronomical control.

The manual also details the assembly of different telescope types (Reflector and Maksutov) with their respective finderscopes/red dot finders and eyepieces. For reflectors, the red dot finder bracket slides into a rectangular slot and is secured with a screw. Eyepiece insertion for Maksutov telescopes involves loosening a thumbscrew, inserting a diagonal, loosening its thumbscrews, and then inserting the eyepiece. For reflectors, thumbscrews are unscrewed to remove a plastic end-cap, then the eyepiece is inserted and secured.

Operating the telescope involves using the Red Dot Finder for aiming. This zero-magnification tool projects a red dot onto the night sky. It features variable brightness control, azimuth, and altitude adjustment controls. Before use, the Red Dot Finder must be aligned with the main telescope by positioning a bright object in the center of the eyepiece's field of view, then adjusting the finder's controls until the red dot overlaps the object. Focusing the telescope is achieved by slowly turning the focus knobs until the image in the eyepiece is sharp. Refocusing may be necessary over time due to temperature changes or when changing eyepieces. Choosing the appropriate eyepiece depends on the desired magnification, with lower magnifications recommended for initial object acquisition due to wider fields of view.

Maintenance Features

Proper care for the telescope includes collimation, the process of aligning the mirrors to ensure properly focused light reaches the eyepiece. This is checked by observing out-of-focus star images; symmetrical diffraction rings around the central Airy disc indicate correct alignment. If not, collimation is needed. A collimation cap, a plastic cap with a small hole, is used for this process.

Collimation involves two main steps:

Aligning the Secondary Mirror: Point the telescope at a lit wall and insert the collimation cap into the focuser. Look through the cap and adjust the three bolts on the secondary mirror holder (using an Allen wrench or Phillips screwdriver) until all three primary mirror clips are visible.
Aligning the Primary Mirror: The primary mirror is adjusted using three large bolts (adjusting screws) and three small screws (locking screws) at the back of the telescope. By loosening the large bolts and using a hand to observe the reflected image in the focuser, the user can identify the direction of mirror deflection. Adjusting the screws (loosening to move the mirror away, tightening to move it towards) gradually brings the mirror into line. After dark, fine-tuning is done by pointing at a bright star and adjusting the primary mirror screws until the airy disk appears symmetrical. Once collimation is complete, the locking screws are tightened to secure the adjustment.

Cleaning the telescope involves replacing the dust cap over the end of the telescope when not in use to prevent dust accumulation. Cleaning optical surfaces, especially mirrors or lenses, should only be done by those familiar with the process, using special lens paper for eyepieces. Optical surfaces should be handled with care and avoided from touching.

The manual also provides guidance on observing conditions, such as selecting an observing site away from city lights and pollution, choosing the best time to observe (e.g., when objects cross the meridian), cooling the telescope to ambient air temperature to minimize heatwave distortion, and adapting eyes to darkness by avoiding bright light exposure for 30 minutes prior to observing.

SKY-WATCHER VIRTUOSO GTi Specifications

General

Type	Reflector
Focal Ratio	f/5
Mount Type	Alt-Azimuth
GoTo System	Yes
App Control	Yes
Wireless Connectivity	Wi-Fi
Motor Drive	Yes
Tracking Rates	Sidereal, Lunar, Solar
GPS	No
App Control Software	SynScan App
Payload Capacity	5 kg
Power Supply	12V DC
Tripod	Aluminum