Samy
Updated :
Have you just unpacked your Unistellar eQuinox or eVscope and are ready to begin your first observations? This article will guide you through the basic steps required to set up your eVscope or eQuinox and enjoy the wonders of the Universe.
1 - Set up your telescope on the tripod
- Open the legs of the tripod and adjust the height.
- Adjust the legs so that the bubble level is centered
in the black circle.
- Make sure the tripod legs are properly secured.
Important: Tripod stability is essential. If one of the tripod clamps is not tightened enough, the telescope may slowly (and almost imperceptibly) move under its own weight. This can cause the bubble level to drift, which is difficult to notice unless the telescope is unmounted. Make sure the tripod clamps are tightened securely — but not excessively, as overtightening may block the tripod’s mechanism.
Note: Each time you move your eVscope/eQuinox, we recommend checking the bubble level again.
A - Loosen the tripod screws at the crown of the tripod.
B - Mount your eVscope/eQuinox vertically on the tripod. Tighten the screws at the
crown of the tripod to secure your eVscope/eQuinox. Be careful not to overtighten,
as this could damage the thread.
C - Power on the eVscope/eQuinox by pressing the Power button for two seconds. The LED will first turn purple and then red. Remove the caps from the telescope tube and eyepiece.
2 - Connect your eVscope or eQuinox to the Unistellar app
Where can I download the Unistellar app? – Minimum requirements for the Unistellar app
Enable Wi-Fi on your device. If the telescope is powered on and the LED is red, you should see the telescope appear as an available network on your smartphone or tablet.
Once connected, you should see the message: “Connected to the device. Unable to connect to the Internet.”
Now open the Unistellar app.
The first screen you see will be the catalog.
Open the settings menu by tapping the gear icon in the top-right corner , where you can check your telescope's status by tapping “My Telescope”.
Make sure you have the "Operator" status in order to control the telescope: Operator vs Observer mode
You can now control your telescope with the app!
3 - Telescope orientation
The telescope must first perform an orientation so it knows where it is before it can automatically point to catalog objects.
If you're still in the settings panel, return to the main screen (catalog) using your device’s back button or by tapping the back arrow at the top-right .
Once in the catalog panel, tap the telescope button to control it.
In the observation panel, tap the “Move” button.
You can move the telescope using the built-in joystick in the app.
You can select "Slow mode" to move the telescope more slowly.
Move the telescope until you can see stars as white dots in the live view.
If you cannot see stars or if they appear blurry, you should adjust the focus wheel on the back of the telescope until the stars appear as white dots. You can fine-tune the focus using the Bahtinov mask: Focus: How to use the Bahtinov mask?
Once you can clearly see a few stars, go back to the observation panel and tap “Telescope Orientation”.
The orientation process should take less than a minute, and you will see a confirmation message at the top of the screen once it's complete.
You can now automatically navigate to visible objects in your sky from the catalog!