Downloads
Information regarding upgrades to the GTO Control Box and Keypad Firmware.

Vintage Products - Instruction Manuals and Sheets
Products previously manufactured or offered by Astro-Physics. - We still carry many of the accessory items you may have purchased with previous versions of our products. You will find those items in the "Current Products" section below.

Current Products - Instruction Manuals and Sheets

• Refractors
• GTO German Equatorial Mounts
• Mount Accessories
• DigitalSky Voice Software
• Telescope Accessories
• Website Support

• Care of Your Astro-Physics Refractor (07-05-06) - PDF Document
• Mounting 92mm f5 or f7 to TeleVue Gibraltar Mount with 7" Sliding Bar (09-10-02)
• 130mm EDF Gran Turismo Assembly Instructions (07-18-08) - PDF Document
• How to Install Your New Focuser (06-10-04)
• Rapid Cooling Effects on Oil-Spaced Triplets (2-25-09) - PDF Document

• Latitude Dimension Calculator for Current Mach1GTO, 900GTO, 1200GTO, 1600GTO and 3600GTO Mounts (10-22-2012) - Excel Spreadsheet for determining certain critical dimensions and choosing an appropriate pier height for your system. Now includes metric dimensions and centimeter/inches calculator.
• Decimal Degrees (DD.ddddd) to Degrees/Minutes/Seconds (DD*MM:SS.s) Converter (6-16-2010) - Excel Spreadsheet for quick conversion of location coordinates. Also includes Hours RA to Degrees.
  

• 900GTO German Equatorial
• 900GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (12-06-11) PDF document - Current Version for mounts shipped starting in November 2011 and all previous 900GTO mounts produced. We strongly recommend that ALL 900GTO owners adopt this version as their manual. Owners of older 900GTOs can benefit from all that we have learned over the years by using this manual. Information on accessories, the servo system and polar alignment will be of particular value. See page 3 for more information about this manual. Note that starting with this manual, the Astro-Physics GTO Servo Motor Drive System has been given its own separate manual - see below.
• 900GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (08-11-09) - PDF Document - For mounts shipped starting in August, 2009.
• 900GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (05-01-08) - PDF Document - For mounts shipped starting in May, 2008 - Beginning with serial number 900706
• 900GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (03-30-07) - PDF Document - For mounts shipped starting in January, 2007 - Beginning with serial number 900602
• Adjustments to Remove Worm Gear Backlash (Revised: 05-09-05)
• Additional Backlash Issues that are NOT Caused by a Loose Mesh Between the Worm Gear and Worm Wheel (06-27-11) - PDF Document - These instructions apply to the Mach1GTO, 900GTO and 1200GTO and deal primarily with the set screw on the worm spur gear.
• 900 Mount Base (Pier Adapter) Dimensions (06-13-08) - PDF Document
• Precision-Adjust Rotating Pier Adapter (900RPA) - Information and Instructions (03-30-06) - PDF document
• Removal of GTOCP1 control box (08-03-04) - PDF document
• Replacing the Latitude Adjuster of the 900 German Equatorial(02-01-06) - PDF document
• Clutch Plug Replacement for 900 or 1200 Mount (09-13-06) - PDF document
• Clutch Plug Extraction Tool (08-04-05) - PDF document. These are instructions to make your own tool from a common scewdriver.
• 900GTO German Equatorial Mount - Useful Dimenions for Observatory Planning (10-04-05) - PDF document
• Troubleshooting and Repairing Your 900GTO or 1200GTO Servo "Y" Cable (GTOCP2 or 3 only) (11 -29-07) - PDF document
• Installing the Heavy-Duty Azimuth Adjuster Upgrade Kit for 900 Mounts (03-30-06) - PDF document
• Don't see your previous model 900GTO? Click here.
  

• 1200GTO German Equatorial
• 1200GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (06-22-11) - PDF document - Current Version for mounts shipped starting in April 2011 and all previous 1200GTOs produced. We strongly recommend that ALL 1200GTO owners adopt this version as their manual. Owners of older 1200GTOs can benefit from all that we have learned over the years by using this manual. Information on accessories, the servo system and polar alignment will be of particular value. See page 3 for more information about this manual
• 1200GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (01-08-10) - PDF document - For mounts shipped starting in December 2009 and through 2010.
• 1200GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (07-07-07) - PDF document - For mounts shipped starting in July, 2007 - Beginning with serial number 1200723
• 1200GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (03-30-07) - PDF document - For mounts shipped starting in May, 2006 - Beginning with serial number 1200572
• Adjustments to Remove Worm Gear Backlash on Newer Mounts Equipped with Spring-Loaded Action Brackets (07-13-05) - PDF document
  
• Adjustments to Remove Worm Gear Backlash on Mounts Prior to 2005 without Bracket Upgrade (04-28-04)
• Additional Backlash Issues that are NOT Caused by a Loose Mesh Between the Worm Gear and Worm Wheel (06-27-11) - PDF Document - These instructions apply to the Mach1GTO, 900GTO and 1200GTO and deal primarily with the set screw on the worm spur gear.
• 1200 Mount Base (Pier Adapter) Dimensions (07-17-08) - PDF document
• Precision-Adjust Rotating Pier Adapter (1200RPA) - Information and Instructions (03-30-06) - PDF document
• Removal of GTOCP1 control box (08-03-04)- PDF document
• Replacing the Latitude Adjuster of the 1200 German Equatorial (2-6-06) - PDF document
• Clutch Plug Replacement for 900 or 1200 Mount (09-13-06) - PDF document
• Clutch Plug Extraction Tool (08-04-05) - PDF document. These are instructions to make your own tool from a common scewdriver
• 1200GTO German Equatorial Mount - Useful Dimensions for Observatory Planning (08-01-05) - PDF document
• Upgrade Replacement of 1200GTO Polar Forks S1200PF-B (06-22-04) - PDF document. Please note that these instructions apply to all 1200 mounts.
• Installing the Heavy-Duty Azimuth Adjuster Upgrade Kit for 1200 Mounts (12AZKIT) (03-30-06) - PDF document
• Troubleshooting and Repairing Your 900GTO or 1200GTO Servo "Y" Cable (GTOCP2 or 3 only) (11 -29-07) - PDF document
• 1200 Declination Hub Hole-pattern for attaching mounting plates (12-04-08 ) - PDF document
• Don't see your previous model 1200GTO? Click here.
  
  
• 1600GTO German Equatorial
  • 1600GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (12-20-12) - PDF document
    
    
• 3600GTO German Equatorial
• Unpacking the 3600GTO Mount (02-02-09) - PDF document.
• 3600GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (05-31-11) - PDF Document - Current Version for mounts shipped starting in September 2010 and all previous 3600GTO mounts produced. Owners of 3600GTO mounts from the first production run may wish to download this manual even though there are some differences between the two production runs. Keep the old manual as an added reference. New information on accessories, the servo system and polar alignment will be of particular value. See page 3 for more information about this manual.
• 3600GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (03-03-09) - PDF document - For mounts shipped starting in December, 2008 - Beginning with serial number 36003
• 3600GTO - Remeshing the Worm Gears

• Mach1GTO German Equatorial
• Mach1GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (08-05-11) PDF document - Current Version for mounts shipped starting in July 2011 and all previous Mach1GTO mounts produced. We strongly recommend that ALL Mach1GTO owners adopt this version as their manual. Owners of older Mach1GTOs can benefit from all that we have learned over the years by using this manual. Information on accessories, the servo system and polar alignment will be of particular value. See page 3 for more information about this manual. Note that starting with this manual, the Astro-Physics GTO Servo Motor Drive System has been given its own separate manual - see below.
• Mach1GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (02-05-10) PDF document - For mounts shipped starting in February 2010.
• Mach1GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box ( 05-05-09) PDF document - For mounts shipped starting in April, 2009.
• Mach1GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box ( 02-21-08) PDF document - For mounts shipped starting in March, 2008.
• Mach1GTO with GTOCP3 Control Box (03-30-07) PDF document - For mounts shipped starting in April, 2007.
• Re-meshing the worm gear and Worm Wheel on your Mach1GTO (07-24-08) - PDF Document - For all Mach1GTO mounts produced.
• Additional Backlash Issues that are NOT Caused by a Loose Mesh Between the Worm Gear and Worm Wheel (06-27-11) - PDF Document - These instructions apply to the Mach1GTO, 900GTO and 1200GTO and deal primarily with the set screw on the worm spur gear.
• Tightening the Main Bearing Pre-load Retaining Ring of Your Mach1GTO (03-18-08) - PDF Document - For all Mach1GTO mounts produced.
• Removing and Re-installing the Motor / Gearbox on your Mach1GTO (07-30-08) - PDF Document - For all Mach1GTO mounts produced.
• Re-packing your Mach1GTO in its Original Boxes (05-17-12) - PDF Document - For all owners who still have the original shipping containers.
  
  
• GTO Servo Drive
• Astro-Physics GTO Servo Motor Drive System - Model GTOCP3 (07-18-11) PDF document - Current Version for all mounts with GTOCP3 Servo Control Boxes. We strongly recommend that all owners of Astro-Physics and OEM GTO mounts with GTOCP3 control boxes adopt this manual as their primary reference for the GTO Servo Motor Drive System. Owners of older GTO mounts may also find useful information in this manual, but be aware that not all the information will apply to the older servo control systems. This is an ongoing project that we will try to keep updated with all the latest developments. Please check back often and compare the date following the link to the date on your copy of the manual to stay abreast of the latest developments.
• Pinouts for Auto-guider
• GTO Control Box RS232 Serial Port Pinout (02-28-05) - PDF document
• Pier Side Diagram (unfinished draft - more info to come 09-19-12) - PDF document
  
  
• ASCOM and the Astro-Physics ASCOM V2 Driver
• The Astro-Physics ASCOM web page
• The ASCOM Standards website
• Astro-Physics ASCOM V2 Driver Documentation (most current) - PDF Document
• Astro-Physics ASCOM V2 Driver Online Documentation (most current) NOTE: The Online Documentation will normally be the most up-to-date, and is recommended unless you need to print a copy.

• Mount Troubleshooting - For additional troubleshooting tips, check the mount and keypad manuals.
  • Characterizing the Dec Axis Motions (09-15-03) - PDF document. These instructions explain how to use Maxim DL software as a tool for characterizing any problems with the Declination axis movements of your mount. However, Ray Gralak's PulseGuide software offers an easier and more extensive evaluation procedure. PulseGuide is available as a free download.
  • Slewing Your Mount in Below Freezing Temperatures (12-24-04) - PDF
  • Diagnosing a Motor Stall (06-22-10) - PDF document. This is the text from a post to the ap-gto users group that outlines a sytematic approach to diagnosing a motor stall in an Astro-Physics GTO mount.
  
  
• Keypad Manuals and Technical Documents
  • GTO Keypad Controller, Version 4.17 Addendum to the v.4.12 Manual - Includes the complete Revised GTO Quick Star Drift Method for Polar Alignment Instructions and a handy one-page Quick Reference Sheet (12-18-12) - PDF document
  • GTO Keypad Controller, Version 4.12 (03-07-08) - PDF document
  • Removing and Installing the KEYPRO Keypad Protector for all Keypads (5-19-10) - PDF document
  • Opening and Re-closing Your GTO Keypad (5-19-10) - PDF document
  • Keypad Resetting Solutions (06-18-03) - PDF document
  • Keypad Database Corruption - includes link to Database Loader Tool (07-03-08)
  • Keypad Battery Information (07-09-05)
  • Identifying Your Keypad Battery (10-12-09) PDF document
  • Replacing Your GTO Keypad Battery - for Keypads with serial number 1565GTO or earlier with original circuit board (5-19-10) - PDF document
  • Replacing Your GTO Keypad Battery - for keypads with serial numbers 1568GTO or later and some older units that have been repaired (5-21-10) - PDF document
  • Replacing Your GTO Keypad Cable (02-15-10) - PDF document


• Command Protocol
  • Astro-Physics Command Protocol for GTO Mounts (GTOCP1 and GTOCP2 control boxes)- Shipped prior to 11-13-00 (06-16-01)
  • Astro-Physics Command Protocol for GTO Mounts (GTOCP1 and GTOCP2 control boxes)
    - Version C, KC, D, KD, E, E1 and KE1 (07-06-06) - PDF document
  • Astro-Physics Command Protocol for GTO Mounts (GTOCP3 control boxes)
    - Version G, H, I, J and L (07-04-06) - PDF document

Mount Accessories

• Instructions
  • Polar Alignment Telescope (PASILL3) (09-24-02) - PDF document. This is a previous model, shipped from August 2002 until July 2005.
           Why doesn't my polar alignment scope look like the one illustrated?  (Click here)
  • Instructions for Using the 12" Sliding Bar for Losmandy D-Series Dovetail Saddle Plates (SBD12) - (03-13-09) - PDF Document
  • Losmandy Polar Scope Polarity Test Instructions (9-11-08) - PDF document
  • Using Losmandy Dovetail Plates with Astro-Physics Rings (07-17-08) - PDF document
  • Using Your Traveler or Stowaway with 13.5" Losmandy Universal Plate (04-25-03) - PDF document
  • Attachment Options for Adapter to Attach Losmandy HD or MA Tripod to Astro-Physics Mount (LT2APM) (11-02-10) - PDF document.
  • Mounting Plate Recommendations for the 130mm f6.3 StarFire 'Gran Turismo' (12-30-08) - PDF document.


• Dimensions and Useful Information
  • Mounting Plate Fastener Chart (11-06-12) - PDF document
  • 8" Portable Pier Footprint Dimensions - PDF document
  • 400/600E Tripod Adapter Dimensions (ADATRI) - PDF document
  
  
• Software Related (except DigitalSky Voice which has its own section below)
  • TheSky Version 5.00.014 Windows Update - AP Driver Features (09-10-01)
  • Using TheSky v5.00.014 with Your GTO Mount (09-10-01) - PDF document

• DigitalSky Voice Instruction Manual (02-02-01) - PDF document.
• Addendum to DigitalSky Voice Manual (06-15-01) - PDF document.
• Link Bridge Feature (06-15-01) - PDF document.
• For additional information and many screen displays, please refer to the DigitalSky Voice website.

• Mark V Binocular Viewer from Baader Planetarium (11-20-08) - PDF document
• 2.7" Focuser Dimensions (06-02-05)
• 2.7" Astro-Physics Thread Specifications (07-10-08) - PDF document
• 4" Focuser Dimensions with Adapters (05-22-07) - PDF document
• Installing Feather Touch Focuser Upgrade - 2.7" Traveler and 4" Focusers (10-07-05) - PDF document
• 2" MaxBright Diagonal (11-02-06) - PDF document
• Cleaning Baader Planetarium AstroSolar™ Film (05-11-12) - PDF document
• Making an Inexpensive Filter Cell for BAADER AstroSolar™ Material (07-11-05) - PDF document
• Installing the CCD Adapter to Use the 2.7" or 4" Field Flatteners with a CCD Camera (07-28-08)- PDF document
• Attaching the Astro-Physics Field Flattener to Your Pentax 6x7 Camera (07-30-02) - PDF document
• Astro-Physics Prime Focus Field Flatteners (07-30-02) - PDF document
  • Exploded diagram showing the field flatteners with a variety of accessories.
• Astro-Physics Photo-Visual Telecompressor (01-18-10) - PDF document
  • Exploded diagram showing the Photo-Visual Telecompressor with a variety of accessories.
• Astro-Physics CCD Telecompressor (02-06-06) - PDF document
  • Exploded diagram showing the CCD Telecompressor with a variety of accessories.
• Astro-Physics Photo-Visual Telecompressor (27TVPH) and CCD Telecompressor (CCDT67) Spacing, Compression Calculation and Coverage (03-12-09) - PDF Document
• 0.76x CCD Telecompressor Corrector Spacing Requirements - for 175TCC, 160TCC and 155TCC (06-12-12) - PDF document
• 175 and 160 CCD Field Flattener Spacing Requirements - for 175FF, 160FF (06-12-12) - PDF document
• Astro-Physics 2.7" to 6x7 Outer Bayonet Adapter - Exploded Diagram and Instructions (08-27-08) - PDF document
• Adapters to Attach SBIG STL Series CCD to Astro-Physics 2.7" and 4" Prime Focus Field Flatteners and to the 2.7" to 6x7 Outer Bayonet Adapter: Short - 1.58" (ADA671) and Long - 1.93" (ADA672) - Instructions (08-28-08) - PDF document
• Using the TeleVue StarBeam and Qwik Point with QBASE or Sliding Bars (01-18-10) - PDF document
• Astro-Physics Mounting Ring Hole Pattern (11-30-01) - PDF Document

• FAQ about www.astro-physics.com (09-08-03) This section will updated as soon as we have a chance.

This section of our website is currently under construction. Our goal is to provide a wide range of instructions and information that will prove to be valuable to those who own our products as well as those who are considering the purchase of our products. We realize that we have only scratched the surface and look forward to incorporating additional instruction pages.

If you have further questions, or the answer you are looking for is not included in this section.
You may contact Astro-Physics' technical support staff at support@astro-physics.com.

Copyright © 2004 - 2012, Astro-Physics, Inc. - All Rights Reserved
This page was last modified: January 14, 2013

Astro-Physics, Inc.
11250 Forest Hills Road, Machesney Park, IL  61115, U.S.A.
Phone: 815-282-1513   Fax: 815-282-9847