Designed around a series of computerised "GO TO" mounts, the iOptron basic range offers a selection of 80mm x 400mm Refractor, 114mm x 1,000mm Reflector and 90mm x 1,200mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes. All come with two eyepieces. They make ideal first telescopes, but can also appeal to those after a portable "travel scope", who might already own a large telescope that may be difficult to take on holiday or to a dark sky site.

The mount is known as "The Cube"™, and is an Alt-Azimuth drive module that is supplied with tripod and very easy-to-use hand control. Telescopes are attached to The Cube by a standard dovetail fitting, so many other OTAs (Optical Tube Assemblies) can be carried. Power is by 8 customer-supplied AA batteries or the supplied mains adapter. An optional car lead is available.

Any of the three optical tubes listed above can be supplied with any of the three versions of The Cube. Either supplied as mount only, or with optics, they all carry the name SmartStar™.

SmartStar E: Entry-level model, includes adjustable-height tripod and GoToNova™ hand controller. Assembly is straightforward, and entering start-up information into the hand controller a breeze. Once all the information is entered, the user can then choose from the 5,000 objects in the database (about half will be above the horizon at any one time) and ask the telescope to "go to" that object. It could be a planet, galaxy, double star, nebula or many others. Once the motors have guided the telescope to that object, it will follow it until the next object is chosen. The user can press buttons on the controller to move the scope around independent of the goto facility.

SmartStar G: Having built-in 32-channel GPS, the G series automatically downloads time, date, and the precise viewing location, to make the start up procedure even simpler. Additionally, the hand control features a USB port for control of the telescope through your laptop or PC, and the data base is expanded to 50,000 objects.

SmartStar A: The A series keeps the GPS, but adds the ability for The Cube to be angled over to work as an equatorial mount. The main advantage of this function is to allow long exposure photography through the telescope, something that is difficult with an alt-azimuth mount. Photography of the sky through a camera and its own lens is possible too, with a suitable adapter between The Cube and the camera. The data base is expanded further to 80,000 objects, plus another 256 objects selected by the user can be added.

The Cube Pro keeps the GPS and USB facility, with the data base now running to 130,000 objects. It can carry an OTA of 6kg, has a 1.5kg counterweight, all-metal worm/gear components and clutch protection.

The Mini Tower is a larger, heavier unit, but retains the Cube Pro main features. It can carry a 12kg tube assembly, with a further 4kg OTA riding out the other side, acting as a counterweight. If this is not needed, the supplied counterweight is attached, instead. The tripod has 38mm diameter stainless steel legs and a precision levelling system for the drive. High pointing and drive accuracy are obtained through metal bearings and gears. A fitted aluminium case is supplied for the drive and attachments.