Depending on your camera’s focal length, the stars could begin to trail even sooner. In the picture above, you’ll notice I have upgraded the package to include the William Optics Vixen-style base mount. Im annoyed that one would need to purchase another ballhead to work with this mount, I already had an extra, but that is another ~$50 that someone would need to pay out on top of the tracker purchase price. And if I don’t have them with me, I can find them almost anywhere. The SmartEQ TM Pro is a fully computerized mount with a database of 59,000 objects. All you need to do to begin photographing with the SGP is following this workflow. Call or email us today to let us know what you think. If you use the SkyGuider Pro portable star tracker from iOptron, you probably know it can be a little difficult and uncomfortable to polar align by using the included polar scope, as it ideally requires either a tall tripod in order to see through the polar finder comfortably, or you have to crouch down to look through it. Took my iOptron Skyguider Pro out for a test, this is a 2 min 55mm exposure with tracking. Also what is the maximum useful focal length with this sub? I’m super impressed with the long exposures I was seeing with only a careful polar alignment. The video below shows a quick setup and the SkyGuider Pro in action. The wedge is used to precisely align the SGP to the celestial pole, thanks to the micrometric movements it offers for both Altitude and Azimuth. I would say YES based on my personal experiences with the SkyGuider pro. SkyGuiderTM Pro Camera Mount Overview Introducing The SkyGuiderTM Pro -- iOptron’s next generation camera tracking device! Same as Skywatcher, iOptron has two star trackers in their catalog. Every time I remove the rig to point to the target it loses PA. To point to your object, release the RA clutch (that black wheel) to move the telescope in that axis, then turn the DEC axis by spinning the scope on the mounting plate, and re-lock it. If you can properly balance the payload and your polar alignment is spot on, you can expect to achieve 3 minutes-long exposures with a DSLR and a William Optics Zenistar Z61, a well known and performant 60/360 triplet. (sharp stars in 180s subs at 480mm focal length! To add to the confusion, a lot of these EQ mounts have similar names and features. Somehow one photo gave near-perfect tracking at 230mm for 10 minutes. How long will this mount track successfully? Moving to the feature part, what makes Skywatcher Star Adventurer and iOptron SkyGuider Pro convenient is the finder which is built-in the unit but for the SkyGuider, this version actually has two variants in which one is electric and the latter is analog. You can read the full SkyTracker Pro review here. TEST 10A: Narrower view of the Milky Way as seen from the park with a 35mm equivalent lens. Thanks to the included counterweight, you can better balance heavy gear on the mount, improving the image quality. I have an Astrotrac. What’s Not Included (But Would Be Useful), Frame Your Target Easily With An Hot Shoe Red Dot Star Finder, Easy Polar Alignment With The iPolar Electronic Polarscope, Skywatcher Stainless Steel photographic tripod, It comes in a complete package for astrophotography, You can “pimp” it with a range of accessories to increase performance and usability, It has a user-replaceable built-in Li-Polymer battery. I figured out that pentagons provide the best support for a rotating platform. P-SGP-DEC. SkyGuider Pro DEC Accessories: Qty: Description Replacement DEC mounting accessories for SkyGuider Pro mount. The build quality of the all-metal mechanical structure is evident when using the SkyGuider. iOptron offers several optional accessories for the SkyGuider Pro including the SkyTracker branded Ball Head, the SkyGuider Pro tripod, and even a hand controller. The iPolar Electronic Polarscope is similar to the more common QHY PoleMaster. skywatcher star adventurer pro kit. By stacking the images together, you can create an incredible image. You can read our hands-on review of the Skywatcher Star Adventurer PRO here. Leader sur le marché des trackers depuis près de quatre ans, SkyGuider Pro d'iOptron se rapproche de la perfection. Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2018. But it showed potential for a while- at one stage M42, Horsehead, Running Man and Flame Nebulae from one photo with a Fuji XM-1 and 230mm lens over 5 minutes exposure. Since 2015, I have SW Adventurer. Cost aside, you will lose portability, as you will need at least a Windows tablet to be able to run the required software. I had been using an IOptron skytracker tripod, but found a way with bamboo to vastly improve the rigidity of this tripod. After you have calibrated the star finder to be sure is aligned with your lens, to frame a target look through the star finder and move the payload to superpose the red dot to your target (or the region where it is). But remember: to get the most out of your SGP, you have to use a sturdy tripod. I did not need to attach the included counterweight and shaft to the unit, as the overall weight of my camera and lens were low. The included polar scope etched reticle now has an adjustable brightness control to help deliver optimal visibility regardless of light conditions. Got a SkyGuider Pro mount and want to use the iOptron iPolar e-Polarscope? I’m starting to think that the only way to guide is to throw my ST80 on it and piggyback the guide scope. - Took my iOptron Skyguider Pro out for a test, this is a 2 min 55mm … Feel free to comment, ask questions and post images shot using a iOptron SkyGuider Pro. The one I think you may be missing is the RA lock. I am now able to utilize my full arsenal of photography lenses with my DSLR as if they were separate tracking telescopes. The camera was attached using a ball head threaded to the mount. The included 3-lb counterweight and shaft is adjustable so you can find the right balance to properly distribute the weight of your imaging configuration. The SkyGuider Pro is much better suited for heavier payloads. This adds set-up time and additional gear to the process, so if the SkyGuider is your travel mount, it may not make sense for you. It is important to remember that the SkyGuider Pro does not have a declination motor, so you will need to turn declination guiding off in the settings of PHD2 to get it to calibrate properly. Baby steps…. I tested a unit purchased from a major dealer here in Canada, to see if it warranted the YouTubers’ enthusiasm. It can be used to image bright deep sky objects such as Andromeda Galaxy and the Great Orion Nebula. The image below was captured entirely using the DSLR and telescope combo above, without the use of autoguiding. Page 1 of 2 - Skyguider Pro tracking issues? I once owned an older model Skytracker. I've taken it out today to take a test with a 55mm lens, 3 minutes exposure. SmartEQ/SmartEQ Pro mount 5. With no GoTo and other advanced functions found in astrophotography mounts, the only critical step is polar alignment. I did not require these accessories for my testing, as years of astrophotography adventures have left me with many useful bits and pieces from previous rigs. I have experimented with this set up (dslr w/telephoto lens, SGP mounted on the iOptron 1.25” field tripod) twice now out in my backyard. … Solid affordable ball heads for ... use on your SkyGuider Pro or any tripod, uses arca style plate. Again, it is not necessary to achieve a stable tracking platform for astrophotography, but those that mount a small telescope to the SkyGuider may appreciate the added support. That's the way to quickly align if you are out in the field without a computer. Thanks, Jeremy. Chris – You can control the RA/DEC on the SGP to position the scope wherever you need to. It is listed as "Capable for dual mount application up to 11lbs (5kg) + 7.7lbs (3.5kg), balanced." He is most interested in deep sky photography with low budget equipment and in helping beginners along their journey under the stars. I’m still trying to figure out the guide scope configuration with a dslr. Don't get the ipolar version of the skyguider pro. Mainly this exercise is to experiment with forum tools. I’ll cover this soon as I try autoguiding with the SkyGuider Pro. The iOptron SkyGuider PRO TM offers high precision silent tracking, a built-in rechargeable power source and ST4 guiding. Products: Dealers: Support: News: ... SkyGuider Pro DEC Mounting Accessories : Alternative Views: Price: $ 75.00. If you struggle to get precise alignment and round stars with your setup, the best solution is to invest in the marvelous William Optics Wedge for iOptron. The mount itself is small enough to fit in my glovebox or carry-on bag. On a stationary tripod mount, star trailing begins to show in exposures longer than 25 seconds. The only change I made was to replace the DEC camera mounting block for a 360° panorama head, making object’s centering through DSLR live-view very easy and smooth (no shifting at all while locking the screws). SkyGuider Pro tracking mount; iPano AllView camera mount; SkyTracker/SkyTracker Pro camera mount; SmartEQ/SmartEQ Pro mount; SmartStar/Cube mount with an M8 mounting hole; SmartStar/Cube mount with a 3/8" mounting hole (Test the threads with the dovetail lock screw, if it fits, the thread is M8, otherwise 3/8”.) About two months ago I purchased iOptron Smart EQ Pro mount – and here is my small review. Only the best at OPT! SkyGuider Pro tracking mount 2. iPano AllView camera mount 3. Great job Trevor! Andrea Minoia works as a researcher in a Belgian university by day and is a keen amateur astrophotographer by night. So I bought the counterweight ([[ASIN:B0752VQWCZ iOptron SkyTracker Pro Counterweight Package]]) now it works really well. Regarding SGP polar-alignment apps: I use both “PS Align Pro” and iOptron’s version; however, the two tend to be off from one another. Sample images of astrophotography with the SGP, from astrobin. For example, I was able to pack the SkyGuider Pro mount, tripod, and all accessories into my carry-on bag for a trip to Costa Rica. The SkyGuider TM Pro -- iOptron’s next generation camera tracking device! If you would like to share your experiences using the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer EQ mount for astrophotography, please feel free to leave a comment. The option for adding a counterweight and Vixen-type dovetail saddle for small telescopes puts this mount in a class above standard DSLR camera sky trackers. The only complaint I have regarding the iOptron 1.25” SS tripod, is the fact that it has plastic feet; I would have preferred removable rubber pads (possibly with spikes). If you have used this mount for astrophotography, please let me know your results in the comments. Star Adventurer Maintenance: Common Issues & Fixes, What is Bokeh in Photography [Bokeh Effect Explained], Best Binocular Tripod Adapters 2021 [Review & Buyers Guide]. The mount silently tracks the night sky while I point my DSLR at different swaths of the night sky testing different exposure lengths and ISO settings providing absolute freedom to frame up new photos. The iOptron branded version appears identical to the one I use. Particularly if you intend to use the SGP with a long focal telephoto lens or refractor, a welcome accessory to spare you the struggle of precisely polar aligning the mount is the iPolar Electronic Polarcsope. The earlier version of this unit is known simply as the SkyGuider Camera mount, and it lacks the precision and portability of the newer iOptron SkyGuider Pro. Be careful to choose the appropriate version among the High Latitude or Low Latitude ones, depending on where you shoot most. Any tips for polar aligning and locking things down with this mount? For instance, when I tighten the altitude lock lever after setting the altitude, looking through the scope I can clearly see Polaris shift a little. Clear skies! I was able to capture incredible deep-sky images from another country thanks to the portability of this mount. The simplest and fastest solution is to get a cheap red dot star finder you can mount on your camera hot shoe. I assume that once polar alignment is done, we should not move the tripod anymore. In the photo below, I mounted a Canon EOS 7D DLSR and 17-40mm wide-angle lens to the SkyGuider for an image of the Milky Way. Anyone interested in seeing some pictures let me know. That changed about a decade ago, and today, several are available. All that you need to get started in wide-field astrophotography is a camera, a tripod, and the iOptron SkyGuider Pro. How to Release Jammed SkyGuider Pro RA Clutch Disk (9/12/2017) Tool needed: 2mm Allen wrench, a large screw driver or a 4mm Allen wrench 1. It is tempting to want to push the SkyGuider pro to its limits and treat it as a substitute for a full-featured deep-sky EQ mount. Clear skies! I purchased the SGP earlier this month and have had success with my Canon 7Dii, either using a Canon 70-200ii or 100-400ii telephoto lenses (with a 1.4x Teleconverter iii) and counterbalance system with no problem (my equipment weight is roughly 8 pounds). I confirmed this theory first hand when shooting the North America Nebula from my backyard using a small telescope. SkyTracker/SkyTracker Pro camera mount 4. Any thoughts? Earlier when I moved both of them in opp direction , it was getting locked. Very nice blog, great job! But, I am building up experience as I progress down this new path! VAT) Out of stock iOptron SmartEQ PRO+ with GPS Auto-guider Port & Polar Scope From: £385.00 £320.83 (ex. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "af74c163eb7a3d2e619d10c743e5320a" );document.getElementById("a32d329e01").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Your email address will not be published. This is a beautiful accessory for the SkyGuider Pro that is a big improvement over the original Alt-Az base of the mount. No longer do stars begin to trail after 20 seconds, and a new level of detail and clarity can be achieved. Write a review. Ioptron Skyguider Test MSSF. $ 122.00. h޼V[o J + ب The new SkyTracker Pro from iOptron makes astrophotography easy. If you’re considering the SkyGuider Pro, keep in mind that a sturdy tripod with the standard 1/4″ threads is needed to support the mount. If I could go back in time, I would have bought the SkyGuider Pro instead. SmartEQ/SmartEQ Pro mount 5. With this level of polar alignment accuracy, it’s possible to shoot even longer exposures on the SkyGuider Pro. I’m sure there is something out there that is more stable…. And thus, we enter the realm of the new highly-portable tracking mounts like the iOptron SkyGuider Pro. How are ratings calculated? I have used both of these telescopes to capture images like the Andromeda Galaxy pictured below. Making small adjustments in either axis is much more accurate and smooth. Very heavy but quite easily moved. SkyTracker/SkyTracker Pro camera mount 4. @photogearpro @danielgangur.photo @nightscape_photographer # # gippsland # smallbusinessaustralia # igersmelbourne #nightscapephotographer # … Find the best deals at OPT! I have discovered a number of apparent physics and engineering breakthroughs that should allow vastly better capability of these sorts of products, including: how to give the iOptron the advantages of the Astrotrac (track duration accuracy property), and vice versa (iOtron pinpoint property). The following image was created using 62 x 4-minute exposures at ISO 1600 with a Canon EOS 60Da. 2014). 2nd: refining my focusing techniques and streamlining the set up and tear down processes. See All Buying Options. It has 4 tracking speeds but so far I’ve only used the standard 1x speed. Ive been doing photography for a long time and decided to finally combine that hobby with my interest in space. A stack of 90-second exposures using the iOptron SkyGuider Pro with a DSLR camera and lens. About two months ago I purchased iOptron Smart EQ Pro mount – and here is my small review. If you're in Seattle and want to pick it up, you'll get a free sturdy 1.25" ioptron tripod. La tête de montage SkyGuiderTM Pro redessinée est plus compacte, suffisamment petite pour tenir sur votre paume, avec une meilleure précision, un suivi silencieux, une source d'alimentation rechargeable intégrée, un port de guidage ST-4 et un port de … The illuminated polar scope of the SkyGuider Pro allows you to quickly polar align the mount with the north celestial pole. Thanks for the review. To combat this, amateur astrophotographers counteract the rotation of the Earth using a tracking equatorial mount. It made a low volume but horrifically invasive whining noise. Particularly, the types of shots that include the Milky Way and some sort of foreground interest whether that’s a tree, a tent or a mountain. Can you aim the telescope without messing up the polar alignment? The video above shows the camera tracker used with a stock Canon EOS 7D DSLR and a wide-angle lens. The redesigned SkyGuiderr TM Pro mount head is more compact, small enough to fit on your palm, better precision, silent tracking, built-in rechargeable power source, ST-4 guiding … Alchemy; Ardrossan to Oban Expedition; The Shape of Water These days, there are many options available in this class of portable astrophotography mounts. Compact, lightweight, with a good maximum payload, will allow you to photograph with ease anything from starry landscapes to star fields, from deep-sky objects to planetary work with small telescopes. iOptron sells two SkyGuider packages that include the alt-az base and counterweight kit, but one also includes the iPolar electronic polarscope device (you can also purchase the upgrade on its own).