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New Skywatcher AZ GTi goto wifi mount

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3853 replies to this topic

#3801 jcj380

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Posted 21 February 2024 - 07:11 AM

I have used the user defined objects a lot with no issues- are you changing the object name before you hit save?

I downloaded SynScan to my iPhone and I can save user defined objects without any problems.  SynScan also saves objects fine on my iPad, but I haven't tried Pro on my iPad yet.

 

I guess I'll just use "vanilla" SynScan since I'm running alt-az only.



#3802 PKDfan

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Posted 21 February 2024 - 08:09 AM

Hi users !!

 

This little gem is a roughcut diamond and I would appreciate( and put you daily in my ptayers) if anyone knows the way to sync a wireless joystick to the mount instead of the fiddly bright cold fingers smartphone way ?

 

Not going to talk about balance or alignment issues as those are most likely User Erro rbut somewhere in the depths of this vast thread is that nugget of precious gold and any help is certainly appreciated to layout the process- unless i am dreaming the whole thing ?? !!

 

 

 

Clearest Skies



#3803 RobertJ

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Posted 21 February 2024 - 08:27 AM

 

 

This little gem is a roughcut diamond and I would appreciate( and put you daily in my ptayers) if anyone knows the way to sync a wireless joystick to the mount instead of the fiddly bright cold fingers smartphone way ?

Not to the mount directly, but if you sync a bluetooth joystick to your phone, you can use it to move the mount in stead of pressing the screen of your phone.

 

See page 29 of the SynScan manual (GAMEPAD CONTROL)

 

-- Robert


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#3804 PKDfan

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Posted 21 February 2024 - 08:51 AM

Not to the mount directly, but if you sync a bluetooth joystick to your phone, you can use it to move the mount in stead of pressing the screen of your phone.

See page 29 of the SynScan manual (GAMEPAD CONTROL)

-- Robert


Robert your an Angel !!

As promised

Clearest Skies....my hopes are you get my good five day run !!

#3805 PKDfan

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Posted 22 February 2024 - 09:30 AM

Robert your an Angel !!

As promised

Clearest Skies....my hopes are you get my good five day run !!



gping on seven !!


It REALLY HELPS if you use a CURRENT version of Synscan pro.

I downloaded the original to the old smartphone i use as controller and finally downloaded the app to my current phone and voila all my head scratching for nought.

Thanks again Robert !!


Clearest updated Skies

#3806 paulsky

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Posted 25 February 2024 - 10:39 AM

Is good this mount for the SkyWatcher ED80? 



#3807 LaurenceT

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Posted 24 June 2024 - 04:05 AM

I need to re-think the way I connect my Az GTi to my William Optics wedge, the current short dovetail bar is interfering with my Az GTi power cable and re-positioning the bar causes problems with cabling at the rear. Before I make a replacement choice I have a question about the dimples on the underside of the mount. Is they're function just to stabilise the bar that comes with the Skywatcher wedge or is it important in terms of the positional relationship between the dovetail bar and the azimuth base.

Thanks for looking.

Edit: I want to use this:

 

53812321368_0cd6b68ef2_n.jpg


Edited by LaurenceT, 24 June 2024 - 04:10 AM.


#3808 Eric63

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Posted 24 June 2024 - 12:55 PM

I've been using an AZ-GTE for a few years now, starting in ALT-AZ and now I use it in EQ mode for Astrophotography with great success.  I just received an ASIAIR mini with guide scope and I am wondering if I need to do set anything up in the Synscan App first.  The Slew speed can go from 1 to 9 in Synscan, do need to choose a speed before using the ASIAIR?  Sorry if this was answered in the previous 152 pages, I did not see anything as I quickly searched through the pages.

 

Thank you

Eric


Edited by Eric63, 24 June 2024 - 03:05 PM.


#3809 LaurenceT

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Posted 25 June 2024 - 04:14 AM

I've been using an AZ-GTE for a few years now, starting in ALT-AZ and now I use it in EQ mode for Astrophotography with great success.  I just received an ASIAIR mini with guide scope and I am wondering if I need to do set anything up in the Synscan App first.  The Slew speed can go from 1 to 9 in Synscan, do need to choose a speed before using the ASIAIR?  Sorry if this was answered in the previous 152 pages, I did not see anything as I quickly searched through the pages.

 

Thank you

Eric

When I use my Asiair the Synscan app is redundant.



#3810 Eric63

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Posted 25 June 2024 - 07:51 AM

When I use my Asiair the Synscan app is redundant.


Thanks. I will simply keep it off. For some reason I thought I needed to set the speed higher on the synscan app so that the asiair would slew faster. Not sure where I read that.

Eric

#3811 archer1960

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Posted 30 June 2024 - 03:04 PM

Hi users !!

 

This little gem is a roughcut diamond and I would appreciate( and put you daily in my ptayers) if anyone knows the way to sync a wireless joystick to the mount instead of the fiddly bright cold fingers smartphone way ?

 

Not going to talk about balance or alignment issues as those are most likely User Erro rbut somewhere in the depths of this vast thread is that nugget of precious gold and any help is certainly appreciated to layout the process- unless i am dreaming the whole thing ?? !!

 

 

 

Clearest Skies

The SkyWatcher hand controller is the better way to go, IMO.


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#3812 archer1960

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Posted 30 June 2024 - 03:05 PM

I need to re-think the way I connect my Az GTi to my William Optics wedge, the current short dovetail bar is interfering with my Az GTi power cable and re-positioning the bar causes problems with cabling at the rear. Before I make a replacement choice I have a question about the dimples on the underside of the mount. Is they're function just to stabilise the bar that comes with the Skywatcher wedge or is it important in terms of the positional relationship between the dovetail bar and the azimuth base.

Thanks for looking.

Edit: I want to use this:

 

53812321368_0cd6b68ef2_n.jpg

The dimple is important because it keeps the mount from rotating on the attachment screw.


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#3813 jortx

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Posted 19 July 2024 - 11:49 AM

Hello everyone, I had this mount saved for many years and now that the summer holidays are coming in my country I have decided to use it again.

 

My question is, what firmware should I install on the mount? I seem to remember that there were 2 depending on the position in which the tube was placed.

 

I leave you a photo so you could see its position.

 

PXL-20240719-160337805.jpg

 

Thanks.


Edited by jortx, 19 July 2024 - 11:49 AM.

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#3814 MarkMittlesteadt

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Posted 19 July 2024 - 01:50 PM

Hello everyone, I had this mount saved for many years and now that the summer holidays are coming in my country I have decided to use it again.

 

My question is, what firmware should I install on the mount? I seem to remember that there were 2 depending on the position in which the tube was placed.

 

I leave you a photo so you could see its position.

 

PXL-20240719-160337805.jpg

 

Thanks.

Yes that is the correct orientation on a stock AZGTi (without the firmware update). If you update the firmware the scope must be mounted on the right instead, whether you use it in EQ or Alt-Az mode.

 

Here is the location of the update. 

 

Firmware: AZGTi Mount, Right Arm, AZ/EQ Dual Mode, Version 3.40

 

And you use the Windows program: Motor Controller Firmware Loader, Version 1.84

 

I would advise buying the AZGTi EQMOD (USB to RJ12) cable and DO NOT do it via a wireless connection to update it.


Edited by MarkMittlesteadt, 19 July 2024 - 01:51 PM.


#3815 jortx

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Posted 19 July 2024 - 03:09 PM

Yes that is the correct orientation on a stock AZGTi (without the firmware update). If you update the firmware the scope must be mounted on the right instead, whether you use it in EQ or Alt-Az mode.

Here is the location of the update.

Firmware: AZGTi Mount, Right Arm, AZ/EQ Dual Mode, Version 3.40

And you use the Windows program: Motor Controller Firmware Loader, Version 1.84

I would advise buying the AZGTi EQMOD (USB to RJ12) cable and DO NOT do it via a wireless connection to update it.


Thank you very much for answering.

So it's better if I don't update and leave it as is, right?

Another question, for quick observations (without alignments) is there any way to track the Moon or planets when you center them in the eyepiece? If so, how is it done?

Thank you

#3816 MarkMittlesteadt

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Posted 19 July 2024 - 03:30 PM

Thank you very much for answering.

So it's better if I don't update and leave it as is, right?

Another question, for quick observations (without alignments) is there any way to track the Moon or planets when you center them in the eyepiece? If so, how is it done?

Thank you

Well if you update and then must mount your scope on the right side, your finder shoe will be on the bottom. If you are just doing visual and only using it in Alt-Az there is no need to update.

 

GoTo requires alignment. Point and Track does not. However Alt-Az mounts are more accurate, the more accurate your leveling is. Leveling is not required for EQ mounts, but in Alt-Az if it's not level as it slews around it will not rotate level. 

 

Point and Track is awesome especially because aside from leveling, no polar alignment is needed. It doesn't care where you start. The SynScan app already has the info it needs (Time/Date/Location from your device). The AZGTi also has dual encoders, so you can manually move the mount without the mount losing where it is pointed.

 

To use Point and Track you simply point it at the object you want to track, go into the SynScan app and select what the object is, and click Point and Track and it will begin tracking, at the correct rate (sidereal, lunar or solar depending on the object selected). 


Edited by MarkMittlesteadt, 19 July 2024 - 03:36 PM.


#3817 kannassee

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Posted 25 July 2024 - 03:56 PM

It seems to me that probably the AZ Gti can support more weight than only 11 lbs.

 

Of course using a heavier tripod.

 

I noticed that you have to apply some force to rotate the mount around the Azimuth axis.

However as soon as I added the right counterweight, the rotation around this axis changes A LOT....

 

It seems that the mount rotates and slides much much easily than before. I assume that the motor, worm etc etc would function with less stress.

 

A balanced load vs an unbalanced load make a big difference.

I don't know why they do not provide or recommend a counterweight for this mount!!!


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#3818 kannassee

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Posted 02 August 2024 - 11:54 PM

Well here we have the “little guy” side by side with the big fella…..

 

 AzGti with a 150 Matsukov….actually the OTA weight was around 12 lbs without the viewfinder and using

the plastic red laser thing….

Also the tripod is not the one that comes with the AzGti but a sturdier one.

 

So far, so good. It tracks better than the Evolution….but that’s another story!!!

Attached Thumbnails

  • IMG_4328.jpeg

Edited by kannassee, 02 August 2024 - 11:56 PM.

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#3819 TareqPhoto

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Posted 03 August 2024 - 12:03 AM

Well here we have the “little guy” side by side with the big fella…..

 

 AzGti with a 150 Matsukov….actually the OTA weight was around 12 lbs without the viewfinder and using

the plastic red laser thing….

Also the tripod is not the one that comes with the AzGti but a sturdier one.

 

So far, so good. It tracks better than the Evolution….but that’s another story!!!

I keep thinking about which scope i have that is ok with my AZ-GTi other than 60mm and ST80, i want to test with FRA400 and also 90mm triplet, of course using a sturdier tripod and enough CWs.



#3820 jortx

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Posted 08 August 2024 - 04:16 AM

Hello, yesterday I pointed at the moon and used the moon tracking mode without aligning with stars.

 

The problem came when I didn't pay attention to the follow-up.

 

because it can be? poorly mounted tripod? wrong location coordinates?



#3821 happy-kat

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Posted 08 August 2024 - 04:31 AM

the tripod would need to be level and telescope level and pointing horizontally north then turn mount on, for best none aligned tracking


Edited by happy-kat, 08 August 2024 - 04:31 AM.

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#3822 archer1960

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Posted 08 August 2024 - 06:15 AM

the tripod would need to be level and telescope level and pointing horizontally north then turn mount on, for best none aligned tracking

Yep. This is often good enough for casual visual use.



#3823 Tapio

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Posted 08 August 2024 - 06:46 AM

Hello, yesterday I pointed at the moon and used the moon tracking mode without aligning with stars.

The problem came when I didn't pay attention to the follow-up.

because it can be? poorly mounted tripod? wrong location coordinates?


What problem? Moon drifting away?
I think you should do at least one star alignment or sync to moon at least.

#3824 astrogta

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Posted 12 August 2024 - 12:29 AM

Hello, my apologies if this has already been answered. Tried searching the topic but could not find an answer

 

1. The AZ-GTi mount comes with a pier and steel tripod. Is it possible to remove the central pier and add it to a different tripod (RT90C) without any adapters?

2. Does AZ-GTe allow the mount to be moved manually as well? The only downside being the scope needs to be aligned again to use GoTo. Is this correct?

Thanks for your time.



#3825 RobertJ

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Posted 12 August 2024 - 01:42 AM

1. The AZ-GTi mount comes with a pier and steel tripod. Is it possible to remove the central pier and add it to a different tripod (RT90C) without any adapters?

2. Does AZ-GTe allow the mount to be moved manually as well? The only downside being the scope needs to be aligned again to use GoTo. Is this correct?


Yes (you need a tripod/head which has a 3/8 inch bolt) & Yes.

-- Robert
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