3841 replies to this topic

[Ronn]

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.

You can move the mount manually and maintain alignment if you enable the auxiliary encoders. From the manual:

 

The AZGTi mount is equipped with auxiliary encoders on both the azimuth axis and altitude
axis. Therefore, the mount can keep track of its current position even when a user unlocks the
clutches and rotates the mount in azimuth axis and altitude axis manually.
With this feature, a user can manually operate the mount anytime without worrying about los-
ing the mount’s alignment status. When the user wants to operate the mount with the SynScan
hand control again, no alignment is required and all that is needed to be done is to re-lock the
clutches.
This feature can be disabled with the SynScan hand controller or the SynScan App. If an
user does not need to rotate the mount manually after alignment, it is recommended to dis-
able this feature to obtain the best pointing accuracy.

[RobertJ]

You can move the mount manually and maintain alignment if you enable the auxiliary encoders. From the manual:

 

The AZGTi mount is equipped with auxiliary encoders on both the azimuth axis and altitude
axis.

That's only with the AZGTi - @astrogta was asking about the AZGTe - which does not have the auxiliary encoders.

 

-- Robert

[Ronn]

That's only with the AZGTi - @astrogta was asking about the AZGTe - which does not have the auxiliary encoders.

 

-- Robert

Sorry! I missed that. 

[astrogta]

Thanks for the response. The skywatcher website states the tripod minimum length is 31 inches. Does the 31" include the central pier length as well? Just trying to see if I can carry it in my hard case bag (~27 inches) for air travel

Thanks again for the help

[archer1960]

Thanks for the response. The skywatcher website states the tripod minimum length is 31 inches. Does the 31" include the central pier length as well? Just trying to see if I can carry it in my hard case bag (~27 inches) for air travel

Thanks again for the help

The pier is removable so it shouldn't matter. However, I just measured mine, and it's 27" on the nose from the tip of the foot to the top of the flat platform at the top of the tripod, not including the pier extension, However, this does NOT included the attachment bolt, which extends almost another half inch above the platform. So if your carry on is 27" inside length, you're going to need to put the tripod in slightly diagonally, which wastes quite a bit of space. You can put the extension pretty much anywhere in your luggage...

[astrogta]

Thank you very much for taking time to check the length.

[archer1960]

Thank you very much for taking time to check the length.

You're welcome; I just hope they haven't changed the tripod from what mine came with...

[jeffry7]

Thanks for the response. The skywatcher website states the tripod minimum length is 31 inches. Does the 31" include the central pier length as well? Just trying to see if I can carry it in my hard case bag (~27 inches) for air travel
Thanks again for the help

You can mount the azgti head on a photography tripod.

I have a geared head I mount mine to. I use the head to align for equatorial mode instead of using a wedge.

[TareqPhoto]

Is this a good tripod for the mount?

 

https://www.aliexpre...7703883562418_6

 

I saw another one that is more cost, so i wanted to check out this first.

[GTom]

I am considering photography mount options for my 2.8/300 nikon telephoto + 1.7 teleconverter setup (got various cameras, all weighing around 700g. Any chance an eq mounted AZ GTi could carry this kit (probably right on the payload limit) safe and sound for ~3 minutes subs?

 

I won't use the stock tripod and wedge, got a 40mm carbon tripod and a fornax FMW-200 wedge.

Edited by GTom, 09 September 2024 - 07:05 PM.

[Tapio]

I am considering photography mount options for my 2.8/300 nikon telephoto + 1.7 teleconverter setup (got various cameras, all weighing around 700g. Any chance an eq mounted AZ GTi could carry this kit (probably right on the payload limit) safe and sound for ~3 minutes subs?

 

I won't use the stock tripod and wedge, got a 40mm carbon tripod and a fornax FMW-200 wedge.

For that kind of focal length and 3 minute subs - have you calculated also the needed guider setup?

[GTom]

That would be an approx 500mm FL, total useful payload 5kg/11lbs.

 

For that kind of focal length and 3 minute subs - have you calculated also the needed guider setup?

Edited by GTom, 10 September 2024 - 05:15 AM.

[GTom]

One more: does the mount have to be well balanced in EQ mode, or does it have a relatively strong motor, like a "poor man's harmonic drive"?

As above, my useful payload would be around 11-12lbs (5-5.5kg), centered approx 3" above the saddle. May I get away e.g with the basic 1kg counterbalance kit, knowing that it will be around 3-4kg out of balance?

[Tapio]

It's normal equatorial mount which requires good balancing, especially if you are at the upper limit of load capacity.

[GTom]

Thank you! No advantage then compared to e.g an SA GTi.

It's normal equatorial mount which requires good balancing, especially if you are at the upper limit of load capacity.

[Wolfwatcher]

Just a comment or two using the AZ GTi for visual and in alt/az mode only. Having the dual encoders instead of the single one with the GTE is a great improvement IMO (I've owned both). Getting clumsy in my old age, so if I happen to kick the tripod leg in the dark or something, I can easily readjust the mount head and it keeps on keeping on with tracking as if nothing happened. Great!

 

Also, I've discovered that for simple tracking of moon, planets or solar, it works best to manually slew the scope to the target first, then tap "point and track" on the app screen, rather than trying to use the go-to feature and/or keys on app screen to find and center the target first. For my backyard viewing, with considerable light pollution, if I can't see the target visually through a finder scope, I don't bother trying to find it using the go-to feature. (I don't have the hand control.)

 

Finally, I really like using a tablet rather than my phone with SynScan Pro. Larger screen and I can simply whip out the phone to look up something separately if I need, instead of scrolling all through the features on the iPad trying to find what I want while it's busy tracking the object. More than once I've managed somehow to lose tracking when doing the latter, and have to readjust.

 

For me, with the mount level and the target centered, I can keep it visually in the scope's eyepiece for more than an hour, even using moderate high power. And when mounted on a heavier tripod (in my case a SW AZ5), I find I can use my C6" SCT set up with a 2" diagonal and RACI finder just fine with no balance issues or need for a counterweight.

 

Jett

[GTom]

One more question: is dithering working all right in both axes with Nina/Ekos?