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Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi mount counterweight

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#1 Brighamdoc

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Posted 30 August 2018 - 06:32 PM

I was interested in putting a counter weight on my AZ-GTi but did not find a quick and easy solution

It seems people were using dremel tools and bolts from hardware stores

This was my solution

I'm always taking the easy way out.... I'm lazy

 

Get a Star Adventurer counterweight kit

https://www.astronom...540_p20532.aspx

 

BUT!

This has a M8 thread and you need M12

 

So buy a M8 to M12 adapter

https://www.amazon.c...0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

And there you go.

 

Pics to follow

 

Stan


Edited by Brighamdoc, 30 August 2018 - 06:35 PM.

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#2 Brighamdoc

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Posted 30 August 2018 - 06:58 PM

This is the counterweight

IMG_0242.jpg

IMG_0243.jpg

IMG_0244.jpg


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#3 Brighamdoc

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Posted 30 August 2018 - 07:00 PM

And on the mount

IMG_0245.jpg

IMG_0246.jpg


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#4 junomike

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Posted 30 August 2018 - 08:18 PM

I like it!

At what point (weight) do you feel you need the CW?



#5 Brighamdoc

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Posted 30 August 2018 - 11:03 PM

I want to try my hand at EAA so I'm hoping to get the EQ wedge and try it with this.

(Long game)

 

My usual payload is around 5 kg.

It gets pretty shaky in even a mild wind.

I was hoping this would help.

 

I also put a 5 kg weight suspended from the tripod legs to help it settle down quicker.

That has really helped with the shakes while focusing and with the wind.

 

Stan



#6 Ain Soph Aur

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Posted 12 September 2018 - 01:31 PM

Thanks! I have the counter-weight kit from the Star Adventurer Mini, and now I know how to use it with the AZ-GTi.



#7 davidparks

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Posted 12 September 2018 - 08:06 PM

I use the counterweight/shaft from an Orion Min-EQ tabletop mount, no adapter needed.

 

I never used a counterweight when i was in AZ mode, even when I mounted the 130mm AWB OneSky reflector.

I started to use the counterweight when I switched to EQ mode and WOZ73 refractor.



#8 Oldfield

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Posted 20 December 2018 - 01:51 AM

thank you for sharing!



#9 jcj380

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Posted 20 December 2018 - 08:52 AM

I use the counterweight/shaft from an Orion Min-EQ tabletop mount, no adapter needed.

 

I never used a counterweight when i was in AZ mode, even when I mounted the 130mm AWB OneSky reflector.

I started to use the counterweight when I switched to EQ mode and WOZ73 refractor.

What does the 130mm weigh?  I'm considering an Az-Gti for my ST120, but it's about 12 pounds fully loaded (right now anyway).


Edited by jcj380, 20 December 2018 - 08:53 AM.


#10 Knobby

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Posted 28 February 2019 - 11:42 AM

Great idea, can you believe that M12 to M8 adaptor is like rocking horse poo in the U.K. though !



#11 Bart Declercq

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Posted 28 February 2019 - 04:01 PM

I bought a bog standard (In Europe at least) M12 threaded rod and an EQ1/2 counterweight (which have a central hole 12mm in diameter) - combination works perfectly.



#12 Chilihead

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Posted 24 February 2020 - 06:08 PM

Needed to revive this older thread to ask a question.

 

I picked up an AZ-GTi a couple weeks ago. Then ordered the counterweight and thread adapter.

 

Everything arrived yesterday, so I go to install it. Surprise, no threads on my azimuth axis to screw the rod into! 

 

Does this look like yours?

 

87965569_10157904603229847_4959808326247


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#13 eros312

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Posted 24 February 2020 - 07:56 PM

Yes, but after the silver part there's threads. 



#14 Chilihead

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Posted 24 February 2020 - 08:11 PM

Yes, but after the silver part there's threads. 

Not in mine, smooth all the way to the bottom.

 

I guess I'll call Sky-Watcher tomorrow.



#15 Kunama

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Posted 24 February 2020 - 10:15 PM

Not in mine, smooth all the way to the bottom.

 

I guess I'll call Sky-Watcher tomorrow.

The M12 thread is there, just a bit deeper than what your picture shows....


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#16 Chilihead

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Posted 25 February 2020 - 08:18 AM

The M12 thread is there, just a bit deeper than what your picture shows....

 

Lol, no it isn't. After trying to screw the counter weight shaft in (with and without adapter) and finding no threads, I put a flashlight on it and used a small screwdriver to probe the bottom. Smooth sides all the way down.



#17 sg6

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Posted 25 February 2020 - 08:44 AM

Lol, no it isn't. After trying to screw the counter weight shaft in (with and without adapter) and finding no threads, I put a flashlight on it and used a small screwdriver to probe the bottom. Smooth sides all the way down.

Interesting as Skywatcher have said that the mount is not for AP and that generally means equitorial.

After they brought the mount out they added in one of the updates the Eq mode, that was not originally included. People squeeked and they thought it a good idea, but SW have maintained it is not an AP/Eq mount.

 

In the Eq mode you do need a counter weight so there is the possibility that SW have decided to not thread the hole and so prevent people using the mount for AP/Eq, by effectively removing the Eq counter weight ability.

 

Will be interesting to see what is said here by one or two retailers.

 

However if you cannot add a counterweight then why have the hole, would have thought it easier to put a solid cap in.

 

I can understand SW in a way as once people think it is OK for AP they expect more functions and greater accuracy and more features. And the mount is a small fairly simple Alt/Az mount.


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#18 Foxi

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Posted 25 February 2020 - 04:36 PM

I was about to buy this mount now I'm not sure... I am very curious now if it was just a manufacturer fault or they actually changed the construction...

#19 Chilihead

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Posted 25 February 2020 - 06:58 PM

I was about to buy this mount now I'm not sure... I am very curious now if it was just a manufacturer fault or they actually changed the construction...

I will attempt to contact Sky-Watcher and see what they say. I sent an email inquiry and they merely said I was wrong.

 

I probably won't even send it back. I can JB Weld the adapter into the cavity and it'll function the same. I'd just like to know why the threads weren't there.



#20 skyward_eyes

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Posted 25 February 2020 - 07:13 PM

I will attempt to contact Sky-Watcher and see what they say. I sent an email inquiry and they merely said I was wrong.

 

I probably won't even send it back. I can JB Weld the adapter into the cavity and it'll function the same. I'd just like to know why the threads weren't there

 

I'm not exactly sure who you spoke to or which email you wrote to but no one on staff here at Sky-Watcher USA would tell you that you're wrong. 

 

I saw this thread last night and sent your image to the factory to confirm if a change had been made. To clarify there has been no changes made to this, this was an assembly error and the threads are indeed missing. I have actually never seen this occur but things happen. 

 

If you email support@skywatcherusa.com we can talk about options moving forward on this. 

 

While we do not fully support the EQ mode the threads should still be there for you to use as an option at this time. 


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#21 Chilihead

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Posted 25 February 2020 - 08:51 PM

I'm not exactly sure who you spoke to or which email you wrote to but no one on staff here at Sky-Watcher USA would tell you that you're wrong. 

 

I saw this thread last night and sent your image to the factory to confirm if a change had been made. To clarify there has been no changes made to this, this was an assembly error and the threads are indeed missing. I have actually never seen this occur but things happen. 

 

If you email support@skywatcherusa.com we can talk about options moving forward on this. 

 

While we do not fully support the EQ mode the threads should still be there for you to use as an option at this time. 

My post may have implied someone was rude, that is not the case. He simply said the threads are further down. At the age of 59 and being an avid DIYer, I am capable of identifying a threaded fitting.

 

I won't be sending it back, I'm going to fix it on my own. If you wish I have more photos I can send to you. My only goal was to see if you've made a production change and pass that info on. It seems that's not the case.

 

I love the mount. It works exactly as you advertise. I would recommend it to my friends and urge anyone reading this to purchase one if it fits your use case.


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#22 Foxi

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Posted 26 February 2020 - 12:15 AM

Thank you guys for the info. At least I know now it's safe to buy this mount. :) as it will be my first mount I would have hated to start with a disappointment like the missing threads.



#23 Euripides

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Posted 01 March 2020 - 11:35 AM

Hey guys, I wanna try EQ mode only for Milky Way shots (Max payload will be Canon 77D & Samyang 14mm = approx. 1,1Kg).

 

Do you think that I need to add counterweight for that?



#24 ANKry

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Posted 01 March 2020 - 12:50 PM

In equatorial mode, it is advisable to balance the mount well. A counterweight is needed.


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#25 Censustaker

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Posted 25 March 2020 - 04:48 PM

just got one of these adapters, worked like a charm!




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