44 replies to this topic

[gul1337]

Looks like AZ-GTI may get some competition in near future,

 

 

 

Just came across this one while browsing Ioptron website:

 

 

 

https://www.ioptron....uct-p/sheqa.htm

 

 

 

[akdwivedi]

Very interesting. What's its availability. Any field report. The USB connectivity is excellent. I hate the eqmod/eqdir cables.

[Dagryl]

Since it's equipped with iPolar, does it mean that it's going to be useless without a PC?

[andysea]

I suspect that the app to control it will have some sort of alignment routine, my guess is that it will be able to be used without a PC but it will have the ability to be controlled by one.

All speculation at this point of course.

 

I like that iOptron is presenting it as an alt-az or equatorial mount, unlike the AZ-GTI where the equatorial mode was kinda supported but not really. Hopefully it will have better tracking than the AZ-GTI.

 

This could be the ideal travel mount to use with camera lenses.

[Skymind]

It is awesome, 2.9 lbs weight and 11 lbs payload, a perfect backpack goto mount. Now I need to decide between Skyhunter and a strain wave mount. I guess Skyhunter uses the same parts of SkyGuider Pro.

 

I just wonder why iOptron never do any marketing before announce the product.

[HxPI]

Oh hmm well this was unexpected. I was hoping for a strainwave replacement for the AZ Mount Pro. Guess they’re still working on it. This one looks like a good alternative to the AZ-GTi. Thanks for sharing.

Edited by HxPI, 27 April 2022 - 07:00 PM.

[Fatbus380]

I contacted iOptron about availability and they said it should be shipped after the lockdowns in China. They were estimating one or two months. They never mentioned price, though. I asked about connectivity with the ASIAIR, but the rep. never gave me a definitive answer. 

[CharLakeAstro]

Dealers are doing most of their marketing for them.

 

Pure speculation, but marketing is costly, and they are selling out of product without advance marketing, saving $.

 

I just wonder why iOptron never do any marketing before announce the product.

[CharLakeAstro]

It is listed here at $725 CAD, which should be around $550 USD

 

I contacted iOptron about availability and they said it should be shipped after the lockdowns in China. They were estimating one or two months. They never mentioned price, though. I asked about connectivity with the ASIAIR, but the rep. never gave me a definitive answer. 

[N1ghtSc0p3]

It is listed here at $725 CAD, which should be around $550 USD

iOptron's page shows the "introductory price" as $778 with iPolar, $558 without. 

[CharLakeAstro]

Makes sense.

 

iOptron's page shows the "introductory price" as $778 with iPolar, $558 without. 

[Dagryl]

How to polar align it without iPolar?

And why are they still using mini USB instead of USB-C? :/

Edited by Dagryl, 18 May 2022 - 03:03 PM.

[fmendes]

How to polar align it without iPolar?

And why are they still using mini USB instead of USB-C? :/

There's SharpCap, NINA and even PHD2.

 

About the USB, I don't know. Looks like USB-C to me, despite the description saying Mini USB (yikes!).

[Fatbus380]

How to polar align it without iPolar?

And why are they still using mini USB instead of USB-C? :/

And the ASIAIR+ (That's if it connects to the mount - I emailed them and they said it "should").

[Dagryl]

There's SharpCap, NINA and even PHD2.

 

About the USB, I don't know. Looks like USB-C to me, despite the description saying Mini USB (yikes!).

Don't you have to drag your laptop to use those programs? I thought its purpose is to be portable.

[MigL]

I think that the AltAz version without polar finding will be the more g'n'g of all three:

https://www.ioptron....duct-p/shaz.htm

 

What I'm looking forward to seeing is how it compares to the SW Az-Gti, as well as how "good or right" is the 8410 controller.

[fmendes]

Don't you have to drag your laptop to use those programs? I thought its purpose is to be portable.

"drag" has an elastic interpretation in this case. One can, for instance, leave the notebook inside the house, connect through the smartphone through remote client and use the smartphone outside.

 

Anyway, if you are talking about electronic alignment, some sort of image processing system has to be in place. Either through the main camera or the guider camera. If you want optical alignment, you could attach a polar scope to the telescope dovetail. It would double as finder and polar scope. For the price of a polar scope compared to its precision and ease of use, iPolar seems a much better option.

[pwo51]

And the ASIAIR+ (That's if it connects to the mount - I emailed them and they said it "should").

If the ASIAIR+ works I'll get one. I'm trying to find out from an iOptron rep too! Also I sent an E-mail to ZWO...

[khachik]

If the ASIAIR+ works I'll get one. I'm trying to find out from an iOptron rep too! Also I sent an E-mail to ZWO...

Do you mind sharing the updates whenever you have them? Thanks in advance.

 

ASIAIR supporting this would make it much better option compared to the new StarAdventurer GTI.

[akdwivedi]

it would be interesting if ioptron releases a better wedge as well. the current ioptron and skywatcher wedges do not work at low latitudes.

 

with the exception of wedge, the skywatcher az gti mount works excellent with good guiding.

[Stevemr2t]

 Any ETA on this?

Edited by Stevemr2t, 31 May 2022 - 08:27 AM.

[George N]

How to polar align it without iPolar?

....

The website says that you can connect an optional hand-controller ($200??) -- I would assume that that has a built-in polar alignment routine - plus the usual deep sky catalogs, etc.

 

This is a GoTo mount that would be used alt/az for visual observing, equatorial for imaging. - so the assumption is you would want *some* sort of 'computer' control to slew to targets and set tracking rates, etc. If you just want a tracker that you PushTo targets -- something like the SkyGuider would fit the bill better.

 

It does have built in WiFi (and battery) - but I don't know of a cell phone - tablet ap that has a polar alignment function.

 

I would think that someone doing imaging with say a full-frame mirrorless and small APO - would want the version with iPolar - or would purchase the optional hand controller - or would have a laptop along. Someone only doing 'visual' would use it in alt/az and control it with a cell phone or tablet running Sky Safari or similar.

 

Bottom line - this is not a PushTo 'tracker' -- it's a full-featured but very small GoTo mount. If all you want is tracking - there are better products - including iOptron ones.

Edited by George N, 01 June 2022 - 09:12 PM.

[John59]

All,

I just received the iOptron Skyhunter.  

I have only had time to open box and charge the battery.

Tonight I will start to setup and see how it will work with PC using iOptron's commander software, Starry Night Pro Plus, Stellarium and cartes du ciel.

I will also try ASIAIR+.

So far it looks great and is very portable.

I got the AZ/EQ with tripod kit.

I will be on vacation next week so will have a lot of time to test it.

I'll keep you informed as I go along.

[Stevemr2t]

Any idea what the max payload is before you need to use the counterweight?

[akdwivedi]

All,

I just received the iOptron Skyhunter.  

I have only had time to open box and charge the battery.

Tonight I will start to setup and see how it will work with PC using iOptron's commander software, Starry Night Pro Plus, Stellarium and cartes du ciel.

I will also try ASIAIR+.

So far it looks great and is very portable.

I got the AZ/EQ with tripod kit.

I will be on vacation next week so will have a lot of time to test it.

I'll keep you informed as I go along.

Wow.. congrats.. waiting for your review..