Low-Cost & Portable Astrophotography: Sky-Watcher EvoGuide 50ED, AZ-GTi, ASI533MC Pro & ASIAIR Mini.
Вставка
- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- #zwo #asiair #Skywatcher #EVOGUIDE #azgti #budget #astrophotography #Telescope
Can this be a budget alternative to RedCat 51???
This video demonstrates how to build a low-cost and portable wide-field Astrophotography rig using the Sky-Watcher EvoGuide 50ED, AZ-GTi Mount (EQ Mode), ZWO ASIAIR Mini & ASI533MC Pro OSC Camera.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
2:52 Part 1 - Setting Back Focus with Starizona Field Flattener
10:39 Part 2 - Mounting the Guide Scope & ASIAIR Mini
15:35 Part 3 - Mounting on Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi Mount
16:25 Part 4 - Power Supply, Cables & Connections
20:10 Part 5 - Balancing the Scope
22:15 Conclusion - Test Operation with ASIAIR Mini
I have used the following gear for this rig:
Sky-Watcher EvoGuide 50ED DX
SVBony SV165 Mini Guide Scope
Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi Mount (Upgraded to EQ Mode)
Starizona Field Flattener FF50
ZWO ASI533MC Pro OSC Camera
ZWO ASIAIR Mini
ZWO ASI120MM Mini Guide Camera
Celestron Power Tank 73.3 WH
SVBony 5V USB Dew Heater Strap
Upgrade Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi Mount to EQ Mode: • Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi Mou...
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Please support this channel by buying from my Amazon Affiliate links for the products I used in this setup:
Sky-Watcher EvoGuide 50ED DX: amzn.to/3JFslHN
SVBony SV165 30mm F4 Mini Guide Scope: amzn.to/3JFsgnt
Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi Mount: amzn.to/3THyWpW
Sky-Watcher Latitude Base: amzn.to/3lyoBQu
Sky-Watcher Counterweight Kit: amzn.to/3ZdJuhA
EQMod Cable for AZ-GTi: amzn.to/42BBv0r
DIN Rail for Mounting Guide Scope: amzn.to/3ZaBLRs
Jackery Power Station Explorer 160 (167 WH): amzn.to/3luCr6s
Astromania Bahtinoiv Mask: amzn.to/3ZcQFGw
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Donstronomy video on similar setup: • Star Adventurer GTI Tr...
I hope this video is informative and useful. Please let me know in comments if I missed anything. If you like this video, please consider Subscribing to my channel.
Thanks for watching!
**Disclaimer: This video is NOT sponsored by Sky-Watcher, ZWO or any of their dealers.
Music in this video: bensound.com - Наука та технологія
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Question - How do you compare this budget Astro setup with EvoGuide 50ED to WO RedCat 51?
Very nice, very clear instructions! Great tutorial on building a portable rig!!
Thanks! I'm glad that the video is helpful. CS!
Nice portable setup! Looking forward to the images.
Sure...as soon as the wether permits. Thanks for watching. Cheers!
great video; clear explanations. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for your kind words! I’m glad that you liked the video.
Very nice presentation. There are not many like this (using this guide scope as an astrophotograph) on the internet ....
The little scope seems very capable.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to make this video.
Kind regards!
Thanks a lot! I’m glad that you liked the video. Appreciate your kind support. Cheers!
Thank you for another informative video. I really appreciate the thoroughness and walk-through of solving the little problems like attachments, etc.. It always seems to be the little problems that create big headaches!
Thanks!! I’m glad that you liked the video. Cheers!!
Excellent presentation! Very informative and helpful. Thank you very much!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Clear instructions, nice presentation ❤
Thanks! I'm glad that you liked the video. Cheers!!
super vidéo .très instructive.merci à toi pour toutes ces informations qui sont vraiment profitable.
Dans l'attente de tes prochaines vidéos..je te souhaite bon ciel 🌌et bonne capture astro.
bien à toi .
Patrick ( France )
Thanks for watching! Appreciate your kind words! (I had to use Google translate to understand your comments.) I'm glad that the video is helpful. Many more similar videos to come...CS!
Awesome video Pawan 👍 Well presented and explained. Nice little rig.
Thanks! I’m glad you liked the video. CS!!
Thank you very much!!!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
smart idea for the guide scope rail, will use that :D
Thanks! I’m glad that you liked the idea 😊.
Great portable rig. Looking forward to seeing first images with this.
Thanks Logan! I’m also eagerly waiting for the first light on this setup. But weather here isn’t expected to clear up any time soon :(
I'm looking at that same rig after watching your superb video. Thanks so much. I'll look for your polar alignment video next.
Thank you!! I’m glad that the video is helpful. Cheers!!
It's really not that difficult. I use N.I.N.A and use the Three Point Polar Alignment tool, and there's also an app called PS Align Pro that will allow for rough polar alignment during the daytime.
Very good overview! That rig is quite portable and affordable! I want to Build a Setup like that maybe sometime in future!
Thanks Avanteesh! It is really a nice budget astro setup and is great for travel. CS!
Great video. I’ll be getting all my parts next week for the exact imaging system. I’ll be using a Star Adventurer GTI mount.
Thanks Michael!! All the best for your new imaging equipment! The same setup can be used for Star Adventure GTi mount. CS!
Got my parts. Now waiting for first light.
@@michaelcole5803 That's great! Have Fun!
Can't wait to see your results I'm thinking of getting the starizona field flattener as well however hard to get in Australia
Thanks for watching, Nik. I’m eager as well. But I don’t think we are getting any clear nights until after mid-April or so. Reg Starizona FF, you may order directly.
Thank you for this video Pawan. I have an interest in the Evoguide 50ED your demonstration was a big help. I'm either going to be using the Evo piggy back on a bigger mount and scope or by itself on an StarAdventurer GTi for a mobile rig.
Thanks for watching! I'm glad that the video is helpful. Yes, EVOGuide is a great little scope for wide field astrophotography as well as a guidescope for bigger OTAs. All the best! Cheers!!
Thanks for this informative video. I have been trying to make a similar set up based on Cuiv the Lazy Geek but wished I’d seen this earlier after not a lot of luck getting it all to work nicely with cheaper Stellarmate on raspberry Pi. The AsiAir is so much easier and powers much of the gear.
I am using same Asi camera, a Zwo 30 guide scope with mini camera and AsiAir plus. The SW flattener suffers too many limitations so the Starizona flattener is a must. This video is going to sort my set up out perfectly 👏🏻 . 😊 loved your other video on setting up AzGTI with AsiAir.
Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad that the video is helpful.
I did research about the SW field flattener and then decided to go for Starizona. I haven’t tested it out myself yet due to weather here but others on UA-cam have shown nice images using this flattener.
I hope you will enjoy your setup with ASIAIR. Cheers!
Very nice demonstration. I will try the same equipment, but first without guide scope and for a start in AltAz mode. I will upgrade later, if necessary.
Thanks for watching! Appreciate your comments. I’m sure you will enjoy your little but powerful scope a lot. Clear Skies!!
@@AstroCrescentDIY I am upgrading now to an almost identical configuration like yours (only difference is a ZWO guide scope instead of your SV Bony), but additionally including the ZWO EAF autofocuser using a 3D-printed adapter for the 50 ED made by WEGA.
That’s good 👍🏼. Cheers!
Thanks to you for posting the very helpful instructional video. I think it's reasonable to use "fast forward" as part of the work procedure, but it's hard to understand what kind of work was done, so if you could set the "fast forward speed" a little slower , It will be more helpful (because it is an automatic translation, there may be inappropriate expressions)
Thanks for watching. I'm glad the video was helpful. Your kind advice is much appreciated. I will take care of that in future videos. Cheers!
Once again wish I had seen this first as I have Astro kraken but have Asiair plus mounted and Zwo guide scope with mini camera.
Thank you, Anthony! I'm glad that the video was helpful. CS!
The hex screws that are needed to attach the bracket holding the asiair are not M4, they are M5 x 0.8tp according to Skywatcher
Thanks for the update. Appreciate your input. Cheers!
Great advise on the field flattener back focus. I was about to buy the scope and the flattener from Sky Watcher and I got the same camera and filter drawer. Is it possible to use it without the flattener?
Thanks for watching! I’m glad that the video was helpful. Yes you can use the scope without field flattener but the stars on corners will become out of shape. Clear Skies!!
Hello, I really appreciate your video and I think I will assembly a fast and light rig according to your suggestion. Can I ask you information about overall weight and dimension (in order to buy the right hard case to transport)? Can youshare with us some images taken with this setup? Thanks a lot
Thanks! I'm glad that the video is helpful. The overall weight of my setup is approximately 6 lb. For the hard case, it is better to check the particular dimensions of your own setup and then do the search. I will definitely share some images as soon as the weather permits. CS!
Hi Astro Cresent, very nice video
And i have a question, will the Celestron Power Tank 73.3 WH be enough to use ASIAIR Mini and the ZWO ASI 120mm Mini? i use batteries to power the AZ-GTi
I think so. Yes, if you use it only for these two devices. Thanks for your kind words of appreciation. Cheers!!
Thanks for the video. Really informative. I'm considering this option as my first astrophotography rig. Looking at the Astronomy tools CCD Suitability Calculator, this rig seems to lead to significant under-sampling. Do you think that could be an issue with this setup?
Thanks for your kind words of appreciation! I understand that there is a bit problem related to undersampling/resolution with this setup due to the small focal length. My major concern is budget. A scope wth larger focal length such as Sky-Watcher Evolux 62ED with 400mm FL or William Optics Zenith Star 62II with 360mm FL would improve the resolution. Although the Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi can easily take the weight of their setups, any of these options would increase the budget significantly. CS!
Drizzle your stacked images and then you can resample in post process this eliminates the undersampling
That option would work well 👍🏼. PixInsight has several tools to take care of imaging issues.
Very very helpful, thank you. I notice you don't completely screw on the flattener, is there a reason for that (you only tighten the outside screws, while it's possible to actually screw the flattener fully on the scope). Thanks
Thanks! I’m glad that the video is helpful. That was done deliberately for the video. But one you tighten it, it’s difficult to remove. Cheers!
So, Pawan, assuming you've updated the AZ-GTi's firmware to enable EQ mode, and have an ASIAir Plus or Mini, if you connect it to the AZ-GTi via the EQmod cable, you do not need to use the SynScan app at all, correct? You do not need to use the SynScan app to "tell" the AZ-GTi to operate in EQ mode instead of alt-az mode. I'm assuming (hoping) this is because the EQmod connection kind of "automatically" puts the AZ-GTi in EQ mode. Thanks for any clarification.
I think the mount still needs to know it’s own position before trying to polar align with ASIAIR. So, very basic initial alignment with SynScan app is needed before handing over control to ASIAIR. Even if it is not required a quick alignment (may not be precise) with SynScan would be good idea. I’m going to try this soon as soon as wether and atmospheric conditions permit.
Thanks for watching. CS!
Hi Astro Cresent please help :)
if I use azgti in eq mode, at the beginning do I need to align it to 2 or 3 stars in SynScan? and then turn on AsiAir on the eqmode cable and align it to the polar star? Will the goto hit the target in AsiAir then?
Hi Paul, if you do one star or two star alignment, it does help. But ASIAIR, doesn’t necessarily need it. Just make sure that the mount is roughly pointing towards Polaris when you start the process. Hope this helps. Once the polar alignment is done, you can send the mount to any target. Hope this helps. Cheers!!
Opinion and advice needed
I have the evostar 72ed, and it performs well.
I am selling it and thinking it to upgrade to a 6-inch f6 newtonian, and I will be using it with a dslr and a cooled camera at times for galaxies and small
Nebulae.
The ioptron cem 25p will carry it.
Should I upgrade it ??
Or any other recommendations
Good decision. Just check the specs of iOptron 25, especially the load capacity and you are good to go. Thanks for watching! Cheers!!
For me It's time to get a field flattener, which one would you suggest between the SW and the Starizona? I will use a mirrorless camera and a 224mc, then in the future for sure i'll buy a DSO camera like the 533.
Thank you
Thanks for watching. If you are going to use cooled or non-cooled camera from ZWO or QHY, I would go with the Starizona FF. Cheers!
Hey there, awesome video!!! But I am struggling to find the M48 to M42 thread adapter 🤷 Do you have a link for it. Thank you so much. 😊
Thanks for watching and your kind comment! I'm glad that you liked the video. Here is the link for the T48 to T42 Adapter Ring:
optcorp.com/products/zwo-m48-m42-adapter
I'm not an affiliate of any dealer. So, you can just search for the ring and find a local dealer close to your location.
Hope this helps. Cheers!
Good Morning, and again, thank you so much. I am looking forward for more of your interesting videos
1. How to place my scope with az gti before alligment procedure? Scope schould be leveled and made direction to the north or mount should be made direction to the mount?
2. Which option of alligment is the best?
Thanks for watching! The scope must be pointing towards North. Yes, the tripod should be levelled before placing the mount and scope on it. At least the 2-star or 3-star alignment should be done. In case you are using HL the mount in EQ Mode, you will need polar alignment.
Hope this info is helpful. Cheers!
Hello, Michael again.... I've tried to generally duplicate your Skywatcher AZ/EQmod, ASIAIR rig.
Question, please: Apparently, the USB cable from the ASIAIR to the Skywatcher AZ mount hand control outlet is a very specific EQMOD cable with a circuit chip. Your Amazon site for this cable isn't working currently ("not found"). On my USA Amazon site, there are several choices for this cable. I've read that the chip has to be correct for the ASIAIR and that some are more stable than others. Your thought, please. Thanks 😁
I just checked. The EQMod cable for Skywatcher AZ-GTi is available on Amazon Canada. This is the exact product description:
Skywatcher Telescope AZ-GTI Mount PC Connect Auto Guide EQMOD Cable for Replacing The Hand Control Cable (6feet/180cm)
You might want to search Amazon using some or all of above words.
Hope this helps. Cheers!!
Thanks so much@ @@AstroCrescentDIY
could you use these setup on latitude 0? could you test if counterweight hits the extender or the tripod?
For sure, you can use it . I think Lat 0 provides the best of night sky on both northern and southern hemispheres. Reg counterweight hitting the tripod, I will have to check it. Thanks for watching and wish you CS!
@@AstroCrescentDIY thamk yopu
Great, but I don't see on your parts list the right angle bracket used to mount the Asiair to the dovetail bracket. Where can I get one??
Thanks! The right angle bracket is actually an electric DIN rail. Please see the parts list in description.
DIN Rail for Mounting Guide Scope: amzn.to/3ZaBLRs
Hope this helps. CS!
Thanks, but what about the black piece on the end that attaches to the foot of the asiair. Sorry, I am not familiar with the terminology for astro stuff. @@AstroCrescentDIY
@@jcmoor1 It's a finder scope bracket 🙂.
Thanks for the video,
How much does this setup weigh?
Thanks a lot! I guess the weight except the mount is about 3kg.
Does the ASIAIR have any trouble delivering enough current to cool the camera?
ZWO suggests that cooled camera must have separate power source. But I use power from ASIAIR without any issues. However, I use separate power adapter door the mount.
hi- M48 to M42 adapter for the staritzona thickenss or link please ? thankyou
Here the link to ZWO website:
astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/m48-m42-adapter/
Thanks!
@@AstroCrescentDIY also in Europe shops i found thanks, btw have you had a chance to make some shootings with this rig already?
Hello friend, this is Anderson from Brazil and I would like to thank you for the content presented in this video.
I have some doubts, I'm going to start astrophography and I don't have anything, would you indicate this configuration to start? or indicate another one with a cost benefit.
- skywatcher telescope Evoguide 50DX
- EvoFF v2 - Field Smoother for SkyWatcher EvoGuide 50ED
- mount skywatcher star adventure gti
- camera asi294 color or asi294 pro color or asi593 pro or asi183 or other that you indicate?
- I won't buy guiding telescope and cameras for now.
- filters what does it indicate? in my city botle 8
with these settings can I get good images and good exposures of up to 60 seconds?
thank you very much!
Your setup seems to be good. Reg filters, please watch a few videos on UA-cam before you decide to buy. In general dual narrow band filters are good for imaging nebulae and normal IR/UV cut filters are good for galaxies and planets. The aperture of this scope has too small for galaxies and planets. Wish you clear skies!
Thanks
What size filter are you using?
Hi Adam, Thanks for watching. I use 1.25" mounted filters in the ZWO filter drawer. This needs a 1.25" filter adapter, which does not come with the filter drawer but you can buy it. Hope this is helpful. CS!
@@AstroCrescentDIY Thanks for your quick reply. I have just bought and ordered equipment for a Astrophotography setup. My telescope will be the Askar ACL200 along with ZWO ASI183MC Pro. With this setup I wanted to order the right size fileter and was recommended 2" diameter filters & drawer, but asked if I could save money with a 1.25" diameter filters and drawer. The store I am buying from says I need the 2" due to the smaller filter could introduce vignetting. What is your experience?
What is the longest exposure time with az gti in eq mode ?
Thanks for watching! You go with 3 to 5 min subs with smaller scopes on AZ-GTi. I would prefer shorter exposure to avoid rejection of bad frames. Cheers!!
@@AstroCrescentDIY what power bank is best to charge this mount in outdoor far from power socket
I use Celestron power tank. It’s good enough for 8 hours. Thanks.
@@AstroCrescentDIY so this 3 to 5 mins exposure, is this with eq mode or az mode ?
@rockyteck7107 EQ Mode.