iOptron SkyGuider Pro Unboxing
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- I got fed up being caught out by the weather. So I pulled the trigger and bought an iOptron SkyGuider Pro. This Star Tracker is an ultra portable little beast with an inbuilt battery and a 5kg payload capacity.
In this video I unbox it and show you what you can expect if you purchase one for yourself. Hoping to get some good work out of this in the future. I just now need to transition to DSLR clip in filters as well so I can actually use my lenses properly!
If you fancy one yourself you can buy here
Without iPolar: bit.ly/3g7955D
With iPolar: bit.ly/3ikyACu
==== Equipment ====
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro: bit.ly/2RCrcY9
Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro: bit.ly/2L1hyKn
Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED Pro: bit.ly/2qTd55L
Evostar 80ED Field Flattener: bit.ly/2Uuv7qV
Astro Essentials Mini Guide Scope: bit.ly/2S8Y2yn
ZWO ASI 120mm Guide Camera: bit.ly/31j7kfl
Baader Narrowband Filters: bit.ly/2Us7xvA
iOptron SkyGuider Pro: bit.ly/3g7955D
Rowan Belt Mod Kit: bit.ly/2DMW6EZ
Disclaimer: Affiliate links are in use. If you buy through these links then (at no extra cost to you) I get a few pennies :)
==== Contact ====
astrofarsography@gmail.com
www.astrofarso...
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I use this with a Z61, small guide scope, and a modded T3i. I remote control the whole rig with a Raspberry Pi running Astroberry. Super easy setup, capture, and fantastic polar alignment.
Do you use the Z61+T3i with the stock SkyGuider Alt-Az base or do you have the William Optics base upgrade? If you're using you stock base, what are your thoughts about it regarding stability? Thanks!
That sounds like a really great and portable set up. The Z61 seems ideal for this mount
@@AstroFarsography It is a really neat little scope- I've used a Z73 with it with no problem as well.
@@itaialter I find it to be more than enough stability. I think the problem people have is more with precision than with stability.
S is for Southern Hemisphere. You also will want to reverse the Dec bracket for better balance. Check out the video by Peter Zelinka
Thanks yeah I saw that afterwards when I sat and read the manual 😊 but that's a good tip about the bracket and balancing, thanks!
+1 for Peter Zelinka when it comes to Star Trackers :)
@@AstroFarsography My experience with the SGP is that, unless you're loading really heavy camera+lens package, the declination bracket doesn't need to be reversed. My gear weight 1.2 Kg, and I use the counterweight really close to the base of the bar. If I reversed the bracket, my gear would be closer to the axis, and my counterweight wouldn't be able to move close enough to achieve balance.
Being aware that everyone's gear is different, I would advise you test balance with your own gear before messing up with all those screws to reverse the bracket when you may not even need to do it in the first place.
Enjoy your new toy!
P.S.: I feel your pain with the weather. Been cloudy for over a week now, and it doesn't look like it will change any time soon.
@@jgostling That's my experience as well. I have a light enough setup to need the counterweight, but I can balance everything perfectly without reversing the bracket.
I even 3D printed a 10cm long arca-swiss dovetail for my camera (which seems to be working great), so I can slide it back and forth to balance it on the other axis (much like Zelinka showed in his latest video).
Congratulations on the new gadget
Thanks very much. Excited to try it!
I got one a couple of weeks ago - of course there hasn't been a clear night since...
Now that astronomical darkness has returned in the last week or so, should stand a chance of some results eventually.
Hi Ruz,
Just to let you know, you don't need a Ball Head when using the Dec Bracket, you just screw the camera direct onto the bracket.
John
Thanks! That's handy to know. I guess once I undo the two thumb screws on the Dec bracket it just turns freely for target acquisition. Thanks John
You'll love it Ruz! I had one on loan for a while and it crossed my mind to just hand over the money and keep it! It was expensive though, they sent me the iPolar version which I wasn't expecting at all (Cool surprise!) I think you're right, iPolar does make setup a little more involved but it was nice to be able to absolutely nail PA (although an App gets you pretty close) I think I prefer the Skyguider Pro to the Star Adventurer and would be interested to know your thoughts when You've had some time out with it. The periodic error seemed really low on my example, and the built in lithium battery seemed a better bet than installing AA's. I thought the fit and finish was better than the SA too although off course it costs a little more. Very much looking forward to your thoughts, Ruz, have fun!
Thanks Chris yeah I think I saw you did a review on the two guiders? FLO debated sending me one to review but I ended up just buying it anyway haha.
I wouldn't be able to compare it to the SA but I'll be very excited to see how this treats me. Selling filters and such now to move over to clip in filters to help using this tracker!
@@AstroFarsography Yeah I did videos for both mounts but fairly far apart in time wise so It would be cool to do a side by side to know for sure which I think is best, or best value. Not cheap to buy both though lol.
I don't know about you? but I always feel a bit uneasy loaning for reviews, it just feels like you're against the clock (this is all in my head of course, no one has actually put pressure on me) There's a bit of guilt that I'm maybe not doing the supplier justice or something like that. Therefore I too have been buying rather than loaning recently. I might run out of money but I feel a bit easier about things. I can always move equipment on for 2/3rds new price once I've finished having fun testing.
It's cool that you're moving over to DLSR and maybe mirrorless cameras to be more accessible to those on a budget. Budget stuff is generally what I'm about too because kids are expensive!
Hi Ruz use mine with the Redcat 51 WO 50mm guide scope zwo asi120mc-s for guiding, canon T3i all controlled with asiair allso replaced the wedge with the William Optics version, much better quality and finer adjustments
The redcat is something I'm definitely wanting to get because of the widefield ability. How was the WO wedge? Worth the money?
AstroFarsography yes the wo wedge is well worth the money, more precise adjustments than the ioptron and it looks cool to.
Can’t wait for you to do a Review on this and tell us your thoughts.. I have been looking at these myself... just havnt pulled the Trigger..
Will get that to you as soon as I can!
Nice unboxing (and review)! Can I ask you please why did you choose this one and not Star Adventurer Pro? I am in-between these two :) many thanks!
Thanks bud. Well really the main decision came down to availability. You may know I'm a Sky-Watcher fanboy but it was 2 months backordered and the iOptron was available. Though I'd been looking at this for a while.
The inbuilt battery really did sell me on it and the ergonomics of it. But I'll have a proper review of it in due time :)
I've been using my SkyGuider Pro for two weeks now and it's really great. However, I did hear that the Alt-Az base of the Star Adventurer Pro is considered to be better than the iOptron's base, and that a lot of people recommend the William Optics base upgrade for the SkyGuider if you're going to be using heavy gear. The SkyGuider's battery seems to be awesome, since I didn't need to charge it so far. I believe it should last 24 hours, and I think it's been used for about 18 hours (on and off) now. I've plugged it in just now.
load it up bud. Wanna see how much camera/scope stuff it can take and track for 60seconds.
Nice video mate
Looks good. I want a grab and go mount myself for the same reason as you. Can I ask why you went for the Sky guider over the Skywatcher Star adventurer?
Mainly availability. The iOptron was in stock and the SA was 2 months out. But also I like the look and the built in battery. From what I've read and heard also it has slightly better tracking potential
Super
Thanks 😁
I am sorry to be critical but I think that this would have been much more helpful if he had read the information about the mount prior to making the video.
I saw you selling on SGL was this to help fund it? :)
Haha, nah that wasn't for this. Don't rightly know what I'm going to spend that money on really or I'll just save it. Maybe get s different telescope. A newt maybe 🤔
@@AstroFarsography Get a 130pds! it's the budget astrograph that can! :)
@@Astrolavista I was thinking about a newt. But the 130pds and the 150pds is basically the same focal length as the 80ED so it will gain me aperture and resolution (nothing bad) but won't really yield me much more. Maybe a 200pds
@@AstroFarsography Ah yeah, I see what you mean. Yes a 200pds would be cool @ 1000mm f/5