iOptron Skyguider Pro Setup Tutorial

[@rvboondocker2559]

What the heck!!!!! Why don’t you have 100,000 subscribers???!! KZbin is crazy. Thanks again for a much needed refresher!!!😊

[@martinsastrophotography]

Not sure…must be doing something wrong I guess. Thanks for the encouragement though.

[@douglassmith1215]

At around 7:15 you mention the problem of balance caused by not having the centre of mass of the camera aligned with the counterweight bar. You can solve this if you have a slightly longer Arca dovetail along the bottom of the camera. Then you can slide camera back and forth to bring the centre of mass of camera (and lens) in line with the counterweight.

[@martinsastrophotography]

Thanks Douglas. Great tip.

[@unakade]

Very nice video, thank you. But why did you mention the rule of 500/300? Isn't the whole point of using the tracker to increase the exposure time? You could get away with 500/focal length seconds even without the tracker

[@martinsastrophotography]

You are quite right to raise this!! Thank you and well spotted! I was clearly confusing camera settings between my non-tracking mount tutorial and my tracking mount tutorial!!! Please ignore this part (and I will add a note in the description) .... I suggest a 60-120 exposure time as a good starting point. You should check your shots carefully to see how round the stars are and shorten the exposure and/or check the polar alignment if they are not round. If they look nice and round, try increasing it somewhat provided your image is not saturating too much on the bright stars. The core of the Orion Nebula, for example, is a classic example that can easily saturate (or be 'blown out') if the exposure time is too long. Clear Skies!

[@jonathanr2830]

Superb! Thank you very much! New subscriber in Texas (between Dallas and Louisiana). All the best to you!

[@martinsastrophotography]

Thank you Jonathan!

[@berniestang2616]

Considering this one versus move shoot move . Excellent vid. Thank u

[@christywhitley2837]

This video was most helpful. I am just beginning to learn how to operate the Sky guider. Than you so much!

[@martinsastrophotography]

Hi Christy. Many thanks for the positive comment. Clear Skies!

[@insightvideo6136]

One thing to mention - max payload or the Skyguider Pro is 11 pounds. Something to keep in mind when adding gear. Thanks for the video!

[@martinsastrophotography]

Thanks for that. Clear skies!

[@josephramone5805]

Excellent review, mate!

[@mohammad_yazbek]

Hello there! Thank you for your tutorial. My question is after I do a polar alignment and I am ready to go do I have to loosen the clutch during tracking or keep it tightened if I am only using a ball head? The reason why I am asking this is that when I am mounting my camera system and loosening the clutch, the camera system falls to the other side which means that the motor does not have the power to hold the system. Thank you!

[@martinsastrophotography]

Hi there. Thanks for your comment and question. After polar alignment you can carefully unlock the RA clutch to rotate in RA (and you can rotate in Dec as well) in order to frame your target. Your description of the system falling to one side and not having the power to hold the system tells me that you are not balancing your system properly. This is not always easy, but is very important. Make sure that your balance in RA is good once you have framed your target. Just be careful not to disturb your polar alignment. I hope this helps.

[@mohammad_yazbek]

@@martinsastrophotography Thank you very much for your reply! But my question is, do you release the clutch after you're all set to track the sky or keep it tightened? Does the tightened clutch prevent the motor from rotating or it just rotates even if the clutch is tightened? Thank you very much.

[@martinsastrophotography]

@@mohammad_yazbek You must tighten the clutch when you have framed the target, otherwise the camera will not track the sky.

[@mohammad_yazbek]

@@martinsastrophotography YES! That's it, sir! Thank you wholeheartedly!

[@neilsmith5883]

Brilliant video Martin, very helpful, subbed

[@martinsastrophotography]

Thank you Neil.

[@dougturner-xn9kj]

Thanks, I've just bought one of these (new) and despite charging for a prolonged period, the indictor light never flashes rapidly, how long should a full charge take?

[@martinsastrophotography]

Are you aware that the light does not work unless the unit is switched on?

[@nekelly123]

Very informative vid, thanks. I'm wondering though why you'd use the rule of 500/300 when you're using a star tracker? Isn't the whole point of a tracker to allow longer exposures?

[@martinsastrophotography]

Thank you. You are right. The rule of 500 (or 300) only applies if you are not tracking.

[@nekelly123]

Thanks@@martinsastrophotography

[@c.t.photography]

Recently purchased the ioptron sky guider pro & was wondering if you have any tips to keep it stable once it's polar aligned. I've only used it twice so far & I'm finding that even when I'm locking things down it's moving it out of alignment. Thanks

[@martinsastrophotography]

@@c.t.photography Hi Chris. A number of things can help. 1) use a really sturdy tripod 2) Set up on solid ground, like a patio or driveway. 3) Ensure all the locking screws for azimuth and elevation are tightened after polar alignment 4) Ensure clutch ring is properly tightened. After a couple of years I bought the replacement wedge (base) for mine from William optics. It’s not cheap at £239 but it is MUCH better than the one that comes with the Skyguider pro. I’m glad I bought it but iOptron really should supply something like that with the original unit.

[@c.t.photography]

@martinsastrophotography Thanks for your reply, I'll give those things a try and see how I get on. I've read lots of reviews about changing the base for WO instead but it is pricey like you said.

[@martinsastrophotography]

@@c.t.photography It is very pricey. But it is also beautifully engineered! The iOptron one is really poor by comparison.

[@luannewilliams3410]

My Altitude locking knob, never locks. No matter which direction I turn it, it keeps turning. Which means my altitude knob can always be changed. Do you think I have a defective unit and need to contact iOptron?

[@martinsastrophotography]

That doesn’t sound right to me. I actually replaced the altitude locking knob on mine with a better, metal, one. If it’s new, send it back. If it is second hand, see if you can remove the locking knob/handle and purchase a new one. I will see if I can dig up the details of what I bought.

[@luannewilliams3410]

@@martinsastrophotography /thanks for the info. I'll contact them. I've had it just about a year but only used it in the field once due to horrible weather. I'd be interested in seeing which knob you are now using.

[@martinsastrophotography]

@@luannewilliams3410 I just checked. iOptron sell a “Locking Lever for Alt-azimuth Adjustable Base” for $10 plus shipping. Part number is P-3327-LEVER. That’s your best bet, unless you want to go crazy and buy the William Optics Vixen Style Wedge & Extension Bar For iOptron Skyguider Pro. It’s expensive, but it is also fantastic and a big improvement on the original. I bought one…and never regretted it.

[@ziyadel-ghazi7755]

Thank you so much for this video, I am about to buy an ioptron sky guider pro.. but I only have a normal camera tripod 1/4" screw . Please will the tracker be attached to it ? And thank you

[@martinsastrophotography]

Yes. That will be ok! :)

[@stevemclellan847]

Clear concise and informative. Thank you.

[@martinsastrophotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alpenzwerg]

Great video! Thanks for this tutorial!

[@vcotta2012]

How do I use my guiding camera/scope with this mount? I can't find any good detailed information anywhere!

[@martinsastrophotography]

Honestly, I wouldn’t bother guiding with this mount. If you balance it well and polar align well, you can take 2 minute subs without guiding and get nice round stars. If you want to guide you can only do so in Right Ascension, not in declination, so any declination drift caused by polar alignment error cannot be corrected. Given all the above, if you still want to do it, take a look at this web page by Peter Zelinka… www.peterzelinka.com/blog/2019/4/auto-guiding-with-the-skyguider-pro

[@vcotta2012]

@Martin’s Astrophotography So, I don't need my guiding camera attached to my scope and mount? There's no use for my guiding camera with this setup? My guiding camera is a ZWO ASI 120mm

[@martinsastrophotography]

@@vcotta2012 It’s not a question of need. It’s a question of whether you want to guide or not. The iOptron Skyguider Pro will track the stars very well without guiding if balanced and polar aligned properly, in which case I would not choose to autoguide it. As I explained, guiding can only correct tracking errors in Right Ascension anyway, so cannot correct for any declination drift caused by polar alignment error. I hope this helps.

[@vcotta2012]

@@martinsastrophotography I see, so I'll be able to take planetary and nebula photos with no issues then?

[@martinsastrophotography]

@@vcotta2012 Galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and Milky Way yes. Planets require very long focal lengths which in turn require large telescopes that are far to heavy to put in this small portable tracking mount.

[@juliano191]

What type of hand controller is compatable with this, and phone astro app? Thx

[@martinsastrophotography]

It is not a Goto mount. It can be used with an 8408 hand controller but reviews of this say it is not very good. You really don’t need a hand controller with this mount. I do suggest you get the ‘PS Align Pro’ app on your phone to assist with polar alignment.

[@domvf]

Brilliant video, thanks for taking time to do this, great help

[@martinsastrophotography]

Thanks Dom. Glad you liked it. Clear Skies!

[@vcotta2012]

Where do I download the driver and ASCOM platform for this mount?

[@martinsastrophotography]

ASCOM Platform is generic, and not specific to this product. You can simply type “ASCOM Platform” in Google and you will find it. You only need a driver for the mount if you intend to autoguide in RA. Is this what you plan to do? Personally I am not a fan of autoguiding with this mount. When well balanced and polar aligned, it will do 1-2 minute exposures just fine. If you really want to do it, let me know and I will find out what driver you need, if any.

[@vcotta2012]

@@martinsastrophotography I'm new to this hobby and thought I needed to guide. I also thought that I needed the driver to use PHD2. I had to download the driver for my guide camera as well.

[@martinsastrophotography]

@@vcotta2012 No problem. Everyone is on a steep learning curve when they start this hobby! Forget about guiding for now. Learn to set up, balance and polar align the mount. Watch the setup tutorial a few times then watch my polar alignment tutorial as well. If you have any questions let me know. I am here to help.

[@canuckjim1941]

Thanks Martin. Cheers!

[@PatrickGuerrisi]

is the counterweight needed for a mirroless camera with just a small wide angle lense? The quick start guide also suggestions this for light loads

[@martinsastrophotography]

Probably not. Have a go without it and if tracking is poor change to the counterweight arrangement. Clear Skies!

[@PatrickGuerrisi]

@@martinsastrophotography thanks. I'm just watching your Polar align video. I just bought the same tracker

[@martidodger7106]

Hi thanks for the great video tutorial! this may be a silly question but can I have my camera (Canon EOS 80D) on power rather than battery while using it, or should I be prepared to have extra batteries on hand? I am planning to do an shoot next month for the Geminids meteor shower (also should I use the skyguider for this? this is my first real astrophotography trip) and I will be out in about 37F/3C weather (yes I will be using a lens warmer) for about 4-7 hours

[@martinsastrophotography]

Hi there. Thanks for the comment. Either take plenty of fully charged camera batteries or use a big battery pack (like a car battery) with an AC inverter and an AC to DC power cable for the camera. Remember that all batteries last less time when they get cold! If in doubt, try running the kit outside in the cold before you go on the trip to see how long it lasts.

[@martidodger7106]

@@martinsastrophotography thank you so much!

[@rimski7265]

Hi Martin, great tutorial, thanks for all your hard work in helping us understand things better! How do you find the wedge that comes with the Skyguider? Many people upgrade to the Williams one and wondered if you’ve done the same since doing this video? Kind regards, Paul

[@martinsastrophotography]

Thanks for the positive feedback. Much appreciated. The wedge is OK, but could be better. I now have the William Optics one which is MUCH better….but expensive! Clear Skies.

[@rimski7265]

@@martinsastrophotography Thanks for the reply Martin, I think I’ll do the same and opt for the Williams mount. Happy star hunting 👍

[@TheRattleSnake3145]

Why didn't you say how to turn on the polar scope illumination?

[@martinsastrophotography]

Good point. I missed that. User Manual has information on how to do it. Clear Skies!

[@germansnowman]

He did, at 8:23

[@videosavant100]

Great detailed video. Thank you. The only question I have is in regards to how you have your counterweight and camera setup on the counterweight shaft. It looks to me to be upside down with the longer end on the counterweight end. When I tried this with my Skyguider Pro, my Polar Scope was upside down. How did you manage this?

[@martinsastrophotography]

Thanks! With the longer end on the counterweight side the counterweight can balance a heavier load. Also, check out the grub screws on the red tapered block at the centre of the RA clutch? Loosen these, rotate and re-tighten and you have a different angle between the counterweight and the polar scope graticule. Alternatively, you can unscrew the polar scope eyepiece, remove it, and very carefully rotate the graticule using two cocktail sticks (if it will move freely). Does this help?

[@Sammy10100]

Martin can u use any tripod when using this tracker.

[@martinsastrophotography]

Hi Scott. Yes, provided it has the standard 3/8” threaded post at the top. On most tripods you unscrew the head to reveal this thread. Clearly a bigger, heavier tripod is better, but that really isn’t critical when you are just getting started. Clear Skies.

[@Sammy10100]

@@martinsastrophotography quick question. When the star tracker is being used does it move from left to right in incramins of seconds or minutes. As I have not been able to find this out.

[@martinsastrophotography]

@@Sammy10100 Hi Scott. It moves smoothly, not in increments. It must rotate at the same rate that the Earth rotates (360 degrees every 24 hours), but in the opposite direction (Earth rotates West to East, tracker rotates East to West), so that the camera stays pointing at your target object. To do this correctly the tracker must be polar aligned. Take a look at my Polar Alignment tutorial for more details.

[@Sammy10100]

@@martinsastrophotography thanks for the reply. That was the answer I was looking for.

[@DanKinneyGoogle]

Many thanks! Great tutorial :)

[@alexaarroyos1984]

I watched another video, and they said you could only charge it through a computer. 😢

[@martinsastrophotography]

Simply not correct. You probably can charge using a computer, but that is definitely not the only way. I have only ever charged this through a mains to USB power adapter.

[@rachel7550]

Can’t decide whether to buy the one with ipolar or not… seems helpful for a newb but idk if bringing the laptop would stink🤔What do you think?

[@martinsastrophotography]

Hi Rachel. I don’t have it, and have never had a problem with polar alignment. I have done a separate video showing how I do polar alignment in a way that is quick, easy and reliable using the built in polar scope and an iPhone app. So it’s a case of you don’t really need it, and it’s an extra ‘frill’ you can pay for if you want to. I believe you can add it later as well, so maybe best to buy it without, see how you get on, then only add it if you feel you really need or want it. I hope this helps. Clear Skies.

[@rachel7550]

@@martinsastrophotography I ended up buying with it because of a few people said it made it very quick and easy, although I’m sure aligning manually once well practiced is just is easy. Hoping it goes well. A bit nervous to use the software for the first time😅 Thanks for the advice!! Rewatching this video to figure out how to set up the mount correctly. I’ve felt like a kid having to learn this whole setup from scratch lol

[@martinsastrophotography]

If it was me, I wouldn’t bother with it. I have the one without ipolar and it takes me about a minute to polar align it. I have done a tutorial video on my polar alignment method which makes it really easy. Take a look. You just need to get the PS Align Pro app on your phone, which is a lot cheaper than iPolar! Learning my method also means you would be able to polar align an HEQ5 or EQ6-R without any bother in the future.

[@rachel7550]

@@martinsastrophotography well since the one with ipolar already arrived in mail I guess I’ll try it out and see how it goes. It doesn’t have the option to manual align 😅Software downloaded and skyguider finally setup, hoping it goes smoothly. That’s good to know in future though that there are apps that help with manual alignment!

[@martinsastrophotography]

@@rachel7550 Ah ok, so you have iPolar. I’m sure it will serve you well. I learned polar alignment using a polar scope and then moved in to a Polemaster. Clear Skies.

[@bobvila1010]

Well done! Merci beaucoup!

[@dmystify1381]

...star focus....would that be...infinity..?

[@martinsastrophotography]

Strangely no. If you have a DSLR and you put the focus into manual and set it to infinity the stars will usually NOT be in focus! Use LiveView Zoom function if you have it to minimise star size, or better still get a Bahtinov mask which enables even more precise focus. Clear Skies.

[@dmystify1381]

@@martinsastrophotography ...ohhh...ok..Thankyou....and one other thing im not clear on....to charge....do you turn the machine on..? or do you leave it off, and then check a few hours later to see if it is flashing quickly for the full charge...?

[@martinsastrophotography]

@@dmystify1381 I turn it off to charge, then turn it on to see if it is fully charged.

[@dmystify1381]

@@martinsastrophotography thanks matey...i just found the instruction manual..on the bottom of the box with a cover over it.

[@rvboondocker2559]

Thanks

[@mugabewalker2040]

❤ thanks.

[@NikhilShahi]

You should not be using a ball-head if you are using the CW and the bracket. Those two are orthogonal and can point to anywhere in the sky on their own.

[@martinsastrophotography]

Hi Nikhil. Thank you for your comment. I was not using the declination rotator plate. If I was then I would totally agree. I use the ball head with lighter setups because it gives me an extra rotational degree of freedom so I have freedom to rotate the camera about the line of sight axis, which is not possible with the declination plate and no ball head. Clear Skies!

[@NikhilShahi]

@@martinsastrophotography gotcha - I must have missed that part. Thanks for clarifying.