Setting up the AZ-GTi Mount in Equatorial mode - for portable Astrophotography!

[@starwatcher]

I just connected my AZ -GTI to Nina, thanks to you. Thrilled.

[@unhakim7415]

Thank you for detailed information about AZ-GTI mount (especially setup and tuning). I decided the first & portable eq mount for astrophotography based on your video.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks so much for your support! Note that since I made this video, Sky watcher has released the Star Adventurer GTi, which id recommend having a look at! bit.ly/3UKLpLJ

[@markknecht9416]

I'm a complete newbie and love your videos. I've purchased the AZ-GTi and hope to get it working over the next few days, weeks, months. I'm shocked that Sky-Watcher doesn't provide more info for new people to the hobby. The info in these videos you do is one of the best resources I can find. THANKS for all you do!

[@mykol68]

thank you once again Cuiv for helping me sort EQ out on the AZ-GTI. saw you new video, glad to know your ok

[@rodmagic]

Genius, I have nearly everything and before I saw your video, I was about to upgrade to EQ5 or EQ6. But now I’m going to try your method before spend whole lot of money and with this set I can easily to travel with ❤️

[@paulcizdziel3769]

Thanks CUIV, your video helped me update firmware and get my AZ-GTi operational! I am looking forward to using it for the first time, very soon!

[@richardxiong6926]

Finally, the AZ-GTI video is here!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

And a second one in the few days! Then another one in yet another few days about a reverse astro trip with the AZ-GTi :)

[@grabbit9215]

Cuiv , thank you for this tutorial.A portable equatorial mount like AZ-GTI is definitely what I need.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

My pleasure! It is quite an impressive mount overall, especially for the price!

[@melodasi]

Great video Cuiv, I really enjoy the way you take this really easy and stress free....well almost free...

[@CarlosLabastida]

Thanks for the video. Have been using this mount for the last year with great success visually, moderate success as an astrophotography platform. For controlling it from my miniPC via ASCOM, I ordered this cable: "Lynx Astro FTDI EQDIR USB Adapter for Sky-Watcher AZ, GTi Mounts" from First Light Optics. Works great!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks Carlos! In the end I ordered a cable from Aliexpress, but I hope it will have the right voltage and will work fine. The FLO cable is a sure to work, but that's not adventurous :p Thank you!

[@MrBengourben]

Really interesting. It was a decider between this or star adventurer for my mobile set up... After a year with the star adventurer, and seeing this video, I think I'm sold! I'm far too lazy, definitely the go-to aspect beats the adventurer. By the way on some power pack batteries if you tap the on button 5 times it will stay on wether there's any power draw or not. Love your detailed videos. Thanks!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Interesting tip on the power pack batteries, I'll test it out. Thank you!

[@talktogreg2020]

Great that you've finally got a working copy. Mine's been fine over the last 6 months or so, so keen to see how you go with it. Also, love to hear how it compares with your AZ-EQ5 w.r.t. to travel/portable use.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yes! I've only ever used it once for AP right now, but it did a good job fighting a horribly bad polar alignment! I think I will use my AZ-EQ5 for car travel, and the AZ-GTi for anything that requires trains and hiking!

[@whatmattersmost6725]

Thank you Cuiv! I have been working on the RA part by loosing that lock nut and after all of that I went back to make it tighter and it rotates smooth and very little binding. Just used it last night and did a 1 star alignment and worked very good with my Canon 300mm shooting M31. Looking forward using NINA with it.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Very nice! So that little nut, to the right side of the motor, right? So basically you got rid of the spring loaded system, I assume? Hope you get many clear nights to test that!

[@whatmattersmost6725]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek No, first disconnect the wires on the right side on the PCB, then remove the 2 silver screws 1 on the left and 1 on the right that hold that silver plastic PCB cover, then remove that and there is the locknut I was talking about, it has 2 small Allen set screws across from each other, you can loosen that black knob to release the clutch and when both set screws are loose (no need to remove) I think it's uses a 1.5mm or 2mm Allen key to loosen and you can rotate the mount base from the bottom after the clutch disengaged. Then you can loosen that round locknut or tighten to put more pressure on the bearing just below after you remove that washer, WARNING keep the RA base on the table flat if you remove the locknut because the whole RA part will drop out. After you remove that washer you will see the bearings they just sit in the groves and maybe could use some grease. Reason I did all of this work is when the RA was loose to rotate by hand I feel binding while rotating the RA and after loosing that locknut that effects how tight or loos the RA can rotate, I learned if I loosen that locknut and then tighten the 2 set screws the RA will slip with 5 + LBS on the mount so I reopened it up and tighten it almost to the max and now it does not slip and rotates somewhat smooth. I did not add any grease because I did not want to first clean off the factory grease and then add bearing grease. ( it's not a good idea to mix different kinds of grease can cause issues, causing the grease to turn to glue). I have not messed with the springs (YET) the only issue I am having is not the mount is making a clicking sound or a tap sound anytime the tracking is turned on, and I think it not the RA but that's all I worked on. But read that a few other users on CL hear it also and don't care. I look forward seeing what you come up with in your hyper tuning! I also am having issues with the goto's looking in the wrong direction like tonight I tried 3 times just doing 1 star alignment could not get it to work. I don't think this mount is going to be a consistence mount for me, but hope you will do a "how to correctly setup the AZ-GTi from polar alignment to using the 1 star or 2 star alignments and the use of the goto's. I and many others need to know how to set it up, and I want to use NINA. I use a Polemaster and works great but the AZ-GTi has not HOME feature greyed out, so in the SynScan Pro app on iphone, I went to the User Objects icon in the Terrestrial Objects added a setting for Axis 1of -90-0-0 & Axis 2 of 90-0-0 and save it as HOME, so the idea is when ever I want to do or check Polar alignment I would press the HOME to park the mount at -90 &90, then adjust the tripod to get Polaris setup. 75% of the time this trick goes to -90 & 90. Also what I have noticed is every time I power up the AZ-GTi no matter where the Dec or RA is the SynScan Pro app will always read -90 &90 ( and I think that's the first place to start is to move the RA & Dec to be moved where the scope is pointing at Polaris, then turn on to do the Polar alignment. Thank Christopher. Looking forward to how you sill set it up so I can try that way! P.S The Polemaster is the Laziest and cool product for fast Polar for telescopes that I have used!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

@@whatmattersmost6725 Oh wow! That's going deep inside the mechanics, I wanted to avoid that! I just tuned the worm mechanism itself, which should be good enough for decent AP! Thank you so much for those detailed instructions, I may try it in the future, if I am disappointed in the performance of the mount. Polemaster looks nice, but I feel bad about having a camera just for polar alignment :D

[@whatmattersmost6725]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek It takes like 5 minuets to remove the 6 wire connectors and then the 2 screws holding the main PCB, then you are at the RA locknut. Really easy Cuiv. I am happy that I adjusted it and now it's smoother. FYI: After the 3.22 update the first goto was M27 and it worked correct. So far I am happy.

[@TMG_Dude]

Finally the *drops all the things* is here ! XD had me cracking up xDxD

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hehehe :) At least we can get some enjoyment out of it :D

[@AstroLeo2024]

Dear Cuiv, I really like your tune up videos, and thanks for the link to the counterweight bar, I will get one soon. Referencing my previous comment, I ran into a problem trying to use the Skywatcher Wedge interface (and the Williams Optics Wedge) to the Skywatcher tripod. The bottom cylindrical plate that connects to tripod is only held on by a center 3/8" tripod bolt. I can't seem to tighten that enough to keep it from rotating and coming loose when a 10 pound 120 MM refractor is mounted on the wedge. Likewise, I used one of the small green skywatcher dovetail ball head adapter, (also held on by a centered 3/8" bolt) to mount the AZ-GTI mount to the equatorial part of the wedge. The green dovetail adapter is only 2.25' diameter interfacing to a 2.75" cylindrical base on the AZ_GTI for right ascension. That interface seems difficult to tighten enough to keep from rotating loose. Do you have any suggestions, er, other than put a lighter OTA on the mount. ;-) I'm considering drilling and tapping the plates about 1.5" from the center 3/8" bolt to constrain the rotation. ???

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Augh, 10 pounds with a considerable moment arm, you're being ambitious! I'm not handy enough to suggest alternatives, but something like what you're suggesting sounds like the right approach!

[@RaysAstrophotography]

Excellent Cuiv! This is awesome since it is a go-to mount. I am desperate to have Go to!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks Ray! Yes, I simply cannot use star trackers anymore, finding the target is just too hard, frustrating, time consuming, and often knocks the whole thing out of polar alignment! With GoTo, all of these issues go away!

[@RaysAstrophotography]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Completely Agree!

[@FrootyRecords]

Great Cuiv I have one of these and a wedge for EQ mode which works excellently with that firmware upgrade. I have bad RA back lash (probably when I tried to put an 8 inch newt on top just for fun!) So I am waiting for you're tune-up vid!. I love this little guy and for those thinking about a cable for it, you need not bother, the WI-FI is very very good and has NEVER dropped out on me since I had it (3 years or so) Cuiv can you also show the procedure to run it through a home router (which I wasn't aware you could do), I would like to try that. The only gripe about this mount is the stiffness of movement Especially in RA which makes fine balancing a nightmare/impossible. So at the moment I just heavily pre-load it to defeat the backlash. I have not used it for a while because now I have a larger PMC mount, but it would be nice to drag it out again and use it for portable applications with my SW72ED/F-reducer scope for example . Also I have never used a guide cam with it so would be nice to try that if you are going to do it/or think its even necessary. Sorry.....long msg.. Anyway thanks Cuiv!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Haha, that poor AZ GTI with an 8 inch Newt on it! My tuning will only address backlash and gear mesh, but others have managed to replace some rings/washers to make the axes much smoother. I'm kind of shrugging for now, I first want to see if enhancements are truly necessary besides the tuning! Don't worry about long messages - you should get your AZ-GTi out again, just for fun!

[@AstromindZ]

Hey mister Do you have a link for the Bolt M6

[@michaeledmonds3027]

I really enjoy your casual approach to life while making these videos.... Question please: Once you've updated the SkyWatcher AZ GTi for equatorial operation, do you then have a choice of both EQ and AZ operation? Thanks Michael

[@WhittleAstro]

Excellent! I have one of this and am trying to get my head around using it in EQ mode. So look forward to more vids in this. I am interested in how you do the polar align please, as this has been confusing me :-)

[@xs4allan]

I have an az-gti in eqmod and use sharpcap polar align for alignment. Works perfectly. I use stellarmate on an rpi4b to make the whole rig portable.

[@CitizenSniiiips]

it' doesn't have a polar scope or any way to install one which means you're only true option for PA is to use sharpcap. You could also mount a polemaster but you would need to fab up a type of bracket for it as there is nowhere to really attach it too. If you're using an astro camera with this mount just use sharpcap (or alternatively if you're using something like the asi air you can use their in built PA function. Seeing as you won't be mounting a long focal length optic to this you should have no problems for FOV and the requirements for sharcpcap etc

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

As others have said, for me Sharpcap is the answer for me! I have a video on this here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6ibcpmlhdKlf68 .

[@WhittleAstro]

I think for idiots like me :-) it’s a case of knowing everything it all aligned and straight in the first place. So for example you have to get the point roughly toward the pole in the first. Hope this makes sense! Haha. Very much enjoying your videos!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

@@WhittleAstro Hahaha yes, point well taken, it absolutely makes sense!

[@pandoraefretum]

Thank you Sir for your excellent video. The M6 bolt you talk about to secure the vixen plate is acually an M8 x 16mm ( you can get a little shorter if you like ) Hex Socket Grub Screw Cup Point Black Alloy Steel - that's what I ordered from Amazon, and does the job. Anyway, I've got my AZGTi kitted out for EQ mode... Shaft, counterweight, adapter, grub screw, a Vixen plate and screw for my camera... but now how do I polar align accurately ( or for minimum cost ) ?? . So far I have made an aluminium tube to attach to the AZGTi to sight Polaris.

[@AstroDanno]

I wonder why Skywatcher doesn’t package this all together as travel equatorial mount? I’ve been using SynScan WiFi with my EQ6, and I have never used a hand controller! I love my SynScan WiFi dongle. Great video!

[@anthonywarwick6090]

I think that would make too much sense. They seem to want to make it as expensive and complicated as they can. If it wasn’t for videos like this I would have no idea. I have seen one vendor in Australia put a kit together but still not the whole package

[@martinezq1]

where you found black wedge?

[@sbradley7007]

Neat kit. I may have missed it, but did you mention how you polar align it?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Just like AviF, I'll be using Sharpcap, which is amazing for quick and easy polar alignment: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6ibcpmlhdKlf68 . It works great, and no need for a polar scope! I haven't used a polar scope since Sharpcap came up with that features...

[@whatmattersmost6725]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek I first used Sharpcap pro and on many times it would not plate solve after changing a few setting just used a Polemaster and with the right updated Win 10 program it's working really good like of the 6 times all worked! I will retry Sharpcap Pro. Also on the AZ-GTi, I like the Polemaster as a visual guide scope that I can see on the laptop for doing Alignment of the AZ-GTi. I found ADM has a mount for $40 to attach the Polemaster to the underside of the Vixen rail that slides on the AZ-GTi, looks to be a super fast way to use the Polemaster as a separate visual guide camera, that Sharpcap can't do when imaging with a CCD.

[@javiercuellolopez5610]

Great video. Yes for Azgti. I'm waiting for it. Can you use mode AZ after you've update to equatorial mode?. How do you do PA without polaris in Azgti?.

[@StarlancerAstro]

JAVIER CUELLO LOPEZ yes you can, it asks you when you start the app which mode, as for PA I just double face taped a polar scope on the side with some small rings for adjustment

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

And to add on polar alignment, I just use Sharpcap, which you can check here kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6ibcpmlhdKlf68 . I haven't used a Polar Scope for years!

[@jean-marcducretet6874]

Hello Cuiv, I think the lock button to replace on the wedge is not an M6 but an M8. To be confirmed.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Merci Jean-Marc - I've added a correction in the description, you are absolutely right!

[@narutou3905]

My friend, can you post the link to the mounting plate between the wedge and the Gti?

[@1clancym]

Great video. Too late for me. The tip about the allen bolt instead of the thumb wheel would have saved me. It got stuck on the thumb wheel. I didn't notice other than it would not move. I did remove it but now when I try to turn it with the app it just hums a little. Is this something I can repair??

[@stephane153]

Hello Cuiv, nice videos you got on your channel. I know you're in Japan, but I'm curious to know from where you're from originally. thanks

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I'm originally from France!

[@stephane153]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek me too, looking forward to the other two videos of the AZ-GTI

[@viniguez487]

Gaaaaah, it was an M8 bolt for the EQ wedge. Now I gotta make a trip back to home depot. lol.

[@jorymil]

It turns out that the az-gti does not _have_ to have threads, though many do. Skywatcher is in a weird place where they provide eq firmware, but without support. Hopefully this changes.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yeah, fortunately for me I managed to return the one that didn't have thread for me

[@renewableteacher]

Very helpful video thanks! One thing that I found though which was not mentioned in this video, was when I tried to install the ASCOM driver on my windows 10 laptop I was getting a series of error messages, one of which said that I needed the ASCOM Platform. So I googled this and installed ASCOMplatform65SP1 from their website, and then driver and SynScan Pro app on my laptop ran correctly.

[@AstroDenny]

This is has some potential- What is the weight capacity of this in EQ mode? Will the firmware support pulse guiding? (I'm assuming yes through the ASCOM driver) Do you know what the battery life is on AA batteries? What kind of scope are you using with this? Can't wait to see this rig in action.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

No idea what the weigh capacity would be in EQ mode, but after tuning I think I wouldn't put more than 5-6kg on it (that was my previous payload for that mount). And yes, pulse guiding is indeed supported! I have never once used the AA batteries though, so can't say for that - as for the scope, I have an upcoming video on that too :)

[@AstroDenny]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek So to put this into perspective- Similar load capacity to a ioptron SkyGuider with a dec motor + goto capabilities... This seems like a no-brainer. I'll be very much looking forward to the follow ups to this.

[@grimnismal8377]

Wouah ! Salut Cuiv ! En temps normal je fait l'effort de parler en anglais mais vu que je sais que tu est français à la base je me suis dit que ça faisait un petit clin d'oeil ! Je viens d'acquérir une star adventurer et je viens de tomber sur ta vidéo ! Ce monture est tellement plus complète que la SA ! Pense tu que ça vaille la peine d'uppgrade sur une AZ GTI quand j'aurais mon ASIAIR ? Est elle aussi précise que la SA au niveau du suivi ? Merci beaucoup ! Continue tes vidéos sont supers franchement. C'est sur ta chaîne que j'en apprends le plus ! 😉

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hello Karl! Le francais ca marche aussi, je j'ai la flemme d'y mettre les accents :) Le tracking de base de la SA est parait-il plus precis - si tu regardes mes videos suivantes avec l'AZ-GTi, j'ai environ du 2-3" RMS en guidance, ce qui est bien mais pas top. Mais suffisant pour les distances focales considerees! Au final c'est un compromis... Mais c'est sur entre AZ-GTi et Star Tracker, je choisis l'AZ-GTi a tous les coups!

[@grimnismal8377]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Merci beaucoup pour ta réponse ! 😁 Je vais peut être garder la SA alors mais j'avoue que pointer manuellement les objets et risquer de compromettre la mise en station en touchant l'axe AD est un vrai problème sur cette monture avec la base équatoriale officielle.

[@adrienleone6829]

Hello. Si ton pointage initial est pas trop loin du compte, tu peux jouer sur l'AD en utilisant les boutons de commande, en mettant la vitesse à x12. Si tu as l'ASIAIR, une petite astrometrie, et si tu as les coordonnées de ton objet, ça le fait assez vite 🙂 (c'est ce que je fais). J'ai mis une lunette WO 71mm F4.9 et une ZWO ASI071 derriere, donc a la limite du payload, mais ça marche! Avec une mise en station soignée et le guidage (même si c'est juste sur un axe), je suis monté à 10m de pose, en ne devant pas trop en jeter (à 5m, quasi pas de dechet). Chouette set up n'empêche Cuiv !

[@davidletz9123]

FWIW, I downloaded and installed all of the software to add the equatorial option to this mount a couple of days ago. I connected to the mount and the option to choose either alt-az or equatorial did present itself. I chose alt-az and went through my normal aligning the scope to north and leveling it. Then I chose a one-star alignment. When I pressed "align" to have it slew to Capella (50 degrees above the eastern horizon) the mount pointed the scope toward the ground but basically east. Any idea why it did this?

[@subashisamarasinghe1439]

Dear Cuiv, thanks for the v. nice video, what are the brands of the Tripods you are using in this demonstration

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks Subashi! I am using the Sightron Japan Carbon Fiber Tripod: www.firstlightoptics.com/tripods/sightron-japan-carbon-fiber-tripod.html . But any beefy cheaper tripod by Benro should work very well too!

[@DB-be9wy]

I was never able to get a decent one of these myself. The first one I returned because the dec axis was tight as a drum. The second was just as bad so I sent it to skywatcher for repairs and they loosened it and in the process created a lot of gear slop. I still own it but would never consider it useful as an imaging platform. I should also say the goto accuracy on it is also abysmal but at least it is predictably abysmal in that it always is off the same amount of degrees depending on what side of the sky it’s on and thus can usually be compensated for.

[@Diomedes642]

Hey Cuiv any videos of images taken with this mount coming soon?

[@333raffles]

I see that you have the mount the other way around. if I polar align it this way my dec has to be 36 degrees, but it should be 51.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep, you're correct!

[@333raffles]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek This is confusing. Could you mention this in your next video? Also, get a carpet so you won't damage the floor when you drop things!

[@joeimbesi99]

That thread issue would be so annoying ..looks a great lil mount for those "in the know"..Merry Xmas my friend..PS SAY "VOILA" sometimes would be good when yer presenting, droppin stuff..Ha..OK Ill go.

[@astrodysseus]

I have been using it for about a year as a portable equatorial mount. For the price and portability (super easy in backpack when taking plane), it works very well. When seeing is good, i can achieve about 1-1.5" accuracy with PHD2 and subs of 2-3mn at 300-600mm. But... there is no magic; because it's super light, the mount is very prone to wind and you have to perfectly balance everything. Guiding is DEC is more or less useless, so either deactivate it or guide DEC in a single direction (for me north, south doesn't really work). Unguided it's very bad though and the skyguider pro does a much much better job.. But no GOTO with the skyguider pro. Anyhow, good mount, good experience with it. Have fun ! (I am currently in the dilemma AZ-EQ6 vs EQ6-R vs GEM45)

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks for the feedback Laurent! Yeah, there's no magic - I think SW got the message that a small GoTo EQ mount that performs as well as the StarAdventurer would be most welcome, so I hope at some point they actually make an AZ-GTi optimized for astrophotography!

[@astrodysseus]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek I agree, that would be awesome ! And they really aren't that far.. you have several tutorials on how to mod the AZ GTI to make it more stable. I loved the ioptron sky guider pro (probably about same perf as star adventurer) for its accuracy but after some time doing AP... a goto mount is really a must, especially to center / compose the image properly. They have a star adventurer 2 in the pipe by the way, essentially the same as before but with wifi

[@whatmattersmost6725]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek YES SW will be bringing out a a higher end GTi made for Astrophotography, it's in testing now so maybe end or first of 2021. I expect it to be double in size to the AZ-GTi and cost $1k, but that my guess..

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

@@astrodysseus To be honest I was super disappointed to see the Star Adventurer 2 seemed to be a small change rather than something more. SW really needs to sell an EQ-GTi, even it it's 600 USD.

[@astrodysseus]

Cuiv, The Lazy Geek well let’s see if the SW2 only have wifi as a new feature.. I would agree that would be disappointing whereas a true EQ GTI, I would be excited.. I got my modded AZ GTI out yesterday.. I forgot how small and light the setup is.. and I do guiding with it with a small power bank and a pc stick streaming to my iPad.. if it was more stable (too many flexure points) and more precise.. that would be a dream mount. I understand why you sent back the harmonic drive. I have looked at it a lot.. but it’s probably more a price point issue, too expensive for what it is and the az gti with its simple counterweight is really not so heavy and may be not so far in terms of guiding. RSt-135 & co should probably be more at $1000 or $1500, then it would make sense for the portability

[@SameerKhan-vj8fd]

Very educational video.just want to know if this mount az gti can work for as astro photography without eq mount set up thank you

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It definitely can, as I have used it with a 200mm lens in AltAz mode - however, you'll be limited to around 30 seconds exposure due to field rotation. I have a quick explanation of that in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqvXaZmEbLp5mpo

[@dinomonaco2665]

Hi Cuiv, interesting little Mount . I have maybe a stupid question. So, could NINA be used to link with the Skywatcher pro WiFi app and drive the this setup? If yes, would the platesolving feature work via the WiFi connection, or am I asking for too much functionality😬

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Not a stupid question - I've had a couple of imaging sessions with it, and yes, I am slewing and platesolving over Wifi from NINA :) It works great!

[@rossbrigoli]

Thank you. Very informative. This has lead me buying az-gti mount + the wedge + plus the counterweight. I had a little issue with the wedge because I am in a low latitude location. The az-gti mount is hitting the base of the wedge starting at 7 degress latitude. I had to design and 3d print my own wedge. Now I'm in the firmware part, but I can't seem to install the ASCOM driver, it requires ASCOM platform. How did you go about this?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Just download the latest version of Ascom Platform here: ascom-standards.org/ !

[@jratino]

Question: where did you get the DC power cable?

[@stevengrossmd3934]

Culv. Outstanding video! Can you provide your method for polar alignment? Do you use iteration, plate solving, SharpCap PRO, Polar Scope? Thanks!!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I use Sharpcap!

[@spdecoy]

Cuiv! do you have any ideas, on how to use the AZ GTI with the SW wedge at 1deg latitude?

[@JohnICGomes]

Great video! Very helpful!

[@JohnICGomes]

Will this setups work with ASIAIR pro?

[@Quilter_Di]

We are newbies and very excited to find your videos. Our experience so far has been using the mount as an Alt AZ mount. We have purchased what we need to use as an EQ Mount. So we are learning to do a polar alignment. Should this mount be balanced? If so, can you show in a video please.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Welcome to the hobby and to the channel! Glad this is useful! You may want to check my series on starting astrophography for lazy people, check my playlists! Balance on the AZGTi is hard to do because the axis is so stiff, so I just calculated the moment arm (weight times distance from RA axis to center of gravity) of my scope, so that I could find where the counterweight would go down the shaft! As for polar alignment, if you have a clear view of the Celestial pole, I highly recommend Sharpcap Pro for a quick and easy alignment! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6ibcpmlhdKlf68

[@Quilter_Di]

Cuiv, The Lazy Geek Thanks so much!

[@1clancym]

Will Syncan work the Skywatcher mount using Stellarium on an Andriod phone?

[@desislaf]

Possible to attach polar scope to it and what polar scope would you recommend? Thanks!

[@AndrewYam]

How can tune the backlash?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I just uploaded a video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npioq5iOp82be8k

[@DB-be9wy]

Hey cuiv what tripod are you using there on the azgti?

[@simongravel9089]

Quite late to the party, but could anybody indicate to me if the added counterweight increase the payload capacity of the mount ? Thank you

[@suzannebeers6238]

Thank you for a great video I'm beginning my research to add a portable setup to my AP processes. Is there a small mount like this one that already comes in equatorial mode?

[@ricklockejr1684]

Thanks Cuiv. I know this is a 3 year old guide, but could this be used on the AZ-GTIX? in 2023, would it be recommended to start with the AZ-GTI, or go with a GTIX? I want to use both a scope or DLSR (maybe at the same time. I will use Astroberry setup that I use on my Skywatcher Dobson. Thanks

[@AstroLeo2024]

Dear Cuiv, could you tell where you purchased the long counterweight bar for the 20mm inside diameter Vixen counterweights? I'm trying to haul a 10 pound Orion 120mm refractor on the AZ-GTI mount and need 10 pounds of counterweights. Thanks for your videos, and your help. Leo from New Zealand

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Wow, that's a bit ambitious for that small mount! I bought it from a JP reseller here: www.eyebell.com/AZ-GTI.htm

[@satori6895]

hi Great video. and thanks alot. But have question. i have iptron wedge and also alt azi gti but the part in video can not find the tail type adapter. where can i find it anyway. cheers

[@333raffles]

how do you balance with the weight? I have the gte.

[@dietrichkracht5859]

This works great fpr me in Germany i.e. northern Hemispere) But what does not work: Tacking in Namibia i.e. Southern Hemisphere. Please help! Dietrich

[@leboch65]

Can the mount connect to ASIAIR PRO? I dont want to use laptop .

[@arnsteindale5531]

Cuiv, if you use NINA to control the AZ-GTi by wifi, how will you connect camera, focuser and guidecamera?

[@drewh79]

Hi, what size m8 bolt did you use. Mine was too long. It was 12mm

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I'm not sure, but I think it was 10-12mm. How is it too long? It should be low profile enough that length shouldn't matter much...

[@majortom4338]

Aside from polar alignment. How do you level the both axis in its accurate 90 degree positions in order to let the go-to work precise? Especially when I plan to add a DSLR onto a vixen dovetail. The lens then will not be 100% in straight line with the vixen dovetail. From my perspective the so called home position has to be as accurate as possible for go-to. I don't get it how you all manage it. Many thanks from Germany.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

For astrophotography, if you use plate-solving, GoTo can be extremely approximate (several degrees off), and an automated platesolving and centering operation will fix that. So I don't really care about GoTo precision, since it's easy to get on target automatically... Otherwise when polar aligned, the leveling of the tripod is not relevant (although it does impact the home position). Still, the alignment procedure of the mount can be used to get good Goto performance even when starting way off from home position...

[@ivanrostas]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Hi there, am really enjoying your channel and your clear instructions. I have updated the firmware - do you plan to do a video of setting up the AZGTIEQ for a nights imaging, ie. polar alignment, perhaps without a computer but rather just via phone apps? I am in the southern hemisphere with no clear view of the celestial pole. With no polar scope, I think a Windows PC with plate solving and Sharpcap is a necessity down here in the south. Hopefully not! Any advice is appreciated!

[@rizwanahmed24]

Thanks for the video. Can you please tell how long exposure you can make with this setup? I want to image DSOs with my dslr and 80mm refractor

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

For the moment I've tried up to 60s at 275mm and that worked well enough. If you have 2-3 arcseconds per pixel or worse, you can likely expose several minutes, from the guide graph results I have seen!

[@AstroC_13]

Hi Cuiv, what tripod is this please?

[@majortom4338]

What is your experience how long an unguided exposure is possible with a 300mm lens? And do I need a counterweight for a DSLR and a Canon 300 f4 lens? Many thanks and greetings from Germany

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I haven't tested with a 300mm lens - with a 200mm lens and autoguiding, the resolution is so low that it's basically forever. I'd assume a 300mm f4 lens, which is fairly light, would last a few minutes.

[@quiquetorres5040]

What's the Total RMS error of this mount using PHD2 to guide? In other words, can shoot reliably 5 or 10 minutes exposures?

[@expatca4444]

Quand fais-tu une vidéo totalement en francais ?

[@mrnother]

what tripods are these?

[@whatmattersmost6725]

NOTE: On Cloudynights a few are posting do not download 3.22 YET....I guess there is an issue that should be fixed soon? If you ALREADY have 3.20 PLEASE WAIT BEFORE UPDATING...

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

From what I can tell, 3.22 was released twice, on August 6th, and then on August 9th... so far it's working fine (maybe August 9th was a bugfix). AviF, I think it's 3.20 that was released a year ago.

[@whatmattersmost6725]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Sorry not correct, 3.22 was released on 09-08-2020. 3.20 was released on 30-08-2019, this is want I am using and really was the FIRST to offer EQ for the AZ-GTi. Since I am having so many issues, tapping or clicking sounds only when in tracking mode and very many inconsistencies, goto's and does not go back to a HOME position setting in the app that I set up. I have been beta testing Sky Safari it's getting better but I think it's got a ways to go.

[@whatmattersmost6725]

Well tonight I decided to update to 3.22 MC because last night had horrible goto's, but from what i understand if I have issues worse than 3.20 I can re-upload from 3.22 back to 3.20. That's a great feature Sky Watcher THANKS.

[@whatmattersmost6725]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek CORRECT! I think you are 100% correct Cuiv, I would have liked a 3.23 than 3.22. I expect to test 3.22 tonight...

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

@@AviF I have no idea about what changes were made tbh! I just picked the latest available... same, I wish they would just renumber the version to 3.23 or 3.22.1 to make it clear...

[@JJherne]

Greetings fellow lazy geek! Loving the content. I have one of these mounts on order for my travel setup and noticed you power it from a power bank. Are you powering it from a USB port on the bank? I would have thought the power draw would be insufficient via USB? Or is that a fancy power bank with a DC outlet?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Fancy power bank :)

[@miketech.5124]

5 STARS 🎉

[@GlennArango]

brilliant video... thanks!!!! I just got mine, question is, looking at yours, it basically spins on its az axis when you touch it. mine? not at all, very stiff. should I be concerned?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Nah, the Az axis on this mount is usually quite stiff, that's quite normal. As long as it rotates, you're fine

[@登高望遠慧眼看世界量]

I am new to astrphotography. I have purchased the AZ-GTI with a wedge. My old one iOptron SkyTracker Pro is good but it is not that easy to search target. I have a question on setting up the AZ-GTI with wedge. My living place is Alt 22。57. Do I need to set this exactly to the wedge of AZ-GTI but knowing that its pointing engle is opposite when comparing to iOptron? Up to now, I am still not able to well setting up my new tracker.

[@QuestForKaizen]

Hi, not sure if you're still having issues with this. But you'll need to set the altitude to 90-22.57=67.43.

[@ing.riccoskombar]

hello Cuiv, your videos are awseome! Maybe you could help me out, i can't descide between the star adventurer or the AZGTi for my new redcat51 250mm (Canon EOS 2000d APC size sensor crop factor 1.6 / guiding with asi120mini). Unitl now i have used the AZE6 so my expectations are accordingly high when it comes to tracking accuracy. I am aware of the rough diffrences (goto vs not goto etc.) i just want to know what do you think will be better for "serious portable" astrophotography? My question is, what do you think, with which mount i could achive better pictures regardless of the pre-work"(for example to bring the azgti to eq-mode)? I would not like to open the azgti because i am too afraid to do something wrong, would it still be a option or is the star adventurer the better choice, is the azgti only better when you tune it or is it sill better? My focal lenght would me very high 250mm + APC 1.6 crop = 400mm.. hard question..what do you think Best regards ricco

[@fenlandanglingadventuresje7329]

Heh man great video. I have just made my own eq wedge for this mount and updated the software. It works well and tracking is much better than alt az, but after a while the mount keeps stopping . Is this because of backlash ? Many thanks, Jeremy.

[@thatraginbull8569]

I'm stuck between getting the az-gti with EQ mount, or the sw star adventurer pro for my first step beyond tripod and DSLR astrophotography. It's very daunting!!! For a complete beginner which would you recommend to go with a DSLR and sw evostar 72ed?

[@rixyarbrough1702]

AZ-GTi will have better tracking and much easier control (as it is dual-axis and goto), but you will need a guidescope/cam and a laptop to control it (as it has no polar scope). If you intend to use a small refractor on your mount, going with the AZ-GTi would require a larger initial investment but would be better for you in the long run Also, the evostar 72 has a focal length of 420mm which will be pushing both of these mounts to their absolute limits, so i'd recommend either a higher class mount or a shorter FL scope. Also a triplet will get you better images.

[@mwales2112]

Cuiv, I have a Meade Starnavigator NG 125 Mak scope I was thinking of getting the AZ-GTe mount for viewing only. Would these work together in alt/azimuth or do I need the wedge for viewing? I also have my hand controller from my EQM-35 mount that I don't use with that mount and it looks like I could use it with this type of mount.

[@stay_at_home_astronaut]

Are there other types of Alt/Az GoTo mounts that can be modified to be used in EQ mode?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

With equatorial wedges, fork mounts like the LX200, CPC, or Celestron Evolution can indeed be used in EQ mode!

[@crazyelon9774]

Hey man I just watched your video and bought an az gti, I would like to learn if there is a way to polar align it without a guidescope or other equipments like qhy polemaster

[@brunocv.4435]

Hi Cuiv, what is the total lenght of the shaft bar? Would a 40cm bar be too big?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

If the tripod is high enough 40cm would work - I think mine is 30cm.

[@stelaras1]

Thanks for your great video :) My total weight is ~ 3kgs, can you please advise what would be the appropriate counterweight for a 25cm shaft(from star adventurer). The reason i'm asking is that the RA is so stiff making balancing hard :/ do you have another idea on this?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Just compute the moment arm! 3kg * rough distance of center of mass to RA axis should be equal to Counterweight weight * CW distance from RA axis! That should be a good enough approximation to start with. Good luck!

[@harshavardhan8732]

Hi Cuiv, appreciate all the content you put out. Really helpful for newbies. Quick question: There is a huge shortage of GTi's in the States, so I'm considering buying a GTe and follow the same this process to upgrade the firmware and convert it to EQ mount. Do you think GTe's also work fine with this approach or only GTi's for beginner AP? Any help is highly appreciated. Thanks

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I can't say for sure, but in theory, it looks like the GTe would also work.

[@harshavardhan8732]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Thanks Cuiv. I'll probably give it few more days, if not will get the GTi.

[@alessandrogaldiero7796]

just purchased, say that 4 kilograms of the setup alone is a lot?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

For imaging yeah, I'd limit it to 3kg (not including CW)

[@T.K.9]

Man I am looking to get into astrophotography but one it gets expensive and two, a lot of stuff to learn. Maybe I will start with this kit. Also in the UK, a reseller is selling the same mount now too as a package. With a wedge, counterweight and threads. Which seems like skywatcher is missing out on.

[@Swedishoyster]

Would this work with an Asiar?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

In my tests it did, yes

[@andyevans29]

Hi Cuiv, I'm an avid follower of your videos, and have set up my AZ-GTi as you have shown, no backlash and working well with EQMod cable. My only issue is I can't track in Dec, the mount just goes "la-la". If I track without Dec, I'm getting less than 1 RMS on 3 min exposures all night long. Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong, I'm using an ASIAIR Pro, I have adjusted the calibration steps, adjusted the guiding rates, adjusted the aggressiveness but still no joy, any support would be greatly appreciated.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Huh, I honestly don't know... there could be crosstalk between the axis, but I haven't personally seen that... maybe the dithers mess things up?

[@andyevans29]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Hi Cuiv, I did some reading up on PHD2 Guiding and increased the Calibration Steps to 3500 and the max Dec steps to 2500 and it all just came in. Keep up the great videos, I think I'm going to try NINA next!

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

My goodness... that's a tiny mount! EZ to lose those pieces. Sarah also wants a smaller easier scope..thinking about Celestron 6SE.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It is! Looking inside, they really did some good (but not ideal) engineering to cram everything in. The main issue is a half-assed spring loading mechanism, that is more for convenience than precision. The Celestron 6SE is by all accounts a great scope! I had a Meade LT-6, which is similar, which I loved! Now it's become the LX65 series, which seems quite good as well. I've always had a soft spot for Meade's OTAs...

[@soapman7x7]

nice work, thanks

[@CardBoardBoxPro]

How well does this work for astrophotography? It has the hand controller spot can you put in auto guiding? How well does it work? Can it do guided 500mm lens for like 5 minutes?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I've answered all of these in this and other videos, yes it works for AP, yes you can auto-guide, and 500mm might be pushing it for 5 minutes, unless you're using a CCD with large pixels!

[@CardBoardBoxPro]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek oh sorry there is a lot to take in and make sure all videos are watched.

[@thetelescopeyard9760]

Is the Az Gti a better buy then like a sky adventurer or an I option sky guider Pro? I am not sure which to buy for my tiny refractor for wide field imaging!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It's not better per se - it is GoTo so it can be fully automated, unlike the Sky Adventurer or the Skyguider Pro. The latter are by default better at tracking

[@CitizenSniiiips]

Hey Cuiv, what is the battery pack you're using? I'm thinking about putting a portable set up like this together but I'm struggling to think of a power option for a cooled camera :(

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It's a Chinese 12V battery pack that no longer seems to be made, and very likely lies about its capacity! Actually it looks very similar to this: www.amazon.com/Krisdonia-Portable-Charger-50000mAh-Smartphone/dp/B076FSPHKL/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=12v+battery+pack+50000&qid=1599027391&sr=8-4 . Note that it auto turns off when it doesn't detect power consumption, so you want to make sure to quickly connect it to a cooling camera or something, so it does detect power consumption!

[@CitizenSniiiips]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Thanks Cuiv, that does look very similar. I've been concerned about a portable power source that can put out 12v with enough amps to last an imaging session. I assume you can power the camera and the cooler with this? I know my 183 needs 3.5 amps.... but I was thinking that as long as you don't set the temp too low (maybe 0 or -5C) and the ambient isn't too high, it shouldn't need to draw that much. Easier solution is to get a small SLA deep cycle or one of those newer LiFePO4 batteries but that definitely limits the portability

[@marvinbaker4260]

I was looking at this video just today (a few months late to the party) and could not find the software to convert the mount to equatorial. Can someone point me to where the files may be found? I am US based. Thanks.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

skywatcher.com/download/software/motor-control-firmware/ , right arm AZ/EQ mode

[@marvinbaker4260]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Thank-you. I realized that the Sky Watcher USA site does not have those files for download. So, I have an AZ-Gti on the way. With the supply situation being what it is, I was "forced" to buy one with the 102mm Mak instead of just the mount by itself.

[@akkarparkiamopas3401]

How much is this?

[@andrebremer7772]

Pro-tip: while you're at it, get the ADM replacement saddle. No more dovetail marring, and way more stable!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks Andre! I used to have that dovetail, with my old AZ-GTi (Vixen version), but I found it quite flimsy actually... I preferred the original one, even if it marred the dovetail... For now I'll stay with it!

[@tahademir27]

Do you recommend it in 2022? I found it around 400 Euros in second hand market with a sigma 150mm 2.8 lens and all other things like counterweight, wedge, tripod included

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I'd personally go with the StarAdventurer GTI now that it's available

[@damianwyczakowski2491]

Whats that tripod ?

[@beatsntoons]

what battery is that mate?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It was a cheap thing I got on Amazon - I can't find it anymore, but if you search for 12V battery similar stuff should come up!