Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi for ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY

[@pattimaclaughlin8059]

I was sold on the GTi, but ran into your video! Thank you for making this video!

[@betafoofoo270]

Great video, really professional and informative. I've just purchased an AZ Gti so patiently waiting for it to arrive.

[@Robservatory]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! Feel free to send me any questions you have when you get your mount.

[@ashishkushwaha7045]

Hi betafoofoo, after a year of use, do you have thoughts on this mount?

[@betafoofoo270]

@@ashishkushwaha7045 It's been working really well. In the main I've been using it for visual use once I have my main imaging setup up and running. I like it a lot - it's easy to setup, and the software makes operation really intuitive. So far it has been an excellent lightweight mount. My longer term intention is to use it for widefield imaging with say something like a Samyang lens - I think that would make a very capable widefield imaging rig.

[@Wolfie6020]

Nice video and great set up. I travel the world with an Az-Gti in EQ mode. I only use a 50ED refractor on it with no guiding so weight is minimal. The whole thing fits into a pelican case that is airline carry on size. I put the tripod in the larger checked luggage. Lots of fun when you are stuck overseas for weeks on end. I just switched to the Star Adventurer Gti, it seems little more stable than the Az-Gti but I am working through a few backlash issues with it. Once sorted I hope it will be good.

[@Robservatory]

Amazing how portable these are. I usually just take my Star Adventurer with me when I travel and shoot with a modded mirrorless camera. Let me know how things go with the SA GTi, I have my eye on that one.

[@django1364]

Great content, I love that setup

[@AL-zp9hr]

Excellent video. Very helpful.

[@PhillipMonier]

We have the same rig. Youve done an amazing job with your vids!! Really enjoyed the talk at the Canadian Astro society you remade for us. Im looking at the zwo asi 294mc. Question are u using the 31mm filtersin in the 8 position wheel? Clear skies

[@Robservatory]

Thank you! I use the smaller 1.25” filters in the 8 position wheel, I think that is 31mm. The 294 sensor is a bit bigger than my cameras though, so double check that they won’t vignette, you may need the next size up.

[@MichelleKDC]

Very useful video! Thanks :)

[@noypi75]

Nice review. What calibration step do you use?

[@Robservatory]

Thanks! I believe I'm currently trying 3500, seems to be working fine, I recently bumped it up from 2000.

[@pepponeskie]

Nice one! Which firmware do you recommend for EQ mode and taking astrofoto?

[@Robservatory]

I’m using 3.2, but it is no longer available. The current 3.4 should be working perfectly.

[@Mirko87np]

Nice video, but i can t recognize your scope, can i know the name?

[@Robservatory]

Thank you! It is the William Optics Redcat 51. A great scope!

[@andreju78]

Nice video. I think im having the guiding issues that you talked about in the video... Could you please provide an link to download the 3.2* version? I cant find it in the skywatcher website. 👍

[@rockyteck7107]

Hello, Actually Am new to this Az GTI and sky observations with Telescope but i just wanted some help- i have bought new Az Gti this week and try to do polar alignment but bit confused that which side should my telescope should be placed and which side should my mount should be faced to get atleast nearby pointing so that i can readjust because the way currently am doing is pointing the stars in opposite direction and sometimes way too far. So if possible please make a video by showing the directions with telescope attached, by the way am using Skymax Maksutov 102

[@Robservatory]

I have a Skymax 102 as well. You want to point your scope towards Polaris. I use mine in Alt Az mode and don’t do alignment. I inly use it to photograph the moon and to look at the planets. If you want you can try the three star alignment in the Synscan app, that should give you better gotos.

[@rockyteck7107]

@@Robservatory okay thanks for the information but when am trying to select any planet or star the telescope sometimes points or align in different direction and i think that might be of the direction that telescope initially faces. So just wanted to know which side the telescope and mount itself should face

[@AKohler_Photo]

Hi great video! I just ordered a wedge for my AZ GTI. I'm just starting, so I use my Canon R6 and some RF glass to start with (not optimal, but I just use what I have to get some experience first). I don't think that I will run in any problems with that in terms of weight. But out of curiosity, how much weight do you have in total on your mount for still getting good results? And congrats to the fantastic image! Great work!

[@Robservatory]

Thank you! I was around 8 pounds but I added the electronic autofocus and also raised it up which made it off balance. I then added a second counterweight, so I am probably at 10 or 11 lbs. it is still working great but I can literally hear it creaking so I have pushed it to the absolute limit! I think your Canon will do great, just go somewhere dark. How are you planning to do polar alignment and guiding?

[@AKohler_Photo]

@@Robservatory Thank you very much for your answer! Good to know how fare this mount can be pushed! Initially, I will not be guiding at all. My maximum focal length is 200 on R6 as a full frame. I hope to get 30 sec exposure without guiding, this should hopefully be a realistic goal(?). For polar alignment, I will use the App PS Align Pro, followed by the polar align routine of the SynScan App (maybe several iterations). I hope to get good enough polar alignment with that. Later, I would like to buy a AsiAir for guiding and polar alignment (according to the manual it should be compatible with my R6). Thanks again for your help!

[@icecorebaby]

Can I use this with a solar scope?

[@Robservatory]

Yes, but the Sky-Watcher Solar Quest does a much better job!

[@Noob.astronomer]

AZ-gti vs Star adventure 2i ? Which one to go for?

[@petelopez5826]

Are you connecting this through the eq mod cable or wireless through the Asiair.

[@Robservatory]

I use EQ-Mod, I much prefer a solid connection.

[@CountDorkula]

I have the Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack with WiFi right now, is it worth it to move to the SkyWatcher AZ-GTi mount? I would be using the same set up but with a Canon DSLR camera.

[@anthonymaida5718]

Great Video I have the GTE version of this mount,will it work?

[@Robservatory]

I don’t think so, but I am not sure. It is worth checking out!

[@Oxizee]

looks your almost at the max load capitity of the rig. Hows the guiding? below 1 arcmin or above? I just starting astrophotographing, but still need some things. Using now an AZ GTI on a Skywatcher EQ Wedge, on my Gitzo Systematic Tripod, with the same guidescope you have. On that guidescope i am using an ASI120MM-S, with an (for now) Skywatcher 70/500 Achromat and a Canon 60D. Prettty heavy also.

[@Oxizee]

My setup: hxxps://imgur.com/MeHeL4M

[@Robservatory]

I am definitely at the load capacity. Guiding is quite good, last night was 0.8 RMS all night. It is usually between 0.7 and 1.4. You can literally hear the rig creaking though, the gears sound fine but the plastic frame is making some noise. I have a ZWO AM5 on order but it won’t show until fall. Your rig looks pretty awesome, how is it working for you?

[@Oxizee]

@@Robservatory Just got it. Still have to find some free time. But with an Achromat i dont expect to much. Duo all energy prices and our corrupt dutch goverment, i cant hardly save up some money for an Evostar 72ED DS Pro. Hopefully maybe in Oktober or later.

[@Robservatory]

You’ll get it built out eventually, I have been slowly building mine for a few years now. I started out with a GH4 and Star Adventurer on a basic tripod. The slow progression is extremely rewarding.

[@cstevens6692]

Hello, Thanks for the video! Could you tell me what dovetail plate you have attached to the Az-GTi base? Thanks a lot!

[@Robservatory]

Hi, it is the plate that came with my Star Adventurer. You can buy them separately from SkyWatcher but you have to call them.

[@woodpecker1284]

Hi Rob, are u still using the AZ-GTi, tried any larger OTA's on it? Thinking on getting one as a travel mount as it is really dirt cheap, but whispers about backlash are putting me off. I got a 2.8/300 telephoto + 1.7x extender to put on it, total payload around 5kg or 11lbs.

[@Robservatory]

I’m not using it anymore, probably going to sell it. I never used anything bigger than the Redcat on it, and I don’t think it could handle much more. I think your 300mm will be ok 👍🏻. Mine had backlash, but it never hurt my images, the little mount is good for the money, but I would grab the Star Adventurer GTi instead if you can afford it, plus they are on sale right now.

[@pandoraefretum]

Excellent clip all round. Motor controller 3.39.A5 working fine on my AZ-GTi... running in EQ mode for observing these days. Is there any point in EQ mode if I am not doing astrophotography ?

[@Robservatory]

Thanks and sorry for the slow reply! Glad to know the new firmware works well in EQ mode. I believe EQ mode is really just for astrophotography and ALT-AZ mode is better for visual just because it is much quicker and easier to setup and start viewing. I may convert my AZ-GTi back to AZ mode for planetary and lunar viewing after my new mount arrives, or I may just build out a second imaging rig with it and run 2 each night.

[@heklik]

What are the parts needed to make it an eq mount ?

[@Robservatory]

They are all in the video and description

[@Seanjones1990]

i just dont get it..EQ3-pro is less then all of these compnenets combined it has usb to pc/asiair out the box and is a EQ goto mount by design?

[@arjundhannyify]

I'm more into wide angle astrophotography tracked panos... do you think/does it do the 180 to 200 degree tracked pano mosaics with a 40 to 135mm lens on a mirroless camera in az gti mode or eq mode ?

[@Robservatory]

Sorry for the slow reply! It is possible, but I think a dedicated pano mount would be a way better option for this use.

[@arjundhannyify]

@Robservatory dedicated pano mount as in? Can you give some example or a little more detail about it please ?

[@Robservatory]

@arjundhannyify Checkout the Benro Polaris or the Gigapan. There are others as well, but I can’t remember their names.

[@vladmanm]

Aren't you getting scuffs on the redcat from the mount screw? I tried putting on my gt71 on it, and took it off immediately :)

[@Robservatory]

Yes, lots of dimples from the screw, but didn't want to spend more money on a new saddle. I have a brand new dovetail plate that I will include with it if I ever sell it.

[@imahol3]

Is there a way to autoguide the az gti while in azimuthal mode?

[@Robservatory]

Autoguide, no, but it does have tracking for staying on target. AZ mounts are not advisable for astrophotography.

[@Oxizee]

Do you have play with you push the mount (RA Axis) to the left? And when you push right, its rock solid? The play is the spring from the RA-Axis? Do you have play or did you change it?

[@Robservatory]

Not sure, but there is probably play. I didn’t change anything.

[@NMHC1978]

is that a 60 or 70 mm scope

[@Robservatory]

51mm

[@anata5127]

Is that your new name “Robservatory”? What was problem with super creative?

[@Robservatory]

Yes, that is the new name. I am going to focus on astrophotography and astronomy moving forward and Robservatory is the branding I have decided to run with.

[@anata5127]

@@Robservatory You could have been super creative with astrophotography as well. Oh, preferably super wealthy as well.

[@NMHC1978]

What wedge are you using i find the standard white wedge for the star adventure and az-gti not very stable

[@Robservatory]

This is the William Optics High Latitude Wedge, it is a LOT better than the original.

[@NMHC1978]

@@Robservatory Yes but in price it is 4 to 5 times the price of the skywatcher one

[@mikasorjonen]

Kee it simply, Az-gti have polar algiment producere, so u don´t need know where polaris is, in eq mod

[@mikasorjonen]

that wedge is not enought rigdigy, make metal wedge wihthout scews, you get more stability

[@Robservatory]

The wedge is metal, William Optics high latitude wedge.

[@mikasorjonen]

@@Robservatory yes i know, but its not so sturdu than full metal wedge wihtout srews

[@mikasorjonen]

@@Robservatory There is too much tolerance every spot where srews are

[@mikasorjonen]

But only problen i see is full steel wedge is that you can´t eaysily set it right, but there is solution for that

[@mikasorjonen]

I have over 10kg max payload easily, nothing issue att all

[@PillarsOfCreationakaPillarbhai]

What ? Az gti has max 5kg capacity how does it hold 10kg

[@mikasorjonen]

@@PillarsOfCreationakaPillarbhai I don't have any problem with skywatcher 150/750 OTA and 4 kg counterweight and DSLR of course.

[@PillarsOfCreationakaPillarbhai]

@@mikasorjonen so how's the accuracy when doing DSO astrophotography

[@mikasorjonen]

@@PillarsOfCreationakaPillarbhai 45s max exposure with 150/750mm telescope, with 500mm tele 60-90s easy. I have much lightpolution and trucks make me crazy so I use only 15-30s exp. times and 200-300 shots high iso settings

[@PillarsOfCreationakaPillarbhai]

@@mikasorjonen that's amazing

[@PhillipMonier]

I meant monochrome.