Diane Green
Sky-Watcher offers a range of mounts, trackers, and tripods for astrophotography. The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini is a popular choice for beginners due to its compact size, ease of setup, and smartphone integration. It is designed to be portable and can be controlled via an iOS or Android app. The Sky-Watcher AllView Mount is another versatile option, suitable for panoramic photography, videography, and astroimaging. It has a computerized database of 42,900 celestial objects and can be paired with various cameras, camcorders, and telescopes.
To attach a DSLR camera to a Sky-Watcher mount, you can use camera adapters designed for Canon or Nikon DSLR cameras. These adapters are used with Sky-Watcher 0.85x Focal Reducer/Correctors and M48 rings for larger format imaging. Additionally, the Sky-Watcher mounts typically have standard tripod-sized male screws on the top for attaching to a camera's tripod socket.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Camera mount type | Multi-purpose alt-azimuth mount |
| Camera mount compatibility | Canon EOS DSLR, Nikon DSLR |
| Camera mount attachment | Tripod-standard 3/8"-16 and/or 1/4"-20 male screws |
| Camera mount attachment (alternative) | Vixen-type dovetail bar |
What You'll Learn
- Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini: One of the smartest and most portable star trackers on the market
- Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro: Twice the payload capacity of the Mini, with longer-lasting batteries
- Sky-Watcher AllView Mount: A versatile mount for panoramic photography, videography and astroimaging
- Sky-Watcher SynScan mounts: Designed for use by novices and experts alike, providing extremely high precision
- Sky-Watcher SolarQuest: A lightweight solar tracking mount that's easy to use
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini: One of the smartest and most portable star trackers on the market
The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini is a lightweight, portable star tracker that can be used with cameras up to 100mm lenses to capture images of the night sky with sharp, clear stars. Weighing just 1.5 lbs, the Mini is small and portable enough to pack in a camera bag or backpack, making it ideal for astrophotography on the go.
The Mini has a payload capacity of 6.6 lbs and can be used with most DSLR and mirrorless cameras. It features a right ascension DC servo tracking motor with multiple tracking rates for the sun, moon, and other celestial bodies, as well as built-in WiFi and a companion Android/iOS control app that offers additional tracking and control options. The Mini can be attached to most astronomic, photo, video, or field tripods, and it includes a ball head plate that accepts most ball heads for mounting a DSLR. It also has an integrated port that enables the unit to activate the camera's shutter at pre-programmed intervals.
The Mini is easy to set up and use, even for those with no polar alignment experience. It includes an illuminated polar scope that allows for easy and accurate alignment with Polaris. The free SAM Console app for iOS and Android devices connects directly to the tracking head via WiFi and offers additional tracking options, such as custom exposure times and photo intervals. The app also includes a manual mode that allows for more precise control of the tracking motor.
In terms of power, the Mini can be powered by two AA batteries, which provide up to 24 hours of runtime, or an external 5V mini-USB power source. Overall, the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini is a smart, portable, and versatile star tracker that is a great choice for astrophotographers looking for a compact and easy-to-use solution.
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Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro: Twice the payload capacity of the Mini, with longer-lasting batteries
The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro is a user-friendly and multi-function mount for astronomy, astrophotography, and time-lapse photography. It is a high-precision, portable, and stable celestial tracking platform for sidereal, solar, and lunar tracking with automatic DSLR shutter release control.
The Star Adventurer Pro has an 11-pound payload capacity, which is almost twice that of its 'little brother', the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini. It also has longer-lasting batteries, using four AA batteries that last for 72 hours. This is plenty of time for a field trip to remote areas, and it's simple to swap out mid-shoot if needed.
The Star Adventurer Pro is easy to set up, using a polarscope with Sky-Watcher's free SynScan app for iOS and Android. It comes with a counterweight kit (a dovetail L-bracket and an equatorial wedge) for use with zoom lenses up to a focal length of about 400mm. Astrophotographers should ensure they have a sturdy mount and tripod to support this star tracker.
The Star Adventurer Pro can track stars, the Sun, and the Moon, and it also offers various motion time-lapse modes. It has a built-in intervalometer to attach a DSLR to, making this a completely automated platform.
Overall, the Star Adventurer Pro is easy to use and operates quite flawlessly, allowing users to achieve pin-sharp results at a variety of exposures. The supplied manual is comprehensive, and it is recommended that users read it thoroughly before using the setup.
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Sky-Watcher AllView Mount: A versatile mount for panoramic photography, videography and astroimaging
The Sky-Watcher AllView Mount is a versatile mount that can be used for panoramic photography, videography, and astroimaging. It is a multi-purpose computerized mount designed for a wide range of applications and is especially useful for creating panoramic images and panning time-lapse videos.
The AllView mount is capable of automatically moving to various pre-programmed positions and controlling the camera shutter to take pictures automatically, making panoramic video and photograph production more accessible. It supports Freedom Find (dual-encoder) Technology, which allows for manual movement of the telescope without losing alignment or positional information. This means that after moving to a new object, the telescope will automatically begin to track it accurately without requiring a re-setup.
The mount includes a shutter release cable for Canon Rebel EOS DSLR cameras, and optional cables are available for other camera models. It also comes with a SynScan handset that has a database of over 42,900 celestial objects, enabling users to explore the night sky and locate and track objects automatically.
The AllView mount has a motorized head that can be detached and used with most regular tripods using a 3/8" thread. It offers Video Cruising and Time Lapse modes, allowing users to capture up to 10 hours of video or a series of still images that can be merged to create time-lapse videos.
While the AllView mount has received some positive reviews for its precision and smooth operation in panoramic photography, there have also been critical reviews mentioning complicated setup processes and outdated technology.
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Sky-Watcher SynScan mounts: Designed for use by novices and experts alike, providing extremely high precision
Sky-Watcher SynScan mounts are meticulously designed mid-range machinery, providing extremely high precision for novices and experts alike. The SynScan mount is a versatile mount, with the SynScan GoTo mount being compatible with the SynScan Pro Wi-Fi app, which is available on iOS and Android. The SynScan Wi-Fi adapter includes a 6 to 8 pin (AZ) and 8 pin to 8 pin (EQ) cable. The SynScan Pro app allows for easy integration with any tripod, as the mount can attach to a tripod using a 3.8-inch-16 thread and includes an adapter for 1/4-inch-20 thread sizes.
The AZ-GTi SynScan mount is a compact travel mount, weighing only 8.6 pounds, and is perfect for grab-and-go situations or long photographic pilgrimages. The AZ-GTi mount is also one of the first Sky-Watcher products to feature built-in Wi-Fi control. The AZ-GTi mount has a payload capacity of 11 pounds, which can support a mid-sized DSLR for timelapse photography. The AZ-GTi mount also features Sky-Watcher's Freedom Find dual-encoder system, which allows users to manually move the mount without losing the initial alignment.
The SynScan mount is also available in the Star Adventurer 2i Astro Package, which includes Wi-Fi and is a user-friendly and multi-function mount for astronomy and astrophotography.
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Sky-Watcher SolarQuest: A lightweight solar tracking mount that's easy to use
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest is a lightweight and highly portable solar tracking mount designed for quick and easy solar observation. It is the perfect companion for eclipse watchers, educators, and anyone fascinated with the sun.
SolarQuest's single-click auto-setup feature makes it easy to use. With SkyWatcher's patented HelioFind technology, the mount auto-levels and auto-aligns itself. It also accurately tracks the sun with its built-in GPS. There is no need to pre-align the mount, and you can start viewing with just the push of a button. The mount will locate and track the sun for hours, eliminating the need for constant adjustments.
SolarQuest has an 11-pound payload capacity and an adjustable-height aluminum tripod with 1.25-inch diameter legs. It is powered by eight AA batteries (not included) or an included 12V adapter. The built-in 8-way joystick allows for easy centering of the sun, and the mount has two slew speeds: 16x and 1200x.
The Sky-Watcher SolarQuest is a lightweight, portable, and easy-to-use solar tracking mount, making solar observation accessible and convenient for anyone interested in exploring our nearest star.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sky-Watcher mount is a multi-purpose alt-azimuth mount.
The Sky-Watcher mount has a built-in 1/4"-20 screw for attaching your camera.
The Sky-Watcher mount can be polar aligned using a polar scope or the Sky-Watcher SynScan app for iOS and Android.
The Sky-Watcher mount is compatible with Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras, as well as other camera manufacturers with optional cables. The weight capacity of the mount is 3kg, so it is compatible with wider lenses rather than heavy telephoto or telescope setups.
