You hit the nail on the head with your comments about beginner’s frustration with finding/getting my subject in the frame correctly. I stepped away from astrophotography for about a year now because I was spending half my night trying to deal with this. And having less fun and getting more frustrated. Thanks for the review and looking forward to getting one and getting back into the night!
Take my money NOW Skywatcher!!! You're right about the frustration in finding small objects Alyn! I use a Nikon 2.8 80-200 for most of my deep sky astro so I get it pointed close to my target fully zoomed out and center it that way. Once I get it I then zoom in and get final focus. This will make that soooo much easier!
Thank you Alyn. This answered so many questions particularly the GoTo process which wasn't obvious. Sounds like after scanning to the three stars one adjusts a star to center frame by adjusting the mount screws. And I totally agree trying to find even Andromeda in a dark sky while fidgeting with the camera mount while standing on your head is super frustrating. Thank you so much.
No, you don't adjust that by fidgeting with the mount screws. When using the GoTo function, pull up the touchpad in the app, and the arrows that need to be tapped to correct will lighten up (as long as you are close enough, within a few mm). When choosing 2 or 3 star alignment the tracker only allows you to proceed to the next star when the first is in the middle of the screen.
I live in a Bortle 6 region with a lot of light pollution and I have cataracts, so star hopping is difficult for me. So, I bought a motorized go to conversion kit for my CG-4 mount. Being elderly and feeble, I found hauling the mount and my 150mm Newtonian reflector with a total weight of 46.5 pounds to be difficult. So, I bought an Orion 130mm Newtonian and a Star Adventurer GTi, total weight 21.5 pounds. Better.
So I picked one of these up two days ago. A few initial issues. The RA axis has a lot of play. It can be adjusted by a screw hidden under the patent label. First problem solved. The built in USB port has numerous retries while slewing. I have passed this on to Skywatcher. Using the hand control port with the Synscan USB adapter works flawlessly. The mount is also quite noisy when new but a few hours of operation seem to have helped. I like the form factor. If we can get the USB issue fixed with a firmware update it will be a great mount.
Hi Alyn, I read some of the comments and I agree with most. I have received my S/W GTi last week and I agree with you about the cover. I filed the tags to make them deeper it helped but not enough I may file some more off. When I started in hobby I thought the same of the eye piece screws if I drop one I may never find it, so I looked around on web and found a company called Element 14 and they have got a range of thumb screws that will fit the eyepieces, and fortunately if you get one the right size it will fit the battery cover 3mm x 5mm x 0.5. (there is a 0.7mm also) There are washer faced thumb screws which is one of the types I got and I could use if I loose my cover screw. Cheers Robert Aust'
I finally got my GTI a few weeks ago. This weekend has phenomenal weather for late October in Wisconsin USA, 70 degrees and. CLEAR! your video is the first one I found that just uses the mount and syncscan APP on a smartphone, without confusing everyone. Others are using a computer with Ascom or an ASiair etc. Modeling the waters. I just want to start with the basics. Doing the 1,2,3 star alignment is what I needed to know how to do! THANKS! Your awsome Alyn.
@@arthurwiegman5512 I posted this comment 4 months ago. I think it was ordered in June, and showed up late September, or October. By the way, I'm now working on getting the asiair (which took about 3 months, backordered) to receive.
Hi Alyn. Mind blown !! The ability to align via the app is fantastic ! Not sure I'll be lugging this up Pen Y Fan anytime soon but who doesn't love a shiny new toy? Thanks for sharing.
I've been eagerly awaiting reviews of this ever since I saw a picture of something I first thought was an elaborate prank or april fools joke. I already have a Star Adventurer Pro 2i, a Move-Shoot-Move and an EQ6-R Pro. I've been looking for something inbetween, and up until I saw this one announced, I had my eyes set on the EQM-35 for travel/portability. I found this to be a very good and helpful review, even the sponsor of the video was interesting and very relevant. Thanks for doing this Alyn.
Excellent review, thanks! Just to point out that I think the trailing you showed on the Heart Nebula image was north-south in declination, not east-west in RA. So it wasn’t from periodic error in RA per se. The RA gear and drive was periodically pushing the mount up and down in Dec. Running the mount for several hours - even a day or two - might smooth out the grease on the gears and reduce that mechanical drift. Check your test set to see if the bad frames all have the errors in the same direction. And see if it reduces with continued use. And it does seem dumb that the screw holding the battery cover on doesn’t have a D-clip on it to make it captive.
I've recently treated myself to an heq5 pro and a 150mm refractor. Got some learning ahead but my wife was very impressed with her view of Saturn through the scope.
For those with trouble finding objects manually, I have a reflex sight mounted to my camera hotshoe. Much easier to see where the camera is actually pointed. I still have the original Star Adventurer, so I either have to star hop and/or do some kind of platesolving. Thankfully with widefield shots you don't have to be perfectly centered to get a good shot.
Hope you’re feeling better. Thanks for the review. I have a Star Adventurer 2i. I was thinking of adding a GOTO mount. Now I have another option. Thanks.
Great video! It's too funny that you, Nico Carver and Trevor Jones all released reviews on the same day. I haven't checked yet, but I'm guessing the Sky-Watcher USA channel also released a video since Friday is there weekly video day. Watching you crouch to look through your polar scope makes my back hurt. I'm assuming you're aware of Move Shoot Move's right angle adapter with a 2x magnifier. For your other subscribers, it fits the Sky-Watcher polar scope with no problem. It also has adapters for camera viewfinders. I just bought one. That is such a game changer. I've been looking at AZGTIs since last fall when Cuiv the Lazy Geek posted a couple of videos on how to adapt the AZGTI for astrophotography, but the release of this changes that. I'll have to see how expensive this is in comparison.
Yes the pain of finding the target on a zoom once you’ve got it in a round about polar alignment ha this piece of kit looks awesome. Class content as always dude
Very impressive little mount. I’ve been looking for a mobile set up I can take when we go camping. The Go To capability is a game changer because I refuse to use star hopping. Great video Alyn
Definitely my next target for deep sky. It is really frustrating doing it with the MSM just because it is not built for DS. So thank you very much for the review and good luck with your next steps into DS :)
Hi Alyn, Last weekend I finally bought a Starwatcher adventurer GTI mount. I planned to take with me when I travel to San Antonio Texas Texas in November and to the island of Barbados, Latatude 13 degrees, but under Bortle 4 skies. Thanks Alyn, great video on the Starwatcher GTI, by the I agree with you on the screw 😉😎🌙
I control mine with a ZWO ASIAir mini, which not only gives really good polar alignment but has a good plate solving function negating the need for the three star alignment, it even has a framing tool, at just over £200 its one of the best bits of kit I've bought.
Hi Alyn, some weeks ago my skywatcher Az-GTi got a damage, now i bought the SAGTi. Last Night i could test it with autoguiding and DuoNarrowband filter. I get pinpoint round stars taking 300sec Subframes. The guiding error in both axes are between 0.67-1.25 arcseconds. I can highly recommend guiding.I`m looking forward to the next La Palma holiday with hat mount, aashootimg under good conditions. Chears Jörg always clear skies!
very interesting package, especailly with a 70-200 F2.8 allready in the pocket its very interesting to start shooting deeper sky objects, or milkyway shots with more stars visible due to longer exposure times instead of the 5-10sec shots with current high MP cameras
There are two 'reviews' right now here on YT about the SAgti. This one here really is a review, the other is just enternainment and advertisement. So: Thumbsup for Alyn! Great job. Great that you pointed out the PEC@16:35 It looks quite similar to the iOptron smartEQ, which is is used for years now (2 axes, GoTo, portable, affordable, 8x AA batteries...). So a nice, but not tecnically new product (beside the app).
I always felt the thing missing from the star adventurer was goto - like you, I found it difficult locating and framing small objects with it. In the end I went down the AZ GTi road with a sky watcher wedge and asiair guiding - for me it was a transforming step. So this mount is probably 12 months too late for me , otherwise my name would be on the waiting list. Its definitely an option for lightweight goto astro imaging. (I think newbies may find some of the alignment process frustrating at times) It is good to see skywatcher address some of the issues from the original star adventurer - the screw on the battery cover is better than that rubbish black clip but as you said, the screw seems easy to lose. The polar scope cover still seems to be rubbish , but not a deal breaker. The built in wedge and polar scope illuminator are welcome improvements. I use the AZ GTi on battery power sometimes and that takes 8 batteries and easily copes with a session or 2 but its still better to externally power it so I guess this will apply to this mount as well. (Interesting the expected time on the star adventurer was 72 hours with 4 batteries but half as much, 36 hours with double the amount of batteries - shows how much more the extra motor on the extra axis can take out of the batteries) Nice to see you using the solar charger up by the rocking stone :-)
I ended up canceling my order. Ridiculous to have to inquire monthly for status and continually be told “we’re expecting shipment mid-(insert month) to late (insert month). I waited since April 15! I realize the Chinese manufacture all things astrophotography including the Star Adventurer GTi and they’ve disrupted the supply chain in their quest for world domination with enforced pandemics and threats against Taiwan, but I’m done with ordering a new tracking mount. GoTo or not! Screw it! I’ll just go back to landscape and wildlife photography and untracked astrophotography.
Payload is only 11lbs. My current rig is “right at” that weight inclusive of counter weight. It is something I’ll think about but there are limitations to growing with it. Thanks for your video Alyn. Much appreciated.
@@easy56wedge Erm, on the Star Adventurer the counterweight definitely IS included in the payload capacity, take it from someone who has used one for 3 years. If you try and put on a setup weighing over 4kg (before the 1kg counterweight) then you will not be able to balance it without further counterweights, which would take you over the 5KG payload capacity.
@@ringod123 I’ve used an iOptron SkyGuider pro for several years and payload capacity includes counter weights. Thanks for you information. I ordered the GTi in any case. Lol.
Cheers Alyn, your insight has been really useful. I've just received my GTI this weekend & awaiting some clear skies here in SE England to give Astro-photography a whirl for the first time. Procrastination has been a good thing for once with the arrival of this product in to the market. Keep up the good work. Pete.
Excellent review Alyn.....I have a Nikon DSLR and several fast Nikkor lenses, plus an old heavy weight Bogen tripod and an ASIAIR. The GTi seems a perfect fit. Thanks!
Looks good , if you ever go down the road of a scope , get an Altair , each scope comes with a test cert , plus it’s a British company so any issues they sort it very quickly 👌🏻
The feature they are still missing is where you can view Polaris on the phone and overlay it on the polar alignment ring where it belongs without contorting to actually view it through the center of the tracker.................
Hi Alyn, I could highly understand your joy unsing this new mount. With ASIair you not only have a guiding device, with better, longer exposed images. You also have a polar alingment routine, and tools like platesolving for perfect framing. I will use a modded Skywatcher Az-GTI in June at my trip to La Palma. Ive testet it with my little Apo Refractor and 300 or 600 sec subs no Problem with that.....nice job your clipp, all the best to you and clear skies, Jörg
It's good to see that sky watcher recognized the amount of people that had downloaded the EQ mod firmware for the AZ GTI and were using it for this albeit not being designed for such purpose and responded with a product targeting that. Now is a dedicated camera manufactory sees the market for a camera designed for a wider focal length with proper sampling rates?
My Star Adventurer GTi came today. While trying to figure out how it works, I found the battery compartment and dropped the little screw holding the cover on. I was in my living room, but it still took 20 minutes to find.
Great video.. but do yourself a favour!! Get the ASI Air pro and save yourself from the misery of that 1,2,3 star alignment and also that little raspberry pie acts as a laptop!! Make sure though it’s compatible with this new mount!
That looks awesome for deep space, with app control do you need cell reception? I usually shoot in dark no service areas. Hope you’ll feel better soon for finish your shot
Hello Alyn, just bumped into your channel (already knowing the excellent Trevor and Nico). I am totally new to this hobby, and planning to buy this little one ASAP (when it will be available in Italy). It has got a max payload of 5 kg, but it can surely mount some little apochromatic refractors. I believe, as you said, it is a great choice for beginners and an amazing second choice for experts who want extreme portability. Can't wait to have it in my hands!
Great video! Just ordered mine today -- it'll be my first tracker and mount. I can't wait for the days of hundreds of 1-second exposures to be a thing of the past!!!
@@ThistleBeaksBirdCams I ordered mine from High Point Scientific, but eventually canceled the order and got the HEQ5 Pro instead (it fit my needs better). I haven’t followed news about the GTi, but when I ordered it it was still a “pre-order”, so I don’t know if they’ve been released yet. Hope that helps - I’d try OPT as well (another vendor)
Nice review Alyn, well explained. And at the end you said this will fill up the gap between a star tracker and a go-to mount, well you hit the nail there. Exactly my thinking, this SA-GTI will sit perfectly between the SA-2i and a go-to mount, easy to carry and easy to handle (if you used to handle a go-to mount). I think I'ill wait a while till the newer firmware will resolve some issues and then I'll get one, it will sit perfectly between my SA-2i and my EQ-6R PRO. So, you mentioned a telescope .... watch out for that money pit 🙂, I know what it is, always some new things to have in that hobby ....
I’m assuming that the EQ mode of ASIAIR pro will work with this…it did with its predecessor! I modded Az-GTi for equatorial mode, the downside of the AZ-GTi is that it has no polar scope. But…ASIAIR has a polar alignment function so that’s ok. And I use it with skywatcher 72 ED, ASIAIR and autoguiding. What I like about this new Star Adventurer GTi is the build quality, the goto, abs built-in polar scope. I may get one, tempting.
Honestly this is like the one that would replace the AZGTi that people use as an eq after a simple firmware update. I myself is thinking of buying a pre made kit that uses the az gti as a package that includes a wedge, tripod, counter weight etc. And it has the same 5kg payload like the skyadventurer. And it has a go to function. And as mentioned, for beginners the hard thing about the sky adventurer and the ioptron equivalent is not having the go to capability. It is really different when you have to star hop vs having a go to function. Same for telescopes for observing. With complete novice, the scopes with go to functions actually make you even more interested because you do actually find targets. And some apps also have information about your target.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🔭 The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi is a telescope mount with Wi-Fi and Go-To capabilities, making it easy to control and track celestial objects using a smartphone. 01:22 🌌 The device has motors for both right ascension and declination, allowing precise movement and tracking of telescopes and cameras. 02:18 💡 The built-in polar scope illuminator in the GTi is a significant improvement over its predecessor, the Star Adventurer Pro. 03:29 🔋 The device can be powered using 12-volt DC or eight AA batteries, but there's a concern about a detachable thumb screw that could potentially be lost. 04:52 ⏳ The GTi offers a battery life of up to 36 hours on continuous tracking, making it suitable for extended astrophotography sessions. 06:20 🧳 The device can be powered using a portable power station like the Jackery Explorer 1000, which provides additional USB ports for charging other devices and a 1000-watt AC outlet. 08:22 🌟 Setting up the GTi involves polar alignment, balancing the device, and choosing stars for alignment using the SynScan app. 10:46 🌠 The Go-To capability of the GTi makes it easy to align and frame celestial objects, eliminating the need for manual star-hopping. 15:07 📷 Despite limited testing due to unforeseen circumstances, the GTi showed promise in astrophotography, with potentially improved tracking performance compared to the Star Adventurer Pro. 19:47 🌌 The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi is suitable for both beginners and seasoned astrophotographers, offering portability and Go-To capabilities. Made with HARPA AI
Good review from you, and everyone you've mentioned, and now it's frustrated me as in what to do! I currently have the skywatcher (SW) mini for portability, and a SW 130 telescope on the goto mount with a T2 adapter for my Sony A7iii, for any use at home. (Actually I'm not too far from where Alyn is). Then they've come out with this perfect all rounder. . . .! Think first I'll try and combine the L bracket from the mini with the telescope goto mount and see what tracking is like with my 600 lens. But I will say that this set-up does look very good, so I might sell some stuff to buy it! Just remember for anyone new to this, the learning curve is steep, and setting your current location is important, so get there early if you're traveling with it as you'll need time to input where you are. Also that Jackery looks like a must for anyone traveling. Or some sort of power supply.
I love my SA. But for a $300 upgrade, this looks great (sell my old one for $350, buy this for $650). Or get the whole setup with tripod for only another hundred bucks. Beefy yet portable. Illuminated PA reticle. Go To controls. Totally worth the money. With that said, got to keep an eye on what iOptron is doing.
Looks great...but basically it's the Azgti in EQ mode. The polar scope is only useful if you can see pole. The synscan PA is same on both and can be used on its own.
I have preorderd this mount. As of now it is due to be delivered at the end of May. However, due to lockdowns in China and tight container capacity I wonder if it will not be heavily delayed.
From my balcony I can't see the celestial star*. With the multiple star fine tune option am I going to skip this* alignment procedure once and for all?? Lovely device 😍
I see that you are using the Sony 100-400mm on the SA-GTI. (1) What's the Sony camera you are using to shoot the DSO? (2) Have you ever (made a video) explaining why you did not go for a Sony 200-600mm? Is it because of the higher f stop at 600mm? (3) What is the ASIAir on the table at 14:50"? I was looking at the new ASIAir Plus but it does not support Sony mirrorless. (4) Can you make a video explaining how you setup the autoguide system to reduce periodic error? I am also a Sony user, and would like very much to know how you solve the problem of using a Sony system with the GTI. Peter Zelinka, Nico, and AStrobackyard have other (nice) cameras/systems (e.g., RAD) they can use with the ASIAir Plus, but not we Sony users. 😔
Had a Love For Astronomy Way Before Takin a Pic,Someone 3d Printed Me An Illuminator That Pops Right Into My Eqm35 Polar Scope,Thats a Sweet Mount,Nice Generator Too,God Bless and Clear Skies❤️🙏🏻✨🔭🌏
