My travel kit is definitely heavy for the spec's weight limit of the SA GTi (90/600 refractor, reducer, Canon 6D, guidescope, guidecam, about 6kg). Any experience if this little mount on a sturdy carbon tripod (e.g. innorel RT90) could serve such a setup for e.g. 5min subs?
Overloading the Star Adventurer GTI?
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Hi GTom, i had my SA GTi with a WO Zenithstar 73, a Nikon D5300 and a SvBony guide scope and camera, total weight of around 4 kg plus i had to put an extra 500 g counterweight in addition to the 2,3 kg one, which comes with the GTi, in order to reach balance in the ra axis. I was able to get 180 sec exposures, but had to throw away about 20-25% of them, due to outbreaks in guiding (if you are interested, i could provide my guiding logs from phd2), my resolution was around 1,82"/px, guiding was on good nights around 1,3-1,4"/px total rms (i had mine hypertuned, aka new good ball bearings and good grease with graphite in it) stock it was guiding at around 1,6"/px, which is really good btw, compared to other GTis i have seen. Although i was able to get good final pictures with it, it wasn't consistent enough for me, so i upgraded to HEQ 5 pro eventually.
One other thing i should mention, i had mine also mounted on a carbon fiber tripod, although light in weight, it was extremely susceptible to wind, even a light gust would influence guiding.
I would say up to 200mm focal length objectives, lenses or small telescopes, the GTi can handle it just fine, if you are mounting close to the weight limit or even exceeding it, i wouldn't recommend it, unless you are happy with short exposures like 30-60 sec maybe or to throw out a good portion of your exposures due to tracking inconsistencies. Canon 6D with 600mm focal length would give you 2,23"/px resolution, so it would check out in theory, but practically, packing 6 kg on that little guy, is overkill.
Clear skies !
One other thing i should mention, i had mine also mounted on a carbon fiber tripod, although light in weight, it was extremely susceptible to wind, even a light gust would influence guiding.
I would say up to 200mm focal length objectives, lenses or small telescopes, the GTi can handle it just fine, if you are mounting close to the weight limit or even exceeding it, i wouldn't recommend it, unless you are happy with short exposures like 30-60 sec maybe or to throw out a good portion of your exposures due to tracking inconsistencies. Canon 6D with 600mm focal length would give you 2,23"/px resolution, so it would check out in theory, but practically, packing 6 kg on that little guy, is overkill.
Clear skies !
Helpful
Thank you for both replies! Seems it's a half empty vs half full situation 
. Obviously balancing and wind protection is an art with this little fellow.
. Obviously balancing and wind protection is an art with this little fellow.Hi @Aaron and @widowmaker_895, are you using EQAscom or GSServer as a driver of your Star Adventurer GTI?
Tx, Mau
Tx, Mau
Hi @Mau_Bard , i am using GSS.
Clear skies !
Thank you! I have been using Eqascom for a while, yet in my opinion, the Staradventurer GTI has an odd behavior with it. And in fact, is not listed among the supported devices. I recently installed GSS, and the guiding appears more regular, but I need further test to confirm.
IMG_2230.jpegMy travel kit is definitely heavy for the spec's weight limit of the SA GTi (90/600 refractor, reducer, Canon 6D, guidescope, guidecam, about 6kg). Any experience if this little mount on a sturdy carbon tripod (e.g. innorel RT90) could serve such a setup for e.g. 5min subs?
SAGTI has a payload of an honest 11 pounds, not 50 to 60% of it. A technician at SkyWatcher USA confirmed that information to me.
I've used it with optics up to Celestron C6. When properly balanced, it can easily handle 5 minute subs with good auto guiding.
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I am using the original SWGTI firmware and the ASIAIR mini to control everything and have had no issues except for operator error. I use the ASI585MC camera so it just makes sense for me.
Thank you Aaron! As said above, I experienced bad guiding, but I suspect that the issue was not overload, but the SW driver. I need to check further during a clear night the SAGTI behavior with GSS, but during the first test it seemed smoother.
Hello! I have very good results with this mount. I have APO on it TS optics 80/480+reducer+ZWO filter wheel+camera ASI533MC or MM Pro. My subs 300s or even 480s! Guiding 30mm ZWO mini guider with ASI290 mini. Guiding is good. https://www.astrobin.com/3qdnh8/ - Pics
and https://www.astrobin.com/1r3g39/B/
and https://www.astrobin.com/1r3g39/B/
Nikolay Vdovin:
Hello! I have very good results with this mount. I have APO on it TS optics 80/480+reducer+ZWO filter wheel+camera ASI533MC or MM Pro. My subs 300s or even 480s! Guiding 30mm ZWO mini guider with ASI290 mini. Guiding is good. https://www.astrobin.com/3qdnh8/ - Pics
and https://www.astrobin.com/1r3g39/B/
Great Nikolai! You are clearly beyond the weight mount specifications, yet your results are excellent!
Are you using GSS as mount driver? Have you tuned the mechanical backlash? My SAGTI out of the box had a huge backlash, and only recently I resolved to tune it with a clear guiding improvement.
In any case my guiding RMS rarely goes below 1”, more typically is around 1,5”.
Anyway, it is good to know that you are using your set up on this mount, because I have exactly the same scope on a larger mount, and now I know I can place it on the SAGTI for traveling!
Ciao and thank you for your post!
Mau
Helpful Respectful Engaging Supportive
Nikolay Vdovin:
Hello! I have very good results with this mount. I have APO on it TS optics 80/480+reducer+ZWO filter wheel+camera ASI533MC or MM Pro. My subs 300s or even 480s! Guiding 30mm ZWO mini guider with ASI290 mini. Guiding is good. https://www.astrobin.com/3qdnh8/ - Pics
and https://www.astrobin.com/1r3g39/B/
Fantastic results, and just as I suspected: the payload limit is honest, photography value. I am surprised, that the stock tripod AND pillar capable of that! However, I see two reasons on your rig photo pointing at success: you have a good fence providing wind protection and the second counterweight is higher up on the axis, reducing vibrations. Keep up the good work
Thank you so much. I dont do anything with backlash. Its right out the box. Working better than i suspect too. Week ago i bought ZWO AM5. And think, what i must replace HEQ5 Pro or Star Adventurer Gti. But all works ok for me.
I’m using a Skywatcher 130PDS on my GTI which clocks in at 11.5 lbs or 5.2 kg with accessories. It guides better with the heavier scope than with my Evoguide 50. My mount guides at 0.4 to 1.0 arc seconds with the load well balanced, unless it gets windy, then all bets are off. Most of my subs are 60 to 180 seconds because I’m in a bortle 7 zone. I do need to adjust my worm gear spacing occasionally on RA due to backlash.
any setting tips, my guiding has gone from 1.2" to over 2 last session.
If not I'm going to reset phd2 start from scratch hope for best the.
Having said all that, I did take probably my best image so far with guiding around 2.5"
Nikolay Vdovin:
Hello! I have very good results with this mount. I have APO on it TS optics 80/480+reducer+ZWO filter wheel+camera ASI533MC or MM Pro. My subs 300s or even 480s! Guiding 30mm ZWO mini guider with ASI290 mini. Guiding is good. https://www.astrobin.com/3qdnh8/ - Pics
and https://www.astrobin.com/1r3g39/B/
lol I noticed you use NASA space gaffa tape just like me on the stupid polar scope cap.
I'm trying to find a silicon cap 29mm to roll onto it like a er, well tiny silicon cap thing ;)
Any tips on phd2 settings would be very welcome
Nikolay Vdovin:
Hello! I have very good results with this mount. I have APO on it TS optics 80/480+reducer+ZWO filter wheel+camera ASI533MC or MM Pro. My subs 300s or even 480s! Guiding 30mm ZWO mini guider with ASI290 mini. Guiding is good. https://www.astrobin.com/3qdnh8/ - Pics
and https://www.astrobin.com/1r3g39/B/
Great Nikolai! You are clearly beyond the weight mount specifications, yet your results are excellent!
Are you using GSS as mount driver? Have you tuned the mechanical backlash? My SAGTI out of the box had a huge backlash, and only recently I resolved to tune it with a clear guiding improvement.
In any case my guiding RMS rarely goes below 1”, more typically is around 1,5”.
Anyway, it is good to know that you are using your set up on this mount, because I have exactly the same scope on a larger mount, and now I know I can place it on the SAGTI for traveling!
Ciao and thank you for your post!
Mau
how did you tune your GTi?
Hi @TiffsAndAstro I adjusted the tension screw both for RA and Dec.
To learn how, you may have a look to the two videos linked below.
In the first one there is a mistake, as it in not necessary to unmount the full cover to reach the RA screw. The author amends this in the second video. All in all both videos are worth to be seen.
Here you are:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nZr6yJWqOo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MdBxNvSDZ0
To learn how, you may have a look to the two videos linked below.
In the first one there is a mistake, as it in not necessary to unmount the full cover to reach the RA screw. The author amends this in the second video. All in all both videos are worth to be seen.
Here you are:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nZr6yJWqOo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MdBxNvSDZ0
Helpful Concise
Hi @TiffsAndAstro I adjusted the tension screw both for RA and Dec.
To learn how, you may have a look to the two videos linked below.
In the first one there is a mistake, as it in not necessary to unmount the full cover to reach the RA screw. The author amends this in the second video. All in all both videos are worth to be seen.
Here you are:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nZr6yJWqOo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MdBxNvSDZ0
I watched his first video a while ago but stopped when he disassembled it
Ty so much will have another look.can't watch them for a couple of hours, but will I need to do this procedure under clear skies so I can measure any change and re adjust, or is it more a case of adjusting until they feel like making better contact?
Sorry to ask, I'm just a little daunted.
TiffsAndAstro:Hi @TiffsAndAstro I adjusted the tension screw both for RA and Dec.
To learn how, you may have a look to the two videos linked below.
In the first one there is a mistake, as it in not necessary to unmount the full cover to reach the RA screw. The author amends this in the second video. All in all both videos are worth to be seen.
Here you are:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nZr6yJWqOo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MdBxNvSDZ0
I watched his first video but stopped when he disassembled it
The RA screw can be achieved easily from the front without unmounting anything, just removing partially sticker that covers the access hole.The Dec screw access, requires unmounting the little carter that covers it, yet this is very straightforward to perform.
If I could do it, anybody can do it!
TiffsAndAstro:Hi @TiffsAndAstro I adjusted the tension screw both for RA and Dec.
To learn how, you may have a look to the two videos linked below.
In the first one there is a mistake, as it in not necessary to unmount the full cover to reach the RA screw. The author amends this in the second video. All in all both videos are worth to be seen.
Here you are:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nZr6yJWqOo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MdBxNvSDZ0
I watched his first video but stopped when he disassembled it
The RA screw can be achieved easily from the front without unmounting anything, just removing partially sticker that covers the access hole.The Dec screw access, requires unmounting the little carter that covers it, yet this is very straightforward to perform.
If I could do it, anybody can do it!
I think I can poke a hole through the label.
I'll watch the videos, close my eyes and adjust. I have to dissemble every night anyhoo
Besides, if it all goes to s£#t I can blame you ;)
TiffsAndAstro:
I think I can poke a hole through the label.
Not necessary, the sticker goes nicely back in its original position!
What is important, as usual when tuning mounts, is not to tension the screws too much (and not too little). After tensioning, check that the mount movement remains smooth.
My exemplar came from factory with huge backlash, both RA and Dec. I could feel by hand the the head was tilting.
TiffsAndAstro:
I think I can poke a hole through the label.
Not necessary, the sticker goes nicely back in its original position!
What is important, as usual when tuning mounts, is not to tension the screws too much (and not too little). After tensioning, check that the mount movement remains smooth.
My exemplar came from factory with huge backlash, both RA and Dec. I could feel by hand the the head was tilting.
I will use as much finesse as possible. If it's anything like the alt/az adjustment bolts, it will be horrible and vague.
TiffsAndAstro:
I think I can poke a hole through the label.
Not necessary, the sticker goes nicely back in its original position!
What is important, as usual when tuning mounts, is not to tension the screws too much (and not too little). After tensioning, check that the mount movement remains smooth.
My exemplar came from factory with huge backlash, both RA and Dec. I could feel by hand the the head was tilting.
so i've had a quick look and jeli was showing the 'slop' in RA axis which i seem to have none of at all, maybe a tiny, tiny slight rotation.
i don't seem to have any in dec either, so i think i'll try setting phd2 back to defaults and start there.
i really appreciate you help with this, ty.