Sky-Watcher Star Adventure GTI Payloads - Forums

Hello everyone,

What is the limit on the GTI's payload? I'm aware of its claimed factory capacity of 11lbs but I would like some real world confirmation from astrophotographer. My current setup is a Evoguide 50ED, ASI585MC Pro, SVBguide scope, ASI224MC guide camera, ASIAIRMINI, Starizona FFV3, SVB filter drawer and the GTI mount. I would like to try a larger scope but not sacrifice guiding ability's Thanks for your input.

No matter what setup you have, as long as you are within the total weight capacity, you will be ok. If you have to add an extension bar for counterweights to balance, you will be stressing out the gears/motor and will have issues with stable guiding. I run the Redcat 51/ASI183mc pro/ asiAIR plus/ zwo autofocuser/ dew straps/ asi120mini guide cam/ William optics uniguide 120 guide scope. I have no issues with the GTi tolerating my gear and run 10min subs with total error as low as .3 with pin point stars. My counter weight is all the way to the bottom, so I wouldn’t recommend any more weight. Hope this helps

I have WO Z61 which has a FL of 360. Also have a Field Flattener, ASI120 guide camera and scope, EAF, EFW, Pegasus mini power box and Mele Mini PC. Oh yeah and IMX571 camera which is similar to the ASI2600. I have consistently shot 5 min subs with very good guiding.

I did learn a lesson this past year. This is a WARNING for all. I keep my rigs setup on the tripod and carry them in and out when clear. I found out that you are supposed to loosen both the Dec and Ra when carrying the rig like this. What happened was both axis's became loose over time and I was loosing a lot of subs.

I ended up sending it to SW for repair.

Awesome setup Spencer, I was debating upgrading to the Redcat 51 from the evoguide but wasn’t sure if it would be worth it?

I used my GTi on about 85% of the payload. In summary, on average it did well for my undersampling conditions with RedCat51. Actually it did remarkably well on average. However, there were times (such as windy conditions, etc) when the guiding was significantly affected and caused elongated stars. Even if you touch a cable, that makes a detectable motion. That mount is not designed to hold that much weight, but it should do ok if everything goes well.

I am running at 100% capacity unguided so I had to purchase an additional counterweight to achieve balance. I am satisfied with the results I am getting with my Canon 600/4 + Sony A7RIII. I have limited subs to 30 secs.

Andrew Higgins:
Awesome setup Spencer, I was debating upgrading to the Redcat 51 from the evoguide but wasn’t sure if it would be worth it?

Definitely worth it! Check out my page for examples😎

My setup is about 7 kg ( SW 130 PDS, AsiAir, ZWO camera, ZWO OAG, ZWO EAF filter drawer, cables and 3d printed dew shield and Dew vent with cover behind primary mirror) and Total guiding error is from 0.4-0.9 arcs. Balance is a little East heavy on purpose.

My setup is about 7 kg ( SW 130 PDS, AsiAir, ZWO camera, ZWO OAG, ZWO EAF filter drawer, cables and 3d printed dew shield) and Total guiding error is from 0.4-0.9 arcs. Balance is a little East heavy on purpose.

that’s really good guiding considering your payload.

Spencer:
Andrew Higgins:
Awesome setup Spencer, I was debating upgrading to the Redcat 51 from the evoguide but wasn’t sure if it would be worth it?

Definitely worth it! Check out my page for examples😎

I will definitely check it out. Do you think the V3 of the cat is worth the extra cost over the V1/2? Thanks for your input.

Andrew Higgins:
My setup is about 7 kg ( SW 130 PDS, AsiAir, ZWO camera, ZWO OAG, ZWO EAF filter drawer, cables and 3d printed dew shield) and Total guiding error is from 0.4-0.9 arcs. Balance is a little East heavy on purpose.

that’s really good guiding considering your payload.

Well since I am shooting from roof and through roof window I can not have a heavy mount, So I had to buy small one and try to take best out of him. For now I am happy and in the future if I go to larger telescope AM5 will be best option.

Guided Redcat w/2600mc pro I lose 2-4 subs per session to trailing, backlash? wind? ground vibration? as a traveller its good to go

Andrew Higgins:
Spencer:
Andrew Higgins:
Awesome setup Spencer, I was debating upgrading to the Redcat 51 from the evoguide but wasn’t sure if it would be worth it?

Definitely worth it! Check out my page for examples😎

I will definitely check it out. Do you think the V3 of the cat is worth the extra cost over the V1/2? Thanks for your input.

The only thing really changed on the V3 is the focuser. I am happy with the V2

how much does this weigh?
Does look nice and close to Ra axis though which I am assuming helps

My setup is about 7 kg ( SW 130 PDS, AsiAir, ZWO camera, ZWO OAG, ZWO EAF filter drawer, cables and 3d printed dew shield) and Total guiding error is from 0.4-0.9 arcs. Balance is a little East heavy on purpose.

mind explaining what east heavy actually means?
Mine is tiny bit dew shield end heavy when I rotate Ra almost fully left/west and a tiny bit camera side heavy when I rotate Ra almost fully right/east?

Sounds like you have to adjust your scope on the dovetail to find the balance point where it doesn’t move when you let go of it. Balance the counterweight and scope (2 different points to address)

Heavy- meaning past the tolerance of the strength of the motor and gears to run smooth

TiffsAndAstro:
My setup is about 7 kg ( SW 130 PDS, AsiAir, ZWO camera, ZWO OAG, ZWO EAF filter drawer, cables and 3d printed dew shield) and Total guiding error is from 0.4-0.9 arcs. Balance is a little East heavy on purpose.

mind explaining what east heavy actually means?
Mine is tiny bit dew shield end heavy when I rotate Ra almost fully left/west and a tiny bit camera side heavy when I rotate Ra almost fully right/east?

Its a term we use for telescope heavy, that means that on RA rotation is just a tiny heavy on telescope side. That way guiding is more stable and without jumping. If you have a belt drive you dont have to think about this!!!

TiffsAndAstro:

how much does this weigh?
Does look nice and close to Ra axis though which I am assuming helps

All setup is about 7 kg

Spencer:
Sounds like you have to adjust your scope on the dovetail to find the balance point where it doesn’t move when you let go of it. Balance the counterweight and scope (2 different points to address)

yeah I already do that ;) but perhaps wasnt very clear. I'm finding it hard to explain.

So I should move my counter weights up the shaft a tiny bit so Ra is top/scope side heavy?

TiffsAndAstro:

how much does this weigh?
Does look nice and close to Ra axis though which I am assuming helps

All setup is about 7 kg

I wonder how much this varies from unit to unit?

TiffsAndAstro:
My setup is about 7 kg ( SW 130 PDS, AsiAir, ZWO camera, ZWO OAG, ZWO EAF filter drawer, cables and 3d printed dew shield) and Total guiding error is from 0.4-0.9 arcs. Balance is a little East heavy on purpose.

mind explaining what east heavy actually means?
Mine is tiny bit dew shield end heavy when I rotate Ra almost fully left/west and a tiny bit camera side heavy when I rotate Ra almost fully right/east?

Its a term we use for telescope heavy, that means that on RA rotation is just a tiny heavy on telescope side. That way guiding is more stable and without jumping. If you have a belt drive you dont have to think about this!!!

hmm this might be what I need to try. Just a tiny bit.
Not sure it will help my balance problem might might help my auto guiding.
It's possible it could help my balance issue. Will try it asap. Ty