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Questions About The Useage Of The The Seastar With EQ Wedge

ZWO Seestar S50 Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Star Tracker Equatorial Mount
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Szijártó Áron avatar
Szijártó Áron avatar
Hello and welcome. I'd like to ask everyone using Seastar with EQ Wedges.I finally received my Skywatcher Staradventurer EQ Wedge for polar alignment and am ready to operate my Seastar in EQ Mode.The question is, how can I fix the Seastar onto it? I've seen images online of people simply placing the Seastar on the EQ wedge and calling it a day.However, when I looked up the wedge, the description mentioned that I might need an M8x83 fixing screwdriver or something similar.The main issue is that there is no information on how to do this or why a screwdriver is necessary. I im really confused because all the images I've seen only show what it appears like. So, can anyone using Seastar with the EQ wedge confirm if a screwdriver is needed for this, and how to place it to securely fix the Seastar, or if it's not needed, as the images indicate how it's done?

ExampleUse?
Clayton Ostler avatar
Clayton Ostler avatar
I dont know if this answers your question, that small dovetail bar that is in the saddle of your wedge, you should remove it from wedge and screw it to the bottom of the seestar. 

I used a quarter to tighten mine when I used the same setup you are using. Make sure to light up the bar so that the seestar sits on the wedge in the appropriate position/angle. 

Then you are off to the races.
Clayton Ostler avatar
Clayton Ostler avatar
Clayton Ostler:
I dont know if this answers your question, that small dovetail bar that is in the saddle of your wedge, you should remove it from wedge and screw it to the bottom of the seestar. 

I used a quarter to tighten mine when I used the same setup you are using. Make sure to light up the bar so that the seestar sits on the wedge in the appropriate position/angle. 

Then you are off to the races.

I should add that the knob of the M8 bolt on that wedge is too tall and wont allow the seestar to sit on the wedge, you will need to replace it, I used one of these

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MX898VP?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
Helpful Concise
Szijártó Áron avatar
Szijártó Áron avatar
Clayton Ostler:
I dont know if this answers your question, that small dovetail bar that is in the saddle of your wedge, you should remove it from wedge and screw it to the bottom of the seestar. 

I used a quarter to tighten mine when I used the same setup you are using. Make sure to light up the bar so that the seestar sits on the wedge in the appropriate position/angle. 

Then you are off to the races.

I have seen on social media, Facebook, that someone mentioned that dovetail or handnut is the key because it's bigger and somehow it won't let the seastar to rotate or what.
So if I change it to a smaller one, there won't be clearance issues or what disables the EQ movement of the seastar.
Though I'm not 90% convinced that could be the case, which I'm trying to figure out.
Clayton Ostler avatar
Clayton Ostler avatar
Szijártó Áron:
Clayton Ostler:
I dont know if this answers your question, that small dovetail bar that is in the saddle of your wedge, you should remove it from wedge and screw it to the bottom of the seestar. 

I used a quarter to tighten mine when I used the same setup you are using. Make sure to light up the bar so that the seestar sits on the wedge in the appropriate position/angle. 

Then you are off to the races.

I have seen on social media, Facebook, that someone mentioned that dovetail or handnut is the key because it's bigger and somehow it won't let the seastar to rotate or what.
So if I change it to a smaller one, there won't be clearance issues or what disables the EQ movement of the seastar.
Though I'm not 90% convinced that could be the case, which I'm trying to figure out.

I can verify that by using the replacement I referenced things will work, the handle is spring loaded and adjustable so after tightening you just turn the handle downward and things work fine.
Szijártó Áron avatar
Szijártó Áron avatar
Clayton Ostler:
Szijártó Áron:
Clayton Ostler:
I dont know if this answers your question, that small dovetail bar that is in the saddle of your wedge, you should remove it from wedge and screw it to the bottom of the seestar. 

I used a quarter to tighten mine when I used the same setup you are using. Make sure to light up the bar so that the seestar sits on the wedge in the appropriate position/angle. 

Then you are off to the races.

I have seen on social media, Facebook, that someone mentioned that dovetail or handnut is the key because it's bigger and somehow it won't let the seastar to rotate or what.
So if I change it to a smaller one, there won't be clearance issues or what disables the EQ movement of the seastar.
Though I'm not 90% convinced that could be the case, which I'm trying to figure out.

I can verify that by using the replacement I referenced things will work, the handle is spring loaded and adjustable so after tightening you just turn the handle downward and things work fine.

So here is a thing. When I looked for the wedge in online stores, the description said I may need an M8x83 srew or something.
Guessing that could be the key for replacing it with the knob at the head of the wedge right? Cause that one doesn't let the seastar fit on it.
So if I replace that with a bit longer or smaller piece, that could make my job easier.

Does this also do the trick?
Bob Lockwood avatar
Bob Lockwood avatar
Watch the video, it tells you how to attach the SeaStar to the wedge.

🔭 Seestar EQ Step by Step - How To (Easy) | iOS & Android out now
Tony Carro avatar
Tony Carro avatar

I have the mount on an old Manfrotto tripod, had an extra rail that i put into the clamp and put a 3/8 inch bolt to hold rail to Seestar.  had to put a washer underneath to give clearance for Seestar’s foot pads over rail.  Weight is better centered over tripod and front leg.
Szijártó Áron avatar
Szijártó Áron avatar
Tony Carro:

I have the mount on an old Manfrotto tripod, had an extra rail that i put into the clamp and put a 3/8 inch bolt to hold rail to Seestar.  had to put a washer underneath to give clearance for Seestar’s foot pads over rail.  Weight is better centered over tripod and front leg.

And what else did you put between the wedge and the seastar, or better said, that fixing the seastar into the top of the wedge?
Cause the wedge it self came with a knob that is small and my guess that is the only thing that need to be changed to a longer one.
If there is, what did you put there? Like a screw thing. Sorry if I'm not following.
Im looking for these things like an M8x83 screw or M8x74 screw or anything that its longer so it making the seastar to fit in top of the wedge.
Bob Lockwood avatar
Bob Lockwood avatar
You should have got this with the wedge?? this attaches to the bottom of the seastar, then slides onto the wedge and locks down with the long M8x83 screw or M8x74. 
Does this help.

Szijártó Áron avatar
Szijártó Áron avatar
Bob Lockwood:
You should have got this with the wedge?? This attaches to the bottom of the seastar, then slides onto the wedge and locks down with the long M8x83 screw or M8x74. 
Does this help?


Ah, thanks, that's the thing I am looking forward to. I know though that the small knob has to be replaced but hasn't know what do I replace it with, cause there are several accessories to buy and I need to look for those that are long enough so it lets you place the seastar on it.
Tony Carro avatar
Tony Carro avatar
Szijártó Áron:
Tony Carro:

I have the mount on an old Manfrotto tripod, had an extra rail that i put into the clamp and put a 3/8 inch bolt to hold rail to Seestar.  had to put a washer underneath to give clearance for Seestar’s foot pads over rail.  Weight is better centered over tripod and front leg.

And what else did you put between the wedge and the seastar, or better said, that fixing the seastar into the top of the wedge?
Cause the wedge it self came with a knob that is small and my guess that is the only thing that need to be changed to a longer one.
If there is, what did you put there? Like a screw thing. Sorry if I'm not following.
Im looking for these things like an M8x83 screw or M8x74 screw or anything that its longer so it making the seastar to fit in top of the wedge.
HARFINGTON 4pcs Tee Wing Thumb Screws M8 x 90mm Standard Male Thread Plastic T Handles Hand Clamping Knobs Grip Thumbscrew, BlackI couldn’t figure out how to post the link from the Amazon app.  I had the 200 cm rail that I had purchased from Amazon that I already had at home.
LUORNG 6pcs Camera Quick Release Screws - 3pcs 3/8 Inch and 3pcs 1/4 Inch Tripod Monopod Quick Release (QR) Plate Camera Screws https://a.co/d/d7QCQn4

To connect rail to Seestar
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