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question about iOptron Sky Guider Pro

  • Posts: 41
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Dear Star-friends,

just a few annotations...

The SkyGuider Pro is just motorized in RA - so you should set the guiding to RA-only.
In the guiding-options you have to chose the guiding-camera also as the guiding target (I think the point is called "via"), deactivate guiding in DE (see above) and connect the SkyGuider's ST4-port with your guiding camera and you're set. Since the mount isn't connected to the computer directly, there's no point in choosing a telescope, thus choosing the telescope simulator is correct-

You should get the polar alignment on point, otherwise the drift in DEC will limit your exposure-times drastically...

Take care

Chris
The following user(s) said Thank You: Denis
3 years 11 months ago #51861

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Thank you for reply - makes sense to me!
Yeah, proper polar alignment is sure thing :) Also, I organized my process in a way when I don't need to touch mount after polar alignment is done.
3 years 11 months ago #51914

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I would suggest considering this mount instead of the SkyGuider Pro:

www.ioptron.com/product-p/3200.htm

It has full GoTo capability, can be guided in both axes, dithering can be used, Meridian flip and Scheduler work fine, etc. In all respects, it is a full--fledged mount with all the capabilities of an EQMod mount at almost the same price as a SkyGuider Pro.

Like the SkyGuider Pro, though, it is a low end mount, which means that its mechanical tolerances are not the best, but one can overcome that by using aggressive guiding parameters. For wide field up to 400 mm focal length it is perfectly fine. It also can be operated on internal batteries, so power requirements are minimal when you want to go out camping in the field for one night.




I forgot to mention: It costs very little more than a SkyGuider Pro, but can do 10x as much.

Guiding is not always perfect, but it works for wide field.



Fore anyone getting into astrophotography, this is definitely the least expensive way to explore the full range of what Kstars has to offer.

But depending on the coordinates, it can be pretty good:

Last edit: 3 years 11 months ago by Jose Corazon.
3 years 11 months ago #51977
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Did you do the polar alignment with Ekos in this setup, or just using your eyes? I am wondering if Ekos polar alignment will work with non-motorized aligning.
3 years 6 months ago #60561

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It works. You need to select the telescope simulator as mount and rotate the mount by hand between the consecutive images taken for plate solving but apart from that it works fully automatic.


Wouter
3 years 6 months ago #60565

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I’m getting the Skyguider pro and has Stellarmate. Your posts are very helpful, thx. Do you have tips on plate solving to center an object using Ekos on this mount without GOTO capability.


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3 years 5 months ago #62054

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I have a tip. Use the solved frame on the sky map to guide you as you push the scope closer to your target and desired rotation. Solving again after each movement.
3 years 5 months ago #62113

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Is it possible to use Ekos to slew to the object’s RA coordinate then rotate DEC manually?
3 years 5 months ago #62130

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No, this is not possible with the SkyGuider Pro. But you can do a plate solve and then manually adjust the pointing.
3 years 5 months ago #62131

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Please help!

I have two of the iOptron mounts: Skyguider Pro and CEM40.

Still can’t properly guide despite precise polar alignment. My SGP mount, guiding in RA, seems to over correct, is that right? I keep getting the “Delta RMS threshold exceeded” error message.

How do you set to wide field guiding? I am using Orion mini scope on qhy 5-II-m for guiding my main scope Radian Raptor with focal length of 274 mm on Canon 60Da DSLR.
3 years 3 months ago #64541
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It looks like your guiding in RA is fine, with RA RMS = 1.39 in that screenshot. The total RMS is degrading, because deviations in DEC are increasing (DEC RMS = 4.27). That suggests that your polar alignment is off. How do you know that your polar alignment is precise?

Jo
3 years 3 months ago #64551

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Appreciate the insight.
You are probably correct. I do the polar alignment with the polar scope at the beginning of the session. What is your recommendation with respect to polar alignment just prior to guiding? Use the Stellarmate polar alignment or Sharp Cap routine? Look at Polaris again through the polariscope?
3 years 3 months ago #64557

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