Saif1a

Sorry to be pedantic, does it mean the AZ fine adjustments happen on the GTi mount head itself and the mount itself screws in firm or swivels on the bolt thread?

2 minutes ago, M40 said:

The above adapter takes the skywatcher pillar from its standard bolt to a camera size bolt which the gti needs. Its a solid lump, if you are getting the pillar you will need the adapter; so can I suggest you just get that and see how you get on? Ive not seen the az5 half pillar, but another option is the skywatcher heq5 extension pillar plus the above adapter. Very heavy very solid.

How would someone do the AZ fine adjustments on the mount head for polar alignment with the adapter in place?

7 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

Set it up through the day on a distant object and slide the camera in and out until you get a decent image. Once you have a decent image then you can fine focus by rotating the guide scope nosepiece and then locking its position with the locking ring behind the nosepiece. You can then test it at night to check the focus on stars themselves and again use the nosepiece of the guide scope to fine tune the focus. .

Hope to get an eyepiece adapter for my basic Skywatcher finderscope to allow the QHY5 to fit like eyepiece.

Is the AZ5 'Half-pillar' the black extension tube with white collars sometimes called AZ5 Extension tube?

Would all three parts then have the same girth? The part above looks plastic and smaller diameter to an EQ5 pillar (going by the thread size).

Alternatively could I just use the pillar tripod straight to the Star Adventurer GTi? It would introduce 1 joint instead of 3 which could cause movement in slew and alignment.

Bit confused where the peg on the pillar goes into the GTi mount head?

Hi All.

With winter and cold dark skies approaching I got the itch to put together some Telescope gear and practice some hands on Astronomy.

I'd like to start some imaging and stacking, but got some loose ends in my equipment experience and 'howto'

This is my list but will it fit together? Strangely, Googling doesn't seem to find anyone or any setups using this pillar mount.

Skywatcher Pillar Mount (mainly because I got narrow balcony space tripod legs spread out).

Skywatcher AZ5 Extension Tube. (Will this fit on the one above?)

Skywatcher Star Adventurer GTi. (Will this fit on the one above?)

Skywatcher ED80 (Got)

Skywatcher Finderscope (Got)

Finderscope to Guidescope adapter (Will get)

QHY5 II guide cam (Got, but how do I get this and guidescope into focus. Can it be done in daylight without messing up the sensor?)

Polaris (Obstructed. Is NINA the best with plate solve and 3 star alignment routine?)

Thanks in advance for any tips.

Saif