Olli

If anyone else stumbles across this I had to order  a eqmod cable  (as mentioned in the thread) from flo in the end for the Az-gti and the firmware installed instantly. Appreciate everyone’s help. Finally got it sorted !

So I have been eyeing to get a decent planetary scope for a long time and have been looking at the Skymax 127 for the last couple of years and decided to finally take the plunge the other day from Flo. Once again the service was great and the scope arrived within  2 days. Who would have guessed it would be clear skies (ish )! 

Upon unboxing the build quality seemed great as always from Sky-Watcher scopes it came with two eyepieces and a red dot finder it. Which unfortunately when  mounted  on my az5 it is unusable due to the finder shoe being on the bottom left so as a result I decided to Mount my telrad for the time being. This also made the focuser fairly uncomfortable as well.  I was surprised how lightweight and small this scope was and seemed like a great grab n go planetary setup which is my intended use for it.

Once  set up , I was expecting it to be a pretty cloudy night however I was pleasantly surprised when dusk hit as the clouds started to appear. I left the scope out about 15 minutes prior as due to the scope needing a cool down and this seemed to do the job. My main target was Saturn as it was fairly high and was in between the clouds. Once located in the telrad I then used the focuser, so far I am not the biggest fan of this and did find quite awkward after being used to the traditional focuser. Will definitely try it with a peg next time.

 once I finally looked through the eyepiece I would  be lying  if I was not blown away  by the views. After viewing it previously with my frac It was no more than just a disc with some definition of the rings. Though  with the Mak and a 14mm eyepiece I could clearly see the rings in detail with a hint of the Cassini divisions and could see great detail of the planet itself. Overall apart from the fiddly focuser and getting used to the field of view .  I’m super excited to try this on Jupiter and also the moon .

clear skies!

43 minutes ago, StevieDvd said:

I did not see a mention that you have the Synscan app loaded on your computer.  It may be that the firmware software updater needs some of the files that are installed with the Synscan app for connectivity. I had that as the first point in an older thread which helped a few others with their upgrades.

I managed to hit the  failed update which changed the wifi name back to a factory default, but it is still possible to reflash the firmware even in that dire circumstance. I understand that SW have that catered for now in the latest loader version.  I'd been trying the update right next to my network hub and it only worked for me when I moved away from that - though I bought a usb/serial cable as a backup anyway.

 

 

Thanks for the help. My phone won’t even connect to the mounts Wi-Fi now so something is definitely wrong as it’s showing a different ssid. I think I am just going to leave it for now as it’s driving me loopy. Thanks again.

9 minutes ago, StevieDvd said:

If you open the Ports section in the devices manager do you see a COM1 port? If another number is present uncheck the automatic port on the firmware panel and enter the port number manually.

If there are no ports it may be that you don't have the driver for the USB serial cable and it's flagged in the other devices as not working.

The other solutins that others have mentioned in the past is that the home network wifi drowns out the synscan so to try the update away from your home network if possible (via a laptop in garage or garden shed for example).

 

Thanks for the help, I have updated the drivers as suggested ( forgot about that) and it now doesn’t have the orange warning . After checking the device again it is now showing com3 and selected com3 on the loader. Unfortunately still the same issue.

This is what happens when trying to connect via a rj12 to usb. 

So I have made some progress. The Wi-Fi is now showing on my pc. Though it only lets me connect momentarily. Whilst it’s connected I tried to install the firmware but shows that it couldn’t connect to the Mount. I tried toggling find devices off and on in the settings and this seemed to make it appear..though the Wi-Fi shows no signal and sometimes doesn’t allow me to connect at all.

Fantastic images ! 

15 minutes ago, Jules Tohpipi said:

Good luck. 

I always get the jitters when updating its firmware and do it only when absolutely necessary. One time it hung when updating and no option other than to switch it off. Then I couldn’t connect back to it at all. Aargh!!

Luckily I had the Sky-Watcher Wi-Fi adapter around (for my Dob) and read that connecting that to the AZ-GTi allowed you to start communicating with it again (via the adapter’s network). Thankfully that worked and was able to reload the firmware….

I did too , I kind of regret turning it into an Eq Mount but hopefully I can get it fixed. Have contacted FLO to see if i can send it in to them if worse case scenario. Thanks for the help.

3 hours ago, StevieDvd said:

Did you get a Com port when you connected the cable to the PC?  You may need to change the Synscan settings to pick up the port or set it manually.

How do I check the com port? And what settings would I need to change on the app? Thanks.

5 minutes ago, Jules Tohpipi said:

This is a long shot, but it might be worth trying to change the Wi-Fi channel that the AZ-GTi is operating on. I think you find that by connecting to it with your phone then going Settings>SynScan Wi-Fi.  I think the channel is set to 6 or 12 by default. Whatever it is I changed them vice-versa.  (I’m away from the mount at the moment)  

On the face of it shouldn’t make any difference given your phone is connecting. However, inside the house, when doing a firmware upgrade, my PC wasn’t seeing the mount at all - even though my phone would. After changing the channel my PC connects fine inside the house. 

Hi , thanks for the reply. I will give this a  go tomorrow sounds like a good idea. I am pretty sure that I am missing something completely obvious…

Thought I would reply back to this post instead of creating a new one, I am unable to still connect via Wi-Fi and ordered a rj12 to usb cable to think that I would be able to update via usb however it is still not working using the non Wi-Fi loader from skywatchers website. Is there a specific cable that I need to purchase? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all, 

I am currently in the market for a new tripod. I have been using a skywatcher tripod ( white and black ) that usually comes with all of its scopes and the star adventurer for around 5 plus years or so which I’ll still keep for visual.As I have  now finally got a portable imaging set up going with the az gti and Zenithstar 73 , I was looking to buy something  Lightweight and stable around the £100 mark. I am not too sure in what to look for these types of things so I am hoping you guys can advise me in the right direction.

Many thanks . 
 

Olli

Hi everyone,

I am trying to connect my pc (windows 11) to my Az gti to update the firmware however for some reason the synscan connection isn’t showing up on my pc? I have tested my phone and appears on there as normal. I have been watching videos on how to update it and unfortunately failing at the first hurdle restarting both devices and disabling Ethernet which I am currently connected to. Is there a way to manually add it on the pc with the ssid? 

any advice would be helpful!

4 minutes ago, doublevodka said:

I do like my skymax 127 paired with an az-gti, it's not without its quirks as a setup, but a one handed carry from the shed to the garden means I use it more.

If you are just buying a mak though, I'd go for the bresser https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bresser-telescopes/bresser-messier-mc-127-1900-maksutov-cassegrain-ota.html it's full aperture and well liked, also seems to have a slightly better build quality from what I've read.

Either is a useful addition for those times when you want the extra magnification.

2 essential additions needed though, dew shield, because they are dew magnets, and a clothes peg for fine focus (honestly, not joking)

 

Thanks for the link and advice. The cool-down time was my only concern as I usually tend to observe for short sessions. I saw a post on here in a thread ( can’t remember who it was) but they had a clothes peg in a hard case with the mak and it made me chuckle.

Thanks all for the responses. It seems like a overwhelming praise for the 127!

After looking at the clear outside all yesterday I was presently surprised to see all greens! So this time around I made sure to make a list or at least some targets that I would like to try this evening. Which were  m31 and M13.  As well as testing out the new binos. Starting around 9:30pm or so I knew it still wasn’t quite dark enough and the flight path seemed to be incredibly busy which didn’t help things.

First  starting off with m31 which was east/north east this evening. Before starting I tested the opricon WA 10x 50 binos to make sure I was in the general areal which showed surprisingly clear and crisp views of the stars. Next after locating Mirach with the binos I then went up  vertically with my scope following the second two stars.  I found a grey smudge which I am now certain it has to be m 31 as it was the same thing I saw the other night, when focusing it didn’t seem to focus like the stars but seemed to get longer in shape. It had a whiteish core in the middle. 
 

next I wanted to test my binos and went to Jupiter just as a quick look, and was very impressed though they seem to be a bit shaky ( maybe it’s just me !) though was very small I could make out the gap between the rings and was framed beautifully with the other stars.

lastly my main target tonight was m13 which I could just about see with the naked eye. Though starting with Arcturus and working my way up diagonally using Alphecca and Kornephoros as guides  I could see a small faint hazy glow.  The main focus on tonight was trying to improve my star hoping and knowing the constellations better which I’m very pleased with. Hopefully I can get out more and do longer sessions to make it worth while!

My first pair of “proper” binoculars. Opticron WA 10x50. Excited to try them tonight!

Hi everyone ,

I am considering saving for a second scope to go with my refractor and have wanted a Mak for such a long time due to it being known as a planet killer which will be its primary use. How much of a difference is the Mak127 compared to the 102 and also the physical size? As I’m trying to keep it small and lightweight as possible.  The 127 is  unfortunately a bit more than I’d like to spend though if it is a noticeable difference then I will consider.  Is the 200mm difference in focal length also noticeable? 
 

any advice would be appreciated!

17 minutes ago, Neil_104 said:

If your skies are anything like mine this evening then it's definitely not an evening for M31, the Moon reflecting off high level cloud will all but mask it. I'm not sure if you've seen M31 before and so know what to look for or not, but try finding it with your naked eye first. If the skies are dark enough then it always stands out fairly well to me (though of course eye sight will factor in here!). From there it's all the more easy to zoom in on it 🙂

(I've just realised - you may well have been trying to find it with the naked eye 😄)

Thanks I must of admit  it was probably the worst night for viewing it. I have seen it before in a dob. But that was ages ago. It was half and half with viewing with the naked eye and scope hopefully will be better next time!

Just a short session tonight but My main target was to try and observe M31. After having a quick browse on sky safari I managed to locate the andromeda constellation fairly easily finding the tail end of Matar and going down until I could find Mirach, Unfortunately the moon is still fairly bright in its wearing  gibbous stage so I was unable to locate the uAnd stars above mirach and was  trying to go in blind. I thought i  did see a small grey fuzzie but I was not 100%  sure that it was m31. Though I knew I was in the general area but the moon and small layer of clouds did not help.

After deciding to not waste my session I moved over to Saturn as previously it was badly positioned though this time it was in prime position to view from my spot. After locating it with the red dot finder and the 24mm eyepiece I swapped to my 14mm and could easily make out the rings as well as possibly Rhea? On the left hand side though it was quite difficult to see. I think I am slowly becoming obsessed with planets ( even more so than before ) which is making me want to get a mak ! Overall a very enjoyable  session even if I could not locate M31.

10 minutes ago, Ratlet said:

How wide is wide?

M31 is always going to be a classic.  Something about a photon travelling unimpeded for 2.5 million years only to end it's life in a Scottish bams retina is amazing to me.

Open clusters in Auriga/Perseus are some of my favourites,  M34-M38.  I find with a wider view some of them take on a slightly organic view, almost like moss or lichen.  It's hard to describe.  Probably better more into autumn.

Thanks, I remember seeing m31 in my first scope and it still blows me away. I will have a look at those clusters.

7 minutes ago, Stu said:

What scope do you have Olli, and which eyepieces? Do you have an OIII or UHC filter?

A lot depends on the above and how dark your skies are too. My favourites at this time of year are objects like the Veil and North America Nebula. To see these in their entirety you need around 3.5 degrees field of view and a good UHC or preferably OIII filter, plus dark skies.

As you mention, M31 is great in a wide field of view and dark skies as you really see the full extent of it.

Other suggestions would be open clusters or groupings of objects such as M8, M20 and M21 which show beautifully in a large fov. In general trawling up the Milky Way is very rewarding too.

In terms of open clusters, the Double Cluster and Stock 2 look great together, and ones like Melotte 111 is large and looks good in wide fields.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Hi Stu, I currently have a Zenithstar 73 and for eyepieces I have a 24mm 68 degree eyepiece and a 14mm 76 degree eyepiece. After looking at the clear outside app it says I’m in bortle 4. I was pondering on the idea of uhc filters but wasn’t sure if they would be worth splurging on. Thank you for the suggestions above I will have note those down. Hopefully I get to have another crack at m31 before it disappears behind my trees!

Hi everyone , 

As the title suggests I am currently looking for some targets to fulfil the potential of my scope. I’ve currently only used it on Planetary objects such as the moon and Saturn and have been really pleased with the results given its size. However I have only been using large reflector scopes observing DSOs up until now so I’m not really sure how far this can go. I went to try andromeda but unfortunately clouds cut the session short. Any advice on what to observe would be great and would love to know  what are some of your favourites to look at for those with similar scopes.

TYIA

Hi everyone, 

I am currently in the market for some binoculars under £100 which will be using for nature  and astronomy, but hoping to find something quite lightweight and won’t cause fatigue.  I was looking at the Celestron Outland or even something similar to the Helios star field binos but not sure how well they’d be for non astronomy use. Hoping any of you could give me some advice or if you have had any experience with the  above. 
 

TYIA 

After many frustrating nights trying to set up my az  gti  ( though thank you to those who tried to help) It finally got the better of me and decided to purchase a Az5 Mount to use with my WOZ73. Today was a miserable day weather wise until late evening and the clouds finally gave way . My main target was just going to be the moon to  test out the Mount to see how it feels. I’ve previously have used a as pronto so the slow mo controls were very familiar however the Mount itself seemed extremely well built and stable. I also decided to attach my telrad finder to the scope, though it does look a bit ridiculous on such a small scope but it just fits and is one of the easiest / best finders I’ve used so wanted to give it a whirl.

After having no problems with setting up I set my eyes on the moon first using the  24mm ES eyepiece. Once again this scope never fails to amazed me with crystal clear views of the  craters and also the terminator. The I swapped out the eyepiece to the 14mm Morpheus which revealed even more detail , though started To blind myself from the moonlight. Need to invest in a filter.. Decided to give the family a viewing and their reactions were priceless as always.

I then noticed that Saturn was still visible so once again using the telrad finder and slow mo controls  to locate the object unfortunately Saturn was behind some trees so did not have the best of viewing angle . However it was still visible and showed great sharp views using the 24mm and 14. Though definitely need to invest in a 5mm eyepiece, overall a short session due to clouds and a bad concert being played at a local pub. But  a very enjoyable one. Will hopefully get the gti working one day.