AstroNebulee

I am going to try the rotator as a next step and see if this helps my issue. I have adjusted more tension previously to my focuser as it was slipping a bit when tightening the focus lock up. So solved that issue but had the eggy stars before this. I am in contact with FLO too and they have said a tilt adjuster and my rotator could solve the issue but want to try the rotator first to see if this solve it before shelling out for a tilt adjuster but I may need to. I'm wondering if adding a shim that was supplied with my camera would help though.

I'd find it hard to correct the tilt in 3 corners as I have no tilt adjuster fitted. Inhave a rotator for my scope and wonder if fitting this may help instead of the visual back on there now. As my FF has a chamfered edge to it so when the thumbscrews connect coukd cause the tilt? (see attached image). I am using a svbony 2 in H ir uv cut filter attached to my FF but I have a zwo 1.25inch ir uv cut filter I coukd attach to the camera via the filter adapter.

I have an sw 72ed on az gti mount in EQ mode, with my zwo asi294mc pro and I'm delighted with the images from my set up, 3 minute subs, guiding can range from 0.6-1.5 rms and I'm happy with that for what my mount can push. Yes I'd love a more sturdier tracking mount but I live in a first floor flat and have to take my setup and gear down 2 flights of stairs to an outside communal area to image so portability is key to me. The az gti mount can perform very admirably indeed and is a revelation in the astrophotography world.

Hi I have eggy stars in mainly the top two corners but can see them eggy in the bottom corners now I can zoom in better. If you look at the core of the stars around the edge of the image you can see the drift off to the edge. Am I right in thinking that the sensor is too close to the FF. The images are single 3mins subs stretched I am using the correct 55mm of back focus but may need to use the shims provided with my zwo asi294mc pro. I took an inage with the camera rotated 90 degrees right and the same. My set up is sw 72ed AzGti eq mode zwo asi 294mc pro.

××Mods can you move this to the imaging help forum please. ××

Update on my issue. I still have the eggy stars in the top right and left corners (I will include a single sub of the issue) one sub is normal framing and one is camera rotated 90 degrees. Looking close there is slight eggyness in the bottom corners but not as much as top. Maybe seeing this closer the sensor is too close to the scope. Thinking it's a focuser sag issue with the extended weight on the back. My scope is balanced, correct back focus of 55mm and guiding is great for my mount at around 0.6-1.4 rms. I can adjust the tension grub screw again to give me more tension on the focuser tube, maybe that will help. I've contacted FLO and they suggested adjusting the focuser on the bottom again. I have a rotator so will fit this too. FLO have suggested a tilt adjuster along with the rotator and focusing tweak. I'm wondering tgaet the bevel shamfered bit (arrowed on the image) on the FF could be contributing to the off centre too as they step in a bit, and with the 2 thumbscrews on the visual back couikd be shifting it. I thought maybe to adjust the bearings on the top but FLO said best to just alter the bottom of the focuser.

There's a lot of az gti owners on there that will glady offer advice and help you and its all in one place for az gti matters. 👍

It does with this clamp, as with the stock one there's only the bolt end holding the dovetail in place against the saddle so could pivot a bit. But with the adm saddle it's clamped all the way along the dovetail and no marking of your bar either.

I had the same bundle as you are thinking of and found the tripod quite suitable, there is some wobble at high magnification but settles very soon. Now I'm imaging I don't extend the legs atall, so if you wanted to further stabalise it sit on acinfty stool and observe. But yes a skywatcher 3/8 inch steel tripod would be a good choice. I too changed the supplied skywatcher saddle for the more robust and better security of clamping adm one as suggested above and is worth every penny. Lots of good advice on here for all things AzGti,plenty of owners with this set up.

If you have or are getting an az gti mount this thread should help you a lot. 👍

Thank you so much to @Ande for selling me his William Optics wedge. Posted yesterday and arrived today 👍, such a speedy delivery, great communication from Andy with all my questions. It's so much weightier and studier than my sw wedge. In perfect condition. So delighted to own this piece of equipment, will be perfect on my AzGti eq setup, she's a beauty.

Thank you Ray, I've ordered one now and will just open up the plate to accept a 3/8 inch bolt 👍, good luck with your set up.

This thread is responsible for a few members rekindling their romance with the az gti haha and why not is a beautiful mount 😍, it'll definitely take your set up Rob. Love to hear more when you get out with it, clear skies👍

Another beautiful az gti set up, nice work Ray, lots and lots of shiny red there 😍, hopefully you won't need to do the strip down and will wear in. Love to hear a report when the cloud finally breaks 👍 Can I ask what are you attaching your az gti mount to the WO wedge please? Is it half of a skywatcher L bracket? Looking for ideas as selling my star adventurer 2i and won't have a plate from the sa

You've got it set up correctly Laurence, see attached image of your set up for polar scope orientation. And an image of my set up pointing north (yep I know I'm indoors haha)

It's looking brilliant Laurence, lovely set up 😍. Yep you've set up correctly camera lens and mount both pointing North in home position. 👍

Mars will be looking quite good this year, so will look forward to hearing how you fare 👍

Its a beautiful image, well done. As you say you don't really need a big mount for astrophotography and you have proved it here, brilliant 👋

Yes the strip down isn't that hard if you take your time and take photos along the way too. Most of the issue could be the grub screws on the RA locking circular nut, (the grub screws on the side only need minuscule adjustments) may not even need the washer mod. Definitely white lithium grease the mount up whilst you're in there too. We definitely like pushing the boundaries of our eq mounts and proved that they are capable for astrophotography which all our images show. Your set up and counterweights will be fine and should expect some good guiding there. I think how you get your info on the bottom is in account, account-settings, settings area - and then signature. Though as I'm mostly on mobile, I can't see mine or anyone's haha

Hopefully the milk carton washer will help your dec axis too. That washer does look wrll mangled up. Yes I would be interested in the findings of your mod on Dec axis 👍

Hi Ray What is your set up? I have 2 1kg star adventurer counterweights on my 72ed AzGti eq mode zwo asi 294mc pro setup and is plenty. Like I say my RA axis was stiff but the regreasing and adjustment of the RA grub screws sorted mine.

I'm my experience the RA (az) axis is a little stiffer than the Dec (alt) axis. With mine I stripped it down regreased it and adjusted the grub screws in the RA threaded locking washer bit or the milk carton washer mod may help you. This thread should be of assistance but if you open it up you may or will void your warranty.

Think I've sorted it now. Just undone the screws as I mentioned and tightened the tension screw a touch now I've no slippage on the focuser with my FF, spacers and 294mc pro attached. Before the focuser was stiff in a few places and now it's smooth. Also before when nipping up the focus lock thumbscrew the focus tube would move. Now when tightening the focus thumbscrew the tube stays in position. Here's a flat I've taken with the adjustment made and now central in the image and not off to one side as before.

You are correct Ray it would be 38 degrees for you. 👍

You did well with the sale of the 102. I am see why the 102 refractor got more use being more Widefield. The 127 mak and az gti are a perfect pairing 😁