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Showing results for tags 'ioptron'.
Found 25 results
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Hi guys, hoping you can help with the tracking problems I'm coming across with my astrophotography setup. I've been using it since August 2020 and have kind of put up with the problem until last night where I think it's getting worse... Specs below (let me know if you need anything else): William Optics Zenithstar 61 II (360mm F6.1) - Zenithstar 61Adjustable Field Flattener iOptron SkyGuider Pro Camera Mount Full Package K&F Concept Aluminium Tripod with 2kg weight Canon EOS 250d (cropped sensor 1.6x) The problem: I take roughly 40 pics with each being -
I bought this mount, from FLO, at the beginning of January 2020. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ioptron-mounts/ioptron-smartstar-cubepro-az-mount.html These comments are after a month's occasional use. I already have a selection of Celestron & Skywatcher (Synta) GoTo mounts, but I wanted something smaller for a grab-and-go with quick setup. Overall I am very pleased with my choice. The GPS locks in a few tens of seconds, and the mount emits a short "beep" to indicate the lock (the top-right corner of the display also changes from "ON" to "OK"). Provided that the mount is point
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Hi all, I've had my new CEM70 for about a month now and getting good results unguided so far. The only issue I have is the Latitude adjustment clamps are very stiff and hard to turn, so much so that the Western side one no longer tightens enough. Before I start fiddling and spraying WD40 has anyone else had the same problem and solved it? Many thanks and clear skies. Andy
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FLO sent me this beast of a mount for review, and after a few months use I've finished said review. If you don't want to read, then scroll to the bottom to see the video. If not, let's go. From the top, the dual type Vixen/Losemandy type puck, and at the back of mine it had 3 5521 type power ports for powering equipment, and 3 USB ports (2 powered) for connecting to the internal USB hub network. Whilst I didn't exactly use this network, it's still very handy to use, especially being on the puck - it means you don't have to worry about any slack on your cables and they won't pull. A handy
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Hi. Has anyone used this mount. Sky at night magazine gave it very good review, but elsewhere I read stories of tracking issues. How would you rate it compared to an heq5? If have an 80 mm Ed scope most likely to be used for AP, but I would like option to observe visually with an 8" newt. I Suspect the latter would overload it? Thanks Mark
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I had bought this in the hope that i will do astro trips more often. Hasn't happened and i use my avx at home. So this is not finding much use. An extremely portable setup, the mount with weight and tripod leg spreader fits in a shoe box. The stock nuts have been replaced by winged nuts for easy grip in the dark. One of the tripod's legs suffered a slight damage, but I've taped it well and does not affect its performance. I will include the computer connecting cable as well as polemaster adapter. You can read its review here: http://www.altairastro.com/public/ioptron
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I’ve been having issues with platesolving using Platesolve2 and my Ioptron IEQ30PRO Mount, I’m connecting using the Ioptron Commander Ascom driver. I’m using Maxim DL5 to locate and image via the Planetarium section. When the Maxim platesolving fails, especially when I’ve just started in a new location, I need to use Platesolve2, which is installed as an add on. Unfortunately I can never sync once it’s finished platesolving as the telescope disconnects at some point in the process. I only use the above setup at Star parties. At home I have an observatory with Eqmod running an eq6. I don’t
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This is the original iOptron Sky Tracker. Comes with the polarscope, case and manual. In excellent condition. Please note this is NOT the v2 version which has the azimuth adjustment - I used a panoramic head to adjust the azimuth. Although this model has been superseded by the v2 and now the pro versions it still tracks extremely well provided you get it polar aligned (just the same can be said for the newer models). However as this is the older model I'm selling it at for just £95 including postage within the UK Payment via paypal (sorry, you pay the fee or send as gift) o -
I bought a new CEM25P and just spend two nights trying to get it to track. I've had many GEM mounts over the last 30 years, so I thought this would easy. But it seems that either I have a problem with the mount, or I am getting old. I leveled, balanced, and polar aligned the mount well. Then I attached a guide scope. I did NOT attach the cable from the guidescope to mount. I also did not attach the mount to my computer. This way I could watch stars drift and get an idea of was going on with just the mount. I checked the CEM25's tracking rate, and it is set to sidereal
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Hello to all, I have got a chance of going for a IOptron CEM25P that I want to use in my back garden. I also would like to take it on my travels around the UK and possibly abroad. I have organised a deal for this mount together with an 80 mm triplet refractor and guide scope. I can order the mount with 1.5” or 2” legs; weight difference is about 3kg for the heavier version, extra cost about £100. I just wondered if anyone could advise if the 1.5” legs would be good enough and stay stable in the wind? Does anyone own this mount and have either of the two sizes of legs?
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Due to to a combination of a change of shift pattern at work&a shoulder opI had last year Im reluctantly putting up my imaging setup for sale.It comprises of the following: 1. Ioptron ZEQ25GT with custom made CWs and extendable shaft,custom made pier head adapter with materials to make a DIY pier 2. SW 200PDS with rotating ring and secondary dew heater 3. Optistar AR80S Dual Speed 4. Modified Canon 350D with charger and battery 5. Astronomic CLS CCD 2" filter 6. SW Coma Corrector 7. Astronomiser 10m cable(for camera control) 8. QHY 5-II camera with guide scope adapter 9. Hotech Laser Coll -
Hiya, I recently treated myself to the iOptron SkyTracker and tried it out for the first the the other night. I kept getting star trails (which I later realised may have been due to the fact that I had it set to half speed! Silly me!) But I also had a lot of trouble with the polar alignment and I feel that, even if I had had it set to the correct speed, I still would have been getting star trails... These are the steps I went through, can anyone tell me if I am doing something wrong? I levelled my tripod and faced the tracker towards North I set my latitude to around 56 -
This very useful upgrade kit will give you full Goto when added to an EQ5 or Vixen GP type mount. This is an extract from the instructions: The GoToNova® dual axis GOTO upgrading kit is available for the EQ5-like mounts (144 teeth). The kit is compatible with the following mounts: EQ5, Vixen Great Polaris (GP), Orion SkyView Pro, Celestron CG-5, Meade LDX55/LDX75 and Astro-5. The kit may also be used on the older Vixen Super Polaris (SP) with some more modification to the housing. I am selling it because I now have an AZEQ5 so do not need it any more. It is in go
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iOptron has improved what was already my favorite portable AP mount. The CEM25P now actually guarantees a periodic error of less than +/- 10 arc sec, which guarantee, as far as I know, is unprecedented for this category/price (£799 currently at Altair Astro). You can read my full review here, although with the winter weather I have only managed a couple of decent sessions. Overall, it includes some improvements over its predecessors ZEQ25 and CEM25, while retaining the amazing lift/weight ratio it is known for and my unit does actually show a PE that is well bellow the specified +/- 10" (
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Hi, having recently upgraded to a telescope I no longer require my iOptron SkyTracker 3302W. I purchased it from WEX Photographic & to be honest, I have only used it in anger 3 or 4 times because of time constraints. It is in perfect working order in original packaging & box as seen in the pic below. A word of warning that I found out through trial and error is that unless you use exceptional quality batteries, tracking time & accuracy will be compromised. The unit does however have a 12v input & I used a Celestron Car Battery Adapter cable to power th
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I recently took delivery of this mount, having until now only used an Alt-Az mount for imaging. So this is a whole new experience, and as such I’m not really in a position to give a meaningful performance review. Nevertheless, here are my first thoughts. I wanted a mount that could be set up for each session, and light enough to allow my ageing frame to be able to carry it from inside the house to outside. It also had to be able to successfully carry a load currently around 6-7kg without complaint. So this is what attracted me to the GEM45. I bought the version with the case and tripod, n
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The postman was kind to me today and dropped off a William Optics Zenithstar 61 and Flat61A flattener and the gods smiled on me with clear skies for 30 minutes. It would be a shame not to christen the new toys I only managed 10 lights so I didn't even consider darks or flats. The 10 lights from the Canon 5D MkIV, shot at iso 1600 x 60 seconds, were stacked and aligned in PS, median filtered for some noise reduction and then a few layer/curves tweaks to pull out some basic detail so I could look at the star profiles and and any vignetting. Overall impression is extremely good build q- 8 replies
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I have decided to sell my Cem-120 mount as i got a second hand AP 1100 GTO from my friend who got a new AP 1600 with encoders its just under a year old bought from Altair Astro so still under two year warranty is in mint cont i couldn't miss the opportunity to get AP 1100 GTO and let it go still waiting for pier plate for mount. So theirs no point in keeping two large mounts after i got my dream final mount buyer will pay shipping price is 2150 pounds. Altair Astro price without Ipolar Camera is 3250 pounds without Ipolar Camera which is 200 pounds total 3450 pounds -
Hey all, I'm considering and tempted by an iOptron CEM25P. Just wondering if there's any owners (current or former - for any reason) who can share their experiences with this? I intend on buying it new, so a substantial wedge to drop. Many thanks
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Hi everyone, I decided to sell my iOptron iPolar, that is currently mounted on my SkyGuider Pro. I only used it a couple times so it's like new. Since I'm now using another mount, and will probably sell my SkyGuider eventually, I no longer need the iPolar. Please note that it isn't compatible with other mounts, mainly because the USB slot is on the back of the camera, not on its side. Price is £150, including shipping from Munich, Germany. Payment via Paypal or bank transfer. Please let me know if you have any question or if you need pictures! Thanks! -
I have recently bought an iOptron GEM45 (from FLO) and I am a bit mystified by the Zero Position. The hand control gives you the options of "Goto Zero Position" and also "Search Zero Position", but they appear to do the same thing! Does the mount have sensors like the Home position of a Paramount, which sets the axes to an exact hardware position, or is it something else? I guess this is the same for other iOptron EQ mounts so maybe a skilled user can enligten me. Many thanks Chris
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From the album: DoctorD's Photos
Photo of Minitower II control board showing revised electronics and surface mount capacitors. -
Finally received my QHY5l-II from Astronomia so had a go at setting up PHD2 last night/this morning.Finding stars with this camera was easy compare to the SPC900! Equipment used: iOptron ZEQ25GT,SW 200PDS with an Optistar AR80/QHY5l-II piggy backed,default settings in PHD2.Once locked onto a star it all then went pete tongue,the graph below tells the story of my 1st attempt,the RA just dropped off the scale! So after this I altered the counter weight on the mount which gave me this graph,maybe get the balance better on the mount? Then the dec went 'off course' for some reason? Managed a 5 m
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I have been loving my Celestron Nexstar 8SE scope for viewing the night sky and am starting to think about getting my next scope to use for imaging. I bought a copy of 'Making Every Photon Count' a week or two back and have just finished reading it (very well written book ) and I am now thinking about what my options are. I have already ordered an INOVA PLB-MX Mono planetary camera to have a play with on my Nexstar to see how things go with imaging the Moon / Jupiter / Saturn & Mars. This camera should arrive tomorrow. I have also ordered and received a set of LRGBC Baader filters and
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Now this is the way to ring in the New Year. I took advantage of our unseasonal like crystal clear skies we are enjoying and forgo the traditional festivities and spend it under the stars. I was finally able to make another dream come true and at last image the Orion Nebula with my iOptron Zmount and AT65EDQ. With an amazing 5 hour session that wrapped up at about 3 in the morning here's the results. Let me know what you think of the processing. 15x5 seconds, 15x30 seconds, 15x120 seconds, 15x300 seconds. Each series went thru DSS and then blended together in PS4 and tweeked in LR4. The ORI
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