Skywatcher GTi versus EQM 35i

[gregbradley]

I wonder how these 2 compare for use as an advanced tracker for widefield mirrorless camera shots as well as 105mm scope for visual
Greg

[Rod-AR127]

How much does your 105mm telescope weigh?
Also the length on a small mount will be a big issue with balancing and wind.
I have a Start adv gti, great fun with a 72mm/400fl refractor.

[USQastrostudent]

Hi Greg,

I recently purchased a AZ-GTi along with an Evostar 102. I am going to post a full review in the near future along with pics of both. Is your 105mm a Catadioptric, newtonian, or refractor? I can tell you that if it is a refractor, its length will limit its use on an Az Gti to only nights with very very minimal wind, if it is used with the AZ Gti as I am using. While it does work and quite well on nights of very low wind, the length of the refractor tube does cause some vibration which makes focusing challenging. There are advantages to the Az Gti and even paired with a 4" refractor, but performance and stability would be superior if we were talking about a 4" Mak which has less interaction with wind. For a camera, I would want a more stable system, so overall my advice would be for the EQM-35 for both applications. Especially where even minor wind will affect your exposures. You need stability. EQM 35 offers more stability than AZ GTi while also remaining very portable. Will have plenty more to say on an AZ GTI 4" refractor combo in my future review... Do reach out if I can be of any help. Clear skies, Mark.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Rod and Mark.

The 105mm F6 is a CFF refractor and at a guess it weighs about 8Kgs.

But realistically I will only use this mount for longer exposure camera lens imaging.

Greg.

[USQastrostudent]

Hi Greg,

For that scope, I'd recommend forgetting both AZ GTi (weight capacity 5kg), and EQM35 (10kg capacity in EQ mode for a scope) entirely, for any application of the scope. I'd be recommending stepping up to a HEQ5 which will handle both applications with the heavier triplet while also remaining very portable. I'd even recommend looking at the AZ EQ5 with the pier tripod version, and can be used in both configurations and is easily convertible between alt az mode and eq mode within seconds, for use with the scope or the camera lens. It is also incredibly quiet slewing (comparable to the incredibly quiet EQ8-R) which might be important if you have close neighbors?

The EQM-35 would work for the camera well and is designed for such in its transformation but I think a heavy triplet would be happier on an EQ5 based system and up...

The AZ GTi works "ok" for visual with a much lighter 3" to 4" doublet, which I am currently putting through its paces, although any wind whatsoever becomes a serious factor for it. Any kind of imaging through it would be an exercise in frustration IMHO.

clear skies,
Mark

[gregbradley]

Thanks Mark.

Greg.

[JA]

Hi Greg,

How's it all going?

I wouldn't go for either the Skywatcher AZ-GTi or the EQ35M, but rather the Skywatcher Star Adventurer GTI, given that you mentioned it's for long exposure camera lens imaging and not so much visual on heavier (>5kg) scopes.

I had the AZ-GTi and it was great for lens imaging and super light for its 5 kg payload, but it required a wedge and the commercially available ones were dinky toys. Enter the Star Adventure which had an integrated precisely adjustable in altitude and azimuth wedge. It was a god send and for only an extra few hundred. Infact there's now one in the classifieds for 600 which is a steal and would be great mated with an ASI Air device for very precise polar alignment.

I would not contemplate the EQ35M despite its attractive 10kg payload capabilities for 2 reasons: the altitude adjustment 2 screw system it uses makes for cumbersome PRECISE altitude adjustment and the cables all over the place to its outboard mounted motors in probably plastic shells.

Good luck on your selection.

Best
JA

[gregbradley]

Thanks JA for your writeup. I did indeed buy the Star Adventurer that was listed in the classifieds.

I hope to be back imaging within a couple of weeks.

The home observatory is near completion and my dark site mount has it's new controller electronics ready to be installed so I can use it again.

I also ordered a SWAT 330 star tracker from Japan. It's a high end tracker unit with 6.5 arc secs periodic error and has some nice accessories. Been wanting one for some time. It's payload is 13kgs despite being quite small.

Greg.