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The spec sheet of the GTiX mentions higher payload than the predecessor AZ GTi. Ist that a genuine difference? If mounted on a wedge, shall we expect better unguided and guided results?
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Many thanks for the wealth of details! Currently I own a Lightrack II tracker that does wonders unguided but no goto, no dec adjustment I thought I could go in the more comfortable direction. The AZ-GTi's appeared to be a simple, cheap solution but not 100% sure if it is a clear step forward.
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The last thing I'd be complaining about the lightrack being weak and flimsy. Yesterday I've put my sigma 150-600 s telephoto (weighs 3kg and adds about 3" to the moment arm) on it pointing Zenith (worst case scenario re balancing) without counterweight: no slipping. That shiny arm you see on the pictures is a 10" long, 3/8" thick alloy, the rest is also built like a tank. The wedge is not easy to set but once done, it is rock stable, wider base than the Skywatcher wedge. Do not compare apples to oranges: the AM5 is a harmonic drive, erratic periodic error is a known issue, people are guiding it with 0.5-1sec frequency. The Lightrack is on a completely different working principle. Here you can see an absolutely worse case scenario mounting example with a heavy lens (same as mine), extended multisection tripod, gimbal head: he got wost case 7" peak to peak. BTW my own experience so far with a canon 2.8/200L + 6d: zero trailing with 6-7min subs out of the box, unguided. |
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Mine was tested with resultes in a PE of 2" peak to peak range, average central period. And the period is pretty long in these ones, around 6 min, if I recall right. I think they tested it with a 600mm lens and no issues at all. The main issue with Lightrack II is that is, well, a tracker. So no goto nor dec guiding.
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There are no ASCOM or native drivers to speak of to my knowledge so, no, NINA wouldn't do anyhting except for plate solving but you can do that with ASTAP anyway, besides Dec adjustments are going to be made by hand and I can't see that being either easy or precise. Potentially you can mount a rotator on the CW arm so you have a degree of control in Dec but the max speed is twice sideral (I think) so either you are close to the subject or it isn't going to be much of a help.
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GTom, Yeah, pluses and minuses certainly! The Lightrack is badly missing anything "modern": no ascom/any kind of PC connection, no goto, not even dec control. Otherwise it indeed does what the label says: it is a very decent motorized+strong barndoor tracker. And one more thing: simple and reliable: you won't bump into a show stopper issue/missing/broken bits or bobs after landing in Namibia . The GTi(X) is neither that strong nor that precise but has all those conveniences that are part of modern day framing and shooting. So true, side step indeed, different set of problems. |
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Yeah, navigation, framing is a plate solving exercise. Haven't done it yet, one thing is sure: the old ball head must go. But even with a low profile gimbal head or pano adapters I suspect a pain coming, wasting precious time under the stars. That was the primary reason I considered trading a bit of the simplicity, reliability and low weight of the Lightrack setup for something more modern. BTW you can slew quite quickly in RA with the buttons. But here comes the other limitation: the "mount" only works in a small section, once you reach the limit, you have to move the whole thing. Going after a new object almost certainly means moving your camera mounting gear (photo head, brackets, whatever) There are no ASCOM or native drivers to speak of to my knowledge so, no, NINA wouldn't do anyhting except for plate solving but you can do that with ASTAP anyway, besides Dec adjustments are going to be made by hand and I can't see that being either easy or precise. Potentially you can mount a rotator on the CW arm so you have a degree of control in Dec but the max speed is twice sideral (I think) so either you are close to the subject or it isn't going to be much of a help. |
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Yeah, navigation, framing is a plate solving exercise... I am currently upgrading to the nikon 2.8/300. It still ticks the boxes regarding specs (full gear right on the payload limit of the GTi, more relaxed with the X especially that the guidescope can simply go on the other side. |
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... Exactly! |
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Is it possible to load the Equatorial mode firmware on the AZ-GTIX?
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Filipe Veríssimo: *100% valid question! I do not know... |
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GTom, I used the lightrack ii for about a year and loved it for what it was. I used it on a williams optics wedge. Polar aligned with the ASIAIR mini. Star hopped to get close and then plate solved with annotation feature to locate the target. I manually dithered. Used with F4 300mm and f2.8 200mm lenses as well as Astrotech AT60 ED and counterweight. I found ball heads and gimbals to not work at all for me at those focal lengths. It is a great tracker. When I decided I wanted to start guiding and use larger scpoes I upgraded to the AM3 and I have the optional counterweight to increase the payload, but still very portable. It was a great improvement in fun factor and I highly recommend it. CS, Bob
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Filipe Veríssimo: Sounds like good news! I only need to decide now if I want to chase "bargain" deals on the SA GTi (if they exist...) or hop on the significantly cheaper AZ GTIX. |
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Sounds like good news! I only need to decide now if I want to chase "bargain" deals on the SA GTi (if they exist...) or hop on the significantly cheaper AZ GTIX. Guess I need CW for the AZ GTI as well for working on a wedge? (Goal is dso with a 5kg heavy rig) |
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Theoretically yes, however: things mounted on the secondary saddle have maybe one THIRD the moment arm compared to something sitting at the end of a counterweight shaft. Also, I don't have too much gear: mini guidescope, ultralight pancake guidecam: definitely not enough to balance a 5kg rig. Adding anything bulky but unnecessary: more windage. I think I'll steer back to either the full EQ SA GTi or make my peace with the shortcomings of my Lightrack (this is working fine with approx 3kg worth of imbalance)
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