Product Description
Looking for a portable Altazimuth mount for your small refractor? The Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi should check just about every box on your wishlist.
Lightweight...check
Reasonable payload...check
Computerized...check
Runs off your smart device...check
And so on and so forth. This is a loaded lightweight mount.
The free SynScan Pro app for Android and iOS devices turns this mount into a serious observation machine with 42,900 objects in its database. The AZ-GTi also has periodic error correction, backlash compensation, tours, and a DSLR camera control. I can not state enough just how fuil featured this mount is. The built-in wifi connection allows you to connect without needing an additonal router or internet connection. With a payload capacity of 11 pounds most small to medium sized instruments should be right at home. Built in clutch knobs on both axis allow for easy movement by hand. With certain mounts when you move the scope by hand you will lose your computer alignment. Not with this one. The dual encoders will keep exact axis aligment when you unlock the mount and move the scope manually. Once you are locked in and tracking the DC servo motors run quietly and have minimum vibration. The mount runs on eight user-supplied AA batteries.
So, you want to know what exactly the SynScan App does? One this it doesn't do is cost money. It is free at the app store. The app will control the mount wirelessly allowing you to align, move, control from your device. The GPS unit will automatically update your location, day, date, time making it even easier to line up your mount. Once you get it all aligned the SynScan has a fantastic tour abilty taking you around the night sky to the best objects that are available. It has three tracking rates (solar, lunar, and sidereal) as well as 10 slewing speeds.
And in closing, we can talk about the 5.3 pound tripod and pier extension. The tripod is an adjustable height tripod with aluminum legs. Its maximum height is 43.3" and the extension pier will give you a few more inches making night time viewing a tad more comfortable while keeping vibration at a minimum. The tripod legs will spread to 42.3 inches and are held in place with a spreader tray that is designed to hold personal effects or accessories while you are out observing. The feet of the AZ-GTi are spiked to increase stability when you are on different types of terrain or soft ground.
Tech Details
Weight | Mount: 2.9 lb Tripod: 4.2 lb Pier extension: 1.1 lb |
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Warranty | 2 years |
Reviews
On the negative side, the screw holding the mount to the pier was constantly working loose after 10 minutes of use and I would lose tracking. The good news is that a lock washer solved that problem nicely. I've also had problems getting it aligned, with 2 star alignment being very hit-or-miss. Still, I'm new to the go-to mounts and it might get better with more experience on my part. (Posted on 10/18/2019)
The CN reviews are pretty accurate. It points and tracks well. The "push to" encoders work exactly as advertised, though this is a very light mount and you have to be careful not to jog the feet if you're slewing by hand.
Some caveats:
1. If you don't buy a hand controller, you use your phone or tablet. On android, the slew direction arrows are just above the android home and back spots. Very easy to hit them by mistake and exit the app. Not a big problem, just something to get used to. On the other hand, it interfaces pretty well with Skysafari, so you can use that instead (some issues with older iphones though).
2. Initial wifi setup didn't work with dns/port in the instructions. It took some research and trial and error to get it right. And the paper instructions are not good. You have to either go online or use the app help just to find out what the controls do.
3. Because of Celestron SE fixed dovetail placement, scope is upside down with standard firmware (eyepiece below focus knob and finder under the tube). To rectify that, Skywatcher offers (unsupported!) "backwards" firmware that lets you mount SE right side up. It mostly works well (as well as adding an equatorial option) but direction arrows seemed backwards during alignment. Once you're aligned, they worked fine though. Might be me though, I'm still learning the mount. This wasn't an issue with the original original firmware.
All the above is just inconvenience. What is a pain though is:
4. There are no guide pins to prevent the mount from rotating when attaching to the tripod. It's purely a friction fit. Very touchy trying to get it tight enough without feeling like your about to break something. I'm tempted to put a pin in myself but nervous about drilling into the base for fear I might hit a gear or something. It's the only real negative I have about the mount, but unfortunately it's a big negative. Very wobbly unless you get the torque right. Maybe with a tube less wide and heavy as mine it wouldn't be so critical, but though I'm pretty close to the limit load, I haven't exceeded it.
Overall, very happy with this light weight, capable mount. Hope they come up with something scaled for an 8" SCT, then they'll have really hit the market sweet spot and be serious competition for the big two.
(Posted on 1/13/2019)
I also love that this little mount has a firmware download that enables equatorial mode with tracking. Just remember if you upgrade to this new firmware that you'll need to mount your scope on the right-hand side for Alt-Az mode instead of left-hand side as before. You can look on Cloudy Nights for an easy method to add a counterweight bar for equatorial mode.
I'd observe the weight limits in the Tech Details and this little mount should impress you. (Posted on 1/3/2019)