Sky-Watcher's Star Adventurer Motorized Mount Astro Package is an easy-to-use equatorial mount that offers accurate tracking capabilities for astronomy and astrophotography. With a simple turn of a dial, select from Lunar, Solar, or Star tracking modes, or four speeds from 0.5x to 12x if the modes are not exactly right. An integrated polar alignment scope with an included illuminator help the alignment process in either the Northern or Southern Hemispheres, and a date dial compensates for star drift over time to extend the usability of the scope.

In addition to standard stargazing or astrophotography, the mount is also ideally suited for star-scape photos and has a time-lapse mode. A 2.5mm three-segment stereo jack is integrated into the mount and gives the mount the ability to control a compatible DSLR's shutter release for long-exposure or time-lapse photography. Pre-programmed intervals, based on the tracking mode selected, optimize the exposure times for the subjects selected.

The Star Adventurer mount features a Vixen-style dovetail saddle for compatible accessories and optical tube assemblies (OTAs). It has both 3.8"-16 and 1/4"-20 tripod mounts to fit on most astronomical, photo, or video tripods and is offered here without a tripod, OTA, or counterweights.

EQ Mount Only    11 lb Payload Capacity    Selectable Tracking Speeds    Multiple Preprogrammed Speeds    Built-In Illuminated Polar Scope    DSLR Shutter Control Interface    ST-4-Type Auto-Guider Compatible    3/8"-16 and 1/4"-20 Tripod Mounts    Vixen-Style Dovetail Plate    Free Lifetime Firmware Updates

• DC servomotor
• 86mm diameter, 144-tooth aluminum-alloy wheel gear
• 13mm diameter brass worm gear

• Supports star-scape and time-lapse photography
• Selectable Solar, Lunar, Star tracking speeds
• 0.5, 2x, 6x, and 12x tracking speed options
• Manual clutch release facilitates faster alignment and adjustment
• Northern and Southern Hemisphere compatible
• Left/Right control buttons enable manual control of tracking up to 12x
• Free lifetime firmware updates

• Built-in polar alignment scope
• Includes polar scope illuminator
• Integrated RJ-12 single-axis right ascension auto-guider port supports ST-4-type guiders

• Runs on four AA batteries
• Mini USB port for external power or for updating the firmware
• Low energy consumption allows for up to 72 hours of continuous tracking on battery power

• 3/8"-16 and 1/4"-20 tripod mounts
• Vixen-style dovetail saddle
• 11 lb payload capacity

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. If I have a standard camera tripod and DSLR, can I go straight into photographing the Moon, Orion Nebula, etc., without purchasing *anything* else, or must I also get the counterweight, any kind of wedge, ball head, etc. for it to be a complete setup? I am comparing this to iOptron and need to know what else is required.

A: Using a DSLR should not require you to use a counterweight unless the camera and lens combo approaches the 11 pound threshold. I purchased all of the accessories just in case they were needed I'd have them to use. I only use the counterweight when affixing my ETX to the ball head. Depending on the total weight of the camera and lens, coupled with the stability of the tripod you have, you may want to have some form of counterweight, even if just for the tripod itself, to ensure steady images.

Q: 2. What is the payload capacity on the tripod? I plan on using it with a star adventurer 2i with counter weight, Canon 600d camera and 72ed telescope.

A: You could actually use the Star Adventurer for visual astronomy, too, if you wanted. The mount can handle up to 11 pounds of gear, which means a small refractor telescope with a diagonal and eyepiece are an option.

Q: 3. Does this item ship to UK with no tax fee's ? Also do I need to buy the Equatorial Wedge Base for taking astro photos with my DSLR's photo tripod ? or do I need any other accessory for DSLR astro photography? Than you.

A: Can't help on UK taxes. You can use a regular tripod, but you need to point the axis of the mount at Polaris, which may be harder without the wedge. The wedge has a knobbed gear wheel for the elevation. You may also need a ball head to pint your camera at what you want to track. If so, get one with at least a 46mm head.

Q: 4. Does it come with carrying case?

A: No. It doesn't.

Q: 5. what cable do i need to remote trigger a nikon Df (uses a Nikon MC-DC2 connection)?

A: This cable would work for the Nikon DF: https://bhpho.to/3DIntik

Q: 6. What else do I need to buy to be able to do Ap with long exposures? 5 min

A: People mentioned a ball head. I don't have one and wish I did with this tracker. Also, for aligning with Polaris, being able to keep my tripod stationary and spin the tracker on top would make it SO much easier to align. These are my two suggestions. Get the wedge too, that's a must.

Q: 7. can you point me to a telescope to use with this package? thank you

A: Hello. I would recommend a small diameter refractor, such as an Orion. You must consider the weight of the telescope because the capacity of the guider is limited. For heavier scopes, such as the smaller SCTs, I would purchase the 1 kg counterweight. I'm currently using a Canon DSLR with a 200 mm telephoto lens + 1.4x extender and use the counterweight to minimize torsion stress on the guider.

Q: 8. Does the accessory tray come off or disconnect to allow easy collapse of the tripod legs for transportation?

A: Yes the tray on the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Tripod is removable so you can collapse the legs.

Q: 9. At barely 4 pounds, is this tripod really sturdy enough to handle an iOptron SkyGuider Pro mount (with counterweight), Canon T3i DSLR camera, field flattener, William Optics Z61 telescope, and red-dot finder...and still keep solid polar alignment? Other mounts I've researched are at least 6 or 8 pounds.

A: We will not recommend this with all the weight you want put on.

Q: 10. Most telescope mounts rate the load to include the expected counterweights (without showing the additional mass in the load rating). Since this mount is also for camera/lens, does its rated load the absolute max? This is significant because the moment arm on the counterweight needs to be equivalent to the moment arm of the scope and accessories, and that can double the final load.

A: I bought this item for deep sky astrophotography. It is rated for 11 pounds, but for photography this is not realistic. With a wide angle lens on a light load it works very well. For heavier lenses it is very poor. I had 8 pounds with 300mm focal length, perfect alignment and excellent balance, and it in unable to consistently produce pinpoint stars at exposures over 10 seconds. At 30 seconds to a minute the keeper rate drops to 30% with pinpoint stars in only about 10% of images. I would not recommend this unit for photography. For a telescope and viewing it might be sufficient, but not if you want to do any exposure with long/heavy scopes or lenses. Hope this helps.