Geared head for a tracker

[42messier]

Hi,

I just found out that there is thing called geared head, I've always used ball heads with my SkyGuider Pro.

The thing I didn't like about it was that sometimes depending on angle, it was very hard to frame it the way I wanted.

Geared head seems like a solution to this problem ?

I have also seen someone mentioning that it might cause problems when doing tracked panoramas, why is that ?

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Example geared head, looks to be solid:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Benro-GD3WH-Precision-Geared-Head/dp/B07C326563/ref=asc_df_B07C326563/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310106774344&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3674557107552116191&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045654&hvtargid=pla-547374871893&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Any recommendations ? (up to 200£ but the less the better)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jeffry7]

Hi,

I just found out that there is thing called geared head, I've always used ball heads with my SkyGuider Pro.

The thing I didn't like about it was that sometimes depending on angle, it was very hard to frame it the way I wanted.

Geared head seems like a solution to this problem ?

I have also seen someone mentioning that it might cause problems when doing tracked panoramas, why is that ?

A gear head is my main head unless I travel, and then I use a travel tripod with a ball head.

I would be hesitant to put a geared head on a tracker because they are heavy and because I would be worried about shifting the alignment of the tracker everytime I touched the controls on the head. The one I have has stiff knobs that take some effort to turn.

Have you considered a goto mount? The Skywatcher AZ GTI might be a good choice. Although to use it in equatorial mode you need to install experimental firmware.

There aren't many gear heads. So you will probably have trouble finding one that is both inexpensive and good. The Manfrotto 410 Junior is at the lower end of the market. Not the bottom. This is the one I have and it is good. Your best bet is to watch for a used one on E-Bay or your favorite used camera gear place. (KEH, Adorama...) There is a knock-off by Benro, but I don't know how good it is.

If you try it and it works, please report back!

 

[82Virago]

What camera/lens combo are you using? I mainly use a dslr with 300mm lens. The lens has the typical 'L' foot mount that allows the camera/lens to be rotated 360 degrees.

That allows easy positioning for and object with just DEC and RA.

When using my 18-135, it has no foot or a way to put one on so I do use a ball head. It is not always easy to center the object but I manage. Not sure the gear head would be any easier.

If you do get one and it does give better results, post an update.

Cheers

 

[indigoshrine]

My main reason to switch to a geared head was that precise polar alignment of the tracker with a ballhead is a nightmare. It does also help in fine adjustments for composition, which seems to be what you are mainly after.

Got the MSM wedge for 90 USD, and am happy with it. It is lightweight and cheap - the drawback is that it is not of highest quality and you already need to have rough alignment as it will not allow 360° panning. Btw. MSM also offers the same Benro geared head you have linked in their online store. The wedge is basically like a lighter and cheaper version for the same purpose. Of course it only works well if your gear is light enough.

I'm doing a lot of tracked panoramas and have not run into any issues with geared heads, but I am only using it for polar alignment and it is thus installed between tripod and tracker. Another z-Bracket and a pano head are on top of the tracker for actual composition.

If you need more stability you might want to look at one of the following (with ascending price/quality):

Skywatcher Polar wedge Star Adventurer

TS-Optics ATC Wedge

William Optics Polar wedge High Latitude SkyGuider Pro

Personally I am very intrigued by the new Vixen Fine Adjustment Unit DX . If my equipment was heavier this would be the one I'd get, check out this comprehensive review (in Japanese, but with subtitles):

 

[42messier]

I already have this wedge:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/wi...tar-adventurer-and-ioptron-skyguider-pro.html

I use it with Skyguider Pro and my camera is A6400.

I just saw someone mentioning that the geared head can't tilt more than 30 degrees so it's useless for astro it seems.

Can anyone recommend budget ball head then which is going to work well for astro ?

Thanks!