Star Adventurer 2i

[B_Gardner]

I bought the SA 2i almost 3 months ago and have used its baseline capabilities to get some pretty decent 30 second tracked images of a variety of objects using my Canon M6ii and a used Tamron 150-600 zoom. I am trying to decide whether to invest the time and energy into figuring out how to use the more "advanced" capabilities of the SA (e.g. the SA App, the WiFi capability, the shutter release capability, the Firmware Upgrade, and the Advanced Version Firmware, etc.) The supplied user manual is not great, and it doesn't spend a lot of time explaining why the user might want to use these capabilities. For example, I have a intervalometer, so is there any advantage to using the SA's shutter release capability? I've read a couple of negative comments regarding the App and the WiFi capability that has made me reluctant to spend a lot of time researching all of this. Just wondering if anybody out there is using these capabilities?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JamminHyaku]

I bought the SA 2i almost 3 months ago and have used its baseline capabilities to get some pretty decent 30 second tracked images of a variety of objects using my Canon M6ii and a used Tamron 150-600 zoom. I am trying to decide whether to invest the time and energy into figuring out how to use the more "advanced" capabilities of the SA (e.g. the SA App, the WiFi capability, the shutter release capability, the Firmware Upgrade, and the Advanced Version Firmware, etc.) The supplied user manual is not great, and it doesn't spend a lot of time explaining why the user might want to use these capabilities. For example, I have a intervalometer, so is there any advantage to using the SA's shutter release capability? I've read a couple of negative comments regarding the App and the WiFi capability that has made me reluctant to spend a lot of time researching all of this. Just wondering if anybody out there is using these capabilities?

Thanks in advance.

Howdy,

Since I unfortunately dropped my intervelometer in the grass while carrying my equipment back to the car one night (never found it) I always use the SA 2i app and internal shutter control. It really isnt difficult once you know how. Ive never had issues with it, though ive found your phone needs to remain on (and connected to the SA of course) for it to work. if you turn off your phone screen, it wont tell it to stop the exposure. Just turn off the autooff display setting on your phone and makes sure its charged (brightness setting on the lowest, its dark out anyway...)

Download the app from their website, then flick the SA to the app mode. Disconnect your phone from your home wifi and search for wifi connections, the SA should appear with a weird name. Connect to that.

Open the app, in the top it will say connect to device, click that. if you are connected to the SA wifi this will connect the two. From there, all you have to do is enable slidereal motion (top right corner button) and then open the shutter control option in the advanced menu and select how many exposures and how long each should be for. You have to connect your camera to the SA with a cable (differs depending if you use sony, canon, nikon etc). press play and sit back.

Theres also a polar alignment tool I find helpful, since polaris isnt exactly north, its slightly offcenter. The tool in the app will show you where polaris should exactly be for perfect alignment.

I always do a quick 5 minute test of everything to ensure it is charged and functional before heading out.

 

[B_Gardner]

I bought the SA 2i almost 3 months ago and have used its baseline capabilities to get some pretty decent 30 second tracked images of a variety of objects using my Canon M6ii and a used Tamron 150-600 zoom. I am trying to decide whether to invest the time and energy into figuring out how to use the more "advanced" capabilities of the SA (e.g. the SA App, the WiFi capability, the shutter release capability, the Firmware Upgrade, and the Advanced Version Firmware, etc.) The supplied user manual is not great, and it doesn't spend a lot of time explaining why the user might want to use these capabilities. For example, I have a intervalometer, so is there any advantage to using the SA's shutter release capability? I've read a couple of negative comments regarding the App and the WiFi capability that has made me reluctant to spend a lot of time researching all of this. Just wondering if anybody out there is using these capabilities?

Thanks in advance.

Howdy,

Since I unfortunately dropped my intervelometer in the grass while carrying my equipment back to the car one night (never found it) I always use the SA 2i app and internal shutter control. It really isnt difficult once you know how. Ive never had issues with it, though ive found your phone needs to remain on (and connected to the SA of course) for it to work. if you turn off your phone screen, it wont tell it to stop the exposure. Just turn off the autooff display setting on your phone and makes sure its charged (brightness setting on the lowest, its dark out anyway...)

Download the app from their website, then flick the SA to the app mode. Disconnect your phone from your home wifi and search for wifi connections, the SA should appear with a weird name. Connect to that.

Open the app, in the top it will say connect to device, click that. if you are connected to the SA wifi this will connect the two. From there, all you have to do is enable slidereal motion (top right corner button) and then open the shutter control option in the advanced menu and select how many exposures and how long each should be for. You have to connect your camera to the SA with a cable (differs depending if you use sony, canon, nikon etc). press play and sit back.

Theres also a polar alignment tool I find helpful, since polaris isnt exactly north, its slightly offcenter. The tool in the app will show you where polaris should exactly be for perfect alignment.

I always do a quick 5 minute test of everything to ensure it is charged and functional before heading out.

Great info, thanks!

 

[B_Gardner]

Apologies but I have another question about the SA mount. As mentioned above, I am using the SA to guide a Canon M6 Mk2 with a Tamron 150-600 G1 zoom. This combo is within the weight limit of the SA, but sometimes I have trouble balancing the SA using just the counterweight that came with the mount. I've tried Peter Zelinka's suggestion to attach a Ball Head to the 3/8" stud on the Declination Axis which works, but it also deprives me of the use of the Ball head while its on the SA. I just spent an hour googling this issue and came up empty. I'm thinking that if I could find a 0.5 to 1.0 kg counterweight with a female 3/8" thread, that would be perfect. But I can't find anything like that.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[Andy Lucy]

Have you tried locking the the fine-tuning assembly in a slightly different point in the clamp on the wedge? Moving the camera in towards the mount should help with balancing.

The SA counterweight assembly can be bought as a separate part. If you bought this separate assembly you could then fit 2 1kg weights on to the SA counterweight bar.

 

[B_Gardner]

Have you tried locking the the fine-tuning assembly in a slightly different point in the clamp on the wedge? Moving the camera in towards the mount should help with balancing.

Thanks for the feedback. I have the Declination Bracket clamped in at the lowest point possible in the SA mount. This is necessary to even get close to balancing it. With this, it balances in most orientations. I've watched Peter Zelinka's video on balancing an even heavier lens/camera combo than mine in the SA, but there are certain orientations where it just won't balance. This is where attaching the Ball Head trick comes in handy.

The SA counterweight assembly can be bought as a separate part. If you bought this separate assembly you could then fit 2 1kg weights on to the SA counterweight bar.

I have considered that, but its way too much additional weight. It would put my mount over its weight limit. I only need a small additional weight, not the 2.2 pounds that this extra assembly provides.

Thanks again.

 

[Andy Lucy]

Cyclops Optics sell a Counterweight Shaft Extension for the Star Adventurer.

 

[B_Gardner]

Cyclops Optics sell a Counterweight Shaft Extension for the Star Adventurer.

Interesting idea, thanks. I am unfamiliar with Cyclops but they appear to be in Hong Kong. They are asking HK$240 (approx US$31) for a 22 cm (approx 8") extension rod which presumably screws into the end of the existing 10" rod, for a total of 18". That's a lot. No doubt this would solve the balance issue though. Thanks again.

 

[Andy Lucy]

I’m a bit confused here. You wanted a 0.5 - 1.0 kg weight with a female 3’8” thread - but a bona fide extra SA counterweight at 1kg is too heavy…?

A purpose made extension bar that is too expensive at 30 Dollars ? - that’s pretty much typical for a basic extension bar.

How about taping some modelling clay to your existing counterweight?

 

[B_Gardner]

I’m a bit confused here. You wanted a 0.5 - 1.0 kg weight with a female 3’8” thread - but a bona fide extra SA counterweight at 1kg is too heavy…?

I am aware of only 2 options at present and am looking for other ideas. One option is to add a weight to the existing 3/8" stud on the declination axis. I'm using a ball head for this now. (I overestimated the weight for this when I said 0.5-1.0 kg but this option will require more weight because the stud is located close to the RA axis.) I am looking for a substitute for the ball head to attach to the stud. I sent an email to Scopestuff earlier to see if Jim has anything he can recommend. The other option is your suggestion to add an extension rod to the existing counterweight rod.

A purpose made extension bar that is too expensive at 30 Dollars ? - that’s pretty much typical for a basic extension bar.

Didn't mean to imply that it was too expensive. Just hoping I did the currency conversion correctly. This is definitely an option. I appreciate the suggestion. My only concern with this approach is that the counterweight rod would then be 18" (45 cm) long, which is getting pretty long.

How about taping some modelling clay to your existing counterweight?

I guess that would work if all else fails, though I'd probably stick with the ball head if I can't come up with another approach.

Again, appreciate the suggestions.

 

[Andy Lucy]

On the option to attach a weight to the 3/8” stud… I have done this but my “weight” was a ball head with a mini guide scope and guide camera attached. This takes the SA performance to the next level by allowing auto guiding, and also allows very easy and accurate polar alignment using SharpCap software.

Regards,

Andy

 

[B_Gardner]

On the option to attach a weight to the 3/8” stud… I have done this but my “weight” was a ball head with a mini guide scope and guide camera attached. This takes the SA performance to the next level by allowing auto guiding, and also allows very easy and accurate polar alignment using SharpCap software.

Regards,

Andy

That's a great idea! I have been reading about auto guiding but was thinking in terms of mounting it on the camera. I like your idea better. Thanks.