Portable Astrophotography Bundle! The New Skywatcher AL-EQ55i EQ Mount, ZWO ASI585MC-P, ASIAIR Mini & More... Get a free 2" ZWO IR Cut Filter

Portable Astrophotography Bundle! The New Skywatcher AL-EQ55i EQ Mount, ZWO ASI585MC-P, ASIAIR Mini & More... Get a free 2" ZWO IR Cut Filter

Sky-Watcher AL-EQ55i Equatorial Mount - S30515

The Sky-Watcher EQ-AL55i Pro is the perfect entry to intermediate level equatorial mount for observers and imagers looking to build a serious rig without breaking the bank.

Redesigned from the popular EQM-35, the Skywatcher EQ-AL55i features fully encased motor housings, two positions for the counterweight bar, and an optional pier extension, making this mount the perfect choice for observers and imagers in lower latitudes.

Featuring Wi-Fi, Bluetooth SynScan, and ASCOM telescope control, 22-pound payload capacity, a guidescope and SNAP port, the EQ-AL55i is a perfect choice for a mid-size imaging mount.

• Sky-Watcher Equatorial GoTo mount 

• 22-pound payload capacity 

• 0- 90° latitude range 

• SynScan Go To telescope mount with 42,900+ object database 

• Built-in WiFi 

• Controlled with SynScan Pro app for iOS and Android 

• Dual axis tracking 

• One 7.5-pound counterweight and one 4-pound counterweight included 

• Built-in illuminated polar scope 

• Adjustable height, steel legged tripod

• DC power cord

• Instruction Manual

Specifications for the AL-EQ55i Equatorial Mount

William Optics Mini RedCat 51 - 51 mm f/3.5 WIFD Refractor - T-C-MINI-RD

Embark on an amazingly wide field astronomical journey with the latest rendition of the William Optics RedCat - the Mini RedCat 51! This compact 6-element apochromatic refractor telescope merges cutting-edge technology with user-friendly features, making it an ideal choice for both budding astronomers and seasoned astrophotographers. With its sleek, robust design and innovative optical system, the MiniRedcat 51 WIFD delivers crystal-clear, vibrant images, capturing the splendor of the cosmos with ease and precision.

Highlights:

• Exceptional Optical Quality: Boasting a Petzval-like optical design with 6 elements in 2 groups (two of which are super ED!) and a crazy fast f/3.5 focal ratio, this telescope offers sharp, detailed views across an extremely wide field of view!  With an image circle of 43.2 mm, astrophotographers can fully illuminate even full frame sensors and capture super expansive objects beautifully without worrying about back focus!  

• Durability Meets Portability: Crafted from CNC-machined aluminum, the Mini Redcat 51 provides durability without sacrificing portability, ensuring it’s always ready for your next adventure under the stars. This system comes with a camera rotator, Synta-type handle, Bahtinov mask for focus assistance stored in the lens cap, rings and dovetail!

• WIFD Advanced Focusing System: The state-of-the-art WIFD focuser allows for fine control, significantly enhancing image clarity for both visual and photographic pursuits.  The movement of the WIFD (Williams Internal Focus Design) focuser is integrated inside the main tube assembly for a movement & tilt-free experience.  

The precise internal sliding of fixed optics prevents image shift.  The integrated position viewing window on the focuser provides instant verification of the graduated numerical display.  The smooth rack and pinion design is incorporated into the focuser to provide super fine adjustability for critical focus.  The internal movement of the optical elements is protected from inclement weather and environmental issues like dust and pollen and can’t come out of alignment.  The redistribution of weight allows for better balance during imaging sessions.

• Versatile Camera Compatibility: Designed to connect seamlessly with a variety of cameras (including Full Frame!) and astrophotography accessories, including the EAF, or Electronic Auto Focuser, the Mini Redcat 51 is a versatile tool for capturing the universe.  

Specifications:

Aperture:  51 mm

Focal Ratio:  f/3.5

Focal Length:  178 mm

Image Circle:  43.2 mm

Optical Design:  Petzval-like with 6 elements in two groups

Focuser:  WIFD Internal Focus

Weight:  1.67 kg (OTA only)

ZWO ASI585MC PRO Cooled Color Camera

 ZWO ASI585MC Pro Cooled Color Camera

ASI585MC Pro is a new ZWO deep sky camera based on the 4k SONY CMOS sensor with a 1/1.2″ format and 2.9μm pixels. It has a super high sensitivity and a large resolution of 3840*2160 (8.29MP in total). It also features high transmission speeds – In high-speed mode, the fast frame rate can reach 47fps at full resolution! Being an entry-level DSO camera, it offers great advantages of high cost-effectiveness.

Note:

External power supplies are needed for all ASl-cooled cameras. We recommend you use a 12V@3A~5A DC adapter (D5.5×2.1mm, center pole positive) or a lithium battery with 11-14V to power the camera. You can also use ASIAlR to power the cameras. Be aware that using a power supply out of this voltage range will probably lead to irreparable damage to the camera.

ASI585MC Pro

One Camera for All

The STARVIS 2 technology brings ASI585MC Pro more advanced imaging performance compared to other cooled cameras. Its high frame rate makes it not only suitable for DSO photography but also solar/lunar/planetary photography.

STARVIS 2

STARVIS 2 was developed by SONY and evolved from STARVIS. It is the latest technology with a wider dynamic range and super-high sensitivity beyond the human eye. Benefiting from it, ASI585MC Pro’s sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio is greatly improved.

Large Full Well Capacity

The back-illuminated structure improves the camera’s full well capacity. Even with unbinned 2.9μm pixels, ASI585MC Pro has a full well capacity of 47ke-, nearly 4 times that of the last-generation sensor IMX485. A larger full well capacity gets the camera higher efficiency in collecting light, can effectively restrain the highlight area from being overexposed, and also can improve the signal-to-noise ratio.

Zero Amp Glow

ASI585MC Pro exhibits extremely clean dark frames with zero amp glow! No matter how long the exposure and how high the gain value is, you can easily get clean and smooth astro images!

Note: This feature is implemented directly at the hardware level, it does not require software control.

512MB DDR3

ASI585MC Pro uses a USB 3.0 interface, along with the built-in 512MB DDR3 cache, ensuring high-speed, smooth, and stable data transmission.

USB 3.0 Port & USB 2.0 HUB

USB 3.0 Port: Provides 5Gb bandwidth to allow ASI585MC Pro to run at 47fps at 8.29MP full resolution (10bit, high-speed mode).
USB 2.0 HUB: Can be used to connect various kinds of USB devices such as EFW, guide camera, and EAF.

Two-stage TEC Cooling

Thanks to the two-stage TEC cooling, ASI585MC Pro can lower the CMOS sensor temperature to more than 35 degrees Celsius below ambient temperature, which can greatly reduce dark current generation and sensor noise even during extended exposure times.

*The Delta T 35℃ is tested at 30℃ ambient temperature. It might get down when the cooling system is working for a long time. Also, as the ambient temperature falls, the Delta T would decrease.

Below is the dark current curve of ASI585MC Pro at the temperature from -20℃ to 30℃.

Camera Performance

Low read noise, High dynamic range

The camera has a built-in HCG mode, which can effectively reduce read noise at high gain and allow the camera to maintain the same high dynamic range as it does at low gain.

When the gain reaches 252, the HCG mode will be automatically turned on and the dynamic range reaches a level close to 11bit. The read noise in this case can be as low as 0.9e.

QE (Quantum efficiency)

Based on our testing results, the QE peak value of ASI585MC Pro is 91%.

Connection Methods (Back Focus Distance: 55mm)

Connection to External Devices

Structural Dimension Diagram

In the Box

ZWO ASIAIR Mini Smart WiFi Controller - ASIAIR-MINI

The ASIAIR Mini is 42% smaller and 21% lighter than the ZWO ASIAIR Plus, and has been redesigned with eMMC top performance, including 119 MB/s average read time and 65 MB/s average write speed. Just like the PLUS, along with the free ASIAIR app, the ZWO ASIAIR Mini can handle most any astrophotography process from your smartphone or tablet!  It is compatible with most ZWO ASI & Mini cameras, a whole slew of Canon and Nikon DSLR and mirrorless cameras, and more than 400 equatorial mounts, as well as the ZWO EAF, EFW, and more!  Simply plug your compatible devices into the ASIAIR Mini, go to your installed ASIAIR app, and start imaging deep-sky objects or the planets, auto-guiding, autofocus functions, and more!

Other functions you can do on the ASIAIR app include focusing, polar alignment, filter switching, auto guiding, auto-run & more. 

The ASIAIR Mini has an enhanced antenna with a dual-band 2.4G/5G WiFi network that has a 20 m working range, normally at 2.4G.  Keep in mind that while the 5G network is faster, it doesn't have the working range of the 2.4G network.

There are lots of easy to use interfaces on the sides of the ASIAIR Mini body:

• 1 Power Jack
• 4 USB2.0 Ports
• 1 DSLR Shutter Release Port
  
• 4 DC 12V Outputs*
  
• 1 USB Type C Port (a USB-C to USB-A cable is required)

*You can monitor devices plugged into each of the DC 12V ports in the App via the DC 12V Outputs Control Switch.  From the screen you can see working status, voltage use, WiFi Network, power consumption & real life temperature.

What's In The Box?

• ASIAIR Mini Body
  
• DC 0.5m Male Cable (2 ea)
  
• DC 1m Male Cable (2 ea)
  
• DC 1.5m Male-Female Extension Cable (1 ea)
• ASIAIR Plus Quick Start Guide

Minimum System Requirements

IOS/ipadOS - OS version 12 and up, iPhone 6s or later, iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air & iPad Pro

Android - OS version 8 and up, All Android phones & tablets with RAM of 4GB or higher