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Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi EQ Mount Kit - S20595

This version of the Sky-Watcher GTi Star Adventurer mount comes with a Star Adventurer tripod and pier extension as well as the EQ head, counterweight bar, 5 lb. of counterweight, a built-in illuminated polar scope, a Vixen style saddle and a PC link cable.  If you'd prefer to use your own tripod, check out the Star Adventurer GTi Head Kit, which does NOT include the pier extension or tripod.

Sky-Watcher's latest GTi mount is super portable and has a weight capacity of 11 pounds.  It features full GoTo performance and has multiple features that make viewing and astrophotography a pleasure.  For instance, the GTi features a built-in illuminated polar scope for precision alignment in EQ mode, multiple tracking rates, including sidereal, lunar & solar, ports for USB as well as an auto-guider, a V-style dovetail, and SNAP shutter control for your DSLR (programmable via Sky-Watcher’s free SynScan Pro app for iOS and Android). The Star Adventurer GTi also includes a dual-position counterweight for use at low latitudes as well as full smartphone control via Wi-Fi.  If you'd prefer to use a hand controller, the Syncan is available optionally.  As mentioned earlier, this GTi version also comes with the Star Adventurer GTi steel tripod and Pier Extension.

With its 11-pound payload capacity, Star Adventurer is well-equipped to handle your lighter weight equipment, from a DLSR or mirrorless camera with wide-angle or telephoto lens plus accessories, a small aperture astrograph with a dedicated astro camera, or even small OTA’s such as our Skymax series of Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes. 

The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi is the perfect mount for any astrophotographer who values both performance and portability.

Skywatcher GTi Star Adventurer Mount Specifications

William Optics Mini RedCat 51 - 51 mm f/3.5 WIFD

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

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