iOptron SkyGuider Pro Camera Mount with iPolar

£565.00
  (5 Reviews)
✓ 2 year warranty

:  

5x in stock shipped 1-2 working days

About this product

Model:  iop_skyguider_pro_ipolar
Part Number:  3550A

Introducing The SkyGuider Pro - iOptron’s next generation camera tracking device now with iPolar installed! 

This newly updated SkyGuider Pro mount is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand yet offers high precision, near silent, tracking.

Other features include a built-in rechargeable power source, an ST-4 guiding port and camera trigger port.

Supplied with a DEC mounting bracket, counterweight shaft and counterweight (not shown in photos) that enables you to more easily balance a heavy camera and lens or a compact refractor telescope. 

The optional iOptron 8408 hand controller enables you to check the Pole Star position for polar alignment, slew the mount, adjust the guiding rate, change the mount settings and control the camera trigger. 

This mount has an integrated electronic polar finder scope known as the iPolar. This tool ensures the accurate alignment of a telescope, even when the pole star is obscured. There are large levers on the quick-lock drive engagement system; these large levers make it easy to snap the gears into place. 

The SkyGuider Pro features four tracking rates, 1x or sidereal, 1/2x for sky and landscape combined, solar and lunar. All four work in both northern and southern hemispheres. IOptron have also added a quick slew mode with both forward and reverse to help you quickly reframe your image without disrupting the cameras position. 

Significant improvements have been made to the removable alt-azimuth base, which features a convenient bubble level, degree markings for altitude and a built in post for azimuth control. You can also mount the SkyGuider Pro head (without the base) directly to any standard photographic tripod with 1/4” or 3/8” threads. 

FEATURES

  • All metal mechanical structure
  • Attaches to a camera tripod with 3/8” or 1/4” threads
  • Payload 5kg / 11lbs (balanced, with DEC mounting bracket, exclude CW)
  • Silent tracking for smooth camera motion, perfect for long-term exposures
  • Detachable alt-azi base with fine latitude and azimuth adjusters for easy polar alignment
  • Includes iOptron iPolarTM electronic polar scope
  • 4 tracking speed (1X, 1/2X, solar and lunar). 1X celestial tracking for imaging the sky and stars; 1/2X tracking speed for imaging both the starry night and the landscapes at the same time
  • Operation in both northern and southern hemisphere
  • Quick slew (144X) for camera framing adjustment
  • Built-in rechargeable battery for up to 20 hours of operation (20°C)
  • Built-in ST-4 autoguiding port
  • HBX port for external hand controller
  • Micro USB port for power, charging and firmware upgrade
  • Built-in shutter triggering port
  • Padded carry bag included
  • DEC mounting bracket
  • Counterweight and CW shaft
  • Vixen dovetail saddle for scope mounting
  • Optional ball heads available separately (#3305A)
  • Optional tripod (#3221)
  • Optional Go2Nova® 8408 hand controller (#8408)
  • Optional DSLR camera shutter trigger cable

Product Videos

What's in the box

  • SkyGuider Pro camera mount
  • Alt-azi base (installed)
  • iPolarTM electronic polar scope (installed)
  • Micro USB charging cable
  • Padded carry bag
  • DEC mounting bracket w/ camera mounting disk
  • 1.35kg counterweight
  • CW shaft

Specifications

Mount Compact single axis tracking EQ
Payload (Max.) 5kg / 11lbs, balanced
Mount weight 1kg / 2.2lbs  with battery
Mount weight with base 1.45kg / 3.2lbs with battery
Body material All metal
RA shaft Φ35mm, steel
Worm wheel Φ88mm, 144 teeth Aluminium alloy
R.A. worm Φ15.2mm, brass
Bearing 4 pieces
Motor drive DC servo motor with optical encoder
Tracking R.A. automatic
Tracking speed Solar, Lunar, Cel, 1/2 Cel, and N/S
Fast slew speed 144X, forward and reverse
Guiding port ST-4 compatible
Polar scope Includes iOptron iPolar electronic polar scope
Camera trigger Yes
Hand controller Yes (with optional 8408 HC)
Power Requirement Internal rechargeable battery
Battery type Li-Poly, 3.7V, 2000mAh
Duration of operation Up to 20 hours at 20ºC
Power charge port Micro USB (5V), 80% charge in 5 hours
Camera mounting block Φ62mm, 3/8" post thread
Body base connection Vixen dovetail, 3/8” socket (1/4” converter)
Alt-Azi adjustable base Vixen style saddle, 3/8” socket
Alt-Azi adjustable base diameter Φ80 mm
Latitude adjustment range -30º ~ 65º (with alt-azi base)
Azimuth adjustment range ±5º
Level indicator Level bubble
Body dimension 133x115x95 mm (w/o alt-azi base)
Counterweight shaft Φ20x200 mm w/ 3/8”-16 threads
Counterweight 1.35kg
Firmware upgrade Yes (via USB port)
Operation Temperature -10ºC ~40ºC
Warranty One year limited (90 day on battery)

Downloads / Manuals

Manual: 

Quick Start Guide 

Instruction Manual 

YouTube Assembly Instructions

SkyGuider Pro configuration examples

Customer reviews

Average Rating (5 Reviews):  
Write a Review and share your opinions!

Rating (max 5):  
SKyguider pro with ipolar - works great, but...
20 December 2020  | 

I've had the Skyguider Pro with the ipolar camera for a while, mounted on a Skywatcher 1.75" tripod, driving a WO Zenithstar61. The SGP tracks really well, with my small APO. I can take 5 minutes guided exposures, thanks to precise polar alignment with the ipolar camera, which is a breeze to use. BUT..... I'm not sure if I would recommend it, due to its declination bracket design. I'm not an engineer, but I believe this is the worst possible design ever imagined. It would work fine with a wide field camera lens, but with a small refractor, forget it. It consists in a plate with three compression bolts, you loose them and turn the scope. It is nearly impossible to find an object and frame it as you'd wish. Besides, during such process your scope is in danger of getting loose and fall, if you're not super careful. A finder/laser might help, but you just can't make fine adjustments to frame an object in space. After hours waisted in frustration, I decided to buy the declination bracket of the Skywatcher Star Adventurer and mount it on the SGP using a 1cm thick aluminum 90°angle plate. This bracket has both a clutch and a fine adjustment knob, now finding objects and framing them is a joy and I save huge amount of time. I honestly don't know what iOptron was thinking. The alt-az base is not the best thing in the world but it does the job.
Summering it up, it is a great tracker, but if you have (because it's a MUST-DO) to make such modifications yourself, then I don't see why people shouldn't just get the Star Adventurer with a Polemaster in the first place, and save the troubles. I personally haven't used them but all the positive reviews speak for themselves.
The DEC bracket is just one detail but it makes too much of a difference. iOptron needs to update the DEC, because as it is right now, it cannot compete with the skytracker by Skywatcher.


Rating (max 5):  
Counter weight shaft
20 October 2020  | 

Sir
Counter weight balance shaft can not be srewwd in, due to a bigger diameter of the bolt!! Other bolt 3/8'' srewed in perfectly


Response:

If you are having trouble attaching the counterweight shaft please get in touch and we would be happy to assist: questions@firstlightoptics.com.


Rating (max 5):  
Instructions
30 August 2020  | 

Received the scope this week and first impressions are it is well made and includes all the tools I require. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is the instructions are in my opinion are not very good. Some very basic instructions were not included . I contacted Dave at First Light Optics and he answered my questions straight away. I think FLO could do with writing a simple start guide for all the technical equipment that they sell as manufactures manuals are usually written by computer experts who don't live in the world of simple people! Overall I am very happy with the scope and the service from FLO.


Rating (max 5):  
Solid build and great tracking.
27 April 2020  | 

Solid construction, iPolar has worked perfectly every time. No trails with 300s subs at 200mm on a full frame DSLR on basic portable tripod on grass with no guiding!


Rating (max 5):  
Great little mount
20 December 2019  | 

Ok, first off, this is supposed to be a brief review about the Skyguider but I wanted to also take the opportunity to praise FLO and the people there. Grant and Martin always give quick and detailed responses to any emails sent, making life as a first time astrophotographer much simpler. I've ordered twice from FLO and both times the package arrives within 2 days, amazing considering I live overseas.

Now to the mount. I bought this because I read that it was a good performing mount for the price point and is a portable. I bought the version with IPolar and it has made Polar Alignment very simple and quick. It takes me a couple of minutes to get everything setup and the software that you can download from the iOptron website is intuitive and straightforward. Getting a good PA has meant I have been able to take up tp 3 minute subs at 200mm with no noticeable star trails with a canon dlsr and lens.

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