×
The Premium Star Tracker from iOptron with an Electronic Assist!
iOptron’s Sky Guider Pro is a premier option when it comes to the
ultra-portable star tracker style mount space, and it isn’t hard to see why!
With its premium construction, built-in battery, variety of supported
equipment configurations, and 11 lb. payload capacity this option certainly is
a standout. Setting this further apart is the inclusion of iOptron’s iPolar
scope, ensuring that you can get your imaging session on the right track in a
snap!
With a mount weighing at a feather-light 2.2 pounds and a fully assembled
(base, mount, counterweight, and separately available tripod) weight of around
12.5 lb. that rivals the head only of some of our other Portable
Grab-and-Go class mounts, the iOptron SkyGuider Pro is a standout
ultra-portable mount choice. iOptron was able to cut all this weight without
cutting corners, giving this mount an all metal main body, brass worm gear and
aluminum alloy worm wheel, and a DC servo motor supported by an optical
encoder. Four easily selectable speeds give you on-the-go wide-field image
tracking of the Sun, Moon, Milky Way, and large celestial objects; and with a
built-in rechargeable lithium polymer battery pack rated for up to 20 hours
you’ll be able to track these objects for multiple sessions in a row.
To aid in aligning your mount, the iPolar takes the place of a traditional polar
scope and gives you a digital view of your polar alignment. When used with the
Windows iPolar program, you’ll be guided to a precise polar alignment in no time!
Wide Variety of Configurations Supported
While 11 lb. of payload capacity does contain this mount to smaller setups, in
some respects the iOptron Sky Guider Pro is designed to be more versatile than
some larger mounts! With the ability to use the separately available
iOptron Ball Head 2014 for iOptron SkyTracker, the included DSLR/mirrorless camera mount, and the included V-style
telescope saddle you can easily connect your gear in a wide variety of
configurations. The counterweight shaft can also be replaced with one of these
or have another mounting solution added to it, allowing you to mount two pieces
of kit at the same time!
On The Right Track
The iOptron Sky Guider Pro star tracker gives you all the power and essentials
you need to build an ultra-portable, ultra-wide-field, imaging system!
Metal and Servo Driven Strength
The iOptron Sky Guider
Pro features a DC servo motor supported by an optical encoder which powers
the brass worm gear, aluminum alloy worm wheel, RA drive. Known to be
quieter than the common stepper motor, the servo core of this mount provides
smooth and silent tracking of your targets. This combination allows the
mount to move 11 lb. of equipment, perfect for DSLR/mirrorless photography
cameras and telephoto lenses or small refractor astrophotography rigs.
Simple Operation
This star tracker features four
tracking modes to move your camera or telescope alongside the Sun, Moon, and
celestial targets—with a 1/2 celestial tracking rate designed for
capturing images with the night sky and earthbound foreground both in view.
These modes can simply be selected with a single button. Just tap until
the tracking rate you’re after is illuminated, and you’re all set to start
imaging!
Power and Ports
The iOptron Sky Guider Pro features a
streamlined set of connections to make using this out in the field a breeze!
A mini-USB port allows you to recharge the internal lithium-polymer battery.
This is fitting of an ultra-lightweight build where you may just want to
bring a USB power bank instead of proprietary chargers or separate power
supplies; though with up to 20 hours of rated battery life this can make
some trips on a single charge! For those looking to push the tracking
performance of the Sky Guider Pro, this also features an ST4 port that
allows autoguiding setups to be used. Finally, for use with a user supplied
iOptron Go2Nova 8408 hand controller there is a hand controller and
photography camera shutter release port.
Electronic Alignment Assistant
This mount gives you an
electronic eye to assist with your polar alignment! Replacing the manual
polar scope is iOptron’s iPolar camera which, when connected to a PC with
the corresponding iPolar Windows program, will calculate the Sky Guider
Pro’s alignment and then provide on-screen guidance to dial your polar
alignment in. This makes setting up your mount simple—no need to pick
out Polaris, just point this in the right direction and let the iPolar show
you the way!
1.25″ Portable Platform (Sold Separately)
The iOptron
Sky Guider Pro can be connected to photo tripods with a 3/8″ or 1/4″
threaded connection, but it is most at home on iOptron’s
Tripod for iPANO, SmartEQ, SkyTracker , SkyGuider Pro, and Cube Mounts! Featuring 1.25″ steel legs this tripod is sturdy yet
lightweight—tipping the scale at a mere 6 pounds. Leg extensions allow
the tripod to be leveled and can additionally increase the height from 24.5″
to 42.5″. This additionally features a tripod spreader that enhances the
stability of the tripod when in use, and folds out of the way during
transport and storage. Finally, the tripod top is die-cast aluminum to give
your iOptron Sky Guider Pro a solid mount!
Portable Grab-And-Go Class Mount
At the “ultra” end of
portable, this star tracker from iOptron squarely sits in our Portable Grab
and Go mount class. This is thanks to its lightweight construction,
relatively light payload, and RA-only tracking, all facets that make it well
suited to travel and rapid deployment situations where you want to capture a
wide section of the night sky without a ton of set up. To learn more about
our mount classes, read our
Astrophotography Mount Buying Guide!
Let’s Delve Into the Details!
iOptron mounts are renowned for their exceptional performance, crafted with
high precision internal elements that help deliver accurate tracking and
spot-on GoTo slews. For those gear-heads who like to get into the nitty gritty
details of their equipment, check out this comprehensive table denoting
specifications such as the type of motor utilized, the power consumption of
the mount, and plenty more! This way, you can compare and contrast what each
iOptron mount offers, better informing you in choosing the
right mount for your needs.
| iOptron Mount Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Maximum Payload (lbs.): | 11 |
| Mount Weight (lbs.): | 3.2 (w/ Battery and Base Installed) |
| Motor: | DC Servo w/ Optical Encoder |
| Max Slew Speed: | 144x |
| Operation Temperature: | 14°F-104°F |
| Latitude Adjustment Range: | -30°-65° |
| Azimuth Adjustment Range: | +/-5° |
| Right Ascension Worm Wheel: | 88 mm (Diameter); 144 Teeth Aluminum Alloy |
| Declination Worm Wheel: | None (RA Tracking Only) |
| Right Ascension Axis Shaft: | 35 mm Diameter; Steel |
| Right Ascension Bearings: | 4 Pieces |
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Related products
what our customer say this product:
There are no reviews yet