I've been using astrotrac tt320 for at least 6 years now, although the polarscope I struggled with, once you get used to setting up, it's a great mount, and probably still supports biggest weights for these type of mounts, I would really recommend, investing wedge and counterweights. Over gear head if you want to use telescope.
steady Neddy Thanks for the comment. I do indeed have the whole setup including the pier. The Astrotrac wedge is another thing I couldn’t get the hang of & found a geared head so much easier to use. I could hardly get the wedge to align Polaris because it would seize up, or stop on the declination axis, maybe due to the grub screw. Sometimes I’d get it right by titling my tripod, but even then the wedge would give up & drop suddenly. Personally I think the wedge is far too complicated & in user friendly to be able to use, so I will probably sell the whole system & use the Fornax system instead. I have got some great images using the AT however, just not with the wedge.
@@starman1969 thats something I haven't experienced yet, could it be that polaris sits just at an angle where on the wedge it's between 2 locking points? It certainly is a lot to think about for simply changing an angle or rotating the wedge, it'll all change ever so slightly after you fastening everything, for all this hassle I was debating to buy something else but I couldn't find anything to hold my 200-500mm camera lens as well as be portable enough to fit everything in my camera bag and drive to dark spots. Would you mind if I ask what exposures you managed to get with AT ? And what Focal Length? To start with I really struggled, but managed to get an average of 2min at 500mm with dx sensor
steady Neddy I have to say I did not dare do more than 60 seconds with the AT, and that was just at 200mm! I think I was on a loser from the start with the dreadful polar scope. So that was my limit in 6 years of using the AT on and off, yet just last weekend with the Fornax I managed a solid 120 seconds using a 300 focal length. My exposure limit will probably be 120 seconds because if I take enough subs, I think this will be more than adequate for what I’m doing.
Yes you can use the Polemaster with the Astrotrac and I did actually have one for mine, but I sold it lock stock, so I no longer have a Polemaster. I will say though, that it was not that easy to use at first. You really need a rock solid mount to use the PM otherwise the target will jump around the screen and it will be very hard to polar align.
I have a Fornax, works fantastic, I can take 5min subs at 420mm equivalent fl. Bought a Polemaster which I installed in lieu of the polarscope,....works great, I am polar aligned in 5min
Paul Benoit Yes it is known to have exceptional tracking. I too have the Polemaster, although it only fits my Astrotrac polar scope holder. I’m still a bit reluctant to send back the Fornax yet, but I can’t really warrant having too trackers.
Greetings from New Zealand . Very balanced review. May I ask if you have ended up returning the LighTrack II or do have you still got it? If you still have then what is your opinion of the LighTrack II 2 years. I friend of mine spoke highly about his Astrotrac but subsequently went onto the LighTrack II but I've lost contact with him after Covid hence the question to you. Thank you kindly
I've got it back now with a tightened polar arm, although I still preferred the clicking polar arm on the Astrotrac. Anyway, I am getting much better results with the Fornax than the Astrotrac, whether the poor polar scope I got with the Astrotrac was affecting my alignment, I'm not sure but I am getting much longer subs without trailing using the Lightrack.
Great Video. I'm really interested in purchasing the Lightrack II as a novice but am a bit nervous about buying the correct polar scope for it and a cheaper alternative to the Tracer power pack. Could you provide links? Once a gain thank you for a well presented and informative video.
Marina Salazar Hi Marina. It’s a TS Optics refractor. It’s a very good quality scope for a reasonable price. There is an overwhelming choice of telescopes out there, but if you stick to brands like this one, William Optics or Altair Astro you cant really go wrong. Refractors are the least powerful telescopes in terms of magnifying power, but they act mostly like a normal telephoto camera lens, so they can be a good option.
I was considering purchasing the RedCat 51, but will now look at the TS Optics (need lightweight portability). I have the AstroTrac June 2017 model. My camera is a DSLR (Canon D7 Mark II). Thoughts? Also, do you use the TS Optics for viewing as well, or separate telescopes for viewing and Astrophotography?
@@marinacam The RedCat 51 looks like great little scope. I'd definitely recommend something lighter than mine, because mine is not at all lightweight. I also have to use an extension ring so I can focus with my dslr without racking back the focus too much. You may have to check with the RedCat if it needs any extension to the focuser. Not sure if you've seen it, but AstroBackyard did an unbox here th-cam.com/video/XEqjSouILKg/w-d-xo.html
D'Arcy Price Thanks for the advice. I knew a negative comment would come along eventually. Surprised you didn’t advise a hair transplant while you were at it.
D"Arcy Price... Go F yourself. This was a great video from obviously a great guy. Why don't you post a video of yourself and see if you like such treatment.
This video is by far the best review of Fornax Lightrack II. Great job.
Sekito Kisen Thanks. Glad you liked it.
Thank you for such a great comparison of pros and cons!
Glad it was helpful!
I've been using astrotrac tt320 for at least 6 years now, although the polarscope I struggled with, once you get used to setting up, it's a great mount, and probably still supports biggest weights for these type of mounts, I would really recommend, investing wedge and counterweights. Over gear head if you want to use telescope.
steady Neddy Thanks for the comment. I do indeed have the whole setup including the pier. The Astrotrac wedge is another thing I couldn’t get the hang of & found a geared head so much easier to use. I could hardly get the wedge to align Polaris because it would seize up, or stop on the declination axis, maybe due to the grub screw. Sometimes I’d get it right by titling my tripod, but even then the wedge would give up & drop suddenly. Personally I think the wedge is far too complicated & in user friendly to be able to use, so I will probably sell the whole system & use the Fornax system instead. I have got some great images using the AT however, just not with the wedge.
@@starman1969 thats something I haven't experienced yet, could it be that polaris sits just at an angle where on the wedge it's between 2 locking points? It certainly is a lot to think about for simply changing an angle or rotating the wedge, it'll all change ever so slightly after you fastening everything, for all this hassle I was debating to buy something else but I couldn't find anything to hold my 200-500mm camera lens as well as be portable enough to fit everything in my camera bag and drive to dark spots. Would you mind if I ask what exposures you managed to get with AT ? And what Focal Length? To start with I really struggled, but managed to get an average of 2min at 500mm with dx sensor
steady Neddy I have to say I did not dare do more than 60 seconds with the AT, and that was just at 200mm! I think I was on a loser from the start with the dreadful polar scope. So that was my limit in 6 years of using the AT on and off, yet just last weekend with the Fornax I managed a solid 120 seconds using a 300 focal length. My exposure limit will probably be 120 seconds because if I take enough subs, I think this will be more than adequate for what I’m doing.
Is it possible to use a qhy pole master on the Astro Trac ? And if so do you plan on doing a video on how to do it? Thanks Ady
Yes you can use the Polemaster with the Astrotrac and I did actually have one for mine, but I sold it lock stock, so I no longer have a Polemaster. I will say though, that it was not that easy to use at first. You really need a rock solid mount to use the PM otherwise the target will jump around the screen and it will be very hard to polar align.
Awesome vids. Thanks for the info!
I have a Fornax, works fantastic, I can take 5min subs at 420mm equivalent fl. Bought a Polemaster which I installed in lieu of the polarscope,....works great, I am polar aligned in 5min
Paul Benoit Yes it is known to have exceptional tracking. I too have the Polemaster, although it only fits my Astrotrac polar scope holder. I’m still a bit reluctant to send back the Fornax yet, but I can’t really warrant having too trackers.
Greetings from New Zealand . Very balanced review. May I ask if you have ended up returning the LighTrack II or do have you still got it? If you still have then what is your opinion of the LighTrack II 2 years. I friend of mine spoke highly about his Astrotrac but subsequently went onto the LighTrack II but I've lost contact with him after Covid hence the question to you. Thank you kindly
I've got it back now with a tightened polar arm, although I still preferred the clicking polar arm on the Astrotrac. Anyway, I am getting much better results with the Fornax than the Astrotrac, whether the poor polar scope I got with the Astrotrac was affecting my alignment, I'm not sure but I am getting much longer subs without trailing using the Lightrack.
Great Video. I'm really interested in purchasing the Lightrack II as a novice but am a bit nervous about buying the correct polar scope for it and a cheaper alternative to the Tracer power pack. Could you provide links? Once a gain thank you for a well presented and informative video.
Ok Paul. You need a Skywatcher EQ5 polar scope. Call Rother Valley Optics and ask them to make sure you get the right scope.
great vid sir!
T C Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the comparison!
Alexander Nguyen Thanks for watching.
Great review! Thanks a lot!
Tom Kache Thanks for watching & commenting.
How did this end? Did you return the Fornax or manage to tighten the scope mount?
Yes. I got it back after a good while and it was better.
What is the brand of your telescope?
Marina Salazar Hi Marina. It’s a TS Optics refractor. It’s a very good quality scope for a reasonable price. There is an overwhelming choice of telescopes out there, but if you stick to brands like this one, William Optics or Altair Astro you cant really go wrong. Refractors are the least powerful telescopes in terms of magnifying power, but they act mostly like a normal telephoto camera lens, so they can be a good option.
Starman Thank you!
I was considering purchasing the RedCat 51, but will now look at the TS Optics (need lightweight portability). I have the AstroTrac June 2017 model. My camera is a DSLR (Canon D7 Mark II). Thoughts?
Also, do you use the TS Optics for viewing as well, or separate telescopes for viewing and Astrophotography?
@@marinacam The RedCat 51 looks like great little scope. I'd definitely recommend something lighter than mine, because mine is not at all lightweight. I also have to use an extension ring so I can focus with my dslr without racking back the focus too much. You may have to check with the RedCat if it needs any extension to the focuser. Not sure if you've seen it, but AstroBackyard did an unbox here th-cam.com/video/XEqjSouILKg/w-d-xo.html
Starman Thanks so much!
good video
Great video and review Stephen - will you be making a video on using the tracker with the camera ?
Photo Pilot Thanks for the feedback. I will definitely do a video using the tracker as soon as I get chance.
hi starman goodnight
Stephen looks so young in this lol.. (TH-cam suggested this video)
Li’l whippersnaper Sarah 😂
@@starman1969 haha 👍
Slurping coffee ain’t a great way to start a video.
Boo.
Time to save money for a dentist instead.
D'Arcy Price Thanks for the advice. I knew a negative comment would come along eventually. Surprised you didn’t advise a hair transplant while you were at it.
pathetic
D"Arcy Price... Go F yourself. This was a great video from obviously a great guy. Why don't you post a video of yourself and see if you like such treatment.