After years of hardship (😅) with a basic star tracker, I have ordered a full ZWO + redcat setup quite similar to this one (except I'm going for the new ASI2600MC DUO camera, and I'm adding the EAF). This video is super useful as it covers in great details the whole workflow. It will surely help a ton to get me started. Thanks a lot for the obvious hard work that went into making this video!
Great video as usual Peter. I use a very similar setup, except I went for the Asi Air plus and the larger Red Cat 71 (based on your glowing endorsement of the Red Cat 71). It stays light and compact enough to be carried around on bicycle, train or airplane. A small tip: if you end up having the « very hard to turn » azimuth screws, just put some lithium grease on them, it should solve the problem. Happened to me recently; I was afraid that the screws were bent but a small amount of lubricant worked miracle.
Peter, I always hit Like before watching your videos because I know they will be great. I enjoy your presentation and always learn something. My RedCat51 is a few years old and I just got the AM5 and an ASI183MC Pro camera. I'm also mounting an ASI120MM mini on an Svbony 30mm guide scope and my older ASIAir Pro. I have a similar scope handle and mounted the guide scope and ASIAir on it using a 3-D printed dual bracket from Agena Astro (super light weight). My scope assembly has only the power cable from the ASIAir to the AM5 power port. The ASIAir communicates wirelessly with the mount via the hand control. This way, I can detatch that single cable, remove the scope, and attach my AT115EDT scope assembly in about 3 minutes. Love the simplicity and hopefully testing will prove out the set ups behave and have no power issues.
😀 I was looking for this video on your howtube so I can get the new-to-me WO FS105 focused on M101. Glad to see you moved this to youtube. Lots of great info and is incredibly helpful!! Thanks again Peter.
I ended up putting the ASIAIR on the AM5 the other day and it’s fine as long as you just look at whether cables will hit the mount when it’s close to meridian.
I can vouch for the ASIAIR mounting issues. On my very first day the ASIAIR hit the tripod, ripped off my USB cables and bent the USB ports. Thankfully the USB ports work, but all my USB cables were destroyed.
I mount my ASIAir on the front of a longer dovetail, so in front of and under the scope. The only cables that are not at any risk of snag are power to the ASIAir and USB from the ASIAir to the mount.
Thanks for a great tutorial, Peter. Everything was so well explained and shown in this video, that even an idiot like me can now take great pictures of the night skies. Well thought out, well explained and left me very confident. You are the best. Bruce
What I like about your tutorials is you speak nice and slow and you are very thorough. This video is very convenient for me because I am ordering the am5 mount.i have to start somewhere because this stuff isn’t cheap. So here is my question, I live In bortel skies #5, what filters should I consider if I buy the asi 533 osc camera. Do I have to buy a filter wheel? Oh, do I lose any features buying the asi air mini vs the plus.
I've found the Plan mode to work better for shooting, and Autorun good for flats/darks. The Autorun does exactly what you you tell it, but Plan mode will be smart and not take pictures below the horizon or after sunrise. It's easy to misjudge how long refocusing, dithering/guide settling, and meridian flips take. So I can just throw a couple targets in the plan and not need to pay that much attention to where it is going to be in 4 hours, or if my 4 hour Autorun actually takes 4.5 (or more) hours instead.
Thanks for the video Peter! I just ordered the AM5 and the ASI air bundle and this is my first upgrade from my star adventurer. I’m super excited to start using them and this video will be a big help when they arrive. :)
Great video, as always. I always mount anything connected to the scope to the scope, if possible. Flapping, snagging or flopping cables manifest as guiding errors. YMMV based on focal length and/or exposure time.
Get yourself an EAF and the ProAstroGear Black Cat mount for the ASI AIR, EAF, and Guide scope. Everything was so frustrating for me until I got the bracket.
Hi, You could even do away with the guide scope and just use a main camera with two in one design like the Zwo ASI2600MC/MM DUO this combines both imaging and guiding in one sensors. It does have a hefty price tag but I use this with my FF80-APO Astronomical Telescope with a Zwo AM5 and the TC40 Tripod and for portability I often use my FF65-APO Telescope which fits perfectly in my rucksack.
The problem is not the telescope hitting the finder foot (not possible), the problem is that if you attach your Asiair to the finder foot then cables connecting it to your telescope must be very long to prevent the cables from stretching too much and breaking or damaging other equipment connected to the telescope. Anyway, don't worry too much because ZWO in its AM5 manual indicates that the ASIAIR unit can also be connected to the finder foot.
Great video Peter! I have basically the same setup only I have the Askar V telescope. My question for you is about your backpack. I noticed that it is a ThinkTank backpack but am curious which model. I tried to compare yours based on appearances but haven't found it in their product line. Could you please provide that info? Thanks.
Great stuff, Peter. I'm just getting into astrophotography using the AM5 and your videos are the best. I'll probably have to take your course.I haven't bought a camera yet and am looking at the ZWO color camera to start and will move to B&W later. BTW, this video makes me think you are near the Straits of Juan De Luca. Is that true?
nice video; thanks Peter. Sold my Star Tracker (too frustrating) and thought about giving up on astro but I'm now thinking of the HEQ5 and having another go.
If you haven't gotten the heq5 yet, I'd consider the am3. Especially if you're coming from a star tracker. Although the heq5 isn't quite as big as the eq6r pro, it still is quite heavy with everything equipped. I've been using a rowan belt drive modded Orion sirius eq-g(orion's heq-5) for many years and gradually used it less and less due to the weight. I've got an am5 on the way and can't wait to get back into imaging.
I found this video at the right time. I’ve got all of the ZWO devices except for the camera. I live in a condo and am surrounded by trees so everything for me is mobile work with just my F150. The battery part to me was so helpful. So how long did you shoot that night, and how did the battery do?
Setting it up with the red cat is a little more complicated. I'd assume that's likly the reason. Although, there are brackets out there for it, and the EAF makes shooting with filters soooo freaking easy. I'd drive myself crazy if I had to manually focus after every filter change.
If battery power is a limiting factor, I would try to measure the current draw for the various powered devices separately. My guess is the major current draw is the camera cooler and the dew heater. Regarding camera cooling, modern CMOS sensors don't need to be cooled as much as most people think. Look at the camera specs and do some calculations. The dew heater is trickier and depends on the dew temp, but it can probably be optimised for the conditions.
I am very very new to the astrophotography side of astronomy (been visual stargazing for 20+ years) so I am gathering as much information as I possibly can. I absolutely love this entire setup but have one question on your equipment. Why a monochrome camera instead of a color camera? Honestly, I'm seriously considering getting your exact setup with a few modifications (based on some comments on here). I have property in a Bortle 2/3 zone and have already taken some stunning images with a smartscope and I'd like to up the anty with a proper setup.
Hi Peter. Great post and as always very informative. Can I ask your opinion on weight tolerance for the AM5? I have a SW Esprit 120mm with a SW ED50 guide scope. Also attached to the OTA is an ZWO's ASAIR Plus, EAF and MC533 Pro. I'm not sure the total weight but it's heavy enough. I currently use a SW AZ EQ6 Pro mount, but I'm not at all happy with the quality (or lack thereof). The AZ has blown a motherboard and continues to give me issues in the RA axis, so it has to go!
Thanks for the video Peter, great content as usual! just got the ASI air plus and a 65PHQ scope so hoping to get a nice workflow for myself and get some nice images. Do you have plans to include the EAF at any stage?
Hi Peter, I am considering the AM3 and the ZWO Tripod. What is your experience of this tripod in moderately windy conditions? Say If I have a 6" f/4 Newt on the mount.
I also have the Jackery 240ah power pack (UK plugs). I have almost the same set up except for az-gti mount, asi183mc pro and I run 2x Kendrick dew heaters not one. I easily get 2 full nights out of my fully charger Jackery about 16 hours. So surprised to hear you say that it wouldn’t last all night. Perhaps it’s faulty.
What is polar align really good for ? Because from my backyard i place towards polaris and let the guide cam do all the work and the results are good. Im a complete beginner so all info is welcome
Unless your pretty precise with pointing your mount your guider will be working overtime to keep your stars round. A precise polar alignment makes everything easier and better
It's a really easy workflow, but don't you have to focus anew with each new filter? And why don't you use the automated ASIAir focusing instead of Bahtinov mask?
Being well aware that $500 difference in price is not small, the AM5 is the better choice in case someone wants to go bigger in the future. It's better to be safe and getting the higher capacity than it is to sell the AM3 at a loss and then pay the extra on top of the loss for the AM5. I'm at that crossroad right now and should heed my own advice. lol I do like the extra power output on the side on the AM5 too. That's perfect for powering the Air and keeps better management of cables.
What are you talking about? He mentions focusing your guide scope on a distant object during the day so that it puts the guide scope focus in the ballpark of infinity. So, when you go to the stars at night, they'll be close to focus. Many people just starting won't see anything and will think something is wrong with the guide cam.
With the ASIair Plus you can attach the dovetail foot to the narrow side of the ASIair (the side opposite the 12v power sockets) and then mount it on the AM5 so that it sticks out sideways. This solves the collision problem, but you still have to be careful with cables.
After years of hardship (😅) with a basic star tracker, I have ordered a full ZWO + redcat setup quite similar to this one (except I'm going for the new ASI2600MC DUO camera, and I'm adding the EAF). This video is super useful as it covers in great details the whole workflow. It will surely help a ton to get me started. Thanks a lot for the obvious hard work that went into making this video!
Finally, someone else using the obvious slot on the AM5 to mount the asiair. I'm not completely crazy 🙂... Nice video Obi WAN!
When I bought the AM5 and the AirAir, I thoughts what was supposed to go there.
Great tutorial.
Thanks for the vid. Maybe one day I’ll upgrade. But this whole process just makes me love my DSLR workflow even more.
This video is perfect. It's basically my whole setup besides the scope, and my mount which is an AM3.
I love the Oblivion music in the back!
Great video as usual Peter. I use a very similar setup, except I went for the Asi Air plus and the larger Red Cat 71 (based on your glowing endorsement of the Red Cat 71). It stays light and compact enough to be carried around on bicycle, train or airplane. A small tip: if you end up having the « very hard to turn » azimuth screws, just put some lithium grease on them, it should solve the problem. Happened to me recently; I was afraid that the screws were bent but a small amount of lubricant worked miracle.
I literally wait for your videos 🎉
Peter, I always hit Like before watching your videos because I know they will be great. I enjoy your presentation and always learn something. My RedCat51 is a few years old and I just got the AM5 and an ASI183MC Pro camera. I'm also mounting an ASI120MM mini on an Svbony 30mm guide scope and my older ASIAir Pro. I have a similar scope handle and mounted the guide scope and ASIAir on it using a 3-D printed dual bracket from Agena Astro (super light weight). My scope assembly has only the power cable from the ASIAir to the AM5 power port. The ASIAir communicates wirelessly with the mount via the hand control. This way, I can detatch that single cable, remove the scope, and attach my AT115EDT scope assembly in about 3 minutes. Love the simplicity and hopefully testing will prove out the set ups behave and have no power issues.
😀 I was looking for this video on your howtube so I can get the new-to-me WO FS105 focused on M101. Glad to see you moved this to youtube. Lots of great info and is incredibly helpful!! Thanks again Peter.
I ended up putting the ASIAIR on the AM5 the other day and it’s fine as long as you just look at whether cables will hit the mount when it’s close to meridian.
Wow that picture looked like 3d on my TV
Excellent video and helpful
I can vouch for the ASIAIR mounting issues. On my very first day the ASIAIR hit the tripod, ripped off my USB cables and bent the USB ports. Thankfully the USB ports work, but all my USB cables were destroyed.
I mount my ASIAir on the front of a longer dovetail, so in front of and under the scope. The only cables that are not at any risk of snag are power to the ASIAir and USB from the ASIAir to the mount.
Thanks for a great tutorial, Peter. Everything was so well explained and shown in this video, that even an idiot like me can now take great pictures of the night skies. Well thought out, well explained and left me very confident.
You are the best.
Bruce
What I like about your tutorials is you speak nice and slow and you are very thorough. This video is very convenient for me because I am ordering the am5 mount.i have to start somewhere because this stuff isn’t cheap. So here is my question, I live In bortel skies #5, what filters should I consider if I buy the asi 533 osc camera. Do I have to buy a filter wheel? Oh, do I lose any features buying the asi air mini vs the plus.
Very nice introduction😀
Fantastic video
I've found the Plan mode to work better for shooting, and Autorun good for flats/darks. The Autorun does exactly what you you tell it, but Plan mode will be smart and not take pictures below the horizon or after sunrise. It's easy to misjudge how long refocusing, dithering/guide settling, and meridian flips take.
So I can just throw a couple targets in the plan and not need to pay that much attention to where it is going to be in 4 hours, or if my 4 hour Autorun actually takes 4.5 (or more) hours instead.
Thanks for the video Peter! I just ordered the AM5 and the ASI air bundle and this is my first upgrade from my star adventurer. I’m super excited to start using them and this video will be a big help when they arrive. :)
thank you very much for your video, love it
very much
thank you for this my main man
Great video, as always. I always mount anything connected to the scope to the scope, if possible. Flapping, snagging or flopping cables manifest as guiding errors. YMMV based on focal length and/or exposure time.
Nice video Peter, thanks
very detailed sharings. Many thanks.
Get yourself an EAF and the ProAstroGear Black Cat mount for the ASI AIR, EAF, and Guide scope. Everything was so frustrating for me until I got the bracket.
I agree, that's what is on my setup.
Hi, You could even do away with the guide scope and just use a main camera with two in one design like the Zwo ASI2600MC/MM DUO this combines both imaging and guiding in one sensors. It does have a hefty price tag but I use this with my FF80-APO Astronomical Telescope with a Zwo AM5 and the TC40 Tripod and for portability I often use my FF65-APO Telescope which fits perfectly in my rucksack.
The problem is not the telescope hitting the finder foot (not possible), the problem is that if you attach your Asiair to the finder foot then cables connecting it to your telescope must be very long to prevent the cables from stretching too much and breaking or damaging other equipment connected to the telescope. Anyway, don't worry too much because ZWO in its AM5 manual indicates that the ASIAIR unit can also be connected to the finder foot.
top tips - thanks for the help
Great video Peter! I have basically the same setup only I have the Askar V telescope. My question for you is about your backpack. I noticed that it is a ThinkTank backpack but am curious which model. I tried to compare yours based on appearances but haven't found it in their product line. Could you please provide that info? Thanks.
thank You
Great stuff, Peter. I'm just getting into astrophotography using the AM5 and your videos are the best. I'll probably have to take your course.I haven't bought a camera yet and am looking at the ZWO color camera to start and will move to B&W later. BTW, this video makes me think you are near the Straits of Juan De Luca. Is that true?
Peter, I meant Juan De Fuca
I believe that you are right, that’s Port Angeles in the background
well done
nice video; thanks Peter. Sold my Star Tracker (too frustrating) and thought about giving up on astro but I'm now thinking of the HEQ5 and having another go.
Good idea, get the EQMOD cable to talk from your ASIAIR to your new HEQ5
If you haven't gotten the heq5 yet, I'd consider the am3. Especially if you're coming from a star tracker. Although the heq5 isn't quite as big as the eq6r pro, it still is quite heavy with everything equipped. I've been using a rowan belt drive modded Orion sirius eq-g(orion's heq-5) for many years and gradually used it less and less due to the weight.
I've got an am5 on the way and can't wait to get back into imaging.
I found this video at the right time. I’ve got all of the ZWO devices except for the camera. I live in a condo and am surrounded by trees so everything for me is mobile work with just my F150. The battery part to me was so helpful. So how long did you shoot that night, and how did the battery do?
Port Angeles, beautiful.
Is there a reason you don"t use the ASI EAF with this set up? Great video.
Setting it up with the red cat is a little more complicated. I'd assume that's likly the reason. Although, there are brackets out there for it, and the EAF makes shooting with filters soooo freaking easy. I'd drive myself crazy if I had to manually focus after every filter change.
If battery power is a limiting factor, I would try to measure the current draw for the various powered devices separately. My guess is the major current draw is the camera cooler and the dew heater. Regarding camera cooling, modern CMOS sensors don't need to be cooled as much as most people think. Look at the camera specs and do some calculations. The dew heater is trickier and depends on the dew temp, but it can probably be optimised for the conditions.
I already did that. The limiting factor is the mount itself by far.
why did you go with the AM5 instead of the AM3? Do you have another telescope that needs the AM5 because of weight?
I am very very new to the astrophotography side of astronomy (been visual stargazing for 20+ years) so I am gathering as much information as I possibly can. I absolutely love this entire setup but have one question on your equipment. Why a monochrome camera instead of a color camera? Honestly, I'm seriously considering getting your exact setup with a few modifications (based on some comments on here). I have property in a Bortle 2/3 zone and have already taken some stunning images with a smartscope and I'd like to up the anty with a proper setup.
Peter - super video...i am going for this mount. Can you tell me about the backpack? Seems spacious enough and light weight.
You dont really need -20c，0 or -5 c is more than enough，the heat noise reduction is bearly improved after that， it will save the battery big time
Was this filmed by Sequim, Wa? Good video
Hi Peter. Great post and as always very informative. Can I ask your opinion on weight tolerance for the AM5? I have a SW Esprit 120mm with a SW ED50 guide scope. Also attached to the OTA is an ZWO's ASAIR Plus, EAF and MC533 Pro. I'm not sure the total weight but it's heavy enough. I currently use a SW AZ EQ6 Pro mount, but I'm not at all happy with the quality (or lack thereof). The AZ has blown a motherboard and continues to give me issues in the RA axis, so it has to go!
Thanks for the video Peter, great content as usual! just got the ASI air plus and a 65PHQ scope so hoping to get a nice workflow for myself and get some nice images. Do you have plans to include the EAF at any stage?
Do you have a list of the equipment in you video?
Hi Peter, I am considering the AM3 and the ZWO Tripod. What is your experience of this tripod in moderately windy conditions? Say If I have a 6" f/4 Newt on the mount.
Where are you located? PNW?
Hi Peter - Can you please tell us what brand and model of the case you are using for the redcat in this video?
I also have the Jackery 240ah power pack (UK plugs). I have almost the same set up except for az-gti mount, asi183mc pro and I run 2x Kendrick dew heaters not one. I easily get 2 full nights out of my fully charger Jackery about 16 hours. So surprised to hear you say that it wouldn’t last all night. Perhaps it’s faulty.
Hi Peter - can you provide a link for the case you are using to carry the Redcat, guide scope and filter wheel?
Do we need take caliber frames like dark, bias at the end? Thank you!
Why do you use a filter wheel, if you used color cooled camera would that eliminate the wheel
Do you have to loosen some knobs on the AM5 before you do polar alignment? Do you tighten them when the PA is done?
So there is no need to make 2/3 stars allignment ?
Do you think an ASI2600 Color would be worth the money, coming from a Sony A7r (H-Alpha mod)?
Brother, is that music in the background from Oblivion? I just got this mount and am binge watching tutorials.
Came here to ask this haha
16:20 It now occurs at 5' or better. They chaned it from 2' quite some time ago.
Imma save this video for when I have enough money to afford this stuff, until then, my trusty skyguider pro has to do its job.
Great video!
What is polar align really good for ? Because from my backyard i place towards polaris and let the guide cam do all the work and the results are good. Im a complete beginner so all info is welcome
Unless your pretty precise with pointing your mount your guider will be working overtime to keep your stars round. A precise polar alignment makes everything easier and better
looks like Vancouver Island?
Hi. Do you pause your autorun to manually re-focus the telescope after switching filter? Then come back and resume autorun?
Isn’t it best to use a compass to point to north pole
It's a really easy workflow, but don't you have to focus anew with each new filter? And why don't you use the automated ASIAir focusing instead of Bahtinov mask?
Elder Scrolls music is great
I knew it was Oblivion lol
Anyone know what 12V cigarette plug cable brand is being used for the AM5. 5a output is the maximum.
Do you lose some speed with USB 2.0 on Asiair mini?
Is that Elder Scrolls music in the background? Sounds like Morrowind to me
Is there a reason why you went with the AM5 instead of the AM3?
Being well aware that $500 difference in price is not small, the AM5 is the better choice in case someone wants to go bigger in the future. It's better to be safe and getting the higher capacity than it is to sell the AM3 at a loss and then pay the extra on top of the loss for the AM5. I'm at that crossroad right now and should heed my own advice. lol I do like the extra power output on the side on the AM5 too. That's perfect for powering the Air and keeps better management of cables.
How Borg 55 compared to your WO scope?
Is this in British Columbia?
At 24 min you mention doing something during the day. Never prior. Shame.
What are you talking about? He mentions focusing your guide scope on a distant object during the day so that it puts the guide scope focus in the ballpark of infinity. So, when you go to the stars at night, they'll be close to focus. Many people just starting won't see anything and will think something is wrong with the guide cam.
Please do not put the ASIair on the side of the AM5. ZWO recommends against it. If your DEC turns more than 90 degrees it will get destroyed.
He does say that in the video.
With the ASIair Plus you can attach the dovetail foot to the narrow side of the ASIair (the side opposite the 12v power sockets) and then mount it on the AM5 so that it sticks out sideways. This solves the collision problem, but you still have to be careful with cables.