Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

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rgrenader
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Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#1

Post by rgrenader »


Hi everybody;

I've jumped off the deep end with Astrophotography. Previously all my images were wide-angle Milky Way with a Nikon D850 and a Sigma 20mm f/1.4 lens.
Now, I am transitioning to using the Nikon and a 70-200 Tamron F/2 with a Skywatcher AZ-GTe and a Rasberry Pi minicomputer running Stellarmate. This is until the ASI AIR arrives.

I can control the AZ-GTe with the native SynScan app, but cannot establish WiFi connectivity with Stellarmate and cannot control the camera via the app.

I may have rushed into this, but on paper, everything should work together.
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Thefatkitty Canada
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Re: Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#2

Post by Thefatkitty »


Hi rgrenader, welcome to TSS! :D

Mostly being a visual person, I can't help you, but I know others can and will.

All the best and thanks for joining,
Mark

"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4 & AZ-EQ5 mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.

H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.

Oh yeah, and Solar Cycle 25 :D
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JayTee United States of America
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Re: Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#3

Post by JayTee »


Unless you planned to put that mount on a wedge, it is not suitable for long exposure AP. Long exposure AP requires an equatorial mount (eq).

With an Alt-Az mount you will see an effect called field rotation. This is where the center star looks sharp and round but all the surrounding stars are transcribing bigger and bigger arks the further away you move from the center of the image. You will learn pretty quickly that this mount may be great for visual observation but not for long exposure AP.

Sorry I had to bring the bad news.
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

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AstroBee United States of America
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Re: Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#4

Post by AstroBee »


Yeah, JT is correct. I don't even think they sell an eq wedge for that mount. It's time to slow down and ask a lot of questions about your components before spending money on stuff that may not accomplish what you desire. The good thing is the Skywatcher AZ-GTe is a great little portable visual mount or wide-field sky tracker for camera/lens setups and short exposures so it's not a total waste. But I doubt you will have much luck with any long-time exposure stuff and a telephoto lens.
I'm happy to explain the difference between an Alt-Az and EQ mount and answer any other questions you may have. I wish I had forums like this when I first got into astrophotography, it would have saved me a ton of money and headache.
Greg M.~ "Ad Astra per Aspera"
Scopes: Celestron EdgeHD14", Explore Scientific ED152CF & ED127 APO's, StellarVue SV70T, Classic Orange-Tube C-8, Lunt 80mm Ha double-stack solar scope.
Mounts: Astro-Physics Mach One, iOptron CEM70EC Mount, iOptron ZEQ25 Mount.
Cameras: ZWO ASI2600mm Pro, ZWO 2600MC Pro, ZWO ASI1600mm
Filters: 36mm Chroma LRGB & 3nm Ha, OIII, SII, L-Pro, L-eXtreme
Eyepieces: 27mm TeleVue Panoptic, 4mm TeleVue Radian, Explore Scientific 82° 30mm, 6.7mm , Baader 13mm Hyperion, Explore Scientific 70° 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, Meade 8.8mm UWA
Software: N.I.N.A., SharpCapPro, PixInsight, PhotoShop CC, Phd2, Stellarium
https://www.nevadadesertskies.com
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ARock
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Re: Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#5

Post by ARock »


The AZ-GTe is similar to the more popular AZ-Gti, which has the extra Freedom Find feature of being able to move the scope by hand and still have it tracked.

There are a lot of people doing simple AP on the AZ-Gti using a wedge. I would assume that a wedge for the AZ-Gti would work for the AZ-Gte, so it is worth checking.

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/3459 ... nt=3761622

Search in astrobin.com for AZ-GTE or AZ-GTI to see images taken on those mounts.
AR
Scopes: Zhumell Z8, Meade Adventure 80mm, Bushnell 1300x100 Goto Mak.
Mount: ES EXOS Nano EQ Mount, DIY Arduino+Stepper drives.
AP: 50mm guidescope, AR0130 based guidecam, Canon T3i, UHC filter.
EPs: ES82 18,11,6.7mm, Zhumell 30,9mm FJ Ortho 9mm, assorted plossls, Meade 2x S-F Barlow, DGM NPB filter.
Binos: Celestron Skymaster 15x70 (Albott tripod/monopod), Nikon Naturalist 7x35.
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Re: Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#6

Post by turboscrew »


Can you see if the camera and mount are connected to the right wireless network?
I'd think the hand controller can show it? Maybe the camera too?
It's a bit hard to guess without further info about your Raspberry Pi setup.
(I take it that you have done the setups according to the mounts and cameras manuals.)
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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Re: Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#7

Post by helicon »


Welcome to the Forums!
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
rgrenader
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Re: Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#8

Post by rgrenader »


Thanks, everybody. I know I will have to get a better EQ mount later this year when I transition to a telescope and astro camera with possibly a guider, but for now, the Nikon D8950 is a Hoover when it comes to gathering light.
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Re: Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#9

Post by rgrenader »


Thanks for everybody's assistance. The solution was to dump the home build Rasberry Pi controller and go with an ASIAIR Plus. I was able to establish communications with the ASI, the Skywatcher and my Nikon D850.
Next week, I am in Borrego Springs to take it all out for a ride.
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Re: Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#10

Post by SkyHiker »


If you want to try your Pi again, try installing Astroberry instead of StellarMate. This is what everyone uses, I think. I installed it several times on two Pi2bs and one Pi4b, and it runs smooth. No WiFi connectivity problems. I run KStars and Ekos, it's very good!

You are aware that the Pi may run its own access point that you have to connect to, right? You can switch it so the Pi is on your home router, that way you can also access the internet, this is generally easier. That's how I have it set. In the field I use an ethernet cable because I don't want to have WiFi issues.

Anyway, good luck with your AsiAIR. One thing I am curious about is the real-time stacking that AsiAIR appears to have, I was unable to get that working on my PC.
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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Re: Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#11

Post by turboscrew »


SkyHiker wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 12:39 am If you want to try your Pi again, try installing Astroberry instead of StellarMate. This is what everyone uses, I think. I installed it several times on two Pi2bs and one Pi4b, and it runs smooth. No WiFi connectivity problems. I run KStars and Ekos, it's very good!

You are aware that the Pi may run its own access point that you have to connect to, right? You can switch it so the Pi is on your home router, that way you can also access the internet, this is generally easier. That's how I have it set. In the field I use an ethernet cable because I don't want to have WiFi issues.

Anyway, good luck with your AsiAIR. One thing I am curious about is the real-time stacking that AsiAIR appears to have, I was unable to get that working on my PC.
If RPi (Raspberry Pi) is configured as a router with DHCP, it should work (the firewall needs to be configured too), but if it also connects to home router, it should be configured as a hot spot. Otherwise you probably get problems with IP segments. The RPi might start leasing out IP numbers of the same segment your home router does.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
Laptop: Acer Enduro Urban N3 semi-rugged, Windows 11
LAT 61° 28' 10.9" N, Bortle 5

I don't suffer from insanity. I'm enjoying every minute of it.

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SkyHiker United States of America
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Re: Skywatcher AZ-GTe and Stellarmate

#12

Post by SkyHiker »


turboscrew wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 4:27 pm
SkyHiker wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 12:39 am If you want to try your Pi again, try installing Astroberry instead of StellarMate. This is what everyone uses, I think. I installed it several times on two Pi2bs and one Pi4b, and it runs smooth. No WiFi connectivity problems. I run KStars and Ekos, it's very good!

You are aware that the Pi may run its own access point that you have to connect to, right? You can switch it so the Pi is on your home router, that way you can also access the internet, this is generally easier. That's how I have it set. In the field I use an ethernet cable because I don't want to have WiFi issues.

Anyway, good luck with your AsiAIR. One thing I am curious about is the real-time stacking that AsiAIR appears to have, I was unable to get that working on my PC.
If RPi (Raspberry Pi) is configured as a router with DHCP, it should work (the firewall needs to be configured too), but if it also connects to home router, it should be configured as a hot spot. Otherwise you probably get problems with IP segments. The RPi might start leasing out IP numbers of the same segment your home router does.
Good point. Since the DHCP implications are way over my head I always define static IPs for WiFi and ethernet, tape these numbers on to the Pi and hope that I won't have IP clashes on my network. That way I know what IP address to VNC into for sure. The Pi's hotspot is probably way too slow so for the fastest remote connection I put it on my router. In the field, ethernet, super fast and nice for VNC. For ethernet I won't have clashes because there is no router involved, I plug it straight into my laptop that I have configured statically to be on the same network.
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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