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So i haven't used the ASI2600MC, but I did previously have an ASI071MC. But this feels every bit like I expected the ZWO equivalent to operate. I have the 2600MM so performance wise it feels like the color equivalent of that one. I fully endorse this one as a "cheaper but just as powerful" version. I've had a chance to use it several times and have been super impressed with how it has performed. Here are some recents from my Bortle ~8 home (haven't been able to get out to dark site with it yet). instagram.com/p/DFS5uenu7hj/?igsh=MTlxZHYxMjdlbDlxcQ== instagram.com/p/DFLuhv4SceB/?igsh=bzA3MHpmc3poYml5 instagram.com/p/DFDhYHMuWDH/?igsh=MWxsaGE1aGZmZm1vYg== instagram.com/p/DFI5zlMySGG/?igsh=Z2V6NnMyY3ptb2t5

lol, 400mm focal length will do that, and free music courtesy of youtube

@Brentless thank you Brent! I guess as good as these new mounts are, there are always new features in demand!

It feels secure but I'm not using anything remotely as big as one of those Meades. Both my refractors sit on a 14 inch losmandy dovetail and it holds onto it tight.

@Brentless thank you! Found another video from skywatcher, showing a c14. But it was accompanied by a note saying "do not try this at home"!

@@wesleyjohnson597 That is a William Optics Zenithstar 70mm Ferrari doublet

@@KJRitch ordered straight from Player One (so came from China) on a Thursday. Received tracking almost immediately. Arrived at my door 6 days later with a brief weather delay in Chicago otherwise would been 4 days. DHL provided clear tracking on where it was the whole time.

@@cathyhandzel255 thanks so much! Here were two of my processed captures at the points of disappearance and reappearance: instagram.com/p/DEyxxGOsaST/?igsh=MWphY2IybWFzeWp3MQ==

@@Wheeljack678 awesome! I've only had a chance to use it once, but really impressive in how it performed in suboptimal conditions. Bortle 8, no filter, heavy moon, but still can't wait to put it through it's paces instagram.com/p/DEn7fZjsb6W/?igsh=dHNsY3Z1NWFxODcz

Years upon years of building up 😅 If you want inexpensive, you are in the wrong hobby, but plenty of videos online for getting started using simple tripods and a smartphone. Unless you are loaded (I'm unfortunately not), astrophotography gear is a marathon, not a sprint.

@ I’m sorry I’m just upset I can’t afford to buy gear for this thing I love and I already spent some money on a dslr a lens and a tripod

@@will.dominguez this is the zwo tc40 with pier (I've got another video that goes into detail on it)

So i only use EQMOD, not synscan. So probably can't help, but I've seen where you need to be on the same actual network as the mount, so maybe make sure the computer connects to the wifi on the mount too when trying to use it?

Thank you, i solved finally yesterday. The connection to be selected on the app is "serial" even if it is USB actually, but prior you have to check on Windows "device management" the right COM port number (for me is com8) and then report it on the app. I didn't find described in the synscan manual. Maybe can be useful for any other interested. 😊

@@spliter200 The 2.5mm to 2.1mm DC adapters I got: www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2KQYL91?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title The USB B to USB A (right angle) that I got: www.amazon.com/dp/B0B74BRYD6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

@ thanks bro 👍🏽

Ya, these I purchased from Astrodymium (really happy with them). ADM and Stellarvue have good options too. I use ADM risers to do the same thing on my Explore Scientific 127 so all my "gadgets" are mounted beneath the mount.

Glad the decision works for you too. I'm sure the SW is fine too, but in the end, I still feel the TC40 was the right choice for me.

@@siegfriednoet i agree, its a bit "wobbly" as I'm putting my scope on, but super solid as soon as secured. Still feels weird without the counterweight.

@@Brentless Thanks, will you ever test it with a larger payload, let's say around 50 pounds ?

@@siegfriednoet i don't have anything that big yet, max right now is about 30 to 35 lbs. But I wanted something that I could if I get to that point.

So I did look at this, but the current bolts on my EQ6R tripod are M12. It looks like I can definitely do it, but I'll have to get a different bolt and redo the spreaders to effectively connect it to that mount. It includes an adapter for the "smaller" Sky-watcher tripods, but the the 2in on that comes with the EQ6R is a no go.

@@Brentless Thanks for the reply. I think I saw over at the Cloudy Nights Forum the Bolt Issue/Size was brought up and possible ways around it. I'll have to look at my Pier Plate 9Dan's Pier Plates) and see if and how to make it work. I still haven't settled on what mount and route I'm going. I'm even entertaining the Skywatcher CQ350 Head and just leave that on the pier. With a 70lb payload it will allow a lot of growth but at scarifying portability. But with it there's some quirks about the cable management. Another in the mix that no-one talks about much anymore is the Losmandy GM811G. Design hasn't changed much but when it comes to accuracy, they're hard to beat. Still soaking it all in but I still have this 150i high on the list.....

Thanks! I use a daystar quark on either this William Optics 70mm refractor or an Explore Scientific 127mm refractor, with an ASI432 camera.

I'm using the EQMOD and ASCOM drivers. If you have those installed and are connected to the computer (by USB), open up the EQASCOM Toolbox app, and the settings are timeout of 1000, retry 2, band 9600. That's the short answer. There are other apps and drivers but I've only ever used EQMOD.

@@gamerowdonat826 tripod is the ZWO TC40 with PE200 pier extension (compatible with skywatcher 150i) That telescope is a William Optics Zenithstar 70mm Ferrari doublet.

Nevermind, your previous video you mention the tripod is ZWO TC40 tripod! Thanks for sharing 😊😊😊

It does NOT sound that loud in real life 😁, I noticed that too on the watch back. My phone mic definitely amplified the sound.

@@Miguel_Noppe i don't use the mini router when I'm at home most of the time. Depends where i setup an how far away from my home access point i am, but I've got it set up so the mini router connects to my home wifi so that gives me extra range if i need it. Mainly use it when I go out into the field. I know there are ways to somehow make the mele is own Hotspot, but this little mini router works super well. Curious which antenna did you purchase? I've not noticed any flex or had any trouble with it. The parts are pretty solid as a rock.

@@NiteSkyLookr i still use EQMOD software (on the pc). But ya, using the usb cables to instead of the eqmod cable that I have for the EQ6r. Are you using the rs232 on the mount side or computer side? If you want to direct connect to the laptop, you would use an included USB B to USB A cable (comes with the mount in the box).

@@Brentless Yes on the RS-232....it's the one I got a long time ago that's a direct mount connection and on the other and a RS-232 to USB adapter that plugs in the Laptop. Any other USB cables...DSLR and a old Meade guide camera went to a USB HUB (on the pier) with a single USB cable from it to the Laptop. It's another reason why I've been looking at the newer mounts that have all this built in to head Power and USB. Even with Pier, I have a lot of cables dangling and have to be mindful when scopes slew. I'm interested in the Pegasus Power box for sure and even just going min-pc to keep everything on grab-and-go-setup. Right now with everything it's a chore dealing with cables....and that mini-pc, i've seen a few videos highlighting it.

hopefully both a good "buy" but also good bye 😁

I'm uploading a video that might explain it better than words. I'll post link here as soon as it finishes uploading too. But i have a usb b to usb a on the ra back panel, then a usb a to usb a that goes from the saddle usb to my Mini pc (one of the bigger usb a ports on the smaller side) The power ports on the saddle are both 2.5mm. The power INPUT to the saddle on the ra panel is also 2.5mm The only 2.1mm cable is the one that directly powers the mount (on the ra panel).

Quick video of my exact wiring setup just posted ruclips.net/video/NpO-zwDmr6g/видео.htmlsi=JYV67RuMcPmqB821

I did try both and both work just fine. Basically I am still using my short usb b to usb a with right angles on the back panel. In my case, the eqmod cable would connect into the ethernet jack (literally right next to the usb b port) and into the same usb a port on the back panel. Then nothing plugs into the usb b port anymore. If you are using the handset, you'd plug the ethernet side into the handset, the handset to the ethernet on the back panel, and then again the usb a to the back panel From what I've heard the eqmod cables have longer life (and hold up but in cold weather), but I've got a ton of usb cables obviously in my setup, so I'm planning to just keep using the B to A until/unless i see a failure, but I'll always have the eqmod cable in my bag if I need to swap it out for some reason

@@Brentless Appreciate you prompt reply. i will use your recommandation as soon I receive my new mount. I can not wait!

The counterweight bar is the same size and thread as my EQ6R bar. The long one that screws into the mount itself is thicker, but the smaller extension threads right onto my EQ6R bar. The counterweight itself could be used on either my EQ6R, and the EQ6R counterweights I have look like I could easily use them on the 150i. I haven't "used" it, but it feels really solid from some lightweight testing. My plan is for my bigger scopes, I won't use my smaller tripod (the TC40). I think the scopes I have would probably be fine, but it makes me a bit leery still at this point. But I'm planning to put the 150i on my EQ6R tripod I think if I want to use the bigger scope with the 150i, just for that extra base stability.

@@Brentless Thanks a lot for this very complete answer !

@@sjpp71 it feels quieter to me, but if so, not that much, but I don't think the eq6r is all that loud myself technically Bummer the proximity, I'd be telling them to get a white noise machine or something, lol 😁

My EQ6R pro is very quiet, maybe there’s something wrong with yours?

@@woody5109 I don't think so. I mean it is not abnormally noisy, but you know how it is, at late hours everything sounds noisier.

Mine (fully loaded) here is about 16 to 18lbs. With William Optics Zenithstar Ferrari refractor, camera, filter wheel, guidescope and camera, dovetail with risers, and then Mini PC and Pegasus Powerbox.

I have a larger refractor setup (that I don't show in the video). I'll use it on that one but not the smaller refractor I used in the video. Just put it on top illustrate how to do it for now. Can go up to 33 pounds without counterweight and up to 55 with.

@@Brentless Cool! These strain wave mounts are a godsend. I had an EQ6R too; I replaced it with a AM5 and couldn't be happier. My heaviest payload is an Askar 120APO with 70mm guidescope on top and a ZWO ASI2600MC main camera. Two trips to set up/tear down and no strained back as a consequence.

It really helps balance the tripod, my tripod almost tipped over without the counterweight

@@michaelkohl2250 correct

@Brentless thanks

@@lcxt9 ouch, sorry to hear that, haven't had a problem doing it on my EQ6R for probably 4 years But not planning to use power from the powerbox on the 150i.

Functionally, i don't think I can say one is better than the other. A lot of colleagues in my local astrophotography group have AM5's (don't thank any of them have the n's yet), but they do what they are supposed to do. If you are all into the ZWO ecosystem (ASIAIR, etc), it is a no brainer, just stay in the ZWO family. I have a level of trust with Sky-watcher (given my history with their mounts) that made me feel comfortable investing the extra couple hundred for the 150i. Plus outside of my camera, I'm not really in the ZWO ecosystem (using Windows Mini PCs, using Pegasus products, etc). I really like the in-mount cable routing, I don't know if any other strain wave mount has that right now.

@Brentless The new ZWO AM5n has the in mount cable plug ins.

Nice, I must have missed that addition. Looks like it is one way (not a problem if you have mini pc or asi air up top), Sky-watcher's can go either way, a small benefit maybe to people that still use laptops or what not but still have components up top. Neither here nor there. I think price will settle out, and Sky-watcher (late to the game) will continue to catch up. But honestly, I think it will start to come down to brand loyalty. The AM5n could definitely do everything I need the 150i to do. In the end, I was willing to roll the dice on this first release version.

Personally, I did 😁 I think the AM5 is really good too, it is further along in development, so Sky-watcher will catch up. But definitely I'd comp this against the AM5n new release model (but you can get some stellar deals on the AM5 used if price is your dealbreaker) I like the brand, I like the cable routing system, the capacity. Price may be a smidge too high compared to ZWO, but this is a worthy competitor.

@@mantownmedia78 definitely you'll want the counterweight kit. I'm gonna the adapter for the eq6r when it comes out I think, for my larger scope setup I'm approaching that weight too, and even on the TC40 I just feel ill want something more solid from the tripod perspective I looked at the zwo mounts too for a while, but I'm not disappointed with this at all. Have some colleagues that have them and they work great too, but they are also locked into the zwo ecosystem, and I'm not (mini pc, pegasus products, etc)