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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.

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)

I haven't tried, but no doesn't look like it without me picking the foam to the new angle

No SCT, but I do have a ES127 refractor (focal length 952) as well (haven't put it on yet, leery on just using it on the TC40 without a bit more support). My initial experience with guiding is I am matching exactly what I had with my EQ6R (0.5 to 0.8 roughly). I haven't noticed any dew on the connection, wondering if the heat generated from the unit combats that inherently. I did get several right angle connectors, that made a huge difference on the spacing with the dovetail and the RA panel on the back.

@@keithnisbet so it is just a 3/8 bolt (1.5 inches long) that I picked up from local hardware store (Lowes) The adapter plate is just to one that is on top of the ZWO TC40 or PE200.

So I am not an expert in this, but I have been weighing the same thing or something similar, would a single line from my Bluetti battery up to the mount, split it with a DC Y cord at the 150i. I'll probably post in a few forums on it, i'm sure Sky-watcher wouldnt recommend it, but I'm not positive that it WOULDNT work just fine My Bluetti does allow me to run both cables if I need to and I have them, so I may not bother, but it would simplify things a bit.

@@Brentless a few hours ago I asked the question to a friend of mine, who works as a technician on several electrical devices and he's really more expert than me. Well, he agreed that a single line with a splitter at the end, to power the mount directly and all other devices through the powerbox, would work just the same as two separate lines, but it is a cleaner solution. I my opinion we could imagine that empirically: two separate cable or one signle cable, but the battery has the same total load on it. The problem that people (Skywatcher itself too) are talking about is the behaviour of every powerbox, which could potentially be unable to give enough power to the mount when it slews and asks for more amps. So the main goal is only avoiding the powerbox between battery and mount. In my case, the battery runs between 13.6V and 12,8V, so I am still pretty sure that it's a non problem. But we manage costly toys, and you know what I mean.

@@gianlucabeccani6812 awesome, appreciate the research!

Yes, there is a satellite that close, it took those images. It's very sturdy, made with a special element composed mainly of graphene and carbon fiber. It's called nibiru

This was taken from Memphis Tennessee, using telescopes and some specialty solar imaging equipment.

Leo Shatz has a beta version of PHD2 that does solar and planetary tracking. An amazing mod, hopefully it gets integrated into the main app. This Facebook group currently has the discussion and details: facebook.com/groups/1320781201963513/?ref=share