Question 1

If this device needs to be calibrated to the north star how would it be used to track the sun, say for the recent solar eclipse?

Accepted Answer

If have a phone with the correct sensors, you can place it in the wedge using a cell phone holder and find north using one of the sky apps. Camera needs gps and magnetic sensors. It's not perfect, but will follow the sun for quite some time, I make periodic fixes by changing speed or using the manual position control. The longer the focal length of the lens used, the bigger the solar image and the more adjustments are needed.
Setting up the night before is great if you have the chance, not true for any group I have ever been with.

Question 2

Should i get this or the ioptron sky tracker?

Accepted Answer

I'm THRILLED with the Sky-Watcher. Offers better payload capacity and it's a solid design for its size. I use it with the counter weights and have put a Canon 7DmkII with battery grip and a 400mm lens---have great results with long-exposure tracking shots. I also own the iOptron, but I couldn't get a proper alignment with it my first try and wasn't really impressed with its design by comparison. It's collecting dust, but I don't have the desire to use it, as I enjoy the Sky-Watcher so much. If you're not looking for heavy camera loads on a tracker, check out Polarie star tracker. That is hands-down the greatest tracker for ease of use and portability. Clear skies!

Question 3

What the difference between the astro and the photo package?

Accepted Answer

the astro package has the declination bracket where you can attach a small telescope. The photo package comes with an generic ball head adapter to attach a camera.

Question 4

What items are included in this package?

Accepted Answer

The main unit, a detachable lighted Polaris alignment finder and telescope mount. Still needed to function as a astrophoto unit is the equatorial base, counterweight and ball head mount.

Brand	Sky　Watcher
Model Number	S20512
Type	Equatorial tracking mount
Lens Mount	Tripod
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi
Included Components	Ball Head Adapter, Counterweight Kit, Deck Bracket, Latitude (EQ) Base, Polar Scope Illuminator
Color	multicolor (black / white)
Compatible Devices	DSLR cameras, smartphones (iOS and Android), various camera models and sizes
Tripod Mount	Equatorial Ritual
Batteries Included	Yes
Product Dimensions	35.31 x 24.38 x 16 cm; 3.18 kg

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack - Electric DSLR Night Sky Tracker Equator Mount for Portable Nightscape, Timelapse, Panorama - Wi-Fi App Camera Control - Long Exposure (S20512)

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