[Taters (Liam)]

I can't be the first person to wonder at the possiblities that lie somewhere between a barn door tracker and a full EQ6?

Since moving to the city I haven't used my old EQ6 in about 8 years, and it's too heavy to carry out hiking, I bought an EQ3 years ago with the intention of getting more use out of it for wide field astro, but the little 9V battery and motors are so unreliable it's basically a paperweight.

I like the look of the MSM "rotator" but I don't love it.

I have an idea for a very light, USB powered, sidereal tracker with no extra features. Just a stepper motor + Arduino, worm drive, and an on/off switch.

Google has failed me and I don't know enough about stepper motors, or Arduinos to know if it's feasible.

TL;dr
Will an Arduino be able to control a stepper motor with enough precision for ~5 minute subs at 24-50mm focal length?

Can this contraption be powered by USB?
USB-A or USB-C are both convenient options available in my hiking kit.

Is it worth it or should I just fork out for a dedicated brand-name tracker?