Camera tracking mount

[leon]

Hi Guys, other than the conventional scope mount, has anyone any information on a mount that will accurately track only having a camera attached.
I understand there are some available, but are any worth it, or should one stick to the proper scope mounts for any tracking.

Any suggestions and advice would be much appreciated.

Leon

[Poita (Peter)]

The astrotrac work as advertised, and have the distinct advantage of being extremely portable (everything packs into the pier and into your backpack).
http://www.astrotrac.com/Default.aspx?p=pier

The Pentax K-r and K5 DSLRs have tracking available in the camera itself when connected to the O-GPS unit.
You calibrate the camera and can shoot on a standard tripod and the sensor will track, allowing you long exposures without a special mount. It works really well.
http://www.pentax.jp/english/product...trotracer.html

There are all the barn door style trackers but I have yet to try one.

Most of the other commercial camera track mounts I have seen are rather large or clunky compared to the astrotrac.
http://www.astrotrac.com/

[leon]

Thank you Peter very helpful.

Leon

[mercedes_sl1970]

Hi - there is the Vixen Polarie which is a fairly new one. It looks interesting, I but have no experience or knowledge of it: Vixen Polarie

Andrew

ps there is a link to a review on the site: Sky and Telescope - Polarie

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

There's also the new Losmandy StarLapse version...
http://www.atscope.com.au/losmandy/starlapse.html

does look a bit large though!
Doug

[rogerg (Roger)]

I just spent Friday night at AstroCamp walking around with my AstroTrac. I put it all together on the tripod at the car, battery and binculars on my shoulder, compas and laser in my pocket. Then I walked to 8 different places throughout the night, each time just slinging the tripod with all gear attached over my shoulder, walking, plonking it down, align using compass then laser & binoculars, 5 minutes later taking more photo's with different silhouettes. Brilliant

[Poita (Peter)]

Originally Posted by dugnsuz

There's also the new Losmandy StarLapse version...
http://www.atscope.com.au/losmandy/starlapse.html

does look a bit large though!
Doug

I would give the losmandy a miss, it is a cut down G8 and is rather clunky.

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by Poita

I would give the losmandy a miss, it is a cut down G8 and is rather clunky.

Astrotrac looks the business!
Doug

[jamiep (Jamie)]

Originally Posted by Poita

I would give the losmandy a miss, it is a cut down G8 and is rather clunky.

It is a bit on the chunky side, and is closely related to a g8, but if you have a Losmandy already (ie G11 etc) you can re-use the polar scope, motors, and goto system to run the StarTrack... it's also capable of carrying a small scope payload for something like solar imaging or a small refractor...

All things to consider... handy for a travel system.

[acropolite (Phil)]

As the others have said, Astrotrac has the Runs on the board, h0ughy has 2.... so they must be good.
You'll need a decent tripod and some sort of head as well.
I seem to remember our good friend Luis (luigi) from Argentina has one also.

[leon]

Many thanks guys, I will do some research on the subject, just wondered if it would be worth the effort to have a little play from time to time whilst traveling.

Leon