Skywatcher AZ GTi goto wifi mount

[ab1963 (Andrew)]

I have just purchased one of these with a ADM replacement saddle from FLO at a very good price point and was hoping to get some feedback from anyone else who has one , Always preferred push to mounts but on the rare occasion i want to do planetary it looks perfect and gives me the opportunity to mess around with a very good camera that spends its life sat in a cupboard ,Will be using it on a 057 C3 Manfrotto tripod with a 8'' pier and 4'' refractor ,Any feedback would be appreciated.....

[AstroApprentice (Jason)]

It should be a good fit for your SW ED80, but I wouldn’t load much more.
I use mine with a very light ED89 and it works reasonably well. The WiFi control works well, but there are occasions when a hand controller would be easier. I have unsuccessfully tried a SynScan controller with a DIY cable.

[ab1963 (Andrew)]

Ok Jason might keep hold of the ED80 in case the Tak is a little heavy

[Ukastronomer (Jeremy)]

5k capacity, the ED80 is 4.1 K so not a lot left for diagonal and eyepiece, and that is pushing it to the maximum.

I understand it is best suited to the 72ED

With the additional 1K weight of the pier you are going over the weight capacity

[AstroApprentice (Jason)]

Originally Posted by ab1963

Ok Jason might keep hold of the ED80 in case the Tak is a little heavy

I fear your Tak will be too long at 740 mm. The mount motors are small and although it is a fairly well designed and put together little mount, the inner workings do not appear super robust. I guess it depends on how long you want it to last...

[ab1963 (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by AstroApprentice

I fear your Tak will be too long at 740 mm. The mount motors are small and although it is a fairly well designed and put together little mount, the inner workings do not appear super robust. I guess it depends on how long you want it to last...

I don’t do lots of planetary so was never going to put huge money into something that would hardly ever be used but this little mount with its wi-fi capabilities just ticks all the boxes and gives the added camera dimension somewhere down the track plus it gives me a reason to justify keeping the ED80 that’s why it’s always good to hear from someone who has used the equipment so thanks for the advice.....

[ab1963 (Andrew)]

Got the mount yesterday and gave it a go using a Manfrotto 057 and Discmounts 4'' pillar and replaced the saddle with a ADM a lot more solid plus non marring, Put the FC100DF on the scale ready to go with the heaviest eyepiece i have and amazingly came in under the 5kg weight limit.
Mount is very stable WiFi works as said and when balanced there is no signs of the mount labouring under excessive weight.
Early days but so far so good with this little mount and will update as i use it a little more and would like to give FLO a wrap for service and price......