Stargazer95050's articles with the keyword: tracker

As you browse through telescope selections, you inevitably come across all kinds of telescopes and may wonder why I never mention these. Here I'll talk about the differences between VISUAL OBSERVATION and ASTRO- PHOTOGRAPHY. Visual observation is just as amazing as astrophotography and I suggest you do BOTH. The requirements for visual observation are more relaxed compared to astro-photography and if photos are your main goal, you always can swap the camera for an eye-piece and go visual. The opposite move, using a telescope setup intended for visual use to do photography, isn't that easy.

The tools like Vixen POLARIE, iOptron SKYTRACKER and the ASTROTRAC all have their use and fans. And they are capable to move a small camera setup and effectively eliminate startrails. They are small and comparatively easy to use but are quite expensive for what they can do. They also have limitations and here I want to point to the benefits of a real EQ mount. Some of these mounts cost about as much as any of these devices once you add up all the costs for the additional accessories.