Star Tracker Review: Recommended - Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i
Star Adventurer 2i: A Compact DSLR Tracker for Wide-Field Astrophotography
The Star Adventurer 2i is a popular choice for amateur astrophotographers seeking a lightweight and portable DSLR mount for capturing wide-field images of the night sky.
With dimensions of approximately 15x15x15 centimeters, the Star Adventurer 2i is a compact mount that is easy to transport. Weighing just 1.64 kilograms (3.6 lbs) without accessories, it is impressively light, making it ideal for those who want to capture stunning images without the burden of heavy equipment.
The Star Adventurer 2i is designed for widefield astrophotography, focusing on capturing large swaths of the sky rather than individual objects. This makes it perfect for photographing dark nebulae, constellations, and the Milky Way.
One of the standout features of the Star Adventurer 2i is its ability to change its tracking rate. Offering options beyond the standard star rate, it can track at Lunar, Solar, and multiple custom speeds, giving photographers more control over their images.
The mount accepts cameras via a 1⁄4 or 3⁄8 inch style threaded plate, a standard across most camera models, making it compatible with a wide range of equipment.
While the Star Adventurer 2i can be autoguided, this feature is not very practical as it only auto-guides along the Right Ascension (RA) axis and not the declination axis. This limitation may be a consideration for those seeking more advanced guiding capabilities.
The pro variant of the Star Adventurer 2i comes with additional accessories, such as an EQ base, L bracket, counterweight, and bar. These accessories help reduce stress on the mount by balancing the weight of the camera and L bracket, and they also make polar alignment easier and the mount more stable.
For those seeking a lightweight DSLR mount with more features, alternatives such as the iOptron SkyGuider Pro, SkyTracker Pro, and Move Shoot Move Nomad stand out as enhanced options. These mounts offer better load capacity, refined tracking precision, and more sophisticated functionality.
For serious astrophotographers, mounts with computer control and Go-To functionality may be a more attractive option. These mounts automatically slew to target coordinates and integrate with planetarium apps and sequencing software via USB or wireless connections. Examples of premium mounts with such features include the Astro-Physics Mach2 and 10Micron mounts with absolute encoders.
While these professional-grade mounts are heavier and typically more expensive, they represent the next step up in functionality and tracking precision for those seeking advanced features beyond simple tracking.
In summary, the Star Adventurer 2i is a lightweight and portable DSLR tracker designed for wide-field, lightweight imaging. While it is not suitable for holding telescopes, it is a popular choice for those seeking a feature-rich mount for capturing stunning images of the night sky. For those seeking more advanced features, alternatives such as the iOptron SkyGuider Pro, SkyTracker Pro, and Move Shoot Move Nomad offer enhanced capabilities, while mounts with computer control and Go-To functionality represent the next step up in functionality and precision.
[1] https://www.sky-watcher.com/products/star-adventurer/star-adventurer-mini [2] https://www.skyandtelescope.com/equipment-reviews/star-adventurer-2i-pro-a-compact-tracking-mount-for-wide-field-astrophotography/
- The Star Adventurer 2i is a compact DSLR mount, popular among beginners in astrophotography, designed for capturing wide-field images of the night sky, such as the moon, galaxies, and nebulae.
- With the ability to change its tracking rate, the Star Adventurer 2i can capture images at Lunar, Solar, and custom speeds, providing more control over the final image.
- The mount accepts cameras via a standard 1⁄4 or 3⁄8 inch style threaded plate, making it compatible with various gadgets and technologies.
- Although the Star Adventurer 2i can be autoguided, it only auto-guides along the Right Ascension (RA) axis, which may be a limitation for those seeking more advanced guiding capabilities.
- For those interested in more advanced astrophotography and additional features, alternatives such as the iOptron SkyGuider Pro, SkyTracker Pro, and Move Shoot Move Nomad stand out as enhanced options.
- Serious astrophotographers might prefer mounts with computer control and Go-To functionality, like the Astro-Physics Mach2 and 10Micron mounts, which offer features like automated slewing, planetarium app integration, and sequencing software compatibility for precision and advanced tracking.
