Personal Solar Telescope

Here is the Coronado PST (about 3 lbs) on the SkyTracker Pro:

I used the counterweight since the weight of the PST is >2.6 lbs.

I observed the Sun for several minutes while using the Solar Rate tracking. The Sun stayed well positioned in the eyepiece field-of-view.

Vortex 12x50 binoculars

I tested the Lunar Rate tracking using my Vortex 12x50 binoculars mounted on the SkyTracker Pro:

When using the Counterweight, and depending on the size of your binoculars (or spotting scope), it may be more convenient to have the counterweight rod at a different angle to the binoculars (or a spotting scope) in order to reach the eyepieces.

Tracking worked well while I monitored the Moon in the 12x50 binoculars over several minutes.

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Summary

As a result of my initial testing, I can confidently state that the iOptron SkyTracker Pro is an excellent accessory for sky astrophotography. It can also be a worthwhile accessory for use with a small solar telescope, binoculars, or small spotting scope.

There is an instructional video at the iOptron web site for those who prefer to view a video guide. The SkyTracker Pro comes with a one year warranty.

The SkyTracker Pro has a small button for slewing in Right Ascension when you want to reposition the camera in RA. A press of the button and the drive slews rapidly in one direction. A second press reverses the direction. With each press of the button the drive reverses direction. I found this to be an excellent feature.

Battery life seems really good. I used the SkyTracker Pro for many hours during these initial tests and as yet I've not had to recharge the battery.

The only issues I had with the SkyTracker Pro is with the Battery Status LED and that there is no Polar Scope LED OFF position. These are not major concerns, but I hope that iOptron will address them via a firmware update.

I will be using my iOptron SkyTracker Pro on many more sessions and will post the photos on my Cassiopeia Observatory reports. I am definitely excited for the sky astrophotography opportunities that the SkyTracker Pro gives me. If you want to do sky astrophotography, the SkyTracker Pro is an excellent accessory to own.

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