Well done. I just got this mount a few days ago and that screw was so loose I thought the gears were stripped as I could move the RA with the knob tight and it would not even hold a few pounds of weight. Turns out thanks to a youtube search and your video with another video it was simply that screw was loose from the factory. I almost had a freak out as I thought I got a defective mount, but nope, it was a loose screw as you just showed. Thanks much, I'm feeling better to discover the fix was simple. Cheers.

@AstroDanno

4 ай бұрын

Nice that you fixed it and thanks! Mine is still holding up after adding the plumbers tape, and that was a few months ago when I applied it. I always carry it outside with both clutches loosened now, and I think that helped as well. Clear skies!

You got yourself a new subscriber. Thank you for your videos explaining how to fix this, and also for replying to almost all comments. I’ve learned tons of “good practices”

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I’ve started carrying my GTi out with the counterweight on, but I make sure the clutches are loose. Only time will tell if I need to start carrying it without the weight again. So far, the backlash hasn’t returned!

The worm and wheel are delicate components. Carrying or bumping the mount with the clutches engaged can permanently damage them. I would also avoid putting on or taking off the counterweight while the RA clutch is engaged. So long as the clutches are disengaged there should be no issue carefully carrying the setup fully assembled. I used to do it all the time with the mount head held close to my chest to prevent things from rotating.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

This is what I have started doing. I only tighten the clutches when I am about to start imaging.

HI there, last weekend I finally got a Starwatcher adventurer GTI mount, for my travels to the Caribbean Island of Barbados . I came across your video while at work on Starwatcher GTI backlash, so I'll make sure to take the counterweight off when moving the mount, I have saved your video so when I get any backlash on my mount I can fixed it. Thanks again 😊👍

@AstroDanno

9 ай бұрын

Hopefully you don’t get any backlash! Good luck and clear skies!

Thank you. I was struggling with the RA backlash. Your video had me sorted and operational.

@AstroDanno

4 ай бұрын

Nice! Glad to help. I haven’t had the issue return yet since I added some tape and transport my mount with both clutches loosened.

Thanks! I was struggling with the play in my Star Adv GTi and you helped me fix it!

@AstroDanno

8 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad to help! I had mine out working last night!

Thanks for the handy tips and tricks for this mount. Hopefully getting one in the new year to start my astrophotography journey. I've always been a visual astronomer. Going to to be using a canon dslr with a rokinonen/samyang 135 mm lens and redcat 51.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

Excellent lens and scope! I like this mount, but you’ll definitely have to do some upkeep on it. It’s not as solid as it’s big brother, the EQ6, but it’s great for small setups and portability. I might be setting mine up tonight if it’s clear.

I haven’t carried it out fully set up to my recollection, but started noticing some play. Might just come with use or maybe through the way I’ve been transporting it (probably this…i have solved this issue now 😅). Anyway, thanks for the video! Was able to fix the play, already had all the tools actually! Thanks!

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

I now just carry mine without the counterweight on and the clutches unlocked. Hasn’t come back… yet!

I had the same problem and i could solve it. Thank you so much 😊

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

I'm sorry if I seem negative but I wouldn't like to see anybody wreck their mount and I'm a bit worried that you may have overtightened yours as there should always be a small amount of play. Also loosening the RA screw will tell you nothing as that has nothing to do with the worm adjustment. The only way to test the adjustment is to run the mount and see if it is noisy or binds at any point from limit to limit. You can also measure the current draw as someone else has mentioned. Another point to bear in mind is that the clearance in the gearing will change depending on temperature so you may find more backlash when the mount is cold, but if you then adjust it cold it may become too tight when it gets warmer. Try and make adjustments in line with the expected temperature but keep an eye (and an ear on it, mounts will sound noisier if they are too tight).

@AstroDanno

Ай бұрын

I haven’t made any adjustments to it since I made the second video with the Teflon tape. It’s been performing like a champ.

Danno you are a life saver for posting this My mount completely stopped working last night and thought it was broken. I remembered watching this video ages ago and tightening this screw has fixed my issue Thanks buddy you saved my weekend 👍🏻 Cheers Si

@AstroDanno

10 ай бұрын

Nice! Glad to help and have a good weekend!

@Si-fp2ij

10 ай бұрын

@@AstroDanno I will now! Thanks again Danno

@Si-fp2ij

10 ай бұрын

@@AstroDanno I think I may have overtightened as I tried guiding last night and it was awful 😞 AM5 looking more attractive by the minute!

@AstroDanno

10 ай бұрын

@@Si-fp2ij it’s easy to overdo it. I just used very small turns and checked the tightness after each turn.

@Si-fp2ij

10 ай бұрын

@@AstroDanno should it still be easy to move (no friction) when the green locking knob is loose? Mine currently takes a little effort, as I say, I may have just overnighted slightly hence the guiding not keeping up with the star selected. If that makes sense 🤣

This is a great mount when you iron out a few minor issues. Mine had the RA screw continually working loose. I fixed it with plumbers tape on the RA screw. I has been perfect for hundreds of hours of use since. The latest firmware also adds bluetooth capability. Another trick I use when adjusting RA is to put a multimeter between the unit and an external battery (Celestron Power tank) and measure the current while slewing. Then I slowly tighten the screw to remove backlash until the amps increase which means it is too tight. Then I back it off a 1/8th turn and the amps drop back to the original value with no noticeable backlash felt in the mount.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

My RA is starting to loosen a bit again. I’ll have to get that plumbers tape and fix it properly. I still like the mount, even though it has some flaws. Hope I can get it fixed so it doesn’t loosen again.

Carrying it around fully assembled is not a good idea. Also, the clutches should be unlocked when carrying it around in a case. However, that's probably not the cause of your BL. These GTI mounts do not have a spring-loaded worm gear. The worm is held against the gear by a simple small screw. These two screws (one for RA and one for Dec) work themselves loose over a short period of time. This will cause BL to return. The fix is to remove the screws and wrap them with Teflon tape and reinsert them. I'm sure a Loctite would work also. I did the Teflon tape and it seems to hold them in better. How long? Who knows for sure. While you're at it, you might want to take apart the Dec axis (Very easy to do), clean and regrease the parts. I did that with my Dec and it turns much smoother all the way around without and sticky spots.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

I’m running it tonight for the first time since I fixed it. I will probably have to try the Teflon when it loosens again. What a bummer, but hope it’s a simple fix.

Excellent!!!

@AstroDanno

6 ай бұрын

Thanks!

Just got mine and out of the box it too was a bit loose, not as bad as yours but I would rather not have to worry about potential backlash when I first use it. One rotation of the screw was all it took to get things tightened up. One thing to note, it appears that the screw size is now 1.5mm. I think these things just get bumped around a lot in shipping and knocks everything loose. I had to go in and adjust the polar scope as well because the calibration was off for the reticle.

@AstroDanno

3 ай бұрын

Did yours come with two counterweights? Someone had said they had made some kind of adjustments for the backlash on the newer mounts, but I’m not sure what’s different. Mine is still working well after adding the tape.

@kooken58

3 ай бұрын

@@AstroDanno Mine did coms with two counter weights. The RA did have a little play to it but less than in the video. I'm fairly new and don't plan to do guiding anytime soon, so it probably is less of an issue.

@AstroDanno

3 ай бұрын

@@kooken58 if you get lots of star trails even though it’s polar aligned accurately, it might be the backlash. I wouldn’t mess with it until you see some obvious signs.

I have the same problem with my mount, I spoke with SW technical support. Adjusting RA and DEC is considered general maintenance and it’s not voiding the warranty.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

That’s good to know! I’ve had to adjust mine a second time now. I’m going to make a follow up video soon.

@michalgomolka

Жыл бұрын

Adjusting it two times in 3 months is not a good sign. Although I’m still getting pretty decent guiding considering the amount of backlash in my mount I’m already considering changing it for something different, with bigger payload most likely.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

@@michalgomolka yes, this mount really has to be babied. I like the mount, but it should not have to be tinkered with so often. I applied plumbers tape to the screws this last time. I hope that does the trick.

Tip- Always mark your tool with a dot and count the turns, half and quarter so you can go back to where you started if necessary. Backlash is usually only a problem when a mount transitions past "perfect balance".

@spookysandwich1355

Жыл бұрын

makes total sense , nice one

Did you carry the mount with the RA clutch tightened? I think it might be okay to do it with the clutch undone, that how I usually transport my 2i to the tent or the car at the end of the night.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I had both clutches tightened when I was carrying it outside. I was leaving the weight on so I could set up a little faster. That might work as well. The RA is stiff like it was when I got it. I’m thinking it will loosen again over time.

helpful. thankyou.

@AstroDanno

9 ай бұрын

Glad to help!

I did compare my polar scope with an fellow astro club member and his fov for polar scope is like mine with the entire field illuminated. 🎉So it is just a crappy illuminator for the polar scope. I can change the dimnest from the app but there is just a narrow range of dimness from high to low. BTW, I got that same message when calibrating in PHD2 when I tried to autoguide a few nights ago. I was not able to get a successful calibration.Did not really check for backlash but will look for it

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

Yep, I think it’s just a poor design. It has to be on the lowest setting for me to use it at all. I noticed I had a tiny amount of play a couple of weeks ago, but it got worse. I’m pretty sure that was the cause of that message. I had never seen it before, unless that is something they added in the most recent update. Do you have an ASIAIR? I probably would’ve sent my GTi back if I didn’t have one to run it with.

@barbaraharris6102

Жыл бұрын

No I do not. I use a NUC win 11 computer. Let me know if you are able to calibrate your autoguider without that message after making your adjustment

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

@@barbaraharris6102 will do. It’s supposed to clear up at the end of this week. Hope that forecast is right.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

@@barbaraharris6102 that message didn’t pop up this time. Guiding seems a little better too.

Use nina to do polar alignment and forget about the shiity polar scope. I haven't taken the caps of the polar scope in months

@AstroDanno

29 күн бұрын

I use the ASIair to polar align. Is your polar scope solid red too?

@jesuschrist2284

29 күн бұрын

@@AstroDanno nah its was ok on 1 but i did noticed the app/mount would set it to zero sometimes. I got nina because it seems way more accurate than a noob doing it via the polar scope, plus im old and cba getting on knees to do it :) im sure asi air is good too

@AstroDanno

29 күн бұрын

@@jesuschrist2284 😂 yes, I’m too old to be getting down on my knees as well! The only thing I align through a polar scope is my Skyguider, and I have a really tall tripod for that!

@jesuschrist2284

29 күн бұрын

@@AstroDanno i have my. Gti on the pier extension because my camera can just clip tripod legs on a meridian flip. Also it looks more pro ;)

Real world Dano, thanks! How about posting a link to the set of screwdrivers you ordered from Amazon please.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

Added the link in the description. Any 2mm hex head/allen wrench should work.

@medicineman4040

Жыл бұрын

@@AstroDanno Wow that was fast! Appreciated, now I have to figure our where the 'desciption' is :)

@medicineman4040

Жыл бұрын

Haha, it was under 'show more', sorry and thanks again.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

@@medicineman4040 haha. was just about to tell you the “more” button.

Great video ty. I. Not convinced move the mount will cause this though. Maybee loosen ra clutch to store and move?

@AstroDanno

29 күн бұрын

Thanks! I keep both clutches loose now. I think they made some design changes after the first batch. They now include 2 counterweights and I think they changed a screw that was causing the issue. I haven’t had any problems since I added some teflon tape and I carry it outside with the clutches loose.

@jesuschrist2284

29 күн бұрын

@@AstroDanno i think i have the later one as i have the two weights. Mine does turn a tiny tiny amount but not enough to make me want to mess with it. Yet, at least :)

@AstroDanno

29 күн бұрын

@@jesuschrist2284 I only started messing with mine after I got a guide warning one night on the air. I had never seen that before, and I knew it was time to fix it. I haven’t seen it since I adjusted and added tape to the screws.

@jesuschrist2284

29 күн бұрын

@@AstroDanno yeah i will not touch that screw unless i really need to. My guiding is a mess but still does 1.4" rms which for my 420mm and crop sensor dslr is ok. Next clear skies i will try and tweak phd2 see if i can get it under 1

@AstroDanno

29 күн бұрын

@@jesuschrist2284 I think mine usually hovers under 1(0.7) on a good night, but I’m using shorter focal lengths on my GTi.

Thank you for the video. I was thinking about getting this as my first mount but now I'm reconsidering. Is this a common problem?

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

I’m not sure if it’s common, but other owners have had this problem. There’s a thread on Cloudy Nights about it. It’s fixable with a couple of tools. I still like the mount, even though I’ve had these issues.

@411sponge72

Жыл бұрын

@@AstroDanno Thank you!

Thanks for this. Question, I usual carry my entire rig assembled outside. I guess I'll be removing the CW now. Do you think I need to remove the scope too?

@AstroDanno

8 ай бұрын

I have been carrying mine out with the counterweight, but I keep both clutches loose while carrying it. This seems to be working for me. I was taking it off, but I haven’t been lately. I carry my scope out separately.

@jeffratino5456

8 ай бұрын

@@AstroDanno What do you think about storing the scope on the GTi? I keep both of my rigs assembled in my Dining Room.

@AstroDanno

8 ай бұрын

@@jeffratino5456 it should probably be ok if it’s stationary.

I have gotten that same message on PHD2 as well. Mine doesn’t have any play on the RA axis while it’s tightened down though.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

I have heard of people having backlash on the declination axis as well. I think that one is a little harder to fix than the RA.

@billkonkel6325

Жыл бұрын

There’s a thread in the Cloudy Nights GTI mount forum that has info on how to tighten the Dec screw.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

@@billkonkel6325 that’s the same thread I saw the RA fix on. Mine seems to be ok so far. Hopefully I won’t have to fix that one, but this mount has been a bit troublesome from the get go.

Hi,my is realy ok ,but i have other question,if i want to shoot a milky way with the wide lens,14,24,mm …….should i need balanced it ,or i can do it like with SW Adventurer 2i?

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

I try to balance everything on here, but if it’s a wide angle lens like that, you might be ok.

That's the first I have heard about not moving the mount fully assembled. I would think it would be enough to remove the couhterweight and leave the shaft attached. I think this is what I will do.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

I didn’t think it would be an issue, but after carrying it outside a few times, I started noticing the play in RA axis. Sucks, because I was setting up pretty fast carrying it out like that.

@robertYTB78g

Жыл бұрын

I think you should be alright as long as the clutch screws are loose. The weight can swing around a bit, but I can’t exert any real pressure on the gears? that’s what I’ have been doing with mine and there is no backlash at the moment. Mind you I Did forget to slacken the clutches once, so after seeing this I think I will remove the weight. It is actually a lot easier to move it around without the weight on for me Iespecially as I am carrying it down a spiral staircase.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I have to remember to always loosen the clutches when I’m carrying it. I have to get used to that.

You' have to use e teflon tape on the screw.Otherwise,after a few uses the backlash will return.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

I think I saw that in that thread. I guess the face plate has to be removed for that.

@Wolfie6020

Жыл бұрын

@@AstroDanno Yes you need to remove the faceplate for the DEC which is easy enough. For the RA axis it is a little more difficult. I have photos on the Cloudy Nights thread.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

@@Wolfie6020 I’m glad I found that thread!

@jscerb1290

10 ай бұрын

@@Wolfie6020 Link to your thread?

Tightening the screw mashes the worm gear. So once its worn it's probably worn... Hopefully someone makes a repair kit with titanium or something better then the cheap brass parts. I have the same mount . I guess ill just save up and buy a better mount.

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

Hopefully it will hold up for a while. I only tighten my clutches when I am about to image now. The backlash hasn’t returned yet.

And backlash axis declinacion? 😢

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

I don’t have backlash there, but it is VERY stiff.

what exactly do you think you're doing? :)

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

Just trying not to break it. 😎

@mihaisaiph1

Жыл бұрын

@@AstroDanno well, i sure hope so :) adjusting the pressure of the worm shaft against the crown like that, with no control over the amount of pressure (by manually turning the worm shaft, while the clutch is engaged) can lead to huge problems, ranging from inconsistency in tracking speed, wear in the gearing teeth, and of course stiction. so, i hope no one else will follow your instruction, or they will compromise their tracker mount (and i'm not sure warranty covers that intervention)

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

It worked for me. 5 minute exposures, no problem. You should make a video doing it the correct way. :)

@anakinskywalker5838

Жыл бұрын

@@mihaisaiph1 You could have just sad that like a normal person and not be such a d*ck about it tho:)

@Wolfie6020

Жыл бұрын

@@mihaisaiph1 I use an multimeter to measure current while slewing and loosen it first then slowly tighten until I see an increase in the amps. That indicates binding and means the screw is too tight. I then back off until the amps just go back to the "loose" value. At this point there is no binding and no apparent backlash felt in the mount. It has been great now for several hundred hours and backlash did not return.

So the lesson here is.. Don't move it fully assembled! Like the manual said!

@AstroDanno

Жыл бұрын

I like to live dangerously.