Upgrade plans for the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro

Note: This plan is no longer in effect. See the update for more information.

My current little setup includes:

• Samyang 135mm Lens
• Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro
• Cheap no-name Amazon Tripod
• Canon Rebel T4i DSLR
• A Dew Heater
• Custom 3d Printed mount for my green laser

While this equipment is alright for a beginner, it still feels very limiting. I have decided that while I save up for a more “professional” rig, I will upgrade the SWSA to squeeze the most out of it before moving up.

The Plan:

Imaging Train

Optics: Apertura 60mm FPL-53 Doublet
Field Flattener: Apertura 2″ Field Flattener (Included with the OTA)
Filter Wheel: QHY CFW3 Small Color Filter Wheel

Filters

Narrowband: ZWO 1.25″ Filter Set – OIII, Ha, SII
Broadband: ZWO 1.25″ LRGB Filters

Auto Guiding

Guidescope: QHY Mini Guide Scope and Mount
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI120mm Monochrome CMOS Camera

Tripod

Tripod: Star Adventurer Tripod

I’m sure somebody is going to tell me to not get something and to get something else, or that these are bad choices.. Well with a limited budget, this is about as good as I am going to get. The Apertura 60mm telescope will outperform my Samyang 136mm camera lens. It is a better bang for my buck than picking up a Redcat too. The major differences will come with upgrading to a sturdier tripod and adding auto-guiding. The EFW will make a big difference too. Eventually, I plan to pick up a dedicated Astrophotography camera such as a ZWO ASI 1600mm Pro and a ZWO ASIAir Pro so I don’t have to lug around a laptop. This would give me the ability to use a tablet.

Why the QHY Guide scope over the ZWO? Even though the QHY guide scope is more expensive, it gives me more focal length. The more focal length on a guide scope = better auto-guiding. The total weight for everything is roughly 6lbs, and the SWSA has a payload of 11lbs. Yes, this is over the 50% rule or whatever, but from what I’ve read, these things can handle it. Finally, I will need some kind of power option – perhaps I’ll pick up a 12v 55Ah Deep Cycle sealed battery and make my own battery box? Not sure just yet.

Have any comments or suggestions? Post them in the comments below!