To be fair, I haven't tested every aspect of this product, but here's what I know:
I bought this after researching on Amazon for a few weeks. I was looking for a device that I could use to make panning, time-lapse videos. I wanted to use my GoPro, but I also wanted to use my Nikon D500 with an 18-200mm lens mounted.
Many of the cheaper panning devices were reporting that they either couldn't handle the weight of the Nikon or they had issues with being smooth when they panned. Truthfully, they all looked like they were the same unit, but rebranded by various companies. I couldn't see how one would be different from the other when they all looked exactly the same.
I already own a Sky Watcher Adventurer from this company so I'm already fully accessorized with a wedge and so on, and am familiar with setting up the mount for astrophotography. But that's not what I've done with this mount. I've used this one to make panning time-lapse images.
The mount uses a phone app for control. What it does is broadcast a WiFi signal that you link up to with your phone or tablet and the app allows you to control the mount. You can start, stop, set a particular profile to run, and configure just about anything you could imagine.
When you're panning, you can set the mount to pan left or right and set the rate of pan by several different criteria. I'm not sure how fast the mount will pan, but it wasn't fast enough to do, say, a non-time-lapse smooth pan on a video. I usually do a 15-minute shoot at one frame per second or a 30-minute shoot at one shot per 2 seconds.
The only issue with this mount, and it's not a big one is that the manual is pretty lacking, leaving you to just figure it out. And the phone app is kind of complicated, primarily because it does a bunch of stuff. For that reason, it's a good idea to spend some time getting familiar with its use before you head out into the field and end up missing your shot.
I use it when I'm traveling and don't want to take the larger and heavier Star Adventurer in my bag. I power it with a USB phone charger (which I always carry anyway) so I don't have to mess with batteries.
The polar aligner seems to be of really high quality and I can't wait to get to a spot where I can try some wide field astrophotography.
For Time-lapse panning videos, this thing is ready to go. For astrophotography, I would recommend buying a wedge which makes polar alignment a lot easier.
Add to your order
-
Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary) -
24/7 support when you need it. -
Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Cover this product:
2-Year Protection $30.99
3-Year Protection $39.99
Cover all of your eligible devices:
Asurion Complete Protect: One plan covers all eligible past and future purchases (Renews Monthly Until Cancelled) $16.99/month
Select a plan
Add to your order
- Coverage for accidental damage including drops, spills, and broken parts, as well as breakdowns (plans vary)
- 24/7 support when you need it.
- Quick, easy, and frustration-free claims.
Cover this product:
Select a plan
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Frequently bought together
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the manufacturer
Star Adventurer Mini (SAM). Nightscapes and Eclipses Made Easy.
Highlights and Features of the Star Adventurer Mini (SAM) Tracking Mount
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
Durable All-Metal GearsDurable, accurate and reliable brass and aluminum gearing allows for greater accuracy and longer exposures. Boasting a 144-tooth wheel gear and a 13mm diameter worm gear, the Star Adventurer Mini has a payload capacity of 6.6 pounds, strong enough for a full-size DSLR or mirrorless camera. |
Included Polar Alignment Scope with IlluminatorEven for users with no polar alignment experience, the Star Adventurer Mini is easy to setup using the included illuminated polar finderscope. Once aligned, users can attach their camera and activate sidereal tracking to start photographing the Milky Way and other deep space objects. |
Wifi Enabled, Smartphone ControlledCompatible on both Android and iOS, Sky-Watcher's SAM Console app allows users to control their Star Adventurer Mini from their smartphone using it's proprietary Wifi signal. |
Fully-Automated Remote Camera ControlConnect your camera using the SNAP port and fully automate your nightscape, time-lapse or panoramic images. Using the SAM Console app, users can connect a camera to the Star Adventurer Mini and set custom exposure times remotely! |
The Importance of Polar Alignment in Nightscape Photography
For the best results, the Star Adventurer Mini must be polar aligned before you start shooting. To do so, set your corresponding latitude on the base, identify Polaris and align it in the included polar scope. Once aligned, the Star Adventurer Mini's tracking will counter the Earth's rotation accurately.
Why Use a Star Tracker?
Star trackers correct for the Earth's rotation, allowing you to shoot longer exposures and capture greater detail without star trails.
Without a tracker, DSLRs can only capture 15 second exposures before the Earth's rotation make stars appear blurry. But by integrating the Star Adventurer Mini onto any standard photo tripod, you can increase exposure times from 15 seconds to several minutes, allowing users to capture greater detail in the Milky Way with less grain or noise in their images, due to a lower ISO.
- Shoot longer exposures, from 15 seconds to several minutes!
- Capture greater detail in the Milky Way, as well as other celestial objects
- Lower ISO = Less Grain!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Adventurer Mini (SAM) | Star Adventurer Mini (SAM) Pro Pack | Star Adventurer Pro Pack | Star Adventurer Photo Pack | Star Adventurer Astro Pack | |
| Customer Reviews |
110
|
110
|
812
|
812
|
812
|
| Price | $219.00 | $320.46 | $399.95 | $350.00 | $279.00 |
| Comes with | Mount, Ball head adapter, Polar scope illuminator | Mount, Equatorial base, Declination bracket, Ball head adapter, Polar scope illuminator | Mount, Equatorial base, Declination bracket, Counterweight kit, Ball head adapter, Polar scope illuminator | Mount, Ball head adapter, Polar scope illuminator | Mount, Declination bracket, Polar scope illuminator |
| WiFi enabled | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Weight | 1.5 pounds | 3.94 pounds | 7.85 pounds | 2.69 pounds | 3.63 pounds |
| Payload Capacity | 6.6 pounds | 6.6 pounds | 11 pounds | 11 pounds | 11 pounds |
| Tracking Rates | Sidereal, 1/2 sidereal, solar, lunar, time-lapse, 12x/6x/2x, custom | Sidereal, 1/2 sidereal, solar, lunar, time-lapse, 12x/6x/2x, custom | Sidereal, 1/2 sidereal, solar, lunar, time-lapse, 12x/6x/2x | Sidereal, 1/2 sidereal, solar, lunar, time-lapse, 12x/6x/2x | Sidereal, 1/2 sidereal, solar, lunar, time-lapse, 12x/6x/2x |
| Power Requirements | External mini-USB power support or 4 AA batteries | External mini-USB power support or 4 AA batteries | External mini-USB power support or 4 AA batteries | External mini-USB power support or 4 AA batteries | External mini-USB power support or 4 AA batteries |
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Nightscapes Made EasyCapture longer exposures of the Milky Way and take your nightscape images to the next level! Works with nearly any photographic tripod, and compact enough to fit in a camera bag. Align in minutes and start shooting exposures ranging from 30 seconds to several minutes. |
Perfect for EclipsesTraveling to view eclipses in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, or 2026? The Star Adventurer Mini makes for the perfect travel companion! With it's compact size and accurate solar tracking, you'll be ready to capture this once in a lifetime phenomenon. |
Versatile Time-lapse ModesProduce stunning time-lapse videos of both terrestrial and celestial objects using one of the Star Adventurer Mini's four distinct time-lapse modes! Choose from 0.5x, 2x, 4x and 12x speeds, and utilize complete camera automation using the included SNAP port. |
Compare with similar items
This Item  Sky Watcher Star Adventurer Mini Pro Pack – Motorized DSLR Night Sky Tracker Equatorial Mount For Nightscapes, Time-lapse, and Panoramas |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -32% $320.46 List: $470.00 | $199.99 | -22% $69.99 List: $89.99 | -10% $89.99 List: $99.99 | $640.00 | $35.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 25 | — | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 25 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 25 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 25 | Get it as soon as Friday, Apr 26 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Orion Telescopes & Binoculars | Move Shoot Move | Move Shoot Move | Amazon.com | SVBONY Direct |
| focus type | Manual Focus | Manual Focus | Manual Focus | — | Manual Focus | Manual Focus |
| telescope mount | Equatorial Mount | Equatorial Mount | — | — | Equatorial Mount | ✗ |
| weight | 4 pounds | 28 pounds | 233 grams | — | 15.25 pounds | 164 grams |
| finderscope | Reflex | Reflex | Reflex | Reflex | Reflex | Reflex |
Reviews with images
Delivers what it promises
I was looking for an astrotracker which I can have mounted on the tripod ready to use when there is good wheather at night. This one fullfills the function. If you are familiar with the basis of orienting an ecuatorial mount you will have no problems. I had no problems connecting with the app, althogh I use a custom rom and not origial google android. The system is lightweight enough, however you will need a solid stable tripod otherwise, you will have problems. The pictures I took using my phone. The ecuatorial plate does it function, but feels cheap when adjusting the altitude, when aligning with the scope. The polar shifts to side when adjusting the altitude which should not happen. Another critic point is th DSLR cameras compatible with the automated shooting are somewhat old models. Otherwise I am satisfied with the product
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2021
I believe after the firmware upgrade this Tracker is well worth the money. Make sure you have a sturdy Tripod. The first picture is an f/2 10-minute exposure from my house in the city. The second picture is 10 stacked f/2 1.5min exposures in a dark location.
Style: Star Adventurer Mini Pro PackVerified Purchase
It works well once you understand how to use it.
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2021
At first, when I attempted to use this Tracker I was disappointed because I kept having issues with connecting via WIFI or the app being unresponsive. The app via the Google play store did not work & I had to download an app from their website. This all was frustrating. After some reading online, I found that the manufacturer offers a firmware upgrade on their website. After performing the update the Tracker performs much better. Once aligned, with a proper tripod, star trails disappear.Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2021
I believe after the firmware upgrade this Tracker is well worth the money. Make sure you have a sturdy Tripod. The first picture is an f/2 10-minute exposure from my house in the city. The second picture is 10 stacked f/2 1.5min exposures in a dark location.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2020
Style: Star Adventurer Mini Pro PackVerified Purchase
Great tracker, even for begginers
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2020
So getting a pic of the Milky Way has been one of my photography goals for awhile now. I had a trip to Sedona planned and ordered this tracker since I'd be in an area with much less light pollution than where I live. After unpacking it all, I was hesitant to even try to use it as the instructions are very spotty and just figuring out how to put it all together correctly was a bit of a challenge (turns out the size adapter was pre-inserted to the EQ base and I couldn't get it all together until realizing I had to unscrew that part - none of that info is in the instruction manual) - ballpark polar alignment was good enough to get up to 5 minute exposures. Attached is one of my first attempts with no stacking and some lightroom adjustments. I'm very satisifed and can't wait to figure out exact polar alignment for my next trip to a dark area! Highly recommended for astrophotgraphy.
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2020
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2020
Style: Star Adventurer Mini Pro PackVerified Purchase
The review i didn't want to make. I really wanted to like this product, it is a great little mount with just enough features to make it a fun mount to use with decent results with a small astrophotography setup. Downside is that this mount stopped working after just 3 uses, i really do not like writing negative reviews as i always try to look at the positives. I am giving this mount 3 stars as it was very functional when it did work, but now i am going to be without a mount for some time.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2021
Style: Star Adventurer Mini Pro PackVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Francois Quesnel
Incredibly compact and accurate little tracker
Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2022Style: Star Adventurer MiniVerified Purchase
Francois Quesnel
Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2022
I see a lot of comments about how it can only be controlled by a cell phone and it's true for the very first use. After that you can set "Auto-run" in the settings menu and it will run the last program you entered the next time it's powered on, without any cell phone input.
Images in this review
ChrisG
The unit arrived internally damaged or faulty
Reviewed in Canada on July 14, 2021Style: Star Adventurer Mini Pro PackVerified Purchase
David Dong
QA problem
Reviewed in Canada on September 29, 2023Style: Star Adventurer MiniVerified Purchase
David Dong
Reviewed in Canada on September 29, 2023
Images in this review
Adam Vorous
Love it
Reviewed in Canada on November 24, 2023Style: Star Adventurer MiniVerified Purchase
Abraham
Embalaje dañado
Reviewed in Mexico on May 15, 2023Style: Star Adventurer Mini Pro PackVerified Purchase
Abraham
Reviewed in Mexico on May 15, 2023
Images in this review
