SolarChat!

The new Sky-Watcher SolarQuest is a great AZ mount for outreach

I used it today for the first time and it is a great performer for little money. The sun stayed dead centre for 4h after first alignment

Check out a few images below and a YouTube video as well


Sky-Watcher SolarQuest Mount | Pedro RE' (20181002)

Pointing to the Sun Automatically

1. Turn on power. The SolarQuest will level the solar telescope automatically and then takes up to 2 minute to acquire GPS lock before the next movement.
2. The SolarQuest will bring the solar telescope to the elevation of the Sun and starts slewing in clockwise in the azimuth direction to search for the Sun.
3. The red LED will blink slowly during the search and becomes solid after the SolarQuest mount locates the Sun successfully.
4. Use the 8-way slide switch to centre the Sun in the FOV of the eyepiece. It is normal to find lags in movement when switching to an opposite direction.

Tips:
• Before turning on power, point the solar telescope to the left side of the Sun can reduce the searching time.
• Use a long focal length eyepiece (eg. 20mm) to start observing.

(...)
SolarQuest is user-friendly and provides safe experience while observing the sun. Using Skywatcher’s revolutionary technology “Heliofind”, it can be easily operated by anyone, with just a push of a button, SolarQuest will start slewing in clockwise in the azimuth direction to search for the sun!
If the tripod is moved by accident, users can easily restart, and it will quickly find the sun.

- Built in GPS & 3 axis accelerator enhance the accuracy of alignment
- Automatic solar alignment
- Light weight
- Beginner friendly
- Eight-way slide switch provides smooth slewing to centre the sun in the eyepiece

Specifications:
Tripod Height 1.3 m
Tripod Weight 2.4 kg
Power Supply 8 "AA" Size Batteries

Thanks for the overview! Looks like a nice little portable alt az tracking mount in general. The SW AZ GTi GoTo with a solar tracker basically. That's pretty cool. Would likely be great for full disc imaging too, eclipses, etc, with smaller scales. Also great for nighttime use too.

Very best,

Thanks Marty

It is a great mount and the Heliofind works flawlessly. It is impressive what this little mount can do for less than 400 US$

It is great for solar outreach sessions and solar eclipses as well

I was looking at the standard version of this mount for simple observation with a small scope even. Getting it with a sun tracking module just puts the icing on the cake. I'll eventually get one I think! Super portable!

Very best,

Hi Marty

You will love it. It is an excellent performer and it works flawlessly

still tracking the sun (3h and counting)

solarquest_20181003-06 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

solarquest_20181003-08 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

solarquest_20181003-04 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

Pedro:
Thanks for the super review of the little mount.
The only problem for solar imaging would be the image rotation when making long recordings.
For outreach use it is super.
Fuerte abrazo,
Eric.

Thanks Eric

You're right, but with videos of about 10s maybe it will be OK

It tracks the sun like a charm

fuerte abrazo

Has anyone tried the field de-rotation feature in AutoStakkert? Seems like it should be able to compensate, however I've never tried it (don't have an alt-az mount).

Thanks for a great review! It looks very similar to my Merlin mount I use for the PST and travelling with which I really love. Pity I don't have a solar tracker on it as well

Alexandra

Hi Pedro: thank you for the detailed report on this mount. It sure looks like a very good value for the money.

Franco

Looks good Pedro!

Ré, P. (2018). Sky-Watcher SolarQuest Mount. PDF File

http://www.astrosurf.com/re/solarquest_ ... 181008.pdf

Tried the SolarQuest today for the first time with cloudy skies. The sun stayed in the field of view for about 4h but tracking was less accurate. Still works though with cloudy skies

Another observing session with the SolarQuest mount and cloudy skies

After first alignment (Heliofind) it helps to cover the solar sensor.

solar_imaging_session_20181013-02 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

solar_imaging_session_20181013-079 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

solar_imaging_session_20181013-075 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

solar_imaging_session_20181013-074 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

solar_imaging_session_20181013-047 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

solar_imaging_session_20181013-044 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

solar_imaging_session_20181013-043 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

How does it track in cloudy skies Pedro?

It tracks Ok Mark

It helps to cover the solar sensor if it is very cloudy. To track the Sun the mount has to detect our star at least once.

Here are a a few images of my grab and go solar scopes to use with the SolarQuest mount

1- FS60C, Coronado SM60, Coronado BF10, Lunt Zoom eyepiece
2- Baader Vario Finder (10x60), Coronado SM40, Coronado BF10, Lunt Zoom eyepiece

taka_FS60C_SM40_BF10_20181014-09 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

taka_FS60C_SM40_BF10_20181014-05 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

taka_FS60C_SM40_BF10_20181014-04 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

taka_FS60C_SM40_BF10_20181014-01 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

baader_vario_finder_10X60_SM40_BF10_20181014-06 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

baader_vario_finder_10X60_SM40_BF10_20181014-04 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

baader_vario_finder_10X60_SM40_BF10_20181014-02 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

It just carries on tracking when the sensor is covered then Pedro?

Came across this one, so it is not mine. Could save you some money if you are interested in the mount.
https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=14205

Yes Mark, It tracks fine with the sensor covered. However the mount has to find the sun ate least once to star tracking

It does a decent job even with the sensor covered

Bart: I guess you were referring to this add

https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propvie ... iew=142055

pedro wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 3:26 pm Bart: I guess you were referring to this add

https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propvie ... iew=142055

Sorry, you are right!
Thanks Pedro.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/user/r ... review.pdf
SolarQuest review (BBC Sky at Night Magazine)

We were very impressed with the SolarQuest mount. It’s so simple to use and performed very accurately in our trials. It alleviates the need to polar align during the day, something which can’t be done with precision unless you have a permanent set-up. In this respect it suits casual solar observing well but really excels for things like public events where there are typically a lot of eager viewers wanting to take a peek at the Sun. Eliminating the need for constant repositioning, the SolarQuest makes setting up for such events a breeze. Most personal solar observing sessions last less than an hour and we found that the unit would hold a very accurate position for far longer than this. Exceptions may occur if, for example, you were using an H-alpha telescope and monitoring for flare activity. This would normally be done by setting up the telescope and watching for increases in X-ray output from sources such as the GOES X-ray satellite. Here, the ability to have a quick and simple mount tracking accurately for extended periods would be incredibly useful.

Hi Pedro,
thanks for the very interesting review.
Just a question, do you think the Solarquest mount would be ok for the Coronado Solar Max III double stack 70 mm telescope with eyepiece inserted? Too much weight for this little mount or it will be ok? I would use it only for grab and go visual view, no imaging or other more complex utilizations.
Thank you very much

Piemme

Hi Piemme

Maximum weight for the solarquest mount is 4Kg. I guess you can go up to 5 or 6Kg without damaging the mount. I have never exceeded 4Kg with my mount

Great Review Pedro!

One question, is it possible use this mount in equatorial mod? (like the SkyWatcher AZ GTi)?

Um grande abraço!

Ronnie

HI Ronnie

No, you can use it only in azimuthal mode. It works only for solar observation

abraço amigo

Thanks for your explanations Pedro

Um forte abraço amigo!

Ronnie

Great review, ordered

Thanks

Just bought, HATE the terrible flimsy tripod not safe for an expensive kit so changed for EQ5 legs from Ebay

Thanks for the SUPERB review it was that, that sold me

The video is of the flimsy mount only don't download if slow internet

Ronnie_Clayton wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:03 am Great Review Pedro!

One question, is it possible use this mount in equatorial mod? (like the SkyWatcher AZ GTi)?

Um grande abraço!

Ronnie

No ? it is a Solar mount ?

Any idea whet it means when the RED and GREEN LED's flash alternately, is it looking for GPS ?

nice mod of the SolarQuest Mount

The led flashes when it is acquiring the GPS

Thanks,GPS then, appreciated

I fitter remote focus to my ED72 on the GREAT Skywatcher Solar tracking mount

https://youtu.be/o7VXcG6hmFA

AND what about the 12v adapter that comes with it, perfect

I also use the same 12V adapter

Daystar Quark Chromosphere SWSolarQuest mount + FS60C/SM60/BF10

What brand of scope is this Pedro? It looks like a small fine apochromatic refractor.

It's a Takahashi FS-60C
http://www.takahashi-europe.com/en/FS-60C.php

What about the tripod, is it solid? live in a windy area in Shetland, UK

Not really, you better change it. I did it recently. The maximum payload is 4kg

SW102_SM60_SolarQuest_20200422-011 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

SW102_SM60_SolarQuest_20200422-010 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

shetowl2020 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:03 pm What about the tripod, is it solid? live in a windy area in Shetland, UK

Hi There and welcome to the forum. I have the AZ GTi, essentially the non solar version but with the same tripod. I changed mine so it sits on top of my EQ6 tripod.
Or, alternatively on my pier

P1100963 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

I got one of these adapters from FLO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-wa ... ripod.html

IMHO, either the solarquest or the AZ GTi package (including tripod) is built to a price point and the savings are made with the tripod. Any good tripod with a 3/8" thread on the top will be a better alternative than the stock tripod.

what's the tripod like in windy conditions

marktownley wrote: ↑Thu Apr 23, 2020 2:02 pm

shetowl2020 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:03 pm What about the tripod, is it solid? live in a windy area in Shetland, UK

Hi There and welcome to the forum. I have the AZ GTi, essentially the non solar version but with the same tripod. I changed mine so it sits on top of my EQ6 tripod.

Do you still need the extension pole on the EQ6

P1100957.jpg

Or, alternatively on my pier

P1100963 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

I got one of these adapters from FLO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-wa ... ripod.html

IMHO, either the solarquest or the AZ GTi package (including tripod) is built to a price point and the savings are made with the tripod. Any good tripod with a 3/8" thread on the top will be a better alternative than the stock tripod.

Do you still need the extension pole on the EQ6

No, I thought I might, but, took it off in the end. Depends how tall you are I guess

I've just bought the solarquest head this weekend, so look forward to it arriving and comparing with the AZ GTi. I think it may end up living in the back yard on the tall pier for quick full disks. Next step is a nice tripod for the 'travelling' setup, I find the legs on the EQ6 tripod jam so I struggle to extend them, and in the 'wrestle' that ensues I invariably end up pinching my fingers. A nice Barlebach springs to mind...

So, my solarquest head arrived today... It was supposed to be clear skies so i'd arranged to work at home, instead it rained, so I went into work

First step was a quick mod; change the vixen saddle on it for the ADM dual dovetail designed for the AZ GTi.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-re ... z-gti.html

I was greeted by thread locker galore on the screws that hold the stock vixen saddle, not a problem for a determined solar modder

Then realised the hole pattern on the solarquest saddle compared to the Az GTi saddle is offset by 45 degrees, so, in its present guise does not fit. I could fix it on, but the OTA would sit at 45 degress to the sensor, and that would mean when the scope was on the sun the sensor would be off the sun by 45 degrees, and i'm not sure it will work with that much offset...

It's an easy mod, the plate is going into work tomorrow and I will tap out the appropriate threads in the new hole pattern on the black fixing plate that comes with the ADM kit. Should all fit in nicely...

Keep you updated!

So an update folks. Successfully modded the Solarquest head to accept the ADM dual dovetail adapter.

P1000678 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

P1000677 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

az-gti-plate by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Really quite an easy thing to do. All needed to do was drill out and tap one of the 4 counter sunk fixing holes. One thing to note; the ADM uses an Imperial fitting 1/4" UNC, i'd tapped using metric m6, so a brief head scratching moment before I worked out why the ADM allen stud was not going in. However an easy fix just replacing with a m6 stud from my box of fixings. Attaches just fine as you can see in the pictures above.

The only thing I don't like the pier extension, the head is fixed to the top by 3 finger tight knobs, felt play in this a couple of times. Not sure I want to rely on this for expensive solar gear. Tecnosky do a pier extension that seems a little more substantial, however before splashing cash i'm going to explore how essential the pier extension is. Unlike night sky, for me, with solar the sun never gets close to the zenith so i'm not convinced the ota fouling the mount will be an issue. I have a devil sat on my shoulder now whispering Barlebach down my ear as I don't like the metal EQ6 tripod, but that's a way down the line yet if it happens.

Just need the sun to come out from the grey, damp and cold winter skies!

Very nice Mark - I too have struggled with the ADM clamp upgrade, but good to see there’s a solution. I’m interested to see if you can use the mount for imaging - short bursts of video?