My beginner's guide on how to set up and use the Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i wifi tracker

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https://undersouthwestskies.blogspot.com/2025/01/welcome-to-my-new-astronomyastrophotogr.html

And welcome. 

Welcome to 'UnderSouthWest Skies'. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find the experience worthwhile. This blog post has been written from my own 'beginner perspective' after doing lots of reading on  various basic astronomy and astrophotography topics of interest to beginners.  In getting my head around it all, I may have got odd bits slightly wrong; but, like you, I am on a leaning journey, so please forgive any unintentional errors.  Also, just because I have gone down a particular road regarding equipment, doesn't mean that I have chosen the 'CORRECT' route!  

Meanwhile, clear skies to you. Take care and thanks for visiting   Steve aka PlymouthAstroBoy 

This blog isn't about the SWSA  - its not a review of its components, advantages and disadvantages - for that go to this website as a starter: https://astrobackyard.com/sky-watcher-star-adventurer-pro-review/

Neither is it a detailed guide on using it - the tracker comes with a handbook which is detailed. When I first got the Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i pro, I found the manual was informative and helpful but the way it was written mean't I couldn't assimilate and remember it all. More to do with me rather than the actual manual itself. In consequence, it took me ages to get to grips with how to use the tracker properly. There were a few videos which helped enormously and I have put these below - there for any visual learners like me 😄

Learning how to take flats (or not!!) during a very cold night 

The observant will notice that it isn't the star adventurer original base! One of the very first things I gleaned from other users - replace the base with the superior Williams Optics wedge. Expensive, but an absolute game changer in terms of accuracy when polar aligning

So, one of the first things I did was write myself a little aire memoire which I still use occasionally. If like me, you get terribly excited when a very rare clear night suddenly materialises, it is easy in all the enthusiasm, to forget something! At times I am so excited on reaching a destination with no clouds that I rush the set up and miss things out. The check list comes in handy then to back track and tick off that I have done everything. Its my way of making myself slow down and be methodical.  A good lesson in life sometimes! 😉

So yes, today's blog post is about a checklist for those of you who are, at times, like me, cognitively challenged in the memory department! It IS NOT about step by step accounts of precise what to do and HOW to do it! 

I have a book that goes with me - it has my check lists in it and also acts as a notebook for me to complete an astrophotography log for each imaging night 

I use my tracker for both my milky way landscape astrophotography and my Deep Sky astrophotography and whilst most of the set up is the same, there are differences, depending on whether I am autoguiding or not and on whether I am using DSLR and lenses or DSLR and small refractor telescope. 

Over time I have been less reliant on the check list. This is because I regularly practise assembling it in my lounge on rainy days and walking myself through it all until it becomes familiar. Sad but true! 😁 

Since taking this photo, I have upgraded my storage crate for the tracker (see below)  - a new cut out foam block with specific cut-outs for each element of the tracker. Much more secure and protected. 

In this shot  - left is my pouch for my tablet. Right is my astronaut case for my DSLR. Both of these have been made for me by my wonderful wife. They are basically padded cases. 

The crate contains the foam insert that came in the SWSA 2i pro packaging and I have butchered this to better fit my SWSA rig. 

And whilst we are briefly looking, unintentionally, at my storage - here is my Zenithstar rig ready to go. It is actually better padded with bubble wrap that it first seems. There is also a huge bubble wrap pad that fits over the top before the lid gos on. 

This is the 'carry it in the car/motorhome' packing -when I know I'm not having to do anything than open up the door/boot lid and assemble it straight out alongside the vehicle. 

But as I said earlier, occasionally if something isn't working on the night, I go back to the list and retrace my steps. It has saved me a couple of occasions; like when I have it set to APP and I'm not actually using the app because I am autoguiding and need it just in normal 'Star' icon position for sidereal tracking. Yeah I really have done that on at least three occasions! 😭😄

Prefer it in a visual but less detailed format? 

Anyway, I hope the list is useful to you if you are new to trackers and starting out with the SWSA 2i. Read the handbook, watch the videos, use this list to start with. Good luck, have fun and stay safe out there. Clear skies 

Steve aka PlymouthAstroBoy 

These are the videos that I found helpful when first starting out with the SWSA 2i. 

This is the first video in a series of three or four about the star adventurer and are a really good detailed insight into how to get the best from this tracker

Recently, Peter has put up one of the videos which used to be part of his buy-in course package - its now, thanks to his kindness, freely available and gives great insights - including on using it with an autoguider system 

And yes, proof! I really do spend time assembling the rig in the lounge on rainy days! 😁