iOptron HST MiniTracker
Stellar Strain Wave Geared Star Tracker
Experience the power of strain wave gearing in an ultra-compact package! With no counterweight required and 8.8 lb. of capacity, tracking your photography camera across the sky is simpler than ever before. Capture captivating images of the night sky with your camera and the iOptron HST MiniTracker!
The incredible mechanical muscle of strain wave gearing and iOptron's
experience in producing premium star trackers come together to take
photography camera astro-imaging to the next level with the iOptron HST
MiniTracker! With a built-in battery and no counterbalancing required, this
tracker is easy to transport and quick to setup, with no weights to pack or
balance. Four speeds give you the versatility to track larger deep sky
objects, the Moon, the Sun*, and the Milky Way, bringing you all of the most
popular targets for mirrorless/DSLR setups in one device. With 8.8 lb. of
payload capacity, even large photography camera and lens combos are
effortlessly synced with targets! Framing your targets is easy when combined
with a ball-head (sold separately) and the quick adjust controls that allow
you to jog the axis back and forth. Controls are built into the housing,
meaning there is no hand controller required, and mounting is made easy with
support for common photo tripod connections and V-style saddles. With this
performance, simplicity, and compact design in a premium CNC machined housing,
you can easily create astounding astrovistas with your favorite camera and
lens from wherever you are!
*
Do not point your camera at the Sun without a proper solar filter
securely attached. Doing so can cause irreversible damage to your camera, and additionally
your vision if the Sun is viewed through the viewfinder.
A Premium Star Tracker Experience
With strain wave gearing, a premium CNC housing, and straightforward set up, the iOptron HST MiniTracker brings you an incredible star tracker experience!
New Wave Gearing, Incredible Portability
Strain Wave
Gearing (SWG) has revolutionized the astronomy mount space, bringing
impressive payload capacity in a compact form factor with no counterweights
required. iOptron has packed this impressive technology into the HST
MiniTracker, making the star tracker design more portable and easier to use!
This stepper motor powered gearing allows this tracker to smoothly,
silently, and comfortably carry up to 8.8 lb. of gear, while still being
able to fit in the palm of your hand and weighing in at about only 1.75 lb.
This gives you performance on par with a conventionally geared star tracker
with a counterweight, while coming in at about half the weight and with
significantly less bulk!
Sublime Star Tracker Simplicity
If you're looking to
capture the wonders of the night sky without the world of telescopes and
T-rings, a star tracker is perfect for you! With one axis of rotation, the
iOptron HST MiniTracker will counteract the major source of motion blur in
celestial shots, allowing you to freeze targets in place with the
(relatively speaking) short focal lengths of photography lens. All the
controls you need to keep your camera in step with the stars are built into
this star tracker for a self-contained experience, with no hand controller
or computer required! Simply pair your photography camera with your lens of
choice and capture spots on the Sun*, craters on the Moon, stunning deep sky
objects like the Orion Nebula, or the beautiful band of the Milky Way!
*
Do not point your camera at the Sun without a proper solar filter
securely attached. Doing so can cause irreversible damage to your camera, and additionally
your vision if the Sun is viewed through the viewfinder.
Straightforward Set Up
Setting up for a stellar
imaging session with the iOptron HST MiniTracker is straightforward! The
star tracker's base features a 3/8"-16 mount point and includes a 1/4"-20
adapter for pairing with the majority of photography tripods, with a V-style
dovetail bar that allows the tracker to be paired with iOptron's
Alt-Az Adjustable Base
and
AZ/EQ Base
for tripods that don't allow for alignment or when more precise alignment is
desired (tripod, bases sold separately). A 1/4"-20 connection with 3/8"-16
adapter for your camera easily integrates solutions like the
iOptron Ball Head
for fluidly finding your framing (sold separately). The built-in
polar alignment site allows for fast and simple alignment, perfect for
pairing with ultra-wide and wide camera lens; with compatibility for
iOptron's separate
HST Polar Scope
and
iPolar
solutions for those looking to push focal length and exposure time limits!
Finally for powering the tracker is a built-in rechargeable 3000mAh battery,
with support for an external 5V power through the USB C port to
keep things running even once the internal pack's 5 hour runtime is exhausted!
*iOptron recommends using lithium AAA cells for this high performance
device, to ensure reliable operation when not using the built-in battery
or an external source.
Let’s Delve Into the Details!
iOptron mounts are renowned for their exceptional performance, crafted with high precision internal elements that help deliver accurate tracking and spot-on GoTo slews. For those gear-heads who like to get into the nitty gritty details of their equipment, check out this comprehensive table denoting specifications such as the type of motor utilized, the power consumption of the mount, and plenty more! This way, you can compare and contrast what each iOptron mount offers, better informing you in choosing the right mount for your needs.
| iOptron Mount Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Maximum Payload (lbs.): | 8.8 |
| Mount Weight (lbs.): | 1.75 |
| Motor: | Stepper Motor with Strain Wave Gear |
| Tracking Rates: | Sidereal, Milky Way, Lunar, Solar |
| Operation Temperature: | 14°F-104°F |
| Power: | Internal 3000mAh Li-Polymer Battery; External 5V Power via USB C |
| Run Time: | Up to 5 Hours w/ Internal Battery |
| Construction: | CNC Machined Housing |
| Dimensions: | 133 x 93.25 x 71.5 mm |
| Camera Block: | 50 mm Diameter w/ 1/4"-20 Stud (3/8"-16 Adapter Included) |
| Polar Alignment: | iOptron 3330-HST Polar Scope or 3339 iPolar (Not Included) |
Astronomy Hub: Your one-stop-shop for Astrophotography Knowledge!
Our Gear Experts have compiled a wealth of information to help expand your astrophotography knowledge! Below you’ll find links to articles, videos and "how-to" guides. Just one more reason that our Astronomy Hub is a one-stop-shop for all your astronomy and astrophotography needs!
| Beginners Guide to Imaging the Milky Way |
| 10 Things to Know About Milky Way Photography |