Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack
In our product review video directly below, we explore the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i in its entirety! Sky-Watcher also offers several models of Sky-Trackers along with plenty of accessories to suit your astrophotography needs. In the Product Series Write Up, we examine each of these trackers and pinpoint their differences to ultimately lead you towards the right choice. Below our mount descriptions, we dive into the optional accessories needed for different styles of time lapse photography and astrophotography.
Sky Watcher Star Adventurer 2i - Overview
- The Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack offers best overall performance and versatility due to its increased payload capacity and included accessories! Recommended for those imaging with scopes/lenses up to 250mm in focal length (give or take 50mm). This leaves little to be desired as it includes nearly all of the accessories from this list (Tripod and Pier Extension Excluded).
Star Adventurer Mini Pro Pack
Like the Star Adventurer 2i, this entire assembly can be controlled via your smartphone through the Sky-Watcher Console App. With the included declination bracket and the Latitude EQ base, this mini sky tracker tracks the movements of celestial objects in the night sky. The key difference between the Mini Pro Pack and the 2i Pro Pack is the weight capacity. The Star Adventurer Mini Pro Pack has a weight capacity of about 6.5lbs making this option the best option for wide-field, Milky Way imaging, and time-lapses. Despite the reduced weight capacity, this mount is likely to handle lenses up to 105mm in focal length, which still provides you access to a wide range of astro imaging methods.
- A highly recommended option for those interested in wide-field, Milky Way photography, time-lapse photography, and deep sky astrophotography up to 105mm.
Star Adventurer 2i Astro Package
This package is identical in function to the Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack without the additional accessories. The Astro Package includes the mount and the declination bracket! It does not come with the Latitude EQ base or counterweight. If you are interested in deep space astrophotography, the Latitude EQ base is required as is the counterweight system. If you are looking for a star tracker of this caliber for deep space imaging, we highly recommend the Pro Pack!
- This package, when purchased with a latitude base and counterweight system, mimics the capabilities of the Pro Pack! The Pro Pack does come with all of these accessories.
Star Adventurer Multi-Function Photo Package
The Star Adventurer Photo Package, again, is identical in function to the 2i Pro Pack without the declination bracket or the Latitude EQ base. If you are interested in time-lapse photography, wide-field, or Milky Way photography and have a solid ball head or pano head, it may be your best option! You will still need to purchase the Latitude EQ base separately. A counterweight system is not needed if you plan on shooting with a lightweight DSLR and wide field lens. The 2i Pro Pack comes with all of these attachments and more and is the most versatile of the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer packages!
- Best when purchased with the Latitude EQ base and a ball head! This mount then becomes an incredible time-lapse / Milky Way imaging platform. With a payload such as a heavier DSLR and wide-field lens, a counterweight system isn’t needed!
Star Adventurer Mini Multi-Function
The Star Adventurer Mini Multi-Function Pack has a 6.5 payload capacity and is identical in function to the Star Adventurer Mini Pro Pack excluding the declination axis, Latitude EQ base, and counterweight. If you simply plan to shoot time-lapses and Milky Way photos with a wide field lens, this package with a Latitude EQ Base is a great option! The Mini Pro Pack offers all of the accessories you could need for widefield and deep sky astrophotography up to 105mm in focal length. This package, including every one of the options above, are controllable through the Sky-Watcher Console App!
- Best when purchased with the Latitude EQ base and a ball head! This mount then becomes an incredible time-lapse / Milky Way imaging platform. With a payload such as a lighter DSLR and wide-field lens, a counterweight system isn’t needed!
Accessories
The accessories that Sky-Watcher offers with their star trackers are listed and explained in detail directly below. Some of their star trackers do not come fully equipped like the Pro Pack and Pro Pack Mini. These additional accessories will help customize and transform your star tracker to help you achieve your photography goals!
Star Adventurer Tripod
With 1.25” adjustable legs and 3/8”-16 threads, this is Sky-Watcher’s recommended tripod for any of the Star Adventurer packages listed above! The Latitude EQ Base screws directly on the head of this tripod without any additional plates or adapters. Your mount head will then slide into the EQ Base with ease. The Star Adventurer Tripod also includes an accessory tray that simultaneously increases leg-stabilization and supplies you with a place to set excess lenses, cameras, screws, or cables!
Star Adventurer Latitude EQ Base
The Star Adventurer Latitude EQ Base is an essential accessory for ALL Star-Adventurer Packages. The Pro Packs include the Latitude bases, but the Multi-Function, Photo Package, and Astro Package do NOT include the Latitude EQ base. Please be sure to include this base with your purchase of either three packs above. If you want to consider an upgraded Latitude EQ Base for any Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer, take a look at William Optics’ Machined High Latitude Base and Low Latitude Base!
Star Adventurer Declination Attachment
The Declination Attachment is specifically designed for camera and lens/scope combinations with longer focal lengths. We highly recommend this accessory if you plan on using a camera lens greater than 50mm in focal length for any serious deep space astrophotography. The declination attachment is also to be purchased with the Counterweight System. Proper balance when using a longer focal length lens/scope is crucial for achieving longer exposure times without star trails. This accessory is really only needed when you buy the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Multi-Function Photo and the Mini Multi-Function Packages. The two Sky-Watcher Pro Packs come with this accessory included.
Star Adventurer Tripod Extension
While we recommend keeping your Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer tripod as low to the ground as possible, sometimes you need the extra height! This Tripod Extension adds a near 9” to the height of your tripod. These are typically recommended for those using the AZ-GT mounts with longer refractors to prevent the telescope from coming into contact with the tripod legs.
Star Adventurer Ballhead Adapter
While this attachment comes included with both of the Sky-Watcher Pro Packs and both of the Multi-Function packs, it does not come included with the Star Adventurer 2i Astro Package. If you have the astro package or need an extra ball head adapter, this is the attachment that we recommend! You can attach your DSLR directly to the ball head adapter without a ball head as well.
Star Adventurer Counterweight
The 3.5lb Sky-Watcher counterweight and counterweight shaft are essential if you plan on using a telephone lens or a longer focal length telescope for deep space imaging. This counterweight system allows you to achieve balance in the right ascension axis, which is the axis driven by the internal motor. The more precise your balance, the more likely you will be able to increase your sub-exposure times. This counterweight system is included with both of the Pro Packs. This is a necessary purchase when used with the Declination Bracket for heavier and longer focal length astrophotography setups.
To conclude this article on the descriptions of all Sky-Watcher’s Star Adventurer mounts and accessories, we highly recommend that you purchase either of the two Pro Packs. These two options come with all of the accessories that you will need for both wide-field and deep space astrophotography! These are, by far, the most versatile and complete star trackers that Sky-Watcher offers.
Any Questions? Contact Us!
If you have any questions about which of these options may be the right choice for you, please reach out to our non-commissioned product advisors, they will be more than happy to assist you in the decision making process!
This Article was Last Updated on 07/12/2023
