HOWTO: Make a POWERFUL smart TELESCOPE! Better than much bigger telescopes!

Better and cheaper than eVscope and Stellina!
This is a fun project (for yourself, for parent and child, or for schools!) to build your own smartphone-controlled electronic telescope on the cheap! Now this is all experimental, tons of things can go wrong, so please be aware of that, e.g. at your own risk! BUT all the equipment is reusable, and is overall great equipment for astronomy and astrophotography! You may also wonder why I didn't use the ASIAIR Pro - its live stacking is better... it's because its support of the AZ-GTi in Alt-Az is very limited...

As of 2023.3.3 : for lazy people out there, there is now a cheap alternative, the Dwarflab Dwarf 2 which I feature in my recent videos, https://bit.ly/3SyChXu

Total budged based on below links (as of time of writing): ~1,150 USD

All links below (except for Stellarmate) are affiliate links.

Mount: Skywatcher AZ-GTI with tripod
Buy from OPT: https://bit.ly/2DKgmuC
Buy from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3oR7w3g
Buy from High Point Scientific: https://tinyurl.com/me4h4k4e

If the AZ-GTi is out of stock, the AZ-GTe should in theory also work! Please note that I haven't tested this, so this would be at your own risk.
Buy from OPT: https://bit.ly/3bkW0p3
Buy from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3w1EXBJ


Telescope: Skywatcher EvoGuide 50ED II (a.k.a. DX)
Buy from OPT: https://bit.ly/3Dptoqp
Buy from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3aqj8lA
Buy from High Point Scientific: https://tinyurl.com/tmnja7ab

Camera choices (many more possible, but some suggestions)
ZWO ASI178MC (cheaper, smaller sensor, high resolution for more details, featured in video)
Buy from OPT: https://bit.ly/3p1Nljt
Buy from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ltJzgc
Buy from High Point Scientific: https://tinyurl.com/4dr4wbmw

ZWO ASI485MC (bigger sensor for more field of view, high resolution for more details)
Buy from OPT:
Buy from High Point Scientific: https://tinyurl.com/3ym32727

ZWO ASI482MC (bigger sensor for more field of view, lower resolution but more light per pixel for faster light accumulation)
Buy from OPT: https://bit.ly/3Bxf0vR
Buy from High Point Scientific: https://tinyurl.com/53cec9vc

Mini computer: Raspberry Pi 4 4GB kit
Buy from Amazon (example kit, others are available): https://amzn.to/3v4S5FN

Mobile Battery (suggestion, it should be good enough): https://amzn.to/3BvnFPg

USB-C Cable: https://amzn.to/3v4TQmn

Velcro straps: https://amzn.to/3iM4MAC

Stellarmate OS: https://www.stellarmate.com/

Etcher: https://www.etcher.io/

Stellarmate App (I only tested Android version):
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellar...
https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...

Synscan Pro App (I only tested Android version):
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/synscan...
https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...

And if you get lazy, just buy a smart telescope directly!
Stellina: https://amzn.to/302jc8W
eVscope Equinox: https://amzn.to/3BoFjEq or https://tinyurl.com/us2ewrja
eVscope: https://tinyurl.com/58ksbwht

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External shop link: https://cuivthelazygeek.myspreadshop....

OPT Affiliate Link: https://bit.ly/2OIw6jH

RENEWED! High Point Scientific affiliate link: https://bit.ly/3lReu8R

If you wish to support me, you can buy anything from Amazon after following the below link:
https://amzn.to/3hTB5Ne

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00:00 Introduction
01:48 Parts needed
05:29 Initial build
09:33 Raspberry Pi OS install
13:39 First boot and initial configuration
20:37 Smartphone apps installation
21:50 Smartphone app setup
26:50 Mount setup
29:45 Connecting everything
31:13 Equipment setup from smartphone
34:21 App usage tutorial
40:28 Startup and shutdown procedures
41:35 Setting the mount start position
42:17 Daytime preparation: initial focus
45:18 Finishing touches preparing for the night
47:08 Using it under the stars!
54:50 Conclusion

Member icons: Designed by 3ab2ou / Freepik
Emoticons: Designed by macrovector / Freepik
Order of the Lazy Geeks slogan: Christopher T
Merch Design: Radu Chelariu
Intro Video: Radu Chelariu