How does the Sky-Watcher SolarQuest find the Sun automatically?
After you power it on, the SolarQuest first levels the telescope. It then acquires a GPS signal, which can take up to 2 minutes. Using that data, it moves the telescope to the Sun's current altitude and begins slewing clockwise in azimuth until its built-in solar sensor detects the Sun. A red LED blinks during the search and turns solid when the Sun is found.
Can I use the Sky-Watcher SolarQuest for viewing the Moon or stars at night?
No. The SolarQuest is an automatic solar finding and tracking mount for solar telescopes only.
What telescopes are compatible with the Sky-Watcher SolarQuest mount?
The mount is designed for solar telescopes only, as stated in Sky-Watcher's safety warning. It can carry a payload of up to 5 kg (11 lb). The telescope must have a dovetail bar to attach to the mount's saddle.
What if the Sun isn't perfectly centered after the SolarQuest finishes its alignment?
Use the 8-way slide switch on the mount to manually center the Sun in your eyepiece. Once it's centered, double-click the power button. This saves your correction as an offset, which will be automatically applied the next time the mount performs its pointing routine.
How is the Sky-Watcher SolarQuest powered in the field?
The SolarQuest runs on 8 AA batteries (not included), which are installed in an internal battery holder. The manual recommends removing the batteries during long-term storage.
Can I use my own heavy-duty camera tripod with the SolarQuest mount?
Yes. The base of the SolarQuest mount has a standard 3/8" socket for this purpose. The manual advises tightening it only slightly to avoid damaging internal parts and ensuring the tripod's center column is raised high enough to prevent the telescope from hitting the legs.
I've attached my own solar telescope, but the SolarQuest's pointing is still off after saving the offset. What do I do?
For a non-Sky-Watcher solar telescope, you may need to perform a one-time calibration. The manual describes a process involving powering on the mount while holding the 8-way switch in the upper-left position, waiting for the mount to find the Sun, manually centering the Sun, and then double-clicking the power button to finalize the calibration.
What happens if clouds pass in front of the Sun while the SolarQuest is tracking?
Thick or low clouds might reduce the accuracy of the auto-pointing and can cause the Sun to visibly drift in the eyepiece while tracking. Strong reflected light within its search path can also stop the auto-pointing routine unexpectedly.
Can I move the SolarQuest mount by hand?
No. You must always use the 8-way slide switch to move the mount. Forcing the mount to rotate manually might damage the internal mechanical parts.
Do I need to level the SolarQuest tripod perfectly?
You only need to perform a rough leveling. Adjust the tripod legs until the bubble in the built-in bubble level on the mount is centered. After you power it on, the SolarQuest mount levels the solar telescope automatically.
To get a faster alignment, where should I point the telescope before turning the SolarQuest on?
The manual suggests that pointing the solar telescope to the left of the Sun before turning on the power can reduce the search time. This is because the mount's search pattern is a clockwise slew in azimuth.
