Wanderer Astro WandererCover V5 Basic Motorized Flat Panel

Automated Flats & Dust Protection from 265g

Designed for the remote imager, the WandererCover V5 Basic eliminates the need to manually place a flat panel or cap the telescope at the end of a session. It mounts directly to your optical tube with simple nylon cable ties and connects via USB 2.0 and 12V DC power. At the start of your next session, a single command opens the cover, swinging it back over 270° to rest against the tube, clear of the optical path.

LED Backlit Panel: Uniform Illumination from 400-720nm

Unlike traditional edge-lit panels, which can suffer from brighter edges, the WandererCover V5 uses a full-sized LED printed circuit board (PCB) to directly backlight a diffusion layer. This patented design produces a highly uniform field of illumination, typically within 5% from edge to center, for accurate flat-field calibration. The panel's broad spectrum covers 400-720nm and extends into the near-infrared, with reference flat exposure times published for LRGB and 3nm narrowband filters.

255-Level Dimming for LRGB & 3nm Narrowband Flats

The V5 Basic's illumination system is engineered for precision across a vast range of scenarios. With 255 levels of adjustment between 18 and 2280 nit, you can dial in the perfect brightness for any filter or camera gain setting. This flicker-free dimming works reliably with exposures as short as 0.05 seconds. For an F7 system at Gain 100, a full-brightness flat with a 3nm Ha filter takes just 2 seconds, while an OIII flat takes less than a second at 0.93 seconds, dramatically speeding up your calibration workflow.

Hollow Construction for a Lighter Payload

By using the LED PCB as a structural element, the V5 Basic achieves a hollow, lightweight design that is approximately 30% lighter than comparable edge-lit panels. The 100mm model weighs only 265 g, and even the largest 250mm version is a mere 478 g. Less weight at the front of the telescope means a lower payload, improved reliability, longer life and better guiding.

8-Second Open/Close with a 270°+ Swing Angle

The V5 Basic's motorized arm opens the cover in 8 seconds, swinging it over 270° to fold back against the telescope tube where it remains out of the way. Built-in obstacle detection immediately halts the motor if it encounters resistance, protecting your equipment. For dark-sky-friendly operation, there are no distracting power indicator lights, and the flat panel light is automatically disabled whenever the cover is open to prevent accidental illumination during an imaging run.

Universal Control: ASCOM, INDI, and Native SynLink Support

Integration with your existing software is straightforward. The WandererCover V5 Basic is supported by standard ASCOM and INDI drivers. It is also natively supported by Sky-Watcher SynLink. For users of ZWO ASIAIR or StellaVita controllers, the auxiliary (AUX) input lets you control the cover with the controller's power switches.

WandererCover V5 Basic vs. V4-EC: A Lighter Alternative

The V5 Basic is a specialized addition to the WandererCover family, not a replacement for the V4-EC series. It is designed specifically for imagers who prioritize minimizing weight and do not require the advanced features of the V4 models. The primary trade-offs are:

• No Angle Encoder: Unlike the V4-EC series, the V5 Basic has no angle encoder reporting the cover's position.
• No Panel Heater: It does not include the flat panel heater found in the V4-EC and V4-EC IR.
• No IR Remote: It has no infrared remote, unlike the V4-EC IR.

The V4-EC and V4 Pro-EC remain in the range for imagers who need those features; the V5 Basic suits those who want a lighter cover.