Kenko Skymemo Mini Portable Tracking Platform Tracking Engine

Kenko Skymemo Mini Portable Tracking Platform Tracking Engine

The Kenko Skymemo is a compact tracking motor for stargazing. It is so small and light that it can fit in a camera backpack, even permanently. In addition to stargazing, it allows for stylish timelapse videos.

The Kenko Skymemo Mini is the same device as the very popular Slik ECH-630 Astro Tracker, meaning the features are also identical.

The Kenko Skymemo Astro Tracker can support equipment weighing up to 5kg, but the load capacity is affected by the angle of the device. When the tracker is mounted with the bottom horizontal, a load of 5g can be placed on it, if the tracker is mounted on its side down, a maximum load of 2kg can be placed on it, so most stargazing moves between these extremes.

The device is great for a system camera and wide-angle lenses, but if you intend to use heavy telephoto lenses, we recommend the more robust Kenko Skymemo S Tracking Platform tracking engine.

The Kenko Skymemo Mini runs on four AA batteries or rechargeable batteries. The operating time is approx. 20 hours but is reduced when shooting in cold weather. Avid night sky photographers will appreciate the micro USB connection found on the device, which allows you to connect a power bank to the device.

Kenko Skymemo Mini targeting

The tracking quality, or the accuracy of the images, can be affected by careful alignment. The device has two aiming holes that allow the tracking head to be aligned with the North Star. The North Star can be found by looking for the constellation Otava in the sky and imagining a straight line through its two brightest stars. By following this line, the North Star can be found.

Attach the tracking head to the tripod so that the alignment holes are at the top. The larger hole serves as the initial alignment, which is used to locate the North Star. Once the North Star is visible in the center of the larger hole, you can align more precisely using the smaller hole.

For example, using the separately purchased Slik SMH-250 tilt head , alignment is easier than with a standard ball head because you can make small adjustments by adjusting the screw.

After attaching the camera, it is worth checking the alignment. And once the device is aligned, the image can be composed normally using the second ball head, meaning tracking works across the entire starry sky.

Recommended accessories:

• Previously mentioned Slik SMH-250 tilt head
• Sturdy stand
• Ball head or other tripod head that attaches between the tracking motor and the camera
• Screw adapter, the device comes with a 3/8" to 1/4" screw adapter, but if the ball head has a larger mounting screw, you will need another one.
• Warm drinks and clear night skies!
  
  

Specifications:

• Fastener:
  • Top end: 1/4"
  • Bottom (stand): 3/8" (1/4" adapter included)
• Maximum load:
  • In star mode: 5 kg
  • Time-Lapse mode: 5 kg
  • with turntable and base horizontal: 5 kg
  • with the turntable and base perpendicular to the ground: 2kg
• Power supply:
  • 4 AA batteries (Ni-MH batteries can also be used)
  • DC 5V (micro-USB in combination with AA batteries)
• Battery life: approx. 20 h (with alkaline batteries at 20°C, i.e. in freezing temperatures, it will be shorter)
• Operating temperature: -10°C - +40°C
• Operating mechanism: worm screw, with stepper motor
• Star Mode: Star, Moon, Sun & Starscape ((0.5x speed))
• Northern / Southern Hemisphere setting
• Time-Lapse mode: forward and backward, continuous rotation
• Rotation: 5° - 360° (5° steps) or continuous
• Spin speed: 48, 24, 12, 6, 3, 1.5h, 30min & 15min per spin
• Size: 84 x 86 x 65 mm (excluding protruding parts)
• Weight: 630g (without batteries)