Mounts

ECH-630 Astro Tracker

Friday, January 24, 2025

The Slik ECH-630 Astro Tracker is a compact, lightweight motorized mount designed for celestial, lunar, and time-lapse photography. With a 20-hour battery life, multiple tracking modes, and a 11 lb load capacity, it’s perfect for astrophotographers seeking portability and precision.

The Slik ECH-630 Astro-Tracker is a compact motorized mount designed with speed settings for star, moon, and time-lapse photography. Unlike some astro-tracking heads that can weigh up to 11 lbs, the ECH-630 weighs just 22.4 oz and takes up the same space as a 24-70mm lens in a camera bag. This makes it ideal for photographers who hike to remote locations to capture the night sky.

ECH-630 Astro Tracker

The ECH-630’s capacity depends on its angle. It can support up to 11 lbs when the turntable is flat and up to 4.4 lbs at a 45-degree angle (refer to instructions for more details). This makes it suitable for lightweight DSLR cameras or mirrorless cameras with fast prime lenses.

Multi-speed settings for celestial, lunar, or time-lapse photography
Compact and lightweight at just 22.4 oz, perfect for backpacking
Simple control menu via LCD display
Up to 20 hours of runtime on 4 AA-sized batteries

The ECH-630 operates with 4 AA-sized batteries, providing up to 20 hours of celestial tracking—more than enough for a full night. It also includes a micro USB port to connect an external battery for extended run times.

Specifications

Maximum Load: 11.0 lbs flat - 4.4 lbs at 45-degree angle
Height: 2.5 in / 64 mm
Weight: 22.4 oz / 630 g
Tripod Mount Thread: U3/8 and U1/4-20
Tripod Head Mount: U1/4-20
Operating Temp Range: 14°F ~ 105°F (-10°C ~ +40°C)
Astronomical Speeds: Sidereal, Lunar, Solar, and Starscape modes
Power: 4 AA-sized batteries or USB power source

The Slik ECH-630 Astro-Tracker is a compact motorized mount with speed settings for star, moon, and time-lapse photography

When it comes to astrophotography, having the right gear can make all the difference between capturing a stunning image and missing the shot entirely. Whether it's the starry night sky or the moon in all its glory, precise tracking is essential for getting the best possible results. The Slik ECH-630 Astro Tracker is one such tool designed to help photographers and astrophotographers capture the night sky in all its brilliance. Offering a combination of compact design, ease of use, and exceptional tracking capabilities, the ECH-630 promises to be a valuable asset for anyone serious about celestial photography. Let’s dive deeper into its features and specs to see what makes it stand out in the crowded world of astro-tracking devices.

One of the first things that stands out about the Slik ECH-630 Astro Tracker is its size and weight. Weighing just 22.4 oz (630 g), the ECH-630 is extremely lightweight compared to many other astro-tracking mounts that can easily weigh 10 pounds or more. Many astrophotographers who venture into remote or challenging locations to capture the night sky have often found themselves burdened by the weight of their gear. The ECH-630 solves this problem by offering a solution that is both lightweight and portable, without compromising on performance.

This makes the ECH-630 an excellent choice for backpacking and hiking to those hard-to-reach places where the best views of the stars can be found. When packed, it takes up roughly the same space as a 24-70mm lens, making it easy to fit into a camera bag or backpack without taking up too much room. The portability of the ECH-630 means that photographers can focus on their craft without being encumbered by heavy, bulky equipment.

Despite its compact size and lightweight build, the ECH-630 does not skimp on load capacity. The maximum load it can handle is 11 lbs when the turntable is flat. However, when the turntable is set to a 45-degree angle, the load capacity drops to 4.4 lbs. This makes it suitable for a range of cameras, from lightweight mirrorless models to full-frame DSLRs with prime lenses. Photographers using the ECH-630 can trust that their gear will be supported securely during long exposures or celestial tracking sessions.

The ability to handle heavier loads while remaining stable is a crucial factor for astrophotography, where any movement or instability can result in blurry images. With a maximum capacity of 11 lbs at the flat angle, the ECH-630 can handle most standard cameras and lenses, making it a versatile option for a wide variety of setups. The reduced weight capacity at the 45-degree angle ensures that the mount remains balanced and stable even when tracking more challenging celestial bodies.

The Slik ECH-630 Astro Tracker is designed to accommodate various celestial photography needs, and it does so with multiple speed settings for different types of astronomical subjects. The tracker features four key modes: Sidereal, Lunar, Solar, and Starscape, each specifically tailored to different types of photography.

Sidereal Mode: This mode is ideal for tracking stars as they move across the sky due to the Earth's rotation. Sidereal tracking is commonly used for astrophotography when capturing star trails or deep-sky objects. The ECH-630’s sidereal speed setting ensures that stars stay sharp and clear in long-exposure images, providing the sharpness needed to bring out the details of distant celestial bodies.
Lunar Mode: As the moon moves through the sky, its motion differs from that of the stars. The Lunar mode is optimized for tracking the moon, compensating for its movement relative to the Earth. This mode is particularly helpful for moon photography, where accurate tracking is essential to avoid motion blur and ensure crisp lunar images.
Solar Mode: In Solar mode, the tracker is fine-tuned to compensate for the movement of the sun across the sky. Solar photography requires precision because the sun’s movement is slower than that of stars, and even slight errors in tracking can lead to blurry or overexposed images.
Starscape Mode: This mode is tailored for general night sky photography, especially when capturing wide-field images of constellations and the Milky Way. It ensures that stars are tracked smoothly, preserving the sharpness of stars across the entire frame.

Each of these modes offers a specific advantage for astrophotographers looking to capture celestial events with precision. The ability to switch between these modes easily ensures that the ECH-630 remains versatile, providing accurate tracking for a variety of different astronomical targets. Whether photographing the moon’s craters or capturing star trails in the night sky, the ECH-630 offers the tools needed to ensure that the shots come out as clear and sharp as possible.

Perfect for light-weight DSLR cameras or mirrorless cameras with fast prime lenses

The Slik ECH-630 operates on four AA-sized batteries, which provide up to 20 hours of run-time for celestial tracking. For most astrophotographers, 20 hours is more than enough time to shoot a full night of stars or conduct a series of long-exposure shots. This extended battery life ensures that the tracker remains reliable throughout an entire photography session without the need for constant battery changes.

In addition to the AA batteries, the ECH-630 is also equipped with a micro USB port, allowing users to connect an external power source for even longer tracking durations. This feature is particularly useful for those undertaking extended sessions, such as time-lapse photography or deep-sky imaging, where maintaining continuous tracking is crucial for optimal results.

With its dual power options (AA batteries or USB power source), the ECH-630 offers flexibility in terms of power management. Whether you’re in a remote location without easy access to a power outlet or you simply prefer the convenience of USB power, the tracker provides a versatile solution for powering your gear during long photography sessions.

Durability is a key consideration for any piece of photography equipment, and the ECH-630 does not disappoint in this regard. The device is built to withstand a range of operating conditions, from freezing cold to sweltering heat. The operating temperature range of the ECH-630 spans from 14°F to 105°F (-10°C to +40°C), making it suitable for use in a variety of climates and environments. Whether you're shooting under the cold winter skies or in the heat of summer, the ECH-630 is engineered to handle the elements and continue delivering reliable performance.

Its durable construction ensures that the device can stand up to the rigors of outdoor photography. Whether trekking through forests, desert landscapes, or up into high-altitude areas, the ECH-630 is built to last, providing a trustworthy companion for astrophotographers on the go.

The ECH-630’s interface is designed for simplicity and ease of use. With a built-in LCD display, users can easily navigate through the settings to select the desired mode and speed for their specific astrophotography needs. The intuitive control menu ensures that photographers can quickly adjust settings without the need for complicated programming or difficult-to-understand manuals.

Additionally, the ECH-630 comes with a tripod mount thread of U3/8 and U1/4-20, making it compatible with a wide range of tripods and heads. This flexibility ensures that the tracker can be easily paired with various tripod setups, allowing photographers to tailor their gear to their specific needs.

How to Polar Align the Astro Tracker

Locating Polaris Polaris, one of the brightest stars in the northern sky, is situated between the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia constellations. For those unfamiliar with its location, the Big Dipper can be identified first. The two outer stars forming one side of the Dipper's bowl should be used to draw an imaginary line, extending it outwards. About five times the distance between these two stars will lead to the bright star Polaris.

The ECH-630 features two peep hole sights through its body, designed specifically for polar alignment.

When mounting the ECH-630, it's crucial to ensure that these peep hole sights are positioned at the top of the unit.

Though not explicitly stated in the instructions, the larger peep hole has a 4-degree field of view, meant to bring Polaris closer to the center. Using the tripod head, Polaris should be positioned as close to center as possible in the larger peep hole.

The smaller peep hole has a 2-degree field of view. At this point, Polaris should be visible within the smaller sight's field of view. Fine adjustment knobs on the SMH-250 Micro Motion Mount (sold separately) should be used to center it precisely in the smaller peep hole.

Once Polaris is centered in the smaller peep hole, the ECH-630 is aligned.

Since aligning the ECH-630 with Polaris (the North Star) is crucial for accurate star tracking, Slik recommends using the SMH-250 Micro Motion Mount accessory. This mount holds the ECH-630 at approximately a 45-degree angle, facilitating easier use of the peep holes for sighting and aligning, while also allowing for minute adjustments of fractions of a degree. While this accessory isn't essential, it significantly simplifies the polar alignment process.

After mounting the camera, it is highly recommended to check the smaller peep hole again to confirm if the ECH-630 has shifted. If any shift has occurred, the fine adjustment knobs on the SMH-250 should be used to re-center Polaris for optimal stellar tracking.

SLIK SMH-250 Micro Adjustment Mount

The SLIK SMH-250 Micro Adjustment Mount is designed to make precise camera movements easier, providing a smooth solution for fine-tuning polar alignment. This mount is compatible with the ECH-630 Astro Tracker or can be used with any camera or tripod head. Its micro-adjustment system allows for very fine adjustments, making it ideal for astrophotographers and photographers who need precision.

With a robust all-metal construction, the SMH-250 is built to last while remaining lightweight, weighing just 8.8 oz. Its compact size makes it an easy addition to any camera bag. The mount's Arca-Swiss compatible base ensures quick and seamless integration with any compatible tripod head, making setup simple and efficient.