Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Ball Head Adapter

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Ball Head Adapter
A simple upgrade that unlocks the full potential of your Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer or Star Adventurer 2i mount.

If you’ve picked up a Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer or its Wi-Fi-enabled sibling, the Star Adventurer 2i, you already know the beauty of having a compact, highly portable mount that can handle serious wide-field astrophotography. But to get the most from it—especially when you're shooting with a DSLR or mirrorless camera and a standard to short telephoto lens—you’ll need a secure, stable, and easily adjustable way to point that camera at your target.

That’s where the Star Adventurer Ball Head Adapter comes in.

This aluminum adapter replaces the fine-tuning mounting assembly that comes standard with the Star Adventurer package. It’s a simple swap, but a highly effective one for photographers who prefer to use their own ball head for framing and tracking night sky compositions.

Why You Might Want the Ball Head Adapter

The standard Star Adventurer latitude wedge and mounting base combo is great for polar alignment and general stability, but it’s not ideal for flexible camera positioning. If you're shooting constellations, Milky Way panoramas, or want to fine-tune the angle of a lightweight telephoto setup, a quality ball head gives you the freedom to frame things the way you want—quickly, smoothly, and intuitively.

This adapter provides a solid mounting point for your own photographic ball head with a standard 3/8"-16 threaded stud. Once installed, you can attach your ball head directly and control your camera’s pointing with far more versatility than the stock fine-tuning head allows.

How It Works

The ball head adapter is machined to fit the Star Adventurer’s mounting saddle. Simply remove the existing fine-tuning mounting assembly and slide this adapter in its place. It locks securely using the same dovetail-style clamp, just like the original.

The top of the adapter has a flat platform with a centered 3/8"-16 threaded post. Most quality ball heads (Manfrotto, Really Right Stuff, Benro, Sirui, etc.) will mount directly to it. Once attached, you can use your ball head to easily tilt, pan, or rotate your camera. No tools required, no added bulk—just a cleaner, more responsive setup that’s ideal for photographers who need quick framing adjustments on the fly.

Compatibility

• Fits the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer and Star Adventurer 2i mounts

• Accepts standard ball heads with a 3/8"-16 threaded socket

• Not compatible with the Star Adventurer GTi (which uses a different mounting interface)

Ideal For

• Wide-field Milky Way shooters using DSLR or mirrorless cameras

• Lightweight telephoto setups under 5 pounds

• Users who already own a high-quality photographic ball head and want full control over camera positioning

• Traveling astrophotographers looking to reduce weight and bulk without sacrificing flexibility

If you’re shooting with a DSLR and want a faster, more intuitive way to frame the sky without the restrictions of the original fine-tuning mount, the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Ball Head Adapter is a simple and worthwhile upgrade. It lets you do more with less—and that’s the whole point of the Star Adventurer platform.