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Puglets

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I need some opinions on two mounts I am considering for an 8SE. Firstly skywatcher NEQ6 PRO synscan or skywatcher AZ EQ6-GT GEQ & alt az mount. What do you think of either? Many thanks

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Reasonably sinilar in terms of payload capacity and actual weight and sturdyness.

Neq6:

Cheaper

Azeq6:

Allows alt-az and eq modes

Has belts

Better power socket connection

Has encoders

I've never used my azeq6 in alt-az mode.

I wonder if you were guiding if the belts in the azeq6 make much difference. You can get a belt mod to the neq6.

I turn my encoders off as they cause problems with the goto and it doesn't take much longer to slew to a new target than to release the clutches ans swing the scope.

The power socket has a screw thread so it doesn't ever disconnect which is a bonus.

You can get a second hand azeq6 for about £900 if you find one, a second hand neq6 for about £700.

James

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Both will be more than enough for 8se. The GEQ Alt-Az is more rigid and obviously will take on more payload - but it is also more expensive.

Personally, I would go for NEQ6 or even a cheaper and lighter Celestron AVX for that tube.

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Can't comment as have not owned either but I'm also in the market

I can, however, comment on the suggested cheaper AVX.

You don't say if you're going to do just visual, just AP or both.

The reason is because I had a similar choice to make 6 months back and went for the cheaper AVX for my 8SE OTA.

It was a great mount and served as an excellent goto for visual work.

AP was a bit more difficult as once you've loaded all the guiding paraphernalia you will be fast approaching the visual limit of the AVX recommended weight.

My setup, which includes the ST80 as a guide scope, weighs in at 10.2 Kg's.

The recommended limit for visual on the AVX is 13.6 Kg's and imaging is therefore 6.8 Kg's (50% the visual limit to be comfortable).

I did, however, manage to do some great AP with this setup until I forgot to take the 2 x 5 Kg's counter weights off the bar before undoing the head; The head promptly crashed heavily onto the ground (it was snowing and I was in a rush). The head is now damaged and so has forced me into the market again.

After a lot of research and advice the Skywatcher AZ EQ6-GT is the one I will be getting. It ticks all the boxes for me, for now and the future.

I particularly like the alt adjustment setup, the fact it comes standard with dual-fit saddle plates and will work with EQMOD.

Also, with an imaging payload capacity of 18 Kg's, it'll should serve me well for many years to come

If you have no intentions to do imaging then the cheaper AVX is a definite consideration

Mark

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I've been tipped off for the AZ EQ6-GT too as apparently it has all the issues sorted from NEQ6.

Of course it's a bit more expensive, but I do like the dual mode in alt/az. Possible easy solution for a guide scope?

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I'd have thought guiding in alr-az mode would mean you'd be limited to short subs due to field rotation.

The altitude adjustment is better on the azeq6 compared to the neq6, but it's not perfect; the thread is a bit too course and making very fine adjustments isn't as easy as it could be, plus the manufacture of the altitude adjusters is pretty poor and there is a fair amount of slop in the mechanism. A friend and I are looking at getting a new part made which addresses both of these inadequacies.

It is a lovely mount though.

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I can't comment on the EQ6 as I've not used one but I do have an AZ EQ6-GT and I am very happy with it, attached is an unguided tracking graph taken last week as a baseline when I was playing with periodic error correction.  I have replaced the stock worm bearings with SKF's but the improvement over the originals is very marginal.  I can't say if this is typical performance or not but I certainly won't be selling this one on!

post-6382-0-54714700-1425455935_thumb.jp

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Thanks guys I went with the AZ EQ6 in the end, did not see you had all replied till now. I have started a thread on starting up the scope as I have had a few difficulties due to my inexperience. Any helpful tips or hints when using the mount would be appreciated :)  

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