looking to change the EQ3-2 for an HEQ5 ?

Gonzo · March 2, 2015

I've been having multiple issues with my EQ3-2 for my remote observatory (still in dev due to this mount.... grrrrr) and was considering changing it to a HEQ5 SynTrek mount. It is my understanding that you can't buy one anymore now . I don't need the Pro Synscan model as I will be using EQmod (the Linux version).

So, in terms of comparison to the EQ3-2, is it chalk and cheese?
Any issue you've heard with this mount, what about tracking etc... ? all good?

And no, I'm not going down the EQ6/8 route, as they are too much money for me.

swag72 · March 2, 2015

I rate the HEQ5 - It's an honest mount that does what it says on the tin. Mine used to chuck out 30 minute subs without issue. I would recommend guiding for it for sure.

Gonzo · March 2, 2015

thank you, just need to find another bargain in the for sale section or on fleebay..... I'm starting to hate the EQ3-2 with a passion, not in terms of performance but practicality in my situation.

nmoushon · March 2, 2015

I second the HEQ5. even second hand ones are great.

Gonzo · March 3, 2015

Looks like I'm too late to get one as it's discontinued, I see that many online shops still have them on their websites. If it's discontinued, then remove it from your website please....

This is not something I'm going to attempt getting on astrosell nor fleebay, too much money involved....

As I have an Atik Titan to sell, this will help with the mount purchase.

Fogboundturtle · March 3, 2015

I had my HEQ5 Pro for 5 years and service me really well. It never let me down. It's a great little mount.

xs2man · March 3, 2015

I recently picked up a second hand NEQ6 for £500. Easily done, and it was obviously well looked after. I don't see the problem with buying second hand personally. I did go collect though, but realistically, I fill my tank for £70 and it gets me 600 miles, so I would happily consider anything within a 300 mile range for something like this. You would still make a considerable saving.

The other option is to just pay the extra £116 and get the Synscan. Then sell the handset. Pretty sure I saw one recently go for around £70. As yours will be unused, I can't see it going for less anyway. So you would actually only be around £46 worse off but get the set-up you actually want. If that's what you really want, then an extra 7.3% to get it should surely make little difference. In fact, sign up for an American Express credit card that gives you 5% cashback on first £2500 purchases, and you'll only really spend an extra 2.3% to get the package you really want.

Gonzo · March 3, 2015

Nothing wrong against second hand as such, just don't feel like loosing £500+ at the moment, you never know.

Will keep my eyes opened for the next couple of weeks and see what comes up.

If you know anyone selling one ....

Astro_Baby · March 3, 2015

Nothing wrong with the HEQ5 - it will be a huge step up from the EQ3-2 for sure. Some people say its tracking accuracy is better than an EQ6 - I cant comment on that but its certainly a nice mount.

Fogboundturtle · March 3, 2015

Nothing wrong with the HEQ5 - it will be a huge step up from the EQ3-2 for sure. Some people say its tracking accuracy is better than an EQ6 - I cant comment on that but its certainly a nice mount.

It it not better than EQ6 but it can mod to be.

nmoushon · March 3, 2015

Another option if the HEQ5 is too pricey is the new Celestron AVX. A bit cheaper and pretty close to the same performance.

Gonzo · March 3, 2015

Good idea but I need to be able to control the mount via Eqmod (indiserver).

nmoushon · March 3, 2015

I though it was compatable...dont quote me on that though. sorry.

ollypenrice · March 4, 2015

One magazine review did find the PE lower on the 5 than the 6. That might have been variabiltiy in QC. Whatever, the concensus is clear that there is no significant difference in accuracy. You can, as Sara points out, do long exposure AP on an HEQ5.

Olly

Owmuchonomy · March 4, 2015

HEQ5 pro? Mine is 8 years old and as of last night got the Rowan belt mod. In fact so old Rowan are sending me special motor plate back-spacers to enable me to fit the cover on properly. Love 'em or hate 'em be prepared to fettle it every so often. Would I part it with? Very unlikely. In my view a pretty capable mount.

Gonzo · March 4, 2015

Thanks Olly, well I'm on the look out for a second hand one....

And I cannot find one soon I will bite the bullet and get a brand new one, ouch....

Gonzo · March 5, 2015

I am now the owner of an HEQ5 pro synscan !!!!!! unbelievable !!! found one on the TelescopeOutlet (Astronomia) today.

I will pick it on Saturday morning, they are just 45 min drive from me.

Pompey Monkey · March 7, 2015

I am now the owner of an HEQ5 pro synscan !!!!!! unbelievable !!! found one on the TelescopeOutlet (Astronomia) today.I will pick it on Saturday morning, they are just 45 min drive from me.

I have one on the way to me right now from the far reaches of Europe. I can't wait to play with it!

Gonzo · March 7, 2015

I have picked the mount this morning and installed it on the pier, I just need to make one little adjustment to make it fit correctly, minor details really.

Been using the hand controller as my EQDIR cable on on its way from FLO.

if I can summarise this mount over the EQ3-2: WOW!!!!! just WOW!!!!

(I will do the belt mod, not to increase accuracy, but more for the quietness as the gears are quite noisy).

by the way, how do you achieve the balance on the DEC????

PeterW · March 7, 2015

Nice, I don't find the eq6 that noisy, bit of gear grinding, but nothing too bad for a communal green.

Cheers

PeterW

Gonzo · March 7, 2015

The remote observatory is located on the balcony, right outside the main bedroom being super quiet is a must.... talk about challenges I'm facing to build this observatory. LOL

PeterW · March 7, 2015

... So not fancying dragging across the bridge into the park then? How are you for direct light pollution? Are you going narrowband? I did a bit of observing from a flat block roof up the kingston hill many years ago.

For quiet, move it slooowwweeerrrrrr

Good luck

Peter

Gonzo · March 7, 2015

... So not fancying dragging across the bridge into the park then? How are you for direct light pollution? Are you going narrowband? I did a bit of observing from a flat block roof up the kingston hill many years ago.
For quiet, move it slooowwweeerrrrrr
Good luck
Peter

The mount will be located somewhere in Germany, fully remote controlled.... check out my DIY observatory build in the other section of the forum.

Carina Lass · March 10, 2015

Dec balance?

I just make sure everythig is aligned with the shaft otherwise you're going to have to add a small weight to the side that is light.

If the DEC is a bit off balance, the gears will sound a bit noisy

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