EQ-3 Pro goto or Star Adventurer for first step onto ladder?

[Kolloth]

Hi all,

I've been taking some shots using my Canon 1000d with the 50mm f1.8 mounted on the mount that came with my Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ MD (with the scope removed). 

I want to take a next step up and get a cheap mount with a bit more.... precision.

I was going to get the Skywatcher Star Adventurer due to it's small size and nice range of features, but looking at the prices the EQ-3 Pro goto is only about 100 quid more and offers full goto, integration with PC and guiding in both RA and Dec axis.

I've ruled out the EQ-5 Pro goto due to cost but I do intend to save up for a NEQ-6 at some point and the controller from the EQ-3 goto can be used on the NEQ-6 which means i could get the Syntrek version rather than the Synscan, saving the 100 quid i'd spend on the EQ-3 over the Star Adventurer.

The biggest scope i could envision myself putting on the EQ-3 would be the 130p (modded to achieve focus with the DSLR or using a CCD). Again this is an advantage of the EQ-3 over the Star Adventurer, since the little fella can't take a scope (so far as i can tell).

Basically I'm trying to talk myself into spending the extra money and just want to confirm that it's justified.

So to recap,

EQ-3 goto vs Star Adventurer for use with a DSLR and lenses or a small scope.

I've also just realized I don't actually have a question, so I suppose it's just general moral support and feed back from people that have either mount.

[Kolloth]

Supplemental question: 

Does the EQ-3 head fit on the CG-3 tripod that came with the Celeston 130EQ MD?

[Cornelius Varley]

The Star Adventurer is primarily an imaging mount so if you wish to do visual as well as astro imaging the EQ3-2 would be the better option. The EQ3-2 uses the same tripod head as the EQ5 and HEQ5 and does not fit on the EQ2 / CG3 tripod. The EQ2 / CG3 is a lighter tripod anyway so may be overloaded  by the heavier eq head.

[Alien 13]

I personally would choose the EQ3-2 if you intended to use quiding, even with just a camera/lens and guide scope the adventurer would be at or above its weight limit.

The performance difference between the two when used unguided appears to be quite close.

If cost is a primary issue the standard EQ3-2 can now be fitted with the enhanced motor kits which also have a guide port but not goto http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/enhanced-dual-axis-dc-motor-drive-for-eq3-2.html.

Alan

[theghettostylus]

I have the 1000d and have successfully cut down my skywatcher 130 focuser so I can't achieve prime focus now, I was looking at the 3-2 plus the better RA Dec drive, would anyone know what the Max exposure I could get with such motor drive? My simple RA drive at the moment will only allow for 10 seconds, or should I bite the bullet and get the eq pro 3 synscan?

[theghettostylus]

I meant to say can achieve focus now.

[orly_andico]

get the EQ3.  The Star Adventurer is the best 1kg mount you can get, but it doesn't have goto or setting circles... so it's pretty hard to find anything in the sky.