Skywatcher Az-eq 5 / 6

[seiko]

I currently have a Takahashi TSA120 but want to compliment it ideally with a C11. Will the smaller 5 handle a C11?

Also, is it possible to attach the Tak clamshell directly to either? The Tak clamshell has 2 x m8 screws. I have previously mounted the TAK clamshell to a skywatcher skytee by simple removing the clamp head which exposed a puck with the correct screw spacing?

Lastly, I understand that these mounts come with dual encoders allowing manual movement without loosing position. I have skyfi and skysafari on my iPad. If I manually slew the mount having aligned will the handset relay the position via skyfi so I can see where the scope is pointing on the iPad?

Hope you can help

[A40farinagolf]

Hi,

I'd go for the 6 especially if you want to do AP.

My AZ EQ6 is quite new to me so still learning, it copes with my 130mm APO which I expect is similar weight to your Tak.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

M

[A40farinagolf]

Hi,

I think I misread the original thread - I don't think a 5 will support a C11.

C925 will be OK and I might convert mine one day to go onto my 6

[MattJenko]

I agree. I wouldn't feel very comfortable with a C11 weighing down a 5.

[Cornelius Varley]

The C11 weighs 12.47kgs, start adding eyepieces, finder etc and you might get close to the 5's capacity of 15kg in eq mode or 15+15kg in az. The 6 has a max capacity of 25kg (visual) and 18kgs (imaging)

[Ouroboros]

Isn't there an issue with Skyfi/Sky Safari not working with an AZ-EQ6? There's a thread on SGL about it somewhere. Maybe it's all been resolved now, but it's why I haven't gone down that route.

[johnpd]

I have had an issue with using SkySafari to run my AZ-EQ6 in Alt-Az Mode. There are occasions where it ends up about 1 degree off the target. If I tap GoTo again, it then positions the mount properly on the target. This was testing it using stars in the northern sky (Ursa Minor, Ursa Major, Draco, etc.). I have the latest Synscan firmware (v3.37) installed. I don't know what is happening. I contacted the developers, but they don't know either. I will be getting an AZ-EQ5 in the near future and will see if that is any better. I also might try EQ Mode to see if that has the same issue.

JohnD

[Ouroboros]

Thanks, John. I'll be interested to hear what happens.

[seiko]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm going to hold fire for now and will pick up a half hitch nova for the time being.

Thanks