-Joe_

Hi, Just getting started on imaging, but been zooming around on my nexstar 6SE for 6 months now. bit of background: BSc in astrophysics, retired AI/software engineer, ex-photographer with experience in focus stacking for macro, had a cheapo refractor when 16 and used to drool over the SCT ads in the astronomy magazines - hence the nexstar 🐵 Ive been doing the research, read Make Every Photon Count, etc and come up with a game plan: Ive got £5k sitting in a savings account as my Astro budget for the next 4 years. I plan to start with a GEQ, add the 6SE onto that, learn as much as I can, buy the next bit, rinse and repeat. I plan on controlling all this through kstars/ekos. Sound sensible? I aim to end up with the mount, refractor, guidance, focussing, filters, ccd, guide camera (also use this for planetary). The 6SE will end up back on nexstar mount for playing with by eye. Obviously I’m prepared for this to change as I learn (a lot) more. I cant seem to get past the first hurdle though. Ive settled down on a skywatcher mount. HEQ5, NEQ5, EQ6-R Pro... etc. But can’t figure which.. I reckon I’ve got £1500 to spend on the mount, should I just get the top one I can afford, or will this be overkill? Would an EQ5 at just over £500 be just as good for me for the next few years? I want to buy new, because warranty, beginner, etc, but also because I’m in far west Wales, and can only see used ones in excess of 5 hrs away... Now, I always remember the maxim: spend half the budget on the mount, but I guess it’s less with imaging given the extras needed? TL;DR: Which Sky-watcher Mount should I get? thanks joe