Stephen Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Via Astronomy & Nature Centre (SnS) posted on twitter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bombassa Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I've seen pics before but once again - It's quite big isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 That is one big mount! Makes the EQ6 in the background look totally inadequate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I don't understand why these SkyWatcher mounts are so retro. It is all very old technology and user unfriendly. When are they going to come into the 21st Century? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 I don't understand why these SkyWatcher mounts are so retro. It is all very old technology and user unfriendly. When are they going to come into the 21st Century?In which ways? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 In which ways?I was wondering the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Hardly grab and go It looks huge - maybe when I move and get a shed!Ant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 In which ways?RS-232 ??? - Virtually obsolete on modern computers. Why not USB or BlueTooth then you don't need unreliable adaptor cables?Ergonomics - general construction that breaks your back, polarscope that breaks your neck, adjustment screws that break your fingernails. This is bad human interface design!The handset interface and display - any cheap phone is miles better but here in 2011 there are smartphones and MP3 players with easy to use touch displays - in colour.I won't even start on control layout and aesthetics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewzilla Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Thats a monster!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I want that mount ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euan Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 RS-232 ??? - Virtually obsolete on modern computers. Why not USB or BlueTooth then you don't need unreliable adaptor cables?Seems a bit backward, but I'm still a big fan to be honest. OK so you have to get a USB adaptor if you have a laptop, but there is nothing more stable than a PCI RS232 card IMHO. It's low speed control so a high speed interface isn't required. I work in AV automation and I would use RS232/485 over USB, Ethernet and Bluetooth control anyday. It's still the no1 control standard in AV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euan Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Just watched the video and that does look the dogs, but as usual with Skywatcher it all comes down to priceThe handset interface and displayI have to agree with you on that, I hate that handset, EQMOD all the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon Brush Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Very much agree with Euan. I work in industrial controls.The high signal levels (voltage) and low data rate of RS232 mean that it is extrmely resilient to electrical interference. Add to that, with the correct choice of components little features like 15000 static discharge immunity are there.The interace provided on laptops and the like is very much driven the fashion and the requirements of the home computer market. We all want high data rates and preferably no wires. Or if we do need a wire/plug, it has to be tiny.Oh did I mention temperature? Many of the consumer products are fine at room temperature, but not at extremes. As a general rule the industrial products are going to work at sub zero temperatures.RS232 and other 'old fashioned' communications methods are far from dead. It is just that they don't feature on clever phones and new laptops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whippy Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 RS-232 ??? - Virtually obsolete on modern computers. Why not USB or BlueTooth then you don't need unreliable adaptor cables?Ergonomics - general construction that breaks your back, polarscope that breaks your neck, adjustment screws that break your fingernails. This is bad human interface design!The handset interface and display - any cheap phone is miles better but here in 2011 there are smartphones and MP3 players with easy to use touch displays - in colour.I won't even start on control layout and aesthetics!Fair enough, but I'd rather have all that (and TBH I don't see them as big issues) and it'll be accurate rather than something that looks great and is easy to use but can't track for toffee. Tony.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_l Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 RS-232 ??? - Virtually obsolete on modern computers. Why not USB or BlueTooth then you don't need unreliable adaptor cables?Give me a simple, reliable wired point-to-point connection any day. The biggest issue with USB is that every time I plug something in to a different port it gets re-instantiated and comes up with a different port number so configurations have to be manually updated/debugged, sometimes it even insists on reinstalling drivers. Even in the same USB port, if something else in a different USB socket has changed, that can affect the port number which is assigned. As fas a bluetooth goes: nice idea, in practice it's too fussy about connections, idents and range. All you need is for another piece of equipment to interfere with the signal and your mount is off, wandering the skies on it's own , out of control. If wires are good enough for the mount's internal connection they're good enough for me to connect it to a computer.I won't even start on control layout and aesthetics!But it's only used at night It's dark, so no-one will see it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunster Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 display - any cheap phone is miles better but here in 2011 there are smartphones and MP3 players with easy to use touch displays - in colour.!Your using this at night, very few people would like a touch screen colour display that destroys night vision.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 Your using this at night, very few people would like a touch screen colour display that destroys night vision.. Amen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
661-pete Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Wasn't there a story about the EQ7 being withdrawn, to be replaced by a (very up-market) EQ8?The great thing about the much-loved EQ6 is its competitive price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickH Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 It's worse than that...the whole thing has been put back abut a year, the one they have is a pre-production model... they are re-designing the whole thing! What you see here is a one off not what you'll eventually get... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 Probably worth a bob or two then ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickH Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Not when you see the spec for the new one :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackparticle Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 That's some loading capacity. Would anyone care to post up a pic of what a 45kg OTA looks like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin_h Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 It might look different, but it still sounds the same as an EQ5/6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatwoul Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I prefer the name EQ8.As for the looks of the thing, I like it. I like the "retro" feel of some of this stuff. Give me something that looks like it belongs in a high school science lab over something that is trying to look like a Porsche any day!What I particularly like about the current photos of this mount is that it looks utilitarian.I was also glad to hear it. When I first got my EQ6, the noises made me wince, but now I'm used to it, I think I would miss the sounds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 I'm looking forward to any new development that moves forward from the NEQ6. Like everything else, price will be the key element here and there is a healthy price gap in the market that could help fund a greater load capacity. On a smaller point, I wonder if they can redesign a polar scope that has a little diagonal on the back to assist easier viewing? James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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