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HEQ5 vs HEQ5 pro synscan

Russe

By Russe
in Discussions - Mounts

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SaraG

SaraG

Posted
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The handset and motors?

Since astronomy is considered "niche" that gives them a blank cheque to charge whatever they can get away with on simple items that cost pittance.

For example, look at the cost of space-USB cables compared to normal USB cables yet they are both digital and aren't made from pixie dust. It's astronomical.

Be smart, shop smart. If you are paying thousands of GBP for a mount, why pay for a cheap brand such as Skywatcher (where their firmware freezes/locks up when an ant breaks wind in Korea and their latitude bolts thread and get stuck in your mount head and RA setting circles next to gimmicy artistic useless).... Why pay for that?

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hunterknox

hunterknox

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Be smart, shop smart. If you are paying thousands of GBP for a mount, why pay for a cheap brand such as Skywatcher (where their firmware freezes/locks up when an ant breaks wind in Korea and their latitude bolts thread and get stuck in your mount head and RA setting circles next to gimmicy artistic useless).... Why pay for that?

OK, maybe spend £50 on some new bolts but that's still under a grand for an EQ6 - a perfectly competent mount and not what most would call cheap.

We can presume the original poster has the money for either an EQ5 or a HEQ5. What alternatives would you suggest in a similar price range?

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malc-c

malc-c

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What about Meade or Vixen, heck even tho its the same company what about Celestron - just better parts (and software)?

Looking on the importers website the EQ6 is rated at a max payload of 25KG. The equivalent Vixen mount Sphinx AXD (the SXD is rated at 15Kg - more akin to the HEQ5). The AXD retails for £8,499...

The Celestron CGEM DX which is in the same league as the EQ6 retails for half as much again, £1430.

Whilst the offerings from Skywatcher may not be perfect, they do offer a decent performing mount below £1000.

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SaraG

SaraG

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Looking on the importers website the EQ6 is rated at a max payload of 25KG. The equivalent Vixen mount Sphinx AXD (the SXD is rated at 15Kg - more akin to the HEQ5). The AXD retails for £8,499...

The Celestron CGEM DX which is in the same league as the EQ6 retails for half as much again, £1430.

Whilst the offerings from Skywatcher may not be perfect, they do offer a decent performing mount below £1000.

Plus your £50 on replacement bolts... (and other replacement's / fixes you need to make). Perhaps a power drill to drill them out once they get jammed. That could be yet another £50, that makes it £1100 - just £330 less than the CGEM DX.

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malc-c

malc-c

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Plus your £50 on replacement bolts... (and other replacement's / fixes you need to make). Perhaps a power drill to drill them out once they get jammed. That could be yet another £50.

But it's still cheaper than the nearest equivalent :)

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SaraG

SaraG

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Don't think Greenwitch are going to knock much off an £1400 mount to be honest ! - might get something off a Vixen, but not much I guess

So take a day trip to a cheaper country and carry it back.

Budget flights :)

Isle of man or Jersey or Guernsey or Gibraltar, Liechtenstein , Switzerland...

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SaraG

SaraG

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And then get stung with VAT and Import Duty :)

Don't be silly, why would you carry receipts back with you? Post them.

You are on a photography holiday, with your photographic equipment.

I've done it. You should see the line at Gibraltar, cigarette wrappers everywhere before the checkpoint.

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Russe

Russe

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The HEQ5 comes for around 470£. I've got the synscan controller from my AZ goto mount. Would I come cheaper, if I bought the motors extra?

Furthermore, on the pics showing the HEQ5, a controller is there. I'm mildly confused...

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malc-c

malc-c

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You need to remove the cover on your mount to identify what "version" of HEQ5 it is. If there are two large gears of approx equal size on each motor then you need to purchase the full synscan upgrade which includes two new precision stepper motors, Synscan motor control board and Synscan handset. If there are three gears per motor then you only need to purchase the synscan handset as your mount already has the precision motors and control board

Basic:

heq5+how+to+upgrade+039.jpg

Syntrek / Synscan

heq5+how+to+upgrade+068.jpg

The choice of HEQ5 mounts has recently been simplified as only the HEQ5 Synscan pro is now being imported. Also there are differences between synscan handsets that are used with Alt/AZ mounts and EQ mounts, so you couldn't take one from your AZ goto and use that on an HEQ5. Nor can you purchase just the motors, you have to buy the complete synscan upgrade kit.

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Cornelius Varley

Cornelius Varley

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You need to remove the cover on your mount to identify what "version" of HEQ5 it is. If there are two large gears of approx equal size on each motor then you need to purchase the full synscan upgrade which includes two new precision stepper motors, Synscan motor control board and Synscan handset. If there are three gears per motor then you only need to purchase the synscan handset as your mount already has the precision motors and control board

Basic:

heq5+how+to+upgrade+039.jpg

Syntrek / Synscan

heq5+how+to+upgrade+068.jpg

The choice of HEQ5 mounts has recently been simplified as only the HEQ5 Synscan pro is now being imported. Also there are differences between synscan handsets that are used with Alt/AZ mounts and EQ mounts, so you couldn't take one from your AZ goto and use that on an HEQ5. Nor can you purchase just the motors, you have to buy the complete synscan upgrade kit.

You don't need to go that far, the HEQ5 Pro mount has the ST4 port the basic HEQ5 doesn't.

Peter

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Psychobilly

Psychobilly

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Links to both versions of the HEQ-5 from FLO's website

First Light Optics - Skywatcher HEQ5 - Analog Motor drives.. simple controller

First Light Optics - Skywatcher HEQ5 PRO Synscan - Stepper motors, goto etc...

It's a pity they discontinued the Syntrek version :)

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-heq5-syntrek.html

Peter...

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