New Skywatcher AZ EQ6 mount

[FLO]

Together with the Skywatcher EQ8 we also have news of a new Skywatcher AZ EQ6 dual-load, dual-purpose mount incorporating both Alt-Azimuth & Equatorial GOTO functions.

Features include 'Intelligent astronomic platform' offering star charts driven pointing with a new Synscan Tour graphical handset and a second platform where the counterweight bar can be replaced by a useful second telescope (such as a guidescope). Worldwide AZimuthal and EQuatorial platform for all latitudes that can also be used as a high stability platform for wildlife and landscape observation. It is is 26% lighter than the original EQ6 mount so more portable.

No news yet of a launch date or price but we are expecting it to arrive around the end of this year.

For details of this and other Skywatcher mounts please visit our website.

UPDATE: For a more recent thread with price, specification and an ETA please see HERE

[FLO]

Another larger photo

[E621Keith]

This is exciting. Any idea how much this will cost?

It would be great if this is a direct replacement for the standard model and cost the same.

[spaceboy]

Now that's pretty cool!! Shame it will no doubt cost an arm and a leg, a vital organ, one foot an ear and three ribs

[riklaunim]

If it will hit the market sooner than later - I want one

[Parus major]

I think the NEQ6 just lost resale value.

[MjrTom]

Its about time we had this function.

It might give me an incentive to go for an EQ mount if it can also be used Alt/az which is my preference

[E621Keith]

I think the NEQ6 just lost resale value.

That Synscan Tour will probably kill the Vixen Starbook. May be I should sell my SBS before the Synscan Tour become standard for the cheaper mounts.

P.S. According to Skywatcher's website the Synscan Tour comes with an Astrology function ... I'm sure not one else would dare to put something like that in their telescope.

[Black Knight]

P.S. According to Skywatcher's website the Synscan Tour comes with an Astrology function

A typo, surely?

[Parus major]

No, it really isn't. It's Chinese, they go for that sort of thing.

[Black Knight]

No, it really isn't. It's Chinese, they go for that sort of thing.

Hehehe! Somehow I just knew it was gonna be true! . Anyway, I shall be looking forward to seeing how these perform - not that I'd be likely to be able to afford an EQ8 anyway!

[E621Keith]

A typo, surely?

TELESCOPE SUPPLIERS - SKY-WATCHER TELESCOPE

Main Features:

• Identify over 58,000 Celestial Objects and Constellations

• Locate Celestial Objects

• Guided Tour of the Sky

• Astronomy Encyclopedia

• Telescope Mount Control (It is applicable as a hand controller to motorized telescopes from Sky-Watcher, Celestron, and Orion.)

• Astronomy Events Calendar

• Ancient Chinese Astrology, Baqua and Fengshui

• Multimedia and Entertainment Console

• It can be expanded to include additional functions such as games and GPS navigation, as well as Infrared auto wake-up function.

If they put 'Ancient Chinese Astrology', I'd assume it's a typo and what they meant was this also uses anicent Chinese constellations. But 'Baqua and Fengshui' is definitely astrology stuff.

[Parus major]

Hehehe! Somehow I just knew it was gonna be true! . Anyway, I shall be looking forward to seeing how these perform - not that I'd be likely to be able to afford an EQ8 anyway!

Afford it?! I bet none of us can lift it!

[Black Knight]

TELESCOPE SUPPLIERS - SKY-WATCHER TELESCOPE

Main Features:

• It can be expanded to include additional functions such as games and GPS navigation, as well as Infrared auto wake-up function.

Games! What like Space Invaders? . I guess GPS navigation could bring a whole new meaning to driving your mount .... . Is the wakeup function for the mount or the tired-out, up-all-night amateur astrophotographer?

[twotter]

I wonder if this mount will arrive any sooner than the dob goto mounts that were due last Autumn???

[garethmob]

Would it be too much to ask for a eq5 or heq5 version? Lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Anweniel]

Wow, all this mount news is such good timing for me, should be in the market for one soon. Was wondering how/if this compares well with the meade Lx80 GEM-alt-az First Light Optics - Meade LX80 GEM & Alt-Az Mount, particuarly price wise

[Ian123]

The AZ EQ6 looks pig ugly, my opinion whereas the EQ8 looks pretty cool.

[johninderby]

Synscan Tour instruction manual. See page 39 for telescope control

http://www.skywatcher.com/swtsupport/Instruction_Manuals/Synscan2english.pdf

I've started a new thread in the equipment section.

John

[jam1e1]

thats this years bonus spent already! Hope it works with skyfi module

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

Does it come with a free box of ammo?

[SplintUK]

Makes me wonder if someone couldn't make a dovetail adapter for the heq5 or neq6 to put a guidescope on the end of the counterweight bar... A bit like on the az eq6 here. Or would it clash with the tripod?

[dmahon]

What, you mean like this?

Starway TelePack - Counterweight Shaft Camera and Accessory Mount

Max load 5kg

[dmahon]

Or the Vixen weight-shaft camera bracket?

[SplintUK]

Thanks for those ;-)