The Skywatcher HEQ5 and HEQ5 Syntrek are back!

[FLO]

We have some good news

The regular Skywatcher HEQ5 and HEQ5 Syntrek mounts have returned. They were withdrawn from sale last year in favour of the more popular and higher spec'd HEQ5 PRO but have been re-released in response to demand here in the UK.

So, we now three versions of the HEQ5 available:

Skywatcher HEQ5 features built-in motors and, a polarscope and manual handset. Best suited to visual astronomy.

Skywatcher HEQ5 Syntrek adds high quality stepper motors, new mother-board and ST-4 autoguiding port for astrophotography.

Skywatcher HEQ5 PRO is is a HEQ5 Syntrek but supplied with a Synscan GOTO handset, not the manual handset.

The regular HEQ5 can be upgraded to full PRO spec using the optional Synscan PRO GOTO Upgrade kit.

The HEQ5 and HEQ5 PRO are in stock, the Syntrek model will be available "soon".

Hope that helps,

Steve

[garethmob]

woooooooo

[Quatermass]

Yahooo

[4lefts]

so the motors in the black and the white ones are different too? not just the paint and the shape of the handset? glad these are back though... makes the jump up from the eq5 a lot smaller.

[Black Knight]

Not in the market for one, but good news nonetheless

Sent from my mobile using Tapatalk, so please excuse the speeling and granma!

[FLO]

so the motors in the black and the white ones are different too?

Yes, that is why the HEQ5 upgrade kit costs so much, it includes new motors, motherboard and handset.

HTH

[John]

Would the standard HEQ5 be a suitable mount for an Evostar 150 F/8, for visual use only ?.

I have a set of the 2" CG5 tripod legs I could use with it.

[Andrew*]

Would the standard HEQ5 be a suitable mount for an Evostar 150 F/8, for visual use only ?.

I have a set of the 2" CG5 tripod legs I could use with it.

I would say that's the ideal combination, John. The EQ5 is okay, but it will definitely be happier on the HEQ5...

The only thing is, those Cg5 legs are quite short, so a HEQ5/EQ5 extension would be a good idea. They are all compatible.

[garethmob]

what would be the maximum scope for viewing on one of the black HEQ5?

[Andrew*]

10" inch newt, at a push, I would say.

[garethmob]

thanks andrew

[Kolloth]

FLO guys,

do you think that SkyWatcher will keep them in stock for a good while or is this a short term thing only? I'd really like the Syntrek model but it will most likely be towards the end of the year before i've got the money spare

[FLO]

It is difficult to be sure of anything these days but I would be surprised if they were withdrawn this year.

[Ant]

Can I take this opportunity to remind that we have a complete walk through of the upgrade from Standard HEQ5 to PRO version >>HERE<<

It's quite an easy upgrade.

Ant

[John]

I would say that's the ideal combination, John. The EQ5 is okay, but it will definitely be happier on the HEQ5...

The only thing is, those Cg5 legs are quite short, so a HEQ5/EQ5 extension would be a good idea. They are all compatible.

Thanks Andrew

The CG5 tripod I have actually seems to be a few inches taller than the standard HEQ5 one but I do have a 16" HEQ5/EQ5 pillar extension as well. With the CG5 tripod at full extension that puts the mount height to over 6 feet which ought to be enough - unless I invest in a 6" F/15 or similar

The pillar extension means that you don't need the legs at full extension of course, which adds to the stability of the setup. The not inconsiderable weight of the pillar extension helps there too