Synscan change to different EQ

[Vlad]

Hi,

I have an EQ3-4 mount with motors. I also have an EQ 3-2 with synscan upgrade from Syntrek. I would like to use this synscan on the EQ3-4. Is the mod possible? Will the bits from the EQ3-2 fit the EQ 3-4?

Any advice in this instance would be good advice, even though all good advice is usually fatal!!

[Cornelius Varley]

Is there a EQ3-4 mount ? never heard of that one.

The EQ mounts are EQ3-2 (sometimes also known as EQ3), EQ4, EQ5 (the EQ4 is basically an EQ5 on the EQ3-2 tripod), HEQ5 and EQ6. The EQ4 and EQ5 share the same gear ratios and it should be possible to convert the old EQ4 to goto using the EQ5 upgrade. The EQ3-2 mounts have a different gear ratio and are not comptable with the EQ4 or EQ5 mounts.

Peter

[Vlad]

Peter,

Thanks for that information. Never had an EQ3 until this one. It is an EQ3. I also have the EQ4, but I now know, thanks to you, that the two are incompatible. I will just have to use the EQ3 with goto and save the EQ4 for taking out. The EQ3 will stand on my steel concreted in pier in my observatory, where I will mount my 150 Pro skywatcher Maksutov. Should be OK I think.

[Cornelius Varley]

The Skymax 150 is probably a bit heavy for the EQ3.

Peter

[earth titan]

The Skymax 150 is probably a bit heavy for the EQ3.

Peter

Would agree. I used a 127 on an EQ3 but the extra size and weight of the 150 may be pushing it.

[Vlad]

OK I take advice from those in the know. So my EQ3 should go, then.Pity, I had great hopes for it. I will stick to my EQ5 for now, and hope to raise enough to upgrade to synscan. I presume that is a goer? It already has new motors and handset, unused as yet, I installed it three weeks ago. Another dead £100! Thanks for the input. Much appreciated.

[sologuitarist61]

I seem to remember seeing an upgrade kit for the EQ5 to take it to GoTo, but it seemed quite expensive - £250-300 as I recall.