EQ5 GOTO Advice (Sky Safari Control)

[andrewfkay]

Hi,

I'm looking to upgrade my EQ5 mount with Goto. However, £300 is a lot and I was wondering if I would have the same functionality using the dual-axis motors (modded with the guide port) and then using Sky Safari on my android tablet to control?

Am I way off the mark here? Is this a possible work around or should I just go for the full Goto setup?

Thanks

Andrew K

[Stephen]

Way off I'm afraid, dual axis motors don't have any form of GOTO or remote control functionality in them.

[andrewfkay]

There is a mod for the motors though to allow auto-guide connection. Still a no?

http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/eq_mod.pdf

[Stephen]

There is a mod for the motors though to allow auto-guide connection. Still a no?

http://www.store.sho....com/eq_mod.pdf

Still a no.

The autoguide is nothing more than an interface that allows the PC to send "blips" to the mount, move left a little, move up a little.

GOTO is a programmable language built into the GOTO mounts where the PC can say "move to RA XX:XX DEC YY;YY"

The hardware is just not in the simple motors

[andrewfkay]

Ok, not the answer I was hoping for but thanks for your advice.

I would still like to be able to control my telescope using the Sky Safari app on my android tablet. Is this only possible if I get the GOTO addition to my EQ5?

[Stephen]

Ok, not the answer I was hoping for but thanks for your advice.

I would still like to be able to control my telescope using the Sky Safari app on my android tablet. Is this only possible if I get the GOTO addition to my EQ5?

I don't know much about the Sky Safari app, but I have to presume it operates on the same principle as the EQMod/EQDir projects.

These products basically replace the GOTO handset, so yes, you need a GOTO capable mount (SynTrek or SynScan) to use PC/Tablet control.

Given you have a 200P, I'd recommend going for a HEQ5 rather than an EQ5 also. (Consider second hand if new is too costly?)

[andrewfkay]

How is the HEQ5 different to the EQ5 (sorry newb question I know)?

I'm looking to downsize my scope to a 80mm APO refractor for logistical reasons. I have to travel to get a reasonably dark sky and have found the amount of lugging at the moment prohibitive. Would the EQ5 with the GOTO not be sufficient? I'm just trying to do this on a tight-ish budget.

[Stephen]

How is the HEQ5 different to the EQ5 (sorry newb question I know)?

I'm looking to downsize my scope to a 80mm APO refractor for logistical reasons. I have to travel to get a reasonably dark sky and have found the amount of lugging at the moment prohibitive. Would the EQ5 with the GOTO not be sufficient? I'm just trying to do this on a tight-ish budget.

Better load capacity, better build, S/H costs about the same as EQ5 + GOTO upgrade, more suited for the 200P if you every decided to stick a camera on it

However if you're looking at downsizing, the EQ5 GOTO should be perfectly suitable.

[andrewfkay]

Is the HEQ5 basically the EQ5 with goto built into the mount but without the handset (plus the extra load capacity etc?)

[Stephen]

Is the HEQ5 basically the EQ5 with goto built into the mount but without the handset (plus the extra load capacity etc?)

I didn't quite follow what you were say there, but I think the answer is "roughly sort of but not really"

The HEQ5 is a different class of mount to the EQ5 (IMHO!)

http://www.firstligh...ro-synscan.html

[Cornelius Varley]

The HEQ5 Pro is more like a scaled down EQ6.

Peter

[Stephen]

The HEQ5 Pro is more like a scaled down EQ6.

Peter

Could not of said it better

[andrewfkay]

Ah, thanks for your help.