Largest aperture on NEQ6 PRO?

[Planetesimal]

So, how big can you can with the OTA on the best EQ mount before you've got to use a dob? I prefer using RA Dec than Alt-Az, but I appreciate that there comes a time when you can't put a massive OTA on an EQ, no matter how sturdy the mount...

The reason I ask is, I want, in the fullness of time and with enough cash saved, to have both a visual set up and an AP set up. I was thinking it would be nice to go up 2 levels on my current 6" newt to cure the aperture fever (temporarily), which would mean something like the SW 250P DS. I could either go for the dob version at £445 or, if possible, get the OTA for £409 and stick it on the NEQ6 PRO at £960, which I will already have bought for the SW Evo 80ED Pro that I'll need to make a start on AP.

The main problem I can see is that it might be easier to find a buyer for a 10" OTA if it comes on a dob mount, when the inevitable aperture fever strikes again!

[VigdisVZ]

Coming from a beginners perspective: It depends on weight. I could see myself going very big with a truss newtonian on my NEQ6. I seem to remember the NEQ6 being rated for atleast 19kg. However, if you put up a large sail of a telescope, you will see it rocking a lot in everything but the calmest wind conditions.

A guess would be that you could probably find a light 12". But a 10" like the 250pds should be no problem what so ever, even with extras.

[Tinker1947]

The NEQ6 will take a 250PDS, plus some odds and ends... it will take a 300PDS but not much else like AP stuff.....

[66mikeg]

Don't know about having to use a dob, a more substantial EQ mount perhaps. The limiting factor is more likely to be portability 'cos an EQ6 is getting fairly hefty.

[nigelg]

If you have help setting up.

I bought my NEQ6 complete with a Sky-Watcher 300PDS f/4.9 it's a beast at 1.5 mrts focal lengrth.

It's a lot easier being mounted on a fixed pier.

Nigel

[Planetesimal]

Nigel that 350 PDS looks hilariously big on a tripod!

It appears to have taken over your whole garage... I've never seen a fixed pier before - how much would one of those set you back?

[nigelg]

That is the NEQ6 head bolted on to a 6" dia pier, bolted to 1 cubic metre of concrete in the floor of my observatory. The pier was about £450

Nigel

[laser_jock99]

I use 12" Newtonian + ST8 guidescope on an EQ6 for astrophotography on tripod (my obsy pier would be step ladder land!)). Wouldn't be good in a gale though.

[Planetesimal]

Fair enough, I wouldn't want to be out in a gale anyway!

[riklaunim]

C14 will fit too

[Black Knight]

That 300PDS makes the EQ6 look teeny tiny!

[Planetesimal]

That 300PDS makes the EQ6 look teeny tiny!

I know - it makes it look like a little three-legged stool!

[Planetesimal]

That is the NEQ6 head bolted on to a 6" dia pier, bolted to 1 cubic metre of concrete in the floor of my observatory. The pier was about £450

Nigel

You have an observatory as well!

Now that's a challenge - and I mean convincing the better half!

[nigelg]

I'm lucky the observatory and scope were her idea........with the help of mental telepathy, voodoo, and the practise of the dark arts.

Nigel

[swamp thing]

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You have an observatory as well!

Now that's a challenge - and I mean convincing the better half!

If you are wanting a huge EQ mounted newt, then an obsy is a must. There is no way your going to set up a 12" newt on an EQ every night you observe. The novelty would wear off extremely quickly indeed.

[Planetesimal]

I was thinking more 10" newt to be fair. I think if I ever go bigger than 300mm it will be a dob-mounted flex-tube for sure!

Anyway, I'm happy with my "little" 150PL for now. I can easily see M57 at 48x mag thanks to the dark skies visible from my garden, so no rush!

I also intend to spend some quality time getting to know the good people at my friendly neighbourhood AS before buying anymore 'scopes...

[leelee970]

If you are wanting a huge EQ mounted newt, then an obsy is a must. There is no way your going to set up a 12" newt on an EQ every night you observe. The novelty would wear off extremely quickly indeed.

This is so true, my hobby really kicked off for the better once I built an Obsy.

Now it is just a case of pulling off the roof and switching everything on, then if the clouds roll over then it's so easy to pack up or wait it out a little.

Go on, get building, lol