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HEQ6 advice - handset or not?

kirkster501

By kirkster501
in Discussions - Mounts

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kirkster501

kirkster501

Posted
Posted

Hi all,

I am in the market for a HEQ6 mount. I only ever use EQmod, I never use the handset on my HEQ5.

So a EQ6 Syntrek without the handset is £120 less than the HEQ6 Pro on FLO (£840 instead of £960. I understand the mounts are identical other than that. If I got the Pro version the handset would be just left in the drawer.

Is there any other killer reason to require the handset? I can save £120 if not. (I use EQdimmer as well so don't need the handset to dim the polarscope). How do you upgrade the mount software without the handset for example?

Thanks, Steve

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kirkster501

kirkster501

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So how would you guide a scope that was using the handset, as opposed to the PC, to drive the mount. Is that possible? Would their be any point?

I agree with you Olly that when the PC occasionally runs out of power my entire session is over with EQmod. And sometimes, if not imaging (50% of the time), its a faff messing about with the PC. There is a definite use-case to use the handset more.

Can't make up my mind what to do ! :rolleyes:

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ollypenrice

ollypenrice

Posted
Posted

There's no problem with using a handset and autoguiding. We do that all the time here. You just run an ST4 cable (not strictly the right term but it's commonly used) from the guide camera to the mount and a USB from the guide cam to the PC.

If you like running the mount from the planetarium then there's no point. However, I have never known a planetarium control that didn't fall over from time to time. Only last week our Tak mount spontaneously stopped talking to TheSky 6. Half an hour wasted. This happens several times a year. In the last five years, however, we've had only one handset glitch. I'm particularly fussed over this issue because the first part of the night is the busiest, trying to get several systems up and running on some occasions, so half an hour wasted can really mean an hour and a half because the other mounts are idle while we faff with the bad one.

If planetarium control were dead reliable then I'd go for it because it has clear advantages. However, I meet plenty of people who have endless hassle with anything ASCOM, though others swear by it. It won't work for me despite the ministrations of several IT professionals.

Olly

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GlassWalker

GlassWalker

Posted
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I went for the cheaper handset version, and actually I like it so much I still haven't got round to setting up EQmod and all the rest to control it yet. Just plug the handset in and it starts tracking. I'm not bad at aiming things manually so don't absolutely need goto. I also use the ST4 cable for guiding. So to me the extra cost of the posher handset would not have provided tangible benefit.

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kirkster501

kirkster501

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Hi Guys, thanks for the input.

So there is the NEQ6 Pro Synscan:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-neq6-pro-synscan.html

and the EQ6 Syntrek:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-eq6-syntrek.html

FLO's site seem to imply the only difference between these two is the handset that is part of the NEQ6 Pro Synscan package.

IS that you guys reading as well? I may ping them for an explanation....

THanks, Steve

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Spikey

Spikey

Posted
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I think you've answered your own question Steve. If you only ever use EQMOD and have never used the handset with the HEQ5 then I doubt you will use a handset with an EQ6.

You still get a handset with the syntrek but it's tracking only & not goto. As far as I can tell the Synscan handsets are interchangeable (cable permitting). They are also flashable between the EQ & the ALTAZ version.

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r3i

r3i

Posted
Posted

Hi Guys, thanks for the input.

So there is the NEQ6 Pro Synscan:

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

and the EQ6 Syntrek:

http://www.firstligh...q6-syntrek.html

FLO's site seem to imply the only difference between these two is the handset that is part of the NEQ6 Pro Synscan package.

IS that you guys reading as well? I may ping them for an explanation....

Yes - the only difference is the handset. I went down the Syntrek route and control everything from the laptop via EQMOD & CdC and pulse guiding via PHD. Seems to all work together nicely without any problems, though I don't do anywhere near the number of sessions that Olly does.

Does the handset with the HEQ5 not work with the HEQ6? If its the same mount as the NEQ6 then it will, so the question is why not use your existing, or is this going on sale with the HEQ5?

Not 100% certain but I think the handset connectors on the HEQ5 and NEQ6 are different?

I quite like the handsets- makes nudging a target into centre at the eyepiece easier.

You can do this via EQMOD using a wireless gamepad controller - works a treat.

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  • 6 months later...
Imd

Imd

Posted
Posted

Wow thanks for all these responses.

However I have just noticed a really bad typo in my original request. I have an EQ5 Synscan at the moment not HEQ5. I believe all the synscan controllers look very similar and have a similar connection but I have never tried to see of the EQ5 controller is compatible with the HEQ6 Syntrek mount.

I appreciate that there are some differences of opinion about using the handset vs EQMOD. I intend to use both at different times. I like using a handset for a quick look or snap. But if I was to take time to prepare properly I intend to use EQMOD.

I'm not sure if anyone was able to answer my question about the compatibility as to whetherthe handset in this package:

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/synscan-goto-upgrade-kit_d2493.html

Is identicial to this handset:

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/synscan-pro-goto-upgrade-kit_d1113.html

Also I was wondering about the advice you may have about buying a used HEQ6, but Im wondering whether I should set up a new post for this request.

Thanks

Ian

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Imd

Imd

Posted
Posted

Wow thanks for all these responses.

However I have just noticed a really bad typo in my original request. I have an EQ5 Synscan at the moment not HEQ5. I believe all the synscan controllers look very similar and have a similar connection but I have never tried to see of the EQ5 controller is compatible with the HEQ6 Syntrek mount.

I appreciate that there are some differences of opinion about using the handset vs EQMOD. I intend to use both at different times. I like using a handset for a quick look or snap. But if I was to take time to prepare properly I intend to use EQMOD.

I'm not sure if anyone was able to answer my question about the compatibility as to whetherthe handset in this package:

http://www.rotherval...-kit_d2493.html

Is identicial to this handset:

http://www.rotherval...-kit_d1113.html

Also I was wondering about the advice you may have about buying a used HEQ6, but Im wondering whether I should set up a new post for this request.

Thanks

Ian

Please ignore this post, Im soo embarresed. I was responding to a very similar post raised at a similar time. Please excuse me.

:)

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