EQ Mounts

[twelly27]

Hi all

Im saving money to get myself an EQ mount, im currently looking at the EQ3-2 mount and adding the motors, im wondering if theres any way to buy a EQ3-2 mount with a GOTO system? or will i need to get a much more expensive mount id like to stay away from buying the GOTO upgrade for the mount as this will probably been the same if not more expensive then the mount itself.

Any info, usefull links, sellers would be helpfull

Regards

Chris

[Kropster]

Hi Chris

I have an EQ3-2 Pro Synscan Goto.... First Light optics have it for £390... which is probably less than upgrading an EQ3-2 afterwards.

Works like a dream.

Steve

[sologuitarist61]

For that sort of money you could always look at a EQ5 or a Celestron CG5GT on the second-hand market. which will give you something a step up from the EQ3-2.

[twelly27]

Hi Chris

I have an EQ3-2 Pro Synscan Goto.... First Light optics have it for £390... which is probably less than upgrading an EQ3-2 afterwards.

Works like a dream.

Steve

i did see on the site i use that an EQ 5 was way cheaper the a EQ3 GOTO as Richard said, but i feel that with how new i am it might be worth getting the GOTO, i know where the objects id like to work on are already but its when it comes to the new ones such as new nebulas etc that ill need the help locating, if it works aswell as you say im pushing towards getting it, i suppose i could always talk to the shop owner when i go to buy

Regards

Chris

[E621Keith]

Both EQ5 and EQ3-2 can be retrofitted with GOTO in the future. The GOTO upgrade kit cost around £300

EQ3-2 Mount http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-eq3-2-deluxe.html

Dual axis Motors http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/dual-axis-dc-motor-drive-for-eq3-2.html

GOTO upgrade kit http://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/SkyWatcher_SynScan_PRO_GOTO_Upgrade_Kit_For_EQ3-2_Mount.html

EQ3-2 with GOTO http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-eq3-pro-synscan-goto.html

Note: Motor in dual axis kit is not compatible with GOTO kit. Dual axis runs on 6V, GOTO runs on 12V

[twelly27]

Both EQ5 and EQ3-2 can be retrofitted with GOTO in the future. The GOTO upgrade kit cost around £300

EQ3-2 Mount http://www.firstligh...3-2-deluxe.html

Dual axis Motors http://www.firstligh...-for-eq3-2.html

GOTO upgrade kit http://www.harrisont...Q3-2_Mount.html

EQ3-2 with GOTO http://www.firstligh...nscan-goto.html

Note: Motor in dual axis kit is not compatible with GOTO kit. Dual axis runs on 6V, GOTO runs on 12V

thats what i mean, from Rother Valley Optics i can get a EQ3 GOTO for £399, instead of spending more money

[Kropster]

As a newbie, I would definitely recommend getting GOTO... It makes viewing objects much easier if you have trouble locating them by star hopping or using the finder to aim where you think they should be.. which can be frustrating, especially if the light pollution or haze makes locating fainter stars difficult.

I spent some frustrating sessions searching for objects before I got the GOTO... now they are much more rewarding..... a quick alignment and off you go at the touch of a button!

You can learn the sky later and not be put off altogether by not being able to find anything.

[twelly27]

As a newbie, I would definitely recommend getting GOTO... It makes viewing objects much easier if you have trouble locating them by star hopping or using the finder to aim where you think they should be.. which can be frustrating, especially if the light pollution or haze makes locating fainter stars difficult.

I spent some frustrating sessions searching for objects before I got the GOTO... now they are much more rewarding..... a quick alignment and off you go at the touch of a button!

You can learn the sky later and not be put off altogether by not being able to find anything.

The one ive got now is GOTO thats why i want to keep GOTO if i can things such as orion nebul i could find without goto but other things like the California nebula and Andromeda Galaxy i would not know where to start, i think its almost certain im going for the EQ3 GOTO, around £390 thanks for all the info!

Regards

Chris

[swamp thing]

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The one ive got now is GOTO thats why i want to keep GOTO if i can things such as orion nebul i could find without goto but other things like the California nebula and Andromeda Galaxy i would not know where to start, i think its almost certain im going for the EQ3 GOTO, around £390 thanks for all the info!

Regards

Chris

I fully understand your thinking here, but be aware just because your scope can find them, it doesn't always follow that you'll actually be able to see them. The California nebula you mention is a tough object. From a LP sky it's not really an object I would be expecting great thing of, if at all.

For faint fuzzies a dark sky is THE most important factor, by a country mile. A Goto system with a ten thousand object database is useless if the LP stops you seeing them.

Always try and observe from the darkest location you possibly can. I kid you not, the rewards for a bit of effort here are more than worth it.

[twelly27]

I fully understand your thinking here, but be aware just because your scope can find them, it doesn't always follow that you'll actually be able to see them. The California nebula you mention is a tough object. From a LP sky it's not really an object I would be expecting great thing of, if at all.

For faint fuzzies a dark sky is THE most important factor, by a country mile. A Goto system with a ten thousand object database is useless if the LP stops you seeing them.

Always try and observe from the darkest location you possibly can. I kid you not, the rewards for a bit of effort here are more than worth it.

i understand what you say I already knew that it's more for my astrophotography side the GOTO puts me more or less in the correct location that's what I need if you get me I'm going to go to the shop I use and really talk it through with the people there

Regards

Chris