Alternatives to a heq5

[Gumph242]

What non-skywatcher mounts are available for around the same price as a heq5? And are they any better?

Thanks

G

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[rowan46]

theres the celestron vx http://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-mounts/celestron-advanced-vx-mount.html

the ioptron zeq25 http://www.altairastro.com/product.php?productid=16591&cat=266&page=1

as to whether they are better, the jury is out on that as the other 2 scopes are too new to have established any sort of history yet. If you want a scope that is guaranteed to work get the heq5

[johnrt]

Indeed what's wrong with a HEQ5 they do the job, no fuss and last for donkey's years.

[Gumph242]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the heq5, but i just like to see what alternatives there with anything i buy

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[foundaplanet]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the heq5, but i just like to see what alternatives there with anything i buy

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One of the good things about owning a Skywatcher mount is that lots of other people have them so there is plenty of knowledge at hand..

[Gumph242]

One of the good things about owning a Skywatcher mount is that lots of other people have them so there is plenty of knowledge at hand..

That is a very good point, i will in all probability get the heq.

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[swag72]

The HEQ5 is a good mount that punches well above it's price tag. The desire to think outside of the box, for me, would be negated when I was looking at such a solid performer with so many owners.

[baggywrinkle]

I have the EQ5, but I am a bit flummoxed over what an HEQ5 or an HEQ5pro does...can anyone enlighten me? I look at the Skywatcher website but they do not do a side by side comparison.

[Gumph242]

As far as i can tell the heq5 is basically a heftier more stable mount than the eq5. It can carry more weight and probably has many other advancements that i am not aware of.

The pro version is the same mount but with a synscan tracking upgrade bolted on.

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[baggywrinkle]

/\ Immediate enlightenment....thanks.

[knobby]

Heavier / heavier payload / more sturdy and higher resolution motors so finer tracking is possible... I'm sure there's more though

[swag72]

There's also better stepper motors in the HEQ5 (the 2 best models) so that you get better tracking. That's worth it alone in my book.