Celestron Nexstar SLT and SW AZ Synscan identical?

[Schorhr]

Hello,

quick question, as I narrowed down my choice and saw one of these on-sale...

Are the "Celestron NexStar SLT" and "Sky-Watcher Az Synscan Goto" identical (hardware-wise)?[7b]

I saw several posts that suggested this, only different controllers (easier alignment VS larger catalog, so nothing deal breaking)

HOWEVER, the Celestron mount is specified with a max. load 3,5kg, while the Sky-Watcher mount is advertised with 5kg...

So are they different, or is Celestron honest about the max. load of these mounts?

;-)

Thanks for any advice!

//EDIT

Oh, one more thing:

Can those mounts / their software work with a DIY polar wedge?

-Marcus

[Cornelius Varley]

The mounts are similar in looks, but that's it.

[Schorhr]

Thanks,

what are the differences then, mechanically?

[Cornelius Varley]

Probably too many to mention.  Different mcb, motors, handset etc etc. The SLT has has an internal battery compartment which the AZ GOTO doesn't. The only thing they have in common is that Synta owns both companies. I think the AZ GOTO may be descended from an earlier version of the Celestron GT mount, but I'm not certain.

[Schorhr]

Thanks Peter;

Still odd, as I have read that the mounts are similar in performance other then the handset.

Confusing! :-)

[Schorhr]

I found several posts that the mount is of equal stability

here http://www.astrochat.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13315

and there http://www.astronomyforum.net/astronomy-beginners-forum/112367-want-buy-new-mak-127-scope-celestron-skywatcher.html and here http://www.astronomyforum.net/skywatcher-telescopes-forum/93471-skywatcher-synscan-az-goto-mount-celestron-slt-gt-az-mount-accuracy.html with links to make it more rigid.

These product photos show the differences well

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/Bilder/shop/Celestron/SLT/NexStar130SLT.gif

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/Bilder/shop/Skywatcher/GoTo-Telescopes-small/Explorer-130P-Synscan-AZ-GoTo.jpg

I reckon the main differences are the software/hand controller, the Celestron has a battery compartment in the base, and the plastic-y encasing.

The tripod legs look pretty much identical.

Strange that there is no direct 1:1 comparison review somewhere, or my google-foo failed me? :-)

I'd imagine that at some star-party two people compared their telescopes...

[FLO]

Hi Marcus, the Celestron SLT and Skywatcher AZ GOTO are from the same stable (both owned by Synta) but the two camps are run separately so it is not unusual to find differences in design, build and specification. 

In this instance the Celestron SLT series have a higher specification but for most people the differences are not deal-breakers. 

Compared to the AZ GOTO the SLT has:  

NEXSTAR+ handset

Internal battery compartment (the AZ GOTO uses an external corded battery pack)

SkyQ Wifi link compatible

SkyAlign (faster and more user friendly GOTO alignment method) 

Four additional alignments including 1 star align and solar system align

Auxiliary port for additional accessories including GPS module and the SkyQ WiFi link

PC control software included (NSOL disc)

Sky Maps CD-ROM included (The Sky disc)

StarPointer red-dot finderscope

Compatible with the new (incoming) Celestron StarSense

Personally I don't think either brand has a higher payload capacity than the other.  

Hope that helps. 

Steve 

[Schorhr]

Hello Steve,

thank you for all the info!

Yes, the payload/stability was my main concern.

The other features are all nice, but the main focus would be on stability and tracking precision.

Thanks again!

[FLO]

.... the main focus would be on stability and tracking precision.

Then there is nothing to separate them  

[philhas]

The SLT controller supports EQ North or South Alignment so technically you could put it on a wedge and polar align it.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk now Free

[Schorhr]

Thanks for the suggestion!

I have just read about similar aproaches (as in use altAz mode, put it on a wedge or retract a tripod leg and set it to lat of Polaris' (89,xx) :-)

Would be worth a try ... the main problem at the moment: Weather :-)

[Astro_noob]

Can an nexstar+ controller work on a skywatcher az supatrak mount? I don't won't top pay £150 for a handset upgrade!

[Cornelius Varley]

Can an nexstar+ controller work on a skywatcher az supatrak mount? I don't won't top pay £150 for a handset upgrade!

No . But you can sometimes find v3 handsets cheap on eBay.

[Astro_noob]

Thanks for the update. Been looking for a while now and haven't found a v3 handset on sale or under £139. I paid less than that for the mount.