HEQ5.....or 6/8SE

[nightfisher]

Ok, little idea going on here, i have the HEQ5 syntrek mount, and due to moving house in a few weeks, i dont think i will be able to get on polaris to align from new location, so i wonder should i sell the HEQ and get the SE celestron mount, mainly to use with my 150 pro mak for lunar and planet imaging/viewing, i would also like to use my 100RS on this but i know i will have problems due to tube length with the TAL, 

   I welcome your opinions please

[Naemeth]

Would you ever do any DS imaging? I ask because if you don't then there is no real need for an EQ mount.

[nightfisher]

If i were to have a go at DS imaging it would be just DSLR with a small scope like the 150pds max 20 second subs but in truth not very likely

[Naemeth]

If i were to have a go at DS imaging it would be just DSLR with a small scope like the 150pds max 20 second subs but in truth not very likely

I think then I'd sell the HEQ-5, I mean it takes a long time to set-up so you'll be less likely to choose it as a mount, leaving it largely unused when you move and can no longer see Polaris.

[Pig]

Jules,

One consideration should be the length of the scope you want to use on the 6/8SE mount. It may crash into the base when nearing the Zenith. the 6&8 SE have quite a short OTA.

[CodnorPaul]

I didn't get on with the SE mount and upgraded to an NEQ6 - it is far more accurate and stable (although stability should be fine with your OTA), and a lot less noisy. But if you cannot see Polaris you may struggle - what about the Advanced VX with all star polar align? Would be a far better mount than the SE one.

[StevieDvd]

If you bought the synscan handset for the HEQ5 you won't need to see polaris to polar.  Just point north with the mount level (only to reduce the amount of adjustments) and let the handset align you.

The TAL won't really be usable with the 6/8SE mount.

On the other hand get the 8SE mount and the new alignment camera,  then it's an easy setup -  if that's one of your goals.

[nightfisher]

Im hoping i will see polaris, just that i will be looking across the road and a row of houses will be in the way, only time will tell.

thanks for all the input so far

[Pig]

I did not have any accuracy issues with the mount when I owned one, the object was always well within the FOV

They can be a little noisy in the dead of night, but it would be extremely unlikely that you would disturb anyone inside a house.

[Peter Drew]

If the houses are across the road they would have to be pretty tall to block Polaris at 54 degrees North. The SE mounts can be made quieter by reducing the speed settings. 

[nightfisher]

Still undecided on this, i guess the mount is 3 star align, are the se tripod legs 1/34 tube steel 

[CodnorPaul]

Also need to think about the wobble - drove me mad with my 8SE, not sure how heavy your OTA is

[nightfisher]

Also need to think about the wobble - drove me mad with my 8SE, not sure how heavy your OTA is

That might be a put of, i would be using a 150 mak pro, i know the HEQ5 is solid

[Spookylight]

I am in the same position as you but it's big tree's not houses. So I am changing my view to purchasing an AVX mount instead of the syntrek heq5, as said the AVX has ASPA and gets great reviews.

[perfrej]

Folks,

I haven't used my NEQ6 with the hand controller for a few years, but doesn't the new firmware sport a polar alignment routine similar to ASPA? I was under that impression...

/per

[dmahon]

Not the Syntrek version that he mentioned.

[Spookylight]

Have a look at my thread for PA options...

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/203765-mounts-if-you-have-obstructed-view-for-pa/

some good ideas being offered.

[nightfisher]

some good news, i can see polaris, so just as well stick with the HEQ mount, all i need now is a way to dim the polar scope illuminatiion

[Tinker1947]

There is a option to dim the led in the handset software....well there is on a NEQ6...

[nightfisher]

There is a option to dim the led in the handset software....well there is on a NEQ6...

This is the syntrek version

[Mikyg]

I have the 5se and I have to say its a terrible mount for imaging especially DSO'S. I always get trailing stars if doin long exposure's. It also cant take much weight and I had to take of the ota off and really tighten the nut behind the bracket that holds the ota in place but as u can imagine this isn't goin to be very good for the motors. This is why I decided on getting a NEQ6 Pro with 250pds.

[cotterless45]

Any sturdy mount Eq5/6 will be a good purchase. It'll be able to hold a variety of ota's , just ensure your wallet is open wide,

Nick.