Skywatcher 200p EQ Mount

[Casevac]

I've been into Astrophotography since I got my First Telescope (Dobsonian Skywatcher 200p) a few months ago and have some nice images of the solar system aswell as a few nebulae. I'm about to buy an EQ mount to get into deep sky photography and am fairly set on a HEQ5 as it's highly recommended, should be able to compensate for the heavy weight of the OTA + my DSLR + Finder scope and is just in my price Range. Before I make the purchase I was just wondering if there are any other mounts I should consider first, specifically for Astrophotography? 

Thanks

Casey

[ronin]

No idea how good/bad/indifferent they are but have a look at the iOptron range, Altair Astro, plus others Ian King Imaging sell them so I assume good for imaging.

The numbers in the name is the max weight they handle, as in iQ45 takes 45lb, not sure of the format of the names but along those lines.

They are about the only main alternative unless you go for the £3,000, eg Avalon mounts again at Ian King, upwards bracket.

Possibly look through the Ian King site for options/alternatives examples.

[Christopher Davenport]

The celestron VX should compete with HEQ5, they are new models so not many people out there that are using them yet. Go for about same price as HEQ5 synscan.

Personally I would stick to skywatcher as I am used to it.

Might be worth going around to your local and playing with both to see how big heavy and loud they are.

[Bizibilder]

The HEQ5 will just about take a 200P but you would be at the upper weight limit for imaging (especially if you were to add a guide scope and other bits and bobs).  The Skywatcher EQ6 is a more substantial mount and, whilst more expensive, would make your set-up pretty much future proof in the sense that you would not have to upgrade again, thus possibly saving yourself money in the long run.

[WaveSoarer]

I have the 200p on a motorised (dual axis) EQ5. I get very reasonable results with an SLR and if you take care polar aligning then you can get very decent tracking.

[Oily]

I have the 200p on a motorised (dual axis) EQ5. I get very reasonable results with an SLR and if you take care polar aligning then you can get very decent tracking.

Ditto

[Scott]

I agree that ap is doable with a 200p+eq5, and we've all seen Marks (quartermass) work, but if funds allow, It stands to reason that you'll have a much better chance with the heq5 and further down the road if you get yourself a small (80mmish) frac then you've pretty much got a setup that'll see you right for many years with minimal myther with regards to weight/guiding/wind etc

just my two cents worth

Scott

[Oily]

I agree,if funds allow I'd buy a better/bigger mount but for the time being this EQ5 is proving you can do AP with a bit of hard work/patience etc without breaking the bank.

[S1m0n]

sorry to highjack thread but I posted something in another thread and noticed this thread.

you say I eq5 would handle a dob 200p

would this be it ?

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-eq5-pro-synscan-goto.html

also would I need to buy the holding rings separate ?

I would find this upgrade a better help than a second scope and for £508 I could probably stretch to this next month.

[Christopher Davenport]

Yes

sorry to highjack thread but I posted something in another thread and noticed this thread.

you say I eq5 would handle a dob 200p

would this be it ?

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-eq5-pro-synscan-goto.html

also would I need to buy the holding rings separate ?

I would find this upgrade a better help than a second scope and for £508 I could probably stretch to this next month.

Thats the EQ5 Pro ... EQ5 with pro motors, control boards and goto (synscan.)

Some people buy the EQ5 and then add on the motors separately.  This can be cheaper, but you need to know what you are doing, especially if you want to have smooth tracking at same Std as pro. Others will argue that the CG5-Gt (499 at FLO) is better quality. 

Personally if I had the money I would go for a HEQ5, best for AP, but alas the shillings are limited, so I scrounged the second hand market and picked up a half price EQ5 Pro. 

[S1m0n]

Yes

Thats the EQ5 Pro ... EQ5 with pro motors, control boards and goto (synscan.)

Some people buy the EQ5 and then add on the motors separately.  This can be cheaper, but you need to know what you are doing, especially if you want to have smooth tracking at same Std as pro. Others will argue that the CG5-Gt (499 at FLO) is better quality. 

Personally if I had the money I would go for a HEQ5, best for AP, but alas the shillings are limited, so I scrounged the second hand market and picked up a half price EQ5 Pro. 

I will have a price of both to see what I can get

But eq5 pro will take the 200p dob ? I assume I need is it 8" rings to go with it ?

What I will do will price everything plus the advice from my other thread and look to see what is my best option but if a eq5 pro will take my 200p it may be worth investing a little more for one of the above.

[Casevac]

Thanks very much for all the advice. If I were to stick with the HEQ5 (which seems likely now), what exactly would I need to buy in order to attach my 200p to the HEQ5 e.g dovetail, O-rings? 

[ollypenrice]

Mounting hardware is expensive unless you can source it second hand. I always try to avoid buying it new!!! You'd need tube rings and a dovetail, then something to attach a guidescope on the top. Home made will do fine for that job. An alloy strip between the top of the tube rings, drilled to hold the finder. Or use a finder guider on the Newt. Probably a better idea.

I share the view that an HEQ5 is marginal for an 8 inch Newt for imaging. Possible but right on the limit and not in the comfort zone.

Olly

[Christopher Davenport]

I will have a price of both to see what I can get

But eq5 pro will take the 200p dob ? I assume I need is it 8" rings to go with it ?

What I will do will price everything plus the advice from my other thread and look to see what is my best option but if a eq5 pro will take my 200p it may be worth investing a little more for one of the above.

My understanding is that a EQ5 pro will hold a 200p for visual use, but is on the limit and not practical / stable for AP.

(Having said that some on this forum specialise in doing just that and produce some impressive pics.)

[itmo]

My 200p and EQ5 is a bit jittery even for visual use. an HEQ5 or an EQ6 might be a bit more stable.