Daft Question?

[Geuse]

Hi all,

Just new to this and really enjoying my new hobby.

My partner bought me a Celestron 76EQ at Xmas and i am enjoying it, i did however wonder if it is possible to buy goto mounts for this telescope or would it need to be a case of a whole new telescope?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Tiny Small]

That seems to come on an EQ2 mount. You should be able to buy the goto upgrade kit, but they are expensive. Or you could just buy and fit tracking motors if you are hapy finding stuff yourself.

[Cornelius Varley]

The Skywatcher AZ goto or the Celestron SLT mount would be suitable and the cheapest option or the Skywatcher EQ3 Synscan mount. All the mounts will also require a set of tube rings to suit the telescope and a dovetail, the latter is usually supplied with the mount.

http://www.365astronomy.com/celestron-nexstar-slt-computerised-mount-base-tripod-p-2053.html

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-eq3-pro-synscan-goto.html

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-az-goto-mount.html

[Cornelius Varley]

That seems to come on an EQ2 mount. You should be able to buy the goto upgrade kit, but they are expensive. Or you could just buy and fit tracking motors if you are hapy finding stuff yourself.

There is no goto upgrade kit available for the EQ2, isn't suitable for conversion to goto.

[Geuse]

Thanks very much for the info, appreciated.

[astronymonkey]

Id enjoy using it to learn your way around the sky , picking off objects constellation by constellation as you learn.  Once you know the sky then consider upgrading depending on your interests , and either sell the scope on or keep it as a grab and go scope. 

Cheers

[Tiny Small]

There is no goto upgrade kit available for the EQ2, isn't suitable for conversion to goto.

 Ah. I thought you might be able to buy one like you can for the EQ 3, but then, the mount/tripod combos linked to are prtty much all cheaper anyway. Surprised at how affordable some of those are actually.

[cantab]

When you consider that the Skywatcher and Celestron alt-az Goto mounts are £210 and £250 respectively, well you can get them with a 5-inch Newt for £280 and £320, so for the OP it seems poor value to buy the mount alone.