EQ5 heaven.

[CumbrianGadgey]

You may be aware that I've got a new (used) scope, since I was banging on about it last night!

I'd just like to add that for all the extra 70mm of aperture is a big improvement (how could it not be?) but after 4 hours of freezing myself to the point I thought I was going to have to hibernate, it was not the most noticeable benefit.

That came from the mount, EQ5 as opposed to EQ2. I could locate my targets faster, I could focus on them quicker and it was not a case of needing six foot arms to view while adjusting RA. There was not the judder if I so much as blinked an eyelash against the eyecup. I did not run out of adjustment on declination.

The mount made the whole experience so much more enjoyable.

I wonder how many people have been put off astronomy by hours of groping blindly for a flex-cable that they know is there somewhere, or having to watch a blurred planet sailing several times across their field of view before they finally get it focused?

[Ant]

For astronomy, both visual and imaging - the mount is king.

Without a reasonable mount even the best optics will be pants.

Glad you're enjoying the EQ5, I've had one of them and they are a nice mount.

Cheers

Ant

[Dark Sky]

I've just won a explorer 200p and motorized Eq5 on ebay. I can't wait to pick it up and use it

[dROU]

Hi guys,

I was bidding on that setup too Dark  , gave up because it was so far to go to pick it up. Hope you really enjoy it you've got a pretty complete start there from what I've read.

[Dark Sky]

Hi guys,

I was bidding on that setup too Dark  , gave up because it was so far to go to pick it up. Hope you really enjoy it you've got a pretty complete start there from what I've read.

Cheers dROU. I'm sure another will be on closer to you. I've bidded on 3 different 200p's on ebay in the last 2 weeks. That 1 was only 20 minutes away from me so I bid a bit extra to save on fuel. Hope you find one and I will let you know how I get on (pick it up Saturday)

[dROU]

Falkirk kit seemed fabulous too, am sure you'd have been tempted but that was a real journey heh.

yours looked immaculate in the pics so hope it's all you'd wish

[wookie1965]

The mount makes a difference saying that i have and EQ3-2 but i have HEQ5 tripod on it so its a lot more steadier which makes it far easier to view objects.

[cepheus42]

I bought an HEQ5 Pro Synscan and Evostar 80ED today at astrofest  for dedicated DS Imaging. Can't wait for it to arrive. Everyone is recommending the mount as fantastic value and top quality.

[brantuk]

Yup - the EQ5 or CG5 mounts do away with any vibration experienced on lighter mounts. I always recommend these unless budget is prohibitive. Even a second hand one is far better than a brand new smaller mount for improving the observing (or imaging) experience. And you can get the mount for around £100 s/h (give or take a tenner) and pop most any of the smaller ota's up to 8" aperture on it. Congrats on a nice purchase!

[tich]

I started off with an EQ5 pro & loved it but I did upgrade to an NEQ6 & sold the EQ5 on which was a daft mistake as I wish that I hadn't. I did get given an older manual EQ5 last year & for a spot of manual star hopping it's still a great mount so I won't be parting with this one anytime soon. I do find the slow motion knobs a bit fiddly to find though especially as everything is black so not easy to see but then that's just being a little picky.