Mount Names, Nomenclature...

[iksobarg]

...because the names and numbers say so little...

(Isn't this hobby complex enough?)

for example what is it: an NEQ 3-2?

What do the numbers mean? What are the specs?

this and for all the others mount classifications?

Anyone please give a nice run down and this would and should be a good sticky, no?

Thanks!!!

[ronin]

The NEW 3-2 seems to be little used, I actually think it is more a European designation.

In the UK it tends to be just EQ 3-2.

These are by the way Skywatcher terms.

EQ1 - very lightweight mount - best to run away from

EQ2 - again a light mount, can take an RA motor, don't think it takes a Dec.

EQ3 - suppose reasonable as a first EQ mount little shakey, can take RA+Dec motors

EQ4 - Rare as hens teeth, no idea why.

EQ5 - good pretty solid EQ mount, tubular legs, can have RA+Dec and GOTO.

HEQ5 - some confusion, some say beefed up EQ5 others say "lightweight" EQ6

EQ6 - thing often now like EQ3 refered to as NEQ6, solid and

EQ7 - No idea, think there was one and it disappeared, suspect was reborn asnthe next

EQ8 - sure I have seen one mentioned. Hernis material.

As the numbers go up they tend to carry more weight and so as heavier.

May have a link to some info.

Think the 3-2 is simply the second reincarnation of the initial EQ3, they improved it so called it 3-2.

More reading:

http://lambermont.dyndns.org/astro/pe.html

[Ant]

Bang on info there.

I have to admit that that I didn't think that the EQ4 exists, and that it was the EQ3 but called the EQ4 in different countries (think Marathon / snickers).

The EQ1 can take an RA drive and makes a nice little driven camera mount.

The HEQ5 is a lightweight EQ6, there is almost no resemblance to the EQ5. Both motors are built in on the HEQ5, they are add ons for the EQ5.

Cheer

Ant

[iksobarg]

Sorry, I was away. Back!

Yes! Ronin, I've seen that webpage before but since then forgot about it :S

Thanks for your helpful responses!

Just wanted to add this other source: http://www.chuckhawks.com/telescope_mount_list.htm