Equatorial mount or platform?

[rikyuu]

hi,

I'm considering building and equatorial platform for my 10" Dobs (in fact already drawn up the plans and got some bearings), but I also considered mounting the OTA on an equatorial mount. The OTA weighs 12kg, would an Eq5 mount be sturdy enough to hold it, could I go for anything smaller (cheaper)?

eg. http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/sky_watcher/skywatcher_mounts_motors_fs.html

the EQ5 DELUXE HEAVY-DUTY EQUATORIAL MOUNT for £189.00 half way down the page

Thanks Lee

[Sam]

I think it would be too much for an EQ5. An HEQ5 would be ok for visual only but the EQ6 is the one I think you should aim for IMHO.

Sam