Which Mount?

[Bino Pete]

At present I've got the Celestron Nexstar 127 SLT.

If I bought a large reflector on an EQ mount (poss. HEQ5 pro) would I be able to interchange scopes on this mount - say if I wanted to look at the sun with my 127 and solar filter?

[MarkyD]

The dovetail will fit the HEQ5 but will rotate the tube 90deg along it's axis.  I have done the same with my NEQ6 and Nexstar 102SLT

--

Mark

[brantuk]

Absolutely - so long as you use the same a dovetail bar or plate on each scope you'll be able to interchange easily with an HEQ5 pro. If your 127 is currently alt/az mounted with a screwed on dovetail, then putting it on an EQ mount can put the finder in an awkward position cos it moves round 90^o. So you will need to modify it's position or change finders - or get some new rings for the scope. You may also need to turn the diagonal round to a comfy position. But otherwise there should be little fiddling to do with most scopes (fracs, maks, sct's, newts).

[Linda]

For solar, you don't need a finder. It is enough to use the shadow.

[RT65CB-SWL]

An alternative is a dual mounting bar, (see FLO*). When you are observing with both 'scopes at night, you are not faffing about and/or tripping over them in the dark. Just remember that when you have both 'scopes attached for solar observation during the day, the finderscope and non-solar 'scope objective cell is covered securely so that it does not come off easily in a gust of wind. Another thing to consider is the payload and balancing of the mount too. An HEQ5 is capable of a heavy payloads, but check first with FLO*.

 

* other astro dealers/outlets are also available.