EQ-5 To GoTo Benefits?

[JohnSadlerAstro]

Hi,

 

Ive been having a bit of trouble with the RA motor connection with PHD on my EQ5, I'm hoping to resolve it tonight but it may be that the handset or possible the motor is damaged or worn. If this is the case, I have the choice of replacing the existing motor set I'm using (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/enhanced-dual-axis-dc-motor-drives-for-eq-5.html) or upgrading with the GoTo variant and power box (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/synscan-pro-goto-version-3-upgrade-kit-for-eq5.html) (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/power-accessories/nevada-ps-08-6a-8a-regulated-linear-power-supply.html). Other than being able to find objects a bit easier, are the benefits of GoTo greater than the increase in setup time and brain power required to operate? In theory I could fund the motor upgrade with a summer holiday job, but I don't want to jump into buying something that wont really be worth the £££.

My main questions are:

1. Does having GoTo reduce drift alignment (PHD Tool) time?

2. Does it increase setup time?

3. How much learning will be required to get it working?

4. How sensitive is the GoTo; will it be very hit-or-miss, or quite reliable?

5. Will it break easily if the scope is slightly unbalanced?

6. Will Stellarium, APT, and PHD be the only programs I'll need still?

7. How will I connect my PC to the mount?

8. I've found the mains to DC cig lighter adapter, and also a cable from the cig lighter to 2.1mm centre + plug, will I need any other cabling/connections?

9. Will my setup weigh too much. I use a 130P-DS, 1000d with MPCC mk 4, and 50mm SkyWatcher finder with an ASI webcam for guide-camera. I believe the total weight for the setup is around 7 kg.

Thanks for looking!

John

[John78]

The goto handset you linked has much faster motors in than the enhanced dual axis kit - which whilst (the enhanced dual axis kit) could be used as a goto would take most of the night to slew to the target.

Given the other questions you pose ref connecting to a PC its substantially cheaper to go with an AstroEQ rather than the Skywatcher route, sure you don't get the standalone 3 star alignment etc... to go to objects purely using the handset, but since you've already got a laptop you can just platesolve instead - the issuette to that is they are not currently for sale but you can DIY it...

https://www.astroeq.co.uk/tutorials.php

All in buying everything, pulleys, motors, boards and chips or buying a arduino mega and protoshield, everything, and you'll have change from £100.

EQ5 + 130PDS + 1000d + guiding = no problem