eq5 mount

[Red baron]

hi looking for advice got an eq5 mount with  motors don't know which way to go if to get an astro eq or bay a goto full motors and control how essay to link an astro to computer or the goto programable unit all advice appreciated 

[rnobleeddy]

The skywatcher upgrade kit is pretty easy to fit and you have a pretty tried and tested piece of kit - you can either hook it up to a PC with a cable from the handset, or probably most easily, ditch the handset and use EQMOD. The internet is full of posts about this combo, so whatever help you need, you'll almost certainly find.

I looked at astroeq when I had a non-GOTO EQ5, but I don't really have the kit or experience to knock one up myself, at least without months of frustration. There are some other 3rd party kits available too, but nothing that was at a price point or had sufficient extra functionality to make it worthwhile (at least, imho).

 

[Red baron]

thank you

[malc-c]

If you stick within the limits of the EQ5, the standard GOTO option from Skywatcher would be the ideal option IMO.  I dipped my toes into imaging using an EQ5 goto with a 200P scope, which in retrospect was at its limits for the mount (which was why I upgraded the mount to a more capable HEQ5).

[Budgie1]

I currently run the EQ5 with the GoTo added to it and connect it via the EQDIR cable to a laptop.

I use it for imaging with a Evostar 100ED DS Pro, guide scope and OSC camera and have had guided exposures of up to 10 minutes, although I normally stick to 3-5 minute exposures.

To get the best out of the EQ5 with GoTo, before you fit the motors then look up how to adjust the backlash in the worm gears on both axis, it's fiddly to get it right but easy to do and makes the mount much better if you're using it for imaging.