Upgrading from HEQ5 Pro

[skyrunner]

I have been imaging with my HEQ5 Pro with Rowan belt mod very happily for the last 3 years. But I'm now thinking about upgrading to a mount with better PE performance / able to handle a little bit more weight. The biggest load I'm currently using is around 10kg with a 130mm triplet refractor plus filter wheel & camera etc, but am also contemplating imaging with a RASA8. I don't have a permanent set up so want something not too heavy - which rules out an EQ6-R for instance. What would people recommend - an iOptron GEM45 seems like it could be a good choice? Portability is more important to me than cost (within reason!) 

Thanks for any suggestions/thoughts

Gordon 

[Same old newbie alert]

Don't think the eq6 has a better PE than a 5... You will have better portability with a cem 40 or a gem 45 and probably better performance for the same  ish payload but if you're looking just to use a Rasa, then you could get away with continuing to use the 5 I'd of thought.. 

[skyrunner]

I agree with you that upgrading's not essential for the rasa, I guess mainly it's about getting a bit more reliable guiding performance, particularly with my heavier/longer focal length configurations. I imagine that a mount with PPEC will make a difference there. Thanks for your comments. 

Edited March 14, 2022 by skyrunner