Skywatcher MD

[nutter241]

Hi guys, recently bought a scope astromaster 130 EQ and it’s the Motor drive version, just wondering if this motor is a gimmick or if it’s really usable for long exposure tracking, what’s the best case I can realistically expect from it. Any tips and tricks from anyone that has used one of these motors? 
 

thanks in advance

 

[Cosmic Geoff]

I'm not familiar with the scope and mount, but suspect the mount drive is purely intended to ease visual observing.  If you read up on what people use for serious astro imaging, you will see the difference...

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @nutter241 and welcome to SGL. 

As per @Cosmic Geoff reply. Maybe OK for lunar, planetary or solar, (with a full-aperture solar filter), as exposure times are not that long.
For deep-sky stuff, it will/may need a lot of 'tweaking' and other stuff to get acceptable results, as exposure times are a lot longer.     

[nutter241]

Thanks for the reply guys, I am hoping to hone my skills on the planets before I jump into dso’ so fingers crossed it will do for now as the jump to a “proper” tracking mount would cost more than my entire setup haha :). Let’s see how things go.