Skywatcher Explorer 200 on the EQ5

[weareborg]

Hi all

Its been a while since I last posted here, so please forgive me :tearyeyed:

I am looking at buying the Skywatcher Explorer 200 on the EQ5 mount from Rother Valley Optics for £345 in the next couple of weeks, and I was wondering if there was anybody out there that has recently purchased one. Could you tell me, if it is a good buy? I am more concerned with the EQ5 mount, as I know that the early versions had some problems a few years back, and I was wondering if these had been resolved, or would I still need to do the AstronomyBoy tear down and regrease job (something I am not looking forward too).

I currently own a homemade 4.5" dob, which I have had enough of, and would like something bigger, and that would last me for years to come, so any advise would be greatfully received.

Cheers, and lets hope the weathr improves soon. Its here.

Andy

[bern]

Andy,

I get a lot of enquiries about that scope and my general feeling is that it's worth spending a bit more and getting the Explorer 200 on HEQ5. The benefit of that is, that not only is the mount much better, but it has inbuilt dual drives and a polarscope as standard. It can also be upgraded to GOTO at a later date with the Synscan/Skyscan system.

Food for thought?

bern

[OXO]

I would deff do as Bern suggests and get the HEQ5 mount with the 8" explorer as it opens up so much more to you inc Astrophotography..

James

[GazOC]

I was going to make the same suggestion, its easy to spend other peoples money but in this case it would be money well spent for the reasons that Bern has outlined.

[weareborg]

Hi guys

Thanks for all the quick replies. Unfortunately , funds, and the wife don't permitt me to buy the HEQ5 version, but I have had a good deal presentd to me by Steve at First Light:grin:. The him.

Andy