Not long to go, possible solutions for EQ6 purchase.

[Astroman]

I have been mulling over different solutions to what I could do with regards to me getting an EQ6 near the end of the year. I only have between $2000 and $2800 to spend.

Solution 1, go the EQ6 with Synscan and then later upgrade the HC. Will cost about $2400 price varies between stores.

Solution 2, get an eq6 with the syntrek hand controller has the same electronics as the synscan version but without GOTO, PEC etc.. but also get the ED80 for an extra $690. This will make a perfect portable setup. that I could take with me to places. Cost $1995 for EQ6 (myastroshop) plus the $690.

Solution 3 give up.........

Prices are from MyAstroshop.com.au,Bintel do sell the EQ-G with syntrek for $1799 I think. ED80 is the goldversion (quite sexy)

Anyway,love to hear your comments on these....

[xelasnave]

I love helping people spend their cash. Do what you have to do to get either solution 1 or 2. Toss a coin if you dont like the result toss it again.
PEC depending if it works well sounds the sortta thing that would be handy with fotos.
alex

[asimov]

Option 2 minus that price on the ED80. Try this one: http://www.aoe.com.au/refractors.html

[Astroman]

Geez the saxon is heaps cheaper

[EzyStyles]

the goto really helps finding those small DSO objects and saved me plenty of time looking for it. Not sure with other peoples experience with the GOTO on the EQ6's, but mine seem to be dead centred everytime even for such a small CCD chip with the DSI 2. Depends what you really wanted it for, if it is for astrophotography then i highly suggest that you buy with goto save abit of money then get yourself an ED80. If its just for visual use and you probably wouldn't be looking for small planetaries/galaxies then it doesnt really matter.

[xelasnave]

All these scopes effectively come from the one factory or so I thought and I have often wondered what changes from brand to brand besides the price.
alex

[Astroman]

The tube colour and name :)

other prices I got were:

$2720 - myastroshop - EQ6 w/Synscan GOTO.

$2299 - Bintel - EQ-G w/Synscan GOTO.

$2299 - Andrews - EQ6 w/synscan GOTO.

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$1799 - Bintel - EQ-G (same as EQ6) W/Dual axis control. (got to check if this is the syntrek controller).

$1995 - myastroshop - EQ6 w/ Syntrek controller.

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$690 - myastroshop - ED80 80mm f7.5 Refractor with tube rings and dovetail.

$1349 - myastroshop - ED100 100mm f9 Refractor with tube rings and dovetail.

[netwolf]

Andrews also has EQ6 for 1499 not sure wheather its with syntrek or not.
Also this might be an older version of the mount. I belive there are diffrences in the revisions.

With the older EQ6 to upgrade to Goto you had to replace the motors and a faceplate on the motor housing which adds port for hand controler etc. I belive but am not 100% that with the Syntrek version of EQ6's you can just add the Synscan Hand pad later on. So it maybe possible to use a laptop with software to controll insted of getting a Synscan handpad.

Regards

[Striker]

Andrew,

I have sent you a PM...there is a better option.

[Astroman]

Thanks Tony,

Netwolf: You cannot control the mount via laptop with the syntrek option, but you can upgrade the HC later on of you wish. You need the Synscan hand controller to do the PEC and PC control.

[netwolf]

I have read on the EQ6 group that people have controled it with a palm pilot connected to the HC port on the EQ6.

I too am considering buying the EQ6 but alas they are not cheap so have to save for it. Right now i am tosing up about mounting my 10" reflector on it or to get a Nexstar 8i SE (one arm new version) as this is more portable and i can change the OTA to a small refractor.

Regards

[Astroman]

Interesting, never heard of that, I know you can control it via the handcontroller but not directly into the mount. Might go and investigate.

[gbeal]

Have you considered a used mount? Astromart is a great way to get into these sorts of things, but I have to admit that I know nothing at all about the EQ6 gear. Try http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=441302
Gary

[Astroman]

I have thought of that Gary, but would prefer new.