Hey all - I made a mistake. Possibly the best mistake

[Melongeed]

Hey all,
My name is Fritz or Fraser, I am newbro to the forums and would like some help. :)

I have recently began to really get into astronomy and I purchased a telescope. The biggest one I could afford. Saying that I have not a clue on the first thing I should do.
I got an SkyWatcher ED120 and picked up a HEQ5 Pro mount and tripod to go with it. I also got a couple of other do-dads that I probably didn't even need. But I got 'em anyway.

I've been to local Astronomy club and they don't know much about the goto mounts, I was wondering if there is anyone keen to go out sometime in the future and show me the ropes of this scope. Willing to bring beer. (Carlton Dry)

I've looked up a lot on the internet and they are super old videos or just don't make any sense.

I'm willing to drive long distances. Love road trips.
Please no murderers.

Cheers,
Fritz or Fraser.

[silv]

Hey :)

so you checked out youtube and you didn't find useful clips for the HEQ5?

and you went to the astronomy club. okay.

what did you think when you read the manual that comes with the mount?
any thoughts or questions?
that should be your first study material in my opinion.

(Even I managed to setup, balance and align an equatorial Goto mount :) just from reading the manual and the forum threads on balancing and alignment.)

Have Fun!
Annette

[pfitzgerald]

Hi Fritz - and welcome to the forum.

I have the same setup you do and am very happy with it. As Annette said have a read through the SW manuals - they're pretty clear on what you have to do - but if you want something a little more visual I cannot recommend highly enough the series of instructional videos that Dion over on Astronomyshed has put together.

His channel is:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=astronomyshed+ youtube

All the best with your new gear and I hope that the advice helps.

Paul

[brian nordstrom]

:) Hi Fritz and :welcome: mate .

I wont add anything to what has been said already on setting up the HEQ5 mounts , and ,,,,,

,,,,, no , NO !!! you did not make a mistake this is a great bit of gear you have and will last you years and years before you even consider upgrading , a great choice for sure .

I will add this tho ;) ' Just take your time as the sky aint going anywhere and in a few months you will laugh at yourself for this , nothing to be ashamed about as we have all been there , just as said take your time and enjoy ' .

Brian.

[ZeroID]

Hi Fritz, :welcome:,
I'll add a bit that others haven't mentioned. The scope is the easy part but get Stellarium loaded onto your PC. It's free and the best app available for learning what's up there to see. Once you get something to look at then you will soon learn how to operate your scope.

Cheers

[Nath2099]

I'll add my beginners experience, although I have the EQ6-R. Someone correct me if I'm giving incorrect advice!

I find it a lot easier to use Stellarium with the "Stelarium Scope" plugin instead of the mounts hand controller.

If you decide to do this you'll need one of these:
https://www.bintel.com.au/product/shoestring-usb2-eq5-interface/

And this tutorial:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-581-0-0-1-0.html (A few other bits of software required as well)

[AEAJR]

I don't have your scope or mount. However I find YourTube a very rich source of help for things astronomy. You have to search a bit but often the stuff you want is there.



SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5 GT Pro SynScan dual purpose mount - Is this your mount?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2Se4yjYIY0

Set-up of an EQ5 mount
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXgtGQq-3V0