Bintel drops the price of the HEQ5 Pro to $1095

[White Rabbit]

Wow, I'm looking at buying one of these, can some one explain the difference between the eq5 and the Eq6. Bintle doesnt seem to have much info on the Eq6.

Thanks

[g__day]

Mainly carrying capacity - say 15kgs for EQ5 whilst 25kgs EQ6

[White Rabbit]

thanks that's what I thought. I was also, later on down the track, going to buy a 12' dob to mount on it, it weighs about 13.5 so it's just with in the limit.

Mmm, I might just have to splash out.

[iceman]

The 12" newt will not go on an EQ5 - it weighs about 21kg, not 13.5.

[g__day]

And would wobble in any wind - as this would produce quite a turning moment, and be quite un-suitable for imaging.

[Tilt]

Just out of interest, Andrews has under cut Bintel on the HEQ5Pro... Again :)

[Starkler]

Wowee!

I didnt pay much attention to this thread until I found out we are discussing the HEQ5 PRO.

Mods can we please update the thread title?

edit: I just called Bintel Melbourne and was told theres no stock for 2-3 weeks.
edit2: I just ordered one from Andrews :D

[RB]

Ah thank you Geoff, yes it's the HEQ5 Pro for that price. (https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=7349)

[RB]

LOL thanks for the correction Geoff, I'm not too familiar with all this fan-dangled new astro gear. :lol:

[sejanus]

oh lord, I can see one of my cameras going on that baby

[mick pinner]

when you consider the EQ6 is $1799 just over $1000 is all the EQ5Pro should be.

[wasyoungonce]

Those Bintel prices on ED100 and HEQ5 have me...as big Kev used to say "I'm Excited"...

But I did note that it didn't specify that the ver 3 sysnscan was with the HEQ5 only mount. It did specify on the HEQ5 and ED80 and HEQ5 and ED100 scopes on sale.

...now how about some lower HEQ6 prices?

[White Rabbit]

Can someone post a link the this Andrews store that everyone is talking about I cant seem to find them.

Thanks

[snowyskiesau]

Here you go:
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/

[White Rabbit]

thank you kind sir

[Terry B]

And I paid $2000 for my EQ6pro last year and that was very cheap at the time. Amazing how prices drop.

[g__day]

The 120mm apo at Andrews from skywatcher at $2,900 is interesting too!

[chris lewis]

My skywatcher HEQ5 Goto arrived about 1 week ago. Initial impressions are very good. Well built and quiet. I brought this for my new Skywatcher Equinox 120ED which arrived today. The Skywatcher Equinox version is the 'upmarket' version of the Gold 'Pro' version. It has the Dual speed 360 degree rotating focuser, aluminium dew shield and a higher grade assembly and finish. The mating cell also is also different to reduce CA even more. It has the FPL-53 glass. It comes in a Hi-black gloss finish similar to the WO scopes. It came in a aluminium case. It suits the white HEQ5 well. Initial brief testing shows zero CA and bright sharp contrasy images. I have not realy tested on dark skies as yet however. The image appears similar but brighter to my Orion ED100 which I sold to finance the Equinox ED120. The Equinox cost me a very inexpensive $A2230. I live in New Zealand and this is an exceptional price considering this is the upmarker version as well. A dealer in Sydney has the 'Basic' Orion ED120 at $A4700. A Optical camera / telescope shop in the South Island imported some and they were sold in a few days. I was lucky to get the last one. I am unsure if the Equinox version is available in Australia. The HEQ5 cost me $A1400. I plan to use the setup primarily as a planatary scope.I will do a more indepth review in the next few nights on both my new toys. http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/swtinc/product.php?id=123&class1=1&class2=101

[Starkler]

I just received my heq5 from Andrews and its got a northern hemisphere polar scope in it :doh:

Does this normally happen or is there no southern one available?

[Stephen65]

As far as I know there is only one type of polar scope in the EQs and its marked for both northern and southern hemispheres. There should be a star pattern for the four Octans stars on the edge of the FOV.

[Starkler]

Sorry I noticed that upon taking another look... doh!
In anycase the polar scope is somewhat useless given its field is flooded by the red led and i cant see any stars in it.

[Zuts]

Just turn the led off and illuminate it from the front with a low level red torch held to the side of the mount. Scattered light should be enough to illuminate it.

Paul

[Stephen65]

Paul's suggestion is spot on, you illuminate the polar scope to get the Octans reticule pattern rotated into the correct orientation, then no illumination while you find the pattern of stars in the scope and then illuminate on and off as needed as you lock the reticule pattern over the stars.

It's quite straightforward after a bit of practice, key thing is to know what orientation the Octans pattern will be in remembering its going to show upside down in the polar scope so you know what to look for.

[madtuna]

any west aussies contemplating the HEQ5, someone is flogging one off on Ebay at the mo complete with a Skywatcher 200mm newt.
Opening bid is $1000 and it's only got a couple of days to go with not a bid yet

[h0ughy]

ordered mine from Bintel yesterday - it arrived this afternoon. So there is service for you

[KG8]

I'll grab one too, but I'll support andrews. If it wasn't for andrews breaking from the cartel and slashing the price they would still be selling for $1700. Scuttlebutt is all the other dealers are trying to drive them out of the business. Good luck :lol:

[h0ughy]

I rang and asked them, but they could not confirm if they had stock, so I bought the bintel one.

[tnbk00]

I just ordered mine from bintel....so fingers crossed they still have stock

[Zuts]

Lol,

Like the other dealers have the buying power and capital to drive them out of business. These are all small family owned businesses.

Paul

[PCH]

Hi Madtuna,

thanks for the heads up on this :thumbsup: I was about to place an order for pretty much just this pair from Bintel :) I've sent the guy/gal a couple of questions and if all goes well with the replies I should save myself a few bob;).

Cheers,

[Zuts]

Why would you bid $1000 plus freight on eBay for an item you can get brand new with warranty for $1095 from a reputeable dealer :screwy:

If the current price is $1095 new with warranty, then an eBay price for a SECOND HAND unknown quality item should be around $750 if that.

Paul

[GTB_an_Owl]

Mmmm - go back and read the post Paul

"thanks for the heads up on this http://www.iceinspace.com.au/vbiis/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif I was about to place an order for pretty much just this PAIR from Bintel "


geoff

[PCH]

Hi Zuts and Geoff,

thanks for replying. Firstly it's 'pick up' only and we're both in Perth, so no freight. And as Geoff points out, this price s for the scope plus heq5. But it's a valid point and I imagine the selling price has been based on a cost for the mount of around $1800, so there may well be room for movement ;)

Question:-

I asked the seller what software version was in the hand controller. He tells me Nexstar5. I thought these controllers used Synscan or Skyscan. The mount is two years old. Can anybody tell me if a mount this old is upgradeable to the current level of s/w, or if Nexstar5 is current/good/bad etc

Many thanks,

[madtuna]

From what I understand the $1095 is mount only. the Ebay one I cited has a 200mm newt aswell.
Possibly a good buy for someone in the same area who can go check it out in person. Also no bits had been placed so he may be open to haggle

[White Rabbit]

Picking mine up today, no more rubber banding from the ****ty meade gears yeeehhaawwww.

[Rob]

Star Optics have the heq5-pro for $999 on their website:
http://www.staroptics.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=1 1&products_id=268
It doesn't say which version of the hand control.

The shop is at the Gold Coast - has anyone had any experience with them?

Rob

[Matty P]

Hi Rob,

I haven't had any experience with Star Optics in Queensland but I am pretty sure that the Pro series mounts have version 3 of the hand controller.

Hope this helps. :thumbsup:

[Starman73]

I bought my EQ6 Pro through York Optical, they gave it to me at Andrews price, then gave me a store voucher for a futher 10% of the purchase price, which paid for the tube rings to mount my scope. At that time York was advertising to beat any registered Skywatcher dealers price in Australia.

Don't know if they do the same now, but it might be worth a try.

Paul

[csb]

York Optical aren't advertising the HEQ5 Pro on their website - only as a package with a Pro scope.

So I got one from Andrews $1050. Postage is cheap $40.

[sejanus]

I've posted about this a few months ago but buggered if I can find the thread

is a heq5 pro strong enough (with room to spare!) to mount about 4.5kg of camera gear on? (a 1 series canon dslr and a big tele lens)

[PCH]

Postage for the HEQ5Pro from Star Optics is 'free'. Doesn't come come better than that hey ?;)

Cheers,

[Karls48]

Can one anyone please can give me their opinion on the difference between EQ5 and HQE5 mounts based on their experience with those mounts. I was using SV1 (GS version of EQ3) modified to work with Meade Autostar until recently when Alt gear seized and striped the gear. I’m still using the mount manually but I would like to have Goto again. The mount is used on pier for imagining with short FL tube refractors up to 136mm aperture, with exposure times up to 30 sec. I can modify EQ5 to use Autostar Goto. The difference in price of EQ5 and HQE5 is around $700. I also have StarPatch GPS for the Autostar setup. What is the advantage in spending extra $700 on HQE5 and additional $$ to get GPS working with it?

[DJDD]

BTW:
New prices at Andrews for ED80 and HEQ5Pro, both the kits and individual parts.
(I wonder if anyone will reduce the price for the EQ6Pro.)

[koputai]

When I was in Bintel Sydney last week I asked them when the EQ6Pro would be on sale like the HEQ5 was at the time. Their response "When they start selling them cheaper to us."
I too am hanging out. If the EQ6Pro goes on sale I'll buy one, if not I have other options to ponder.

Cheers,
Jason.

[davewaldo]

It was my understanding that the EQ6 went "on sale" before the HEQ5.

Several months ago the EQ6 price came down considerably to $1950. The HEQ5 then seemed very expensive in comparison, so I guess thats why not many sold, which led to the HEQ5 being discounted now.

I wouldn't be hanging out for the EQ6 to get heaps cheaper. But I hope it does!

[Matty P]

I also am waiting for the price of the EQ6 to drop.

I have been watching the prices very closely but it seems like it is not going to get cheaper for a while.

All we can do is wait. :sadeyes: :)

[DJDD]

thanks for the reminder- that seems like so long ago.

[Luke]

Great that this thread came up as ive been thinking about getting an ed80 pro on a HEQ5pro. Does anyone have experiance using this set up for photogaphy with a DSLR?
What kind of exposure time can you expect to get ot of that mount. Do you think its would be satretch to get 5 minutes or so {with a ood polar ilignment}?
I had a meade lx90 for a year and a half with a deep sky imager. Feel like trying my hand at some wide field stuff. Would the above setup be a good combo {maybe with a canon 400d} ?
Thanks all.

[davewaldo]

Shouldn't have any trouble going to 5 mins if you have good polar alignment AND guiding. This is exactly what I'm hoping to do with my HEQ5 :)

[allan gould]

HEQ5 Pro can easily guide an 8" SCT for 10 min (havnt tried longer) with a dslr. Have gone longer with an ST7 and autoguiding (30min+).
Its a great mount if you treat it with care and look after it.