EQ5 Sysnscan Upgrade

[Glenhuon]

Thinking of buying the Synscan Upgrade for my EQ5. Has anyone used or fitted one of these and whats the general opinion of them compared to the standard dual drive.

Cheers
Bill

[White Rabbit]

For the cost of the upgrade kit you may aswell buy a new HEQ5pro. it's like $800 for the upgrade kit and only an 1K for the HEQ5pro.

[Starkler]

I was thinking the same thing as white rabbit, and the heq5 is a quantum step up in quality and load capacity.

[Glenhuon]

Andrews has the upgrade kit for $499. Budget won't stretch to the HEQ5 unfortunately.

Bill

[dugnsuz]

I've not gone the upgrade route Bill - I bought the EQ5 Synscan mount complete. But I would guess the kit (excluding the RA housing perhaps) would be the same.
The motors coped with throwing my ED80/40D and piggybacked guidescope around very well. GoTo is a luxury I don't use as much as I thought I would, but the autoguider port and some of the other bells and whistles have been essential.
The price is a hell of a lot more realistic now too!!

As with everything in this hobby...depends what you want to do with it now and in the future!
The EQ5 GoTo mount has suited my short Focal Length imaging stuff, but I wouldn't try the same with an 8" newt + guidescope on it!
Doug

[Glenhuon]

Lookin at the 102 Surplusshed F10 + guidescope, 300D and DSI at the moment. Scopes and camera are pretty light so the mount should manage it OK. Might have a go with the 150 reflector later but its not too heavy either.
Upgrade kit has been ordered should get it in a couple of days, has the V3 upgradeable controller which is good.

Cheers
Bill

[dugnsuz]

Have Fun Bill
Doug:thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Looks like you've saved yourself $100 Bill.
Had a look at Andrews site today - lots of Skywatcher stuff has gone up by $100.
Scored!!!!!