New SkyWatcher Mount AZ-EQ6-GT

[FlashDrive]

Came across this earlier today ..!!

SkyWatcher - AZ-EQ6-GT ATL-AZ Mount


Skywatcher AZ-EQ6GT Mount - alt-azimuth and equatorial

The professional mount for DSLR and other digital cameras to take 360° panoramic photos.

take professional photographs and video sequences with your high quality photographic equipment
create automatic capturing sequences with up to 6 automatically approachable fixpoints
360° full format panorama possible
ideal for professional time lapse capturing
also for solar observations and -photography
computerized mount for sky observing


DAY & NIGHT SERIES - AZ-EQ6GT

also for telescopes with larger diameter tubes
carries two telescopes at same time
weight of mount head 15 kg
carries telescopes up to 20 kg
http://www.apm-telescopes.net/en/Mounts-Tripods/Alt-Azimuth-Mounts/Skywatcher-AZ-EQ6GT-Mount.html

Probably in competition with Meades New LX80 Mount.

Flash .. !!

[casstony]

Probably better quality than the Meade too. It's been coming for a while and supposed to be available in October according to Marcus Ludes. I just wish they'd use thicker tripod tubing so the tripod was equal to the capacity of the mount.

[MattT]

Thanks Flash
I was thinking of getting an EQ6 but am going to wait a bit...this looks even better :)

[MortonH]

I saw the Meade LX80 head in Bintel at the weekend. It is very heavy, more than I expected. Interesting that the Meade doesn't have an autoguider port, so they need to make an accessory module. From the pictures the Skywatcher does have an AG port, so that's already one thing in its favour. Wonder what the price will be.

[grantboxer]

Has any used one of these new mounts and can offer any comments?
Cheers Grant

[PlanetMan]

Yep - I saw one of these in the flesh (or perhaps a better choice of words is the metal) yesterday and I must say that it looks like quite a clever design. Essentially, an EQ6 with a wedge at the bottom and a modified counter-weight bar. All things considered it doesn't appear to be all that larger than the original EQ6. The build quality also didn't look too bad at all either - pretty good in fact - however - I am still not too sure whether folks who buy a circa 8-10k AP refractor such as in the pics would be using this particular mount.

[Stardrifter_WA]

I agree, If I could afford an AP, I would be buying an AP mount as well.

I was originally interested in the LX80 for my 80mm (currently using a crappy alt-az mount), as I like the az/equatorial design but the LX80 isn't getting good reviews. It appears to have very noisy slew motors as well. The EQ6GT may be a good alternative, however, it appears it will be much more expensive than the LX80, if the UK price of 1,489 English Pounds is any guide. But it definitely looks interesting.

[MortonH]

Was in Bintel Sydney today and saw the mount in person. Looks very nice, in line with what you'd expect from Skywatcher if you're familiar with the standard EQ6 or HEQ5.

I asked the price and they said around $2300 or $2400. Hmm, I said, so maybe not an LX80-killer given the price difference. They said it IS an LX80-killer. Biggest problem may be getting one, but they are taking pre-orders.

It's also supposed to be a bit lighter than the EQ6 from what I've read.

I should have asked for more info but I was actually in the store to check out the new Delos range (came out with the new 14mm :D)

Morton

[MattT]

There is more in this from Cloudy Nights. The AZ EQ6 sounds better than the standard EQ6. http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5072076/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
Matt

[Stardrifter_WA]

Had a look at the new EQ6 GT today and have to say that it is an impressive mount, for what it is, and definitely looks to be an LX80 killer.

It is interesting though that SW has put a lot of thought into this mount, but, and it is only a minor but, they haven't quite followed through with some finishing points. Such as, and I am not sure if this is because these are an early model and they wanted to get it to market, the counterweight shaft, unlike other SW mounts, isn't a chrome finish and appears to be just a plain metal shaft, which would be subject to rust, in time (unless kept well lubricated). Also, and this supports the idea that it they wanted to get to market quickly, it didn't have a manual.

A couple of other small bugs exist, but these do not appear to being a barrier to buying one.

I was impressed by this mount and will be buying one in the very near future, as I only want it primarily for a quick visual setup. One thing that was very interesting was the power lead-in is a screw fitting, thus considerably more secure.

Not that this means much, but I like it and I haven't previously been a fan of SW mounts. :)

[blink138]

the tripod looks a bit spindly!
pat

[Stardrifter_WA]

Pat, I think you're too used to your Losmandy mount :D

But, I do agree with you Pat, I think the tripod could have been bigger, but the tripod is probably adequate considering that it is only meant too be a lightweight mount.


If the mount performs as well as it looks, overcoming the issue with the tripod would be relatively easy anyway. Putting a heavier tripod on this mount would probably add too much to cost in any case.

Cheers Peter

[Germ]

I saw this new mount in Sirius Optics this morning and was very impressed with the quality. Sirius has them in stock for $2250.00 but apparently they are in limited supply with no more until February. The manufacture is very neat and tidy, they have a DSLR port for imaging and all adjustment screws etc are very robust. I think I might have to get one.

[Germ]

I forgot to mention, that the counterweight shaft is an alloy and not steel so it should not have any problems.
:lol:

[Capricorn1(Tom)]

Steve form the ASRO SHOP has done a review on the product, see "New Products", then read "related document" on his web page.:thumbsup:

[MortonH]

Sounds very encouraging indeed.

Morton

[Fox]

Forgive me, ASRO shop? Thanks fox.

Ps, I think I found it, Astroshop.com.au?

[Fox]

There's finally a (very) short video of this mount on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrNtqNDVnXk

I have to say that it certainly looks beautiful in dual scope az-setup. Does anyone know if Bintel will be (does) sell these? Fox!

[naskies]

I like the idea of this mount a lot... I wonder if it is easy to convert between alt/az and equatorial modes easily while a scope is still attached?

My friends find looking through the scope in daytime to be rather entertaining, though it's tricky for them to navigate RA/Dec axes.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Hi Dave,

I had a look at one of these at BTOW in Perth and it is quite easy to change from alt/az to equatorial, just unlock and turn a screw, which is fitted with a convenient handle. Just have to replace the dovetail bracket with counterweights. Easy as!

I was impressed with this mount and will be getting one from BTOW in the new year, just have to get through xmas first.

Cheers Peter

[miki63au]

Hi guys,
I can tell you the mount is very nice. Feels solid, looks good and the go-to is very very quiet.
I think the best visual scope for this is a 10" GSO f4 Newt with Parracorr
.... very comfortable sitting position for observing even with a bino-viewer.
Put a short APO in the front of the Newt to shift the balance to the front a bit. This will put the eyepiece close to the axis :)

Disclaimer: I am selling the first unit just after I received it from Steve/Astroshop... long story - I unexpectedly bought a member's C14 package.... all happened in two weeks etc. and now have too much gear and no cash :)

Mick

[FlashDrive]

Couple of impressive pic's of the Sky Watcher Mount.
Credit to the originator of these pic's.

Flash ..!!

[Fox]

In case you haven't seen it, there's also nice brief initial review (with pictures) of this mount at Stargazerslounge:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/168998-skywatcher-alt-az-eq6-geq-first-thoughts/

[OICURMT]

What's Keith selling these for (as in price, not reason...:P) ?

<EDIT: Never mind, found it on his website... A$2k>

[desanctb]

I received the AZEQ6 several days ago and can confirm it's a winner! Having owned the previous eq6pro I welcome the changes like encoders, higher capacity, and better design. I also have tried it with EQMOD, and it works perfectly without any special cables. All that's needed is a USB to Serial adapter. As well, I had no trouble connecting with SkySafari and controlling it with my IPAD2. This mount rocks!
Burt, Calgary, Canada (presently -22C)

[OICURMT]

Bought Mick's the day before Xmas... I noticed that Keith (btwo.com.au) still have 3 left @ $1999.00.

[adamcullen]

I bought one today, its on its way to the East Coast :).