I leave my HEQ5 mount outside all the time. I have made a solid wood pier with 3 legs to mount it on which took 8 bags of cement and 10 10mm bolts to secure it. It is spot-on level and on to the hardwood base goes the HEQ5. I then made a plywood cover for the whole lot, gave it 3 coats of oil based gloss paint, (no water based rubbish for me!) and a good thick nylon rope to tie it down. I have left room for plenty of air flow around the mount. The only occasional trouble I have is the odd spider taking up residence - which is easily rectified with some surface spray.
The telescopes, eyepieces, battery, torches, of course, are living in pampered luxury in my existing super-secure potting shed
For sale: One tripod
