Just after peoples thoughts on what is the next step up from an EQ6 in terms of handling a little extra weight but also in regard to improved guiding ability.
I'm currently running around 14kg worth of equipment (FLT-132 scope) on an EQ6. The mount is permanent and in a ror obs.......I feel I'm on the edge of it's abilities though and could get some better guiding from something a little beefier
So what's the next step up? Does an EQ8 have good enough PE figures or should I be looking at something different?
I'm not looking at 'future proofing' as I doubt I'll go bigger scope wise from where I am now.
For a 50Kg payload mount you can't beat the EQ8 for value for money and it has local support via Bintel. I haven't read anybody bad mouthing the EQ8 so it should be OK.
There is also from China the Ioptron CEM60 which can handle a 27Kg payload. Not sure about local support though.
Then you have the American Tanks, like the Paramount Mx+, Astro Physics AP1100GT, and Losmandy Titan that can each handle 45Kg payload.
Or you could look at the exotics from Europe that can be used for unguided imaging, like the ASA DDM85 direct drive mount which can take 45Kg. 10Micron has a good reputation but these are all expensive.
The main consideration for choosing a mount is how quick it can change direction when guiding in DEC without having to wait for the backlash to catch up.
The biggest shortcoming of the EQ6 is its backlash in DEC is terrible.
EDIT: I would have recommended the Mesu 200 that I have, which has no backlash, but my model is now discontinued and the new version needs a special pier with a bended knee or a wedge set for your latitude.
I upgraded from an EQ6 to EQ8 and am very happy with the mount. Tracking is good and I can get up to an hour per image guided with consistently round stars. With good PA I am getting RMS around 0.3” with Phd2. This is with an Esprit 120. I have a 12”rc that will be going on it as soon as I get a chance and the weather clears enough to get the system operational.
I keep wondering about one down the track, but they do seem to have some issues, mostly related to being built to a price. Things like backlash in Dec of the same sort of order as an EQ6. I have wondered about chasing a secondhand one and then just run it a bit unbalanced like I do the AZEQ mount to avoid the issue.
I upgraded a long time ago from an EQ6 to a tak NJP. It is a vastly better mount. Big mounts do come up second had at times. Worth keeping an eye on the classifieds.
Terry
I upgraded a long time ago from an EQ6 to a tak NJP. It is a vastly better mount. Big mounts do come up second had at times. Worth keeping an eye on the classifieds.
Terry
I also moved up from a well pimped, belt modded & hypertuned EQ6 to a well loved/pre-used Tak NJP - price was around $3k and it’s solid, as in battleship solid. Probably takes up to 70-80kgs easily.
Maybe make Mike a too good to resist offer 😊
I also moved up from a well pimped, belt modded & hypertuned EQ6 to a well loved/pre-used Tak NJP - price was around $3k and it’s solid, as in battleship solid. Probably takes up to 70-80kgs easily.
Maybe make Mike a too good to resist offer 😊
No way he’d sell it I think.....if he did he wouldn’t have a door stop for his bedroom door anymore!
Are people saying then that the EQ6 is not worth having ???
Hi Jeremy,
Don’t get me wrong, the 6 is a great mount and has worked flawlessly for me. I’m in a position where I have a few spare $’s and thought I may as well spend it on a quality mount that in reality will be the last mount I ever need to buy.
Are people saying then that the EQ6 is not worth having ???
Hi Jeremy,
This is probably my fault for giving you that impression, but the EQ6 is a very good mount but it does have limitations when it comes to guiding in DEC.
As you can see from the attached PHD graph that the EQ6 has difficulty reversing direction in DEC and more and more pulses are sent from PHD2 to get the EQ6 to overcome its backlash.
The workaround for this is to deliberately set the polar alignment so as the stars always drift in one direction (e.g North) and this way the DEC guide pulses are always in a Southerly direction and it has no reason to reverse direction.
Given all of that this graph is not bad with a total RMS of 0.77 arcsecs.
As you already know, the NEQ6pro is a great workhorse.
I've been very happy with mine for the past ten years.
Loaded up with a C11, spectroscope, four cameras, electronic finder etc etc
I can easily guide on a 20 micron slit for as long as needed. Usually minimum of ten minute subs (not because of the guiding, but local light conditions)
To date I have been running my mount deliberately unbalanced to help with dec backlash. I figure that if the steppers, belt drives and worms are able to tear ports out of cameras in the case of a cable snag they can probably live with a newton meter or so of imbalance.
I find that mine guides better with as close to perfect balance as possible. Only occasionally see serious Dec deviations. It's not like it wreaks havoc every 5 minutes or anything
