Anyone using a Skywatcher EQM-35 mount?

[gregbradley]

I was thinking of something like this to mount my 105mm refractor on for imaging as well as visual and also the mount can do double duty for nightscapes or lens Milky Way shots.

Has anyone some experience with this mount?

Greg.

[JA]

I don't have one, but at ~10kg it's less than half the weight of the NEQ6 so it sounds attractive for field trips and can still carry a reasonable 10kg payload. One thought though: the extra external cabling may annoy somewhat.

Best
JA

[LewisM]

Had one - very portable. Tracks well.


I doubt the imaging max is 10kg after using it. I'd stick to 7kg, and short tube/focal length.

[Nikolas (Nik)]

How different is it to the neq3-2 Go to?

[Nikolas (Nik)]

There's a guy on youtube who uses one and has made reviews on it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi_yrjxSeW4

[carneb (Barry)]

I've got one that I don't use much anymore after upgrading to an AZ-EQ6.

I was using it with a Skywatcher Evostar 80mm refractor and DSLR. Tracking was OK, on a good night 1.5" RMS, on a bad night 2.5" RMS.

The tracking of the Az-EQ6 is better (0.5" RMS on a good night) but it is much heavier and not as easy to set up each night. With the EQM-35 I could carry the scope and mount out of the shed in one piece no need to dismantle to move it.

I was surprised that the EQM-35 has no ball bearings on Dec or RA axes, it only rides on nylon washers, so in that respect its similar to the neq3-2, but the gear on the RA axis is bigger (more teeth) to improve tracking performance.

[gregbradley]

Hmm no ball bearings, I see, that sets a bit of a tone.

I have a Tak EM10 which I planned to use for my 105mm APO.

I should get that running and stick with high end portable trackers for mirrorless lens and maybe Redcat 51 imaging.

Greg.