Go Back   IceInSpace > Beginners Start Here > Beginners Equipment Discussions
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 22-04-2023, 08:02 AM
Doubledark (Steve)
Registered User

Doubledark is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 8
is there any difference in the build quality between the AZ-HEQ5 and the HEQ5?

Hi all

I'm trying to understand why there is close to $900 difference between the two mounts; is there any difference in the build quality between the AZ-HEQ5 and the HEQ5?

At this stage I have no intention to use for visual - just imaging using ASIair to drive the setup.

TIA
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22-04-2023, 10:18 AM
Drac0's Avatar
Drac0 (Mark)
Registered User

Drac0 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Nowra, NSW
Posts: 556
Hi Steve,

In EQ mode there isn't much really but the AZ-EQ5 does come with a belt drive as standard unlike the HEQ5, and is a much lighter mount head if you need to cart it around or have a bad back like me. The advantage of the HEQ5 is the dual saddle which I wish my AZ-EQ5 had, but that's not a major deal breaker for me.

For EQ only the HEQ5 is probably better value, even adding the cost of a belt mod (which you may not want/need) it will be cheaper than the price difference. I find that I'm not really using my AZ-EQ5 in anything but EQ mode except for very rare solar imaging, though the weight was important for me, especially having to setup & strip down each session.

EDIT: The AZ-EQ5 also doesn't come with a polar scope (not that I ever use one now) - it's an optional extra that attaches to the side where the level is rather than through the RA axis as on most mounts...

Cheers,
Mark

Last edited by Drac0; 22-04-2023 at 10:22 AM. Reason: Polar scope detail
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 23-04-2023, 07:05 AM
Doubledark (Steve)
Registered User

Doubledark is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 8
Mark, thanks for your reply.


I think I'm now closer to pulling the trigger on a new HEQ5. Second hand, the prices are stupid expensive; and no warranty.

At $1599, the HEQ5 seems like a good deal. At $2499, I wouldn't even consider the AZEQ5 - instead, I would look at the ZWO AM3.

Thanks again for your thoughts
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 23-04-2023, 08:04 PM
Drac0's Avatar
Drac0 (Mark)
Registered User

Drac0 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Nowra, NSW
Posts: 556
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doubledark View Post
Mark, thanks for your reply.


I think I'm now closer to pulling the trigger on a new HEQ5. Second hand, the prices are stupid expensive; and no warranty.

At $1599, the HEQ5 seems like a good deal. At $2499, I wouldn't even consider the AZEQ5 - instead, I would look at the ZWO AM3.

Thanks again for your thoughts
Doing it again I probably would go that way & save the extra cost, but at the time I really wanted to save the extra couple of KG on the head - if the AM3 had been around 12 months ago I would probably have gone that way instead, same capacity with the counterweights used. And I really did intend to use it in AZ mode for dual scopes & planetary/lunar/solar imaging but that hasn't happened since I sold my SCT. It may happen when I get around to investing in a newt later, but other things have priority.

Cheers,
Mark
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14-04-2024, 01:14 PM
blindman's Avatar
blindman
Now I see !!!

blindman is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Where chemtrails are presented as...
Posts: 520
With AZEQ5 you don't have to kneel, bend, crawl and I love it, but in AZ mode it has little free gap left-right; not sure is it normal or not.
Maybe someone knows, if it is fixable???
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 08:53 AM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement