many mount choices, need advice

[Langaandy]

Hi all,

I curently have a 6"dob with my 600d mounted prime focus and it works great, but obviosly does not have goto

I am looking at upgrading and was looking at getting an LX80 but they are taking forever to release and from what ive heard there have been a few issues so i have been looking around.

i want to be able to upgrage to an 8" or 10" in the future(will probably be SC) and use it for astrophotography, so it needs to hold a camera and it would be a bonus if it could easily hold a guide scope.

I have been looking around and came up with:
Skywatcher EQ5 Pro GoTo Mount $999
Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro GoTo Mount $1249
EQ6 PRO GO TO Mount $1336

Can i get some advice on what would be best for me.

Please bear in mind i want to spend as little as possible but my price range is up to $1300 but can possible be stretched.

Cheers

[naskies]

Hi Andrew,

"Spend as little as possible" and deep space astrophotography don't really mix ;)

The EQ6 would be the best of your three options, especially if you are interested in astrophotography with a reflector. Bintel/Andrews has the EQ6 new for $1799, so if you can get it for $1336 that would be a great price. They occasionally come up in the classifieds section here on IIS for around $1000 - $1200, but usually get snapped up within a couple of hours.

You may find imaging a bit tough with an SCT+DSLR as your first scope/camera kit, due to its long focal length (difficult to get round stars) and the long exposures needed.

A small refractor such as an ED80 would be the easiest way to get started, learn how to set up the scope, align accurately, get autoguiding working well, etc. It would also frame many of the bright nebulae quite well. You can also do some great imaging with your DSLR lenses too.

Hope that helps!

[Langaandy]

Hi,

i know right, it my most expensive hobby ;).

im not set on a reflector i just havnt upgraded my scope yet. i will eventually upgrade to a Schmitt-cassegrain.

the eq6 is from NVT not sure if anyone has purchased from them before.

http://www.nvt.com.au/p/2258/skywatcher-telescope-mounts-inc-tripod-eq6pro-mnt-go-to-equatorial-to-25kg-inc-motors.html

[Hagar]

You will get all sorts of replies to a question like this but to be direct and honest the EQ6 is the smallest mount you would think of with an 8" or 10" SCT particularly for astro Photography. The others just won't cut it.

[ZeroID]

EQ6 or get a small 80mm APO and then an EQ5 could work. And an APO ain't cheap so you're back to square one.

[SteveInNZ]

Try and stretch for the EQ6 and buy some rings to mount the Dob OTA on to it. The mount will last you for years and you can change your optics as your budget and tastes dictate.
I agree about the SCT. Very versatile for visual use but more difficult/restrictive than other options for photography.

[Poita]

EQ6 or CGEM are really your only 'cheap' options if you plan on long focal lengths later on.

Both can be made to work really well. Consider it a one off investment, there will be no point buying a cheaper mount if photography is in your future.

Buy 2nd hand from someone known here if you can, then you can get some history on the mount, and some PE graphs to know what you are getting. You will usually end up scoring some much needed accessories as well.

Also then, if you don't like it, you can re-sell it for pretty much what you paid for it, if buying new you will take a big hit on resale...

[Mighty_oz]

What he said :) Also u often get a mount that has been tinkered with so that most of the bugs/problems have been dealt with. I bought an Heq5 pro then a eq6 should have bought the eq6 first but i wanted to save $'s at the time, lost out in the end lol. Eq6 is way better for later on when u want to do more stuff.

[allan gould]

Try for a second hand eq6. If you can wait thil March then a few should become available due to EQ8 purchases.