HEQ5 Pro GoTo

[raymo]

I have seen figures from 12.5 to 17kg touted as the limit for the
HEQ5 by various individuals and retailers, but have never seen an
official figure from Skywatcher. Does anyone know what the
manufacturer's rating is?
raymo

[Chris85]

Hi mate according to this http://ca.skywatcher.com/_english/02_mounts/02_detail.php?sid=59 it's 13.7kg's. I definitely wouldn't be putting 17 up there!
Cheers,
Chris

[raymo]

Thanks very much Chris.
raymo.

[Forgey]

The most I put on mine is about 13kg and I wouldn't go any heavier.

[brian nordstrom]

:) Hi Ramo , my 8kg ( or there abouts ) of Istar 127mm f8 refractor at 1100mm long rides easily on my HEQ5 , quite a nice combo and I would recon 13kg would be max as well .
I have a Celestron C9 1/4 carbon fibre on its way and I will let you know how it handles that OTA .
Brian.

[raymo]

Thanks Paula and Brian, my 8" f5 Newt and 80mm refractor seem about right, when you allow for the DSLR as well.
raymo

[Screwdriverone]

My 8" skywatcher newt reflector I think weighs about 10kg and with my 50mm finder scope, guide camera, and main Atik camera tips it over about 11.5kg or more with the rings and dovetail, so I think it is pushing mine to the max. Certainly guiding and slewing etc is MUCH better when I was using an ED80, so the lighter you can go, the better.

I am thinking of a Carbon Fibre OTA in the future with better optics and much lighter tube weight, in order to be more reliable and a happier mount overall.

Cheers

Chris

[raymo]

My Skywatcher 8" f5 weighs 9.2kgs including rings and dovetail, and I have to say that I haven't noticed much difference in performance when using just the 80mm. What is SO much better though, is that I can hold
on to the focuser when adjusting it. The reflector is appalling; I have to
give a tweak then wait several seconds for the vibes to die down. The tripod is rock solid, so foot pads do nothing.The flexure is all down to the dovetail and rings arrangement not being solid enough. It must be the
same for all owners of this mount/scope assembly; I wonder if anyone has come up with a fix.
raymo

[Screwdriverone]

Hey Raymo,

I know what you mean, hence why I have an FCUSB control over my Skywatcher electric focuser, which makes it a doddle to get very fine focus. Even with a hand controller on the focuser when using visually, no shake happens at all when trying to focus accurately.

Well worth it.

Chris

[raymo]

Thanks Chris, I'll have to see how much the electric focuser costs.
raymo

[alistairsam]

I think 12kg's is about the limit from a practical point of view.
an OAG helps a lot if there is flexure as it "sees" your mirror shifting and compensates.
this electric focuser should do the job.
http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories/Focusers/Skywatcher-Electric-Focus/1319/productview.aspx

Cheers
Alistair

[raymo]

Thanks Alistair and everyone else.
raymo