First post about new mount

[briannm]

Hi Everyone'
My first post
I have a meade 10" lx200 gps that i've been unable to sell to upgrade to a better astrophotography setup, so plan B is to get a new mount and i'm thinking a skywatcher AZ EQ6 and taking the ota off the lx200 and putting it on the AZ EQ6. My question is whether the mount will handle the weight of the ota plus dovetail rail, guide scope, meade dsi to guide and my olympus camera for imaging. I estimate the weight at about 16kgs.
I've read on various sites that some say thats ok and others say its too much for AP and only suitable for visual, my main interest is to AP Deep sky objects.
Would like to hear your opinions.

Many thanks in advance

Brian

[Eden]

According to Skywatcher up to 20Kg is fine on the AZ EQ6 for photographic work, some users have reported no problems with accuracy at slightly higher loads than that.

[briannm]

Thanks Eden,
I see you have the az eq6, are you happy with it.
cheers
Brian

[Eden]

Hi Brian,

Yes, I'm very happy with it. It's quiet, accurate and sturdy. I haven't used it in dual saddle mode so I can't attest to how well that works, but it should give you an idea about the sort of payload that it can handle. The altitude jack screw is definitely one of the features that sets this model aside from earlier EQ6's, it really helps with polar alignment.

[briannm]

Thanks Eden,
I would only be using it in eq mode not alt/az.
Good to hear your happy with it, my only concern is the payload weight capacity, I'm tossing up whether to go for the new eq8 (not that I can afford it) then there would be no payload problems and i could add heavier bits if needed.

cheers

[Merlin66]

I regularly use over 18Kg payload (C11+three cameras+electronic guider+ spectroscope) with 5 x 5Kg counterweights on the NEQ6pro...no isuues, no drama.

[briannm]

Thanks Ken
Seeing the neq6pro can manage all that and i think the az eq6 can handle a little more weight then i shouldn't have any problems.
Thanks

Brian