HEQ5 VS Celestron Advanced VX

[TheAstroChannel]

Hi everyone! I'm faced with choosing a mount with a telescope package.
Would a HEQ5 be better in the long run or would it be the VX?

I'm thinking of buying an imaging package off Andrews Comms and it comes with a Guan Sheng GS-630 8" f/5 imaging Newtonian on Celestron Advanced VX "Go-To" equatorial mount with tripod.
The other thought is a Bintel BT200 f/5 on a HEQ5 Pro GOTO mount and tripod.

Which mount is more reliable, with weight and tracking, and has a higher quality?

Which would suit me better in the long run for Mediocre Astrophotography?

I want to image nebula and bright galaxies, and already have a camera set up along with my current 130mm reflector with the ALT-AZ GOTO.

Thanks!

[hobbit]

Hi Sean,
i Just got the VX and have found it to have a very quality finish. The manual leaves a bit to be desired and i'm still trying to figure out how to get it aligned and how to track but i hope to have it figured out soon.

Can't comment on the HEQ-5.

[TheAstroChannel]

Thankyou master Hobbit ;)

[casstony]

Buying local is a strong point in favour of the HEQ5; any problems and you can drop into Bintel for advice or warranty service.

There was a recent thread on CN about these two mounts and it was a toss up.

[Camelopardalis]

I don't have the HEQ5 but the EQ6, and a VX..I like the VX for it's build quality and finish, and I prefer the Celestron software over Synscan. But it sounds like a coffee machine :lol: the EQ6 sounds smoother. On the flip side, the tripod and counterweights for the EQ6 are now rusting having been caught by a freak thunderstorm at IISAC :(

One thing to be aware of with the VX right now is that the all-star polar alignment routine doesn't work...Celestron engineers are apparently testing a firmware update that will fix that. They just won't say when :sadeyes: For imaging you will want to be drift aligning no doubt so it becomes irrelevant and for visual you just do a 2-star align followed by some calibration stars and your gotos should be good all night :)

[rmuhlack]

I have a HEQ5 and a NEQ6, and am very happy with both. If you get a HEQ5 you can use EQMOD software which is very handy for imaging, however I don't think EQMOD is compatible with the VX (or any celestron branded mount for that matter).

Here (http://www.astrobin.com/search/?sort=-likes&search_type=0&license=0&license=1&license=2&license=3&license=4&license=5&license=6&q=rmuhlack%20heq5&camera_type=any&camera_type=0&camera_type=1&camera_type=2&camera_type=3&camera_type=4&camera_type=5&telescope_type=any&telescope_type=0&telescope_type=1&telescope_type=2&telescope_type=3&telescope_type=4&telescope_type=5&telescope_type=6&telescope_type=7&telescope_type=8&telescope_type=9&telescope_type=10&telescope_type=11&telescope_type=12&telescope_type=13&telescope_type=14&telescope_type=15&telescope_type=16&telescope_type=17&telescope_type=18&telescope_type=19&telescope_type=20&telescope_type=21&telescope_type=22) are some photos I've taken with scopes riding on a HEQ5.

[hobbit]

Here is a recording of how loud my avx is
https://vimeo.com/103487791

[TheAstroChannel]

I am not too fussed about the noise of mounts. I have always looked at the NEQ6 and for an extra few hundred dollars it isn't too bad. I just want something that can handle weight well, such as 8 and 10 inch telescopes in the future and can track well.

:)

[Camelopardalis]

I changed the settings on my VX so that rate 9 was a custom rate, slower than "fastest", as I couldn't bear the noise :lol:

If you want something to handle the weight going forwards, the VX and HEQ5 are comparable, and the EQ6 is probably the way to go. They're well tried and tested. While the tripod for the VX and EQ6 are pretty much the same (the peg is different), the mount head of the EQ6 is about 2x the weight of the VX.

One thing to note re: build quality is that the VX (alt/az) adjustment knobs are much better suited to the job. The stock ones on EQ6 can be frustrating in the cold, as there's just nothing to grip.

[Amaranthus]

Not being able to use EQMOD, especially if you are planning on doing some imaging, is a big negative against the Celestron mount, IMHO

[TheAstroChannel]

What is EQMOD and what does it do?

[rmuhlack]

a software interface for EQ5/HEQ5/NEQ6 mounts to replace the hand controller. Allows you to connect the mount directly to a PC via USB and then control the mount, slew to targets, etc using your imaging (eg Sequence Generator Pro) or planetarium software (eg Stellarium or CdC).

I've been using EQMOD for the last two years, and have never connected the hand controller to my HEQ5. I wouldn't be without it for imaging

[rmuhlack]

see here: http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/

[Amaranthus]

It is software used to drive the mount, including a N-point alignment model, synchronization with planetarium software (I use CdC) -- and auto syncs with AstroTortilla which is a massive time saver, and a brilliant autoPEC feature.

[TheAstroChannel]

So compared to the Advanced VX, the HEQ5 or NEQ6 would be the way to go for reliability, quality and imaging?

[rmuhlack]

The Advanced VX looks like it has a similar payload capacity as the HEQ5. This means that the NEQ6 would be step up from the Advanced VX.

Also, to be honest I would have serious doubts about the ability of either a HEQ5 or AVX to handle a 10inch scope (as you mentioned earlier in the thread). 8 inch is probably okay (just). Remember that for imaging you need to stay well within the payload rating to ensure smooth tracking and guiding.

[athua]

The Celestron AVX mount can be directly connected to your PC via the Hand Controller (there is a port at the bottom of the hand controller). The mount comes with a Serial cable, so all you need is a USB to Serial converter for your PC/Laptop if it doesn't have a serial port.

I have connected my AVX Mount and controlled it with Stellarium on my PC without any problems.

[Camelopardalis]

TBH chaps, I've heard of EQMOD before and I'm struggling to see the attraction...what advantages does it provide over Synscan that make it so attractive?

Personally, I prefer not to have my laptop out in the field gobbling up power and my mount depending on it...I appreciate this may be a necessary evil for long exposure guiding...has nobody tried anything like the Synguider?

[Amaranthus]

EQMOD and associated software provides much more scope for automation, and if you are going to autoguide, which is essential for long-exposure AP, then you must have your laptop out there. Synguider, from what I understand, has real limitations, and is infeasible for OAG.

Like Richard, my Synscan HC for the EQ mount is gathering dust. Why would I rely on some buggy and limited firmware, when I can have a dynamic and much more comprehensive software solution?? For photography, I just don't get it. For low-tech visual, I can see the appeal, provided it's linked to something like SkySafari via wire or wi-fi (I do this with my C8 on the SE goto mount, for instance, when doing visual).

[Camelopardalis]

Still struggling :lol: all I'm seeing at the moment is the power draw of Int-hell :lol:

OK so I getcha when it comes to controlling the mount for AP...

So how does one go about hooking up their PC to the mount...should they wish to investigate and yes this while it rains ;)

But for visual....I don't need traction control and anti-lock brakes to enjoy the drive ;)

[Amaranthus]

You need an EQDirect cable (if you want to remove the HC), or else a USB-to-serial adapter that then goes through the HC in "PC Direct" relay mode. I use the former, as I found the latter (my initial solution) to be prone to hanging.

For visual, there are pros and cons - typically, I prefer not to use my laptop and instead use my iPad and HC in combination. For AP, there is no comparison, EQMOD is the way to go (coupled with the absolute godsend that is plate solving).

[Camelopardalis]

Ah OK thanks...I must have the original cable that came with the mount somewhere.

Apologies to OP for the hijack :)

[TheAstroChannel]

So what i can gather here, is that the NEQ6 will be great because of its payload capacity and the software you can acquire to image. It will also be good, because if i buy it locally (BINTEL) i will be able to get support. it also is of great quality and tracking.

Would i be better off getting the NEQ6?

[Amaranthus]

Well, when faced with the same choice, I went with the next step up, the AZ-EQ6! With a smooth (and quiet) belt drive, dual encoders, ability to go Alt-Az for visual for EQ for imaging - it's a 'do it all' mount. And not that much more than the NEQ6.

[rmuhlack]

The NEQ6 will certainly give you more scope options than the HEQ5 or AVX because it has a greater payload capacity. I have a NEQ6 and am very happy with it - its quite versatile, and I have had a variety of scopes and camera lenses on it. Its more expensive than the HEQ5 as you know, but less than the AZ-EQ6 (which admittedly has a few extra features). Guiding is nice and smooth on my NEQ6, and I use a EQDIR cable that I purchased from Bintel to control the mount from my computer.

[TheAstroChannel]

I think the NEQ6 sounds too good to be passed.

Thanks everyone for your great feedback and information!
:thumbsup::)