First light with my new AZEQ6

[BruceG]

Hi all, finally got the show on the road with my new SW AZEQ6 mount.
I tried to load it with my untended full payload, but I have to lose just over 2Kg (a Bintel 200 f4 and my Megrez 90 riding side by side). Anyway, reverted to just the Megrez foe a quick test session which owing to a party last night, didn't start until well after midnight.
Once PA was achieved, all that I could aim at was good old Eta Carina Neb.
30 x 180 seconds and 9 darks although I excluded the final 4 light frames as the pre-dawn light was becoming obvious.
At least I have nice round stars again from corner to corner.
Link to Astrobin version HERE (http://www.astrobin.com/232977/)

[vlazg]

Nice image, guided or unguided?

[BruceG]

Thanks George, it was guided. I use a Meade DSI on the Orion ST80. I am pretty happy for a first outing with this mount. The PHD2 graph looks OK. I haven't customised any settings in PHD2 yet.

[Camelopardalis]

Nice one Bruce :thumbsup:

PHD graph looks nice and tidy, but all you want really is round stars. Sometimes my graph looks shocking but the images look OK :shrug:

[raymo]

Like the image, but don't know what your concerns about weight are all
about; My HEQ5 carries a payload as heavy as yours, maybe a little heavier, just fine. Your 6 shouldn't be troubled in the least.
Mine carries 8" f/5 Newt, electric focuser, 9x50 finder, 80mm achro, DSLR, and my D.I.Y. tube rotating device.
There was a member posted here a few weeks ago who is imaging happily with a 10" f/4 on his HEQ5. That's over the stated visual limit for the mount.
raymo

[LightningNZ]

I'm also surprised at this. The AZEQ6 shouldn't have any issue with 10" F/4 and a Megrez 90, especially when guided. The side-by-side will need some careful balancing but otherwise shouldn't be an issue.
-Cam

[BruceG]

Hi all, thanks for your confidence. I have the ST80 riding on the Megrez and one of those fancy guidescope mounts that allow for Left right up down adjustments to ensure you find a start to guide from. That little beasty is heavy. I will remove it and mount the ST80 in some sturdy but lighter fashion. I weighed everything separately and it came to 22.7kg. Anyways, without another counterweight I can't do any testing. I will find a way. Cheers,
Bruce.

[raymo]

Your payload is heavier than mine. Your original post showed that you were using an 8" not a 10"
raymo

[Slawomir]

Great news that you are happy with the mount Bruce.

Let it serve you well (read: track and guide well) for the many years ahead :)

[BruceG]

Thanks for the kind words Slawomir. Your work is proof that the mount is capable of very accurate tracking. I love the slick sound of the mount compared to the geared HEQ5.

Raymo, it wasn't I that called it a 10" - it's a Bintel 8" f4. As previously stated some of the hardware is very heavy and needs to be re-engineered to drop some weight.

Let me take this opportunity to wish all fellow IIS members a very happy and safe Christmas and look forward to Clear skies in 2016.
Bruce.

[Ryderscope]

Nice one Bruce. You should be happy with that.