Alt-az EQ dual mounts

[Andro]

Greetings All,

I note that some of the higher end mounts such as the Skywatcher AZ EQ6 GT Dual Goto Mount provide alt-az as well as equatorial functions. Being new to the field of amateur observing, I'd like to ask why one would want alt-az in a high end scope mount? I thought EQ was preferred.

I am aware of field rotation effects. I also understand that virtually all the world's major telescope facilities use Alt-az and field derotators for engineering reasons. But I would be interested to hear from folks why they use Alt-az.

Andrew

[hamiland]

Hi Andrew,
Not to directly answer your question, however I previously owned an AZ-EQ6, and from what I saw design wise it was a superior mount to the standard EQ6 (which I haven't owned), a couple of differences, the AZ version is belt driven out of the box, has position encoders and has a far superior altitude adjuster. I set it up once in ALT-AZ mode but only for visual due to the limitations you have already mentioned, the only 2 advantages I could see were removing the need to polar align and have the mount perform an N star alignment, and the ability to have 2 scopes setup on 2 dovetails rather than having to use a side by side dovetail system, one either side of the mount head. I have since moved onto a G11 (no alt-az and not missing it).

Anders

[AndrewJ]

Gday Andrew

The AZEQ6 isnt really a "high end" mount, just a good upper midrange.
If you are just rubbernecking visually, AltAz keeps the EP and or focusser in an easy to use position at nearly all positions.
If you run side by side OTAs, it removes the need for a lot of extra counterweights.
Very quick to set up as you dont need to polar align the axles in order to get good tracking ( just setting level and square is much easier )

Andrew

[The_bluester]

IMO for visual use there is little advantage to an EQ mount over a well aligned computerized alt-az. The eyepiece and focuser stay in positions that are almost always more convenient (Particularly on the likes of the AZ-EQ6 and similar when compared to a fork mount) and manual aiming (On mounts which have dual encoders like the AZ-EQ6, allowing you to do so) is more intuitive. Even aiming using a hand controller is easier on the brain with an alt-az mount.

The primary advantage I can see to an EQ mount would be in the event of a power or electronic failure a well aligned EQ mount would be easier to track with to let you at least observe something.

Field rotation is a non issue in visual observing.

[Slawomir]

I second what already has been explained - the Alt-Az mode is MUCH quicker to setup and the mount is easier to use in this mode for visual observing. Equatorial function with AZEQ6 is essential for deep space astrophotography.

[barx1963]

I have the AZEQ6 and would second all the comments made. I have only set it up in ALT-AZ mode one to do some visual solar work and to see how it worked.
Main reason I purchased were the belt drives, the improved power connector and handset connector and easier to use Alt adjustment.
If you were wanting to setup a newtonian for visual use and also wanted a mount that could occasionally be used in EQ mode for imaging, it is a good choice.
Having said that, I reckon it is a definite step up from the NEQ6.

Malcolm