HEQ5 & EQ6 Pro - What's the difference?

[prova]

As per the subject, I'd like to know what the difference is between these two mounts as I plan on buying one and want to upgrade to a GoTo (SynScan is this case)

Tube is currently 8" Skywatcher but will eventually upgrade to a GSO/Bintel 12"

Keen to hear thoughts and comments as I don't want to make the wrong decision and unfortunately don't have the option to step up to a Losmandy.

[DJVege]

I don't see you as having an option dude.

EQ6 all the way. It will hold your 8" fine, and be enough for your 12" down the track. I have the HEQ5 pro, and it's not really enough for my 10" tube. I just leave the 5"er on it, and keep the 10" as Dob for now.

The main difference between the two is max weight they can hold, I believe.

[Stephen65]

The EQ-6 is basically a beefier version of the HEQ-5. If you plan to go above 8" then you certainly need the EQ-6.

[prova]

Damn, knew someone would say that!

HEQ5Pro's are really well priced now :(

[prova]

EQ6Pro with SynScan is it then ..

[h0ughy]

but you can be greedy and have both......

[White Rabbit]

Be warned though, they are heavey. I'm a big lad and it can be a struggle getting the EQ5 in the door, granted I do it weights scope and all at the same time. There is no way your gonna be able to do that with an eq6.

If you go the 6 be prepared to pack it down every time you use it.

[Kokatha man]

This is your automatic warning response White Rabbit

Warning: dreadfull accident imminent.

Cause: insane lack of basic dis-assembly functions.

[h0ughy]

buy a scope buggy - lug the lot

[Kokatha man]

Listen h0ughy, WR is a big boy, but he sometimes has problems working out some of the things others take for granted.

Your advice will most probably have him trying to carry the buggy with his gear attached into the house - not nice to contemplate!

[White Rabbit]

Not sure if I should take offense to that...

[prova]

would you happen to have a link to an affordable one and how would polar alignment then work?

[h0ughy]

see the for sale area

[Kokatha man]

I'm sorry WR - it's just my bizarre sense of stirring: nothing personal intended - just couldn't help thinking of you staggering inside with your scope and mount, complete with counterweights etc.........tell me, you do unplug your powerpack and disconnect the lappy, remove any ep's etc first though, don't you....?

Cheers, Darryl.

[Stephen65]

I have on occasion, simply picked up my FLT-132 mounted on its EQ-6, complete with counterweights and carried it inside the house. I do disconnect all the cables first though.

[White Rabbit]

Nah, I leave all that stuff attached and just drag it in behind me, it's easier that way.

BTW, I only have a etx125 scope on the mount and it doesnt weight that much.

[Starman73]

Hi All

I have an EQ6 Pro and just before I bought it I won a garden cart in a Christmas raffel at work (thats a whole other story how I got into that, and the cart was full of goodies, it wasn't just the cart) and its perfect to put the mount, weights, tripod, power supply and a couple of other bits and pieces in. Its then a matter of assembly but that doesn't take long. Much prefer this setup to my old LX200 Classic 10".

Paul

[ozstockman]

I do the same eveytime with only difference that I have EQ 6 Pro. It even has a laptop attached under a mount head, a guiding camera and both scopes at the top( 8" SCT and Ed80).

Of course I wouldn't be able to get it all outside and backward if I had not have a castor attached to one leg of the mount. So I just grab two legs and roll it :lol:

I had a plan to put all three legs on castors but had to remove two of them as the mount wasn't stable.

cheers,

Michael

[Hermas]

----------------

I woul'd really like a pic of your assembly island with the lap top and all and also a pic from Starman 73 with his garden cart.

Thanks

Hermas

[ozstockman]

Hi Hermas,

Sorry, couldn't post them before. See the attached pics.

cheers,

Michael

[Starman73]

Hello Hermas

Sorry I took so long to reply, been busy busy busy, but not with astronomy unfortunately. Here is a pic of my gardenn cart you requested. I did want to be able to put the box I have all my eyepieces into it too, but it all a bit to big, and with the tripod leaning the way it does, it wasn't going to happen.

Anyway, hope this gives you an idea of what you can do, its simple and it means you don't have to carry the whole lot on your shoulders.

Regards
Paul