EQ6 Pro Mount

[TrevorW]

I've bitten the bullet and decided to buy one but apparently the new ones are no longer white and have upgraded software. Anyone confirm this ??:shrug:

I'm due to pick it up tommorow from a local supplier for the top price of $1495.

:thumbsup:

[AdrianF]

Good price I paid that much from a Sydney dealer. I think the new one are coming out in black and have Version 3.23 software which is OK It takes out all the bugs in previous versions.

Adrian
PS still to mount scope on mine.

[Tandum]

I picked one up locally for the same price last Tuesday. It is still in the boot of the car unopened waiting for someone to get it out for me. I did find a Tasco Invoice with it that says "EQ6 Synscan GOTO White". I should have it out of the boot tomorrow and will let you know if it's not white.

[AlexN]

Trevor, Good to see people are still getting them at $1495 :)

White has its up-sides but black just looks sexy :D (mine is white... matches all of my scopes... :D )

[gb_astro]

I am in the market for one.
Where are you guys getting them for $1495?
Bintel Sydney list it as $1995.

Also what size/style of dovetail rail does the EQ6 pro accept?

Thanks,
gb.

[Tandum]

I got mine from Sirius Optics in Brisbane but I had it on order for several months. I think AlexN got a similar price on one from York Optical, with a bit of haggling. I dunno if Andrews have any left at all. It takes a vixen style dovetail.

[gb_astro]

Robin, thanks for the info.
gb.

[AdrianF]

I got mine from Andrews Communications for $1495 + $30 delivery and great after sales support.

Adrian

[dugnsuz]

Andrews have an as-new return EQ6 Pro on their surplus page at $1199!!!
Go Go Go!!!!!!!!!

[TrevorW]

It must be an astronomers lot I went to pick up my mount today the shops nearly 40 klms from home, try to pay for it with Mastercard but the transactions declined, what :eyepop:!!! I know I've got plenty of credit available.

So while I'm in the store we ring the bank and find out their Computer system is down and no one will be able to do any transactions credit or eftpos until after 12:00 noon Sunday. :mad2::mad2:

Thankfully the store owner said he's out that way on Sunday and has made a commitment to open up for me tommorow afternoon so I can go back and pick it up. :D:D

Alas the shop doesn't have manual card facilities. Now knowing my luck (our luck) the weather will turn foul when I do get it home. :whistle::whistle:

It's a EQ6 Pro (Black) with Sky scan all boxed up these are how they will now be sold to compliment Skywatchers Black Diamond and Equinox series of scopes

Now whats the best regulated (240v) 12v power source needs 2 amps for it and what else do I need like a portable power supply etc. :help:

[AlexN]

I use a portable car jump starter from supercheap auto... 12v 17aH. Cost me $80.. works like a charm... If I had my time again I probably would have gone for the 24aH model.. :)

[bluescope]

I'm assuming you are dealing with Keith at BTOW, he's a good guy. I got my white pro off him about 18 months ago. I also bought both my 2 Newtonians and 180mm Pro Mak and Vixen eyepieces, EQ5 etc from him.
You can get a 3amp regulated power supply from Dick Smith's for around $70 and Super Cheap have jump starts for around $54 on special right now ... check them out.

:thumbsup:

[beren]

Ah darn it Trevor, rough but congrats on the new mount. If its any consolation I have endured similar torments, the most recent was some gear including a scope, tripod and counterweights rocking up but alas no mount :P arhh patience was indeed tested that day.

For power from my own experience with 12v options I would suggest bypassing jump starters and get at least a 35+amp SLA battery or better still a AGM battery 65+amp. I have both these sizes with the 35 running the scope and the 65 running dew heaters/DSLR/CCD. Brought the batteries through here here (http://www.batteriesplus.com.au/pl/239/deep-cycle-batteries/) and use battery boxes with associated connections from BCF {in the boating department}. If you go for a decent battery don't skip on a charger get a 4 stage type :)

[TrevorW]

Thanks Beren for the battery ideas but as more big $$$ which I just can't afford (justify) right now that I've spent big on the mount I had to go with the jump start from Supercheap for $54. I believe these are good for about 5 hrs of continuos use. I''ll also look at a 12v 2 amp regulated power supply as I have a 30 metre extension cord.

Tell you what thou until you get one you don't realise how massive these EQ6's are nearly gave myself a hernia setting it up inside even without the couterweights.

I expect some rock steady viewing with my 2 scopes, finders, camera gear, autoguider etc mounted on it.

:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

Trevor, Thats the exact thought I had when mine arrived.. I'd never seen an EQ mount in the flesh before... the eq6 pro arrived in these massive boxes and I was like "what the hell is going on here.." opened them up expecting to see either double boxes, or heaps and heaps of foam... alas... all I saw was a bit of foam and the largest hunk of metal I'll ever own... :)

I'd imagine with all your gear on it a 10~20km/h wind gust will not worry you much! :D

My 12v17aH jump starter provides closer to 8hrs of run time... that is with minimal slewing though... just 3 star alignment, then slew to target...

[Screwdriverone]

Cmon Alex,

We are all dying to know what your latest purchase is, cough up!!!! :P

My guess is a semi trailer to haul around your ever growing gear list?

Chris

[mrsnipey]

Now you can give up your membership to the gym and use it for more astro gear.

[gb_astro]

"Andrews have an as-new return EQ6 Pro on their surplus page at $1199!!!
Go Go Go!!!!!!!!!" (Doug)

Doug, thanks for the heads up. Went there today and bought it.
Would only give one year warranty on it.
Story was that it was having problems either going or coming out of park.
Tech reflashed handset and all ok. Fingers crossed.

According to Andrews and Bintel the only EQ6Pro and HEQ5Pro colour is white. The other non Go-To Skywatcher mounts seem to be all black.

gb.

[AlexN]

gb - Great deal mate! :) 1199 for a mount so capable is awesome!!

[TrevorW]

This is strange as I've got an authorised dealer who buys through Tasco saying the opposite and he's just sold me a black one with Synscan hand set with goto.

:shrug:

[AlexN]

when I ordered my EQ6Pro GOTO I was given the choice of black or white... Figure that out.

[Harpspitfire]

actually i wish there was a choice here- probably stupid to let a mount color effect your decision, but it does mine, i wish the EQ6 pro did come in black, i think orion would lose alot of sales in the US here if they did. really- even a bronze, grey--cripe even deep red would be better then the white, but thats just my opinion

[AlexN]

I like white.... looks very scientific/clinical. my setup with the EQ6, WO Megrez 90, Orion ST80 guide scope looks very smart indeed...

[TrevorW]

Ok straight from TASCO's (Skywatcher Oz. Dist.) service dept, there is no difference except the colour (or lack of) between the White EQ6 Pro Synscan and the Black EQ6 Synscan.

Also will a 12v 800ma AC power adapter be enough to power the EQ6 mount.

:thumbsup::whistle:

[AlexN]

no, a 12v 800ma adapter is 1200ma short of powering the EQ6.

You need 12v 2a minimum... 3a - 5a is recommended if you'll be running other things off it, like a dew heater system etc..

[TrevorW]

Thanks Alex wishful thinking on my part as I had an adapter handy

[RB]

Alex is right Trev, you need a beefy PS, don't risk running it underpowered.
2A at a minimum, more if you're going to run extras off it as well.

Checkout the supplies at Jaycar or even Dick Smith's.

[mrsnipey]

And make sure it's regulated. Not worth frying your new mount.

[TrevorW]

Found this at Jaycar will it do

CAT. NO. MP3470 RRP$39.95

13.8VDC 8.5A Switchmode Power Supply

Suitable for high-current applications. Output is to a cigarette lighter socket. Fan cooled.
Specifications
Output voltage: 13.8VDC regulated
Output current: 8.5A
Leakage current: 500mA
Dimensions: 130(L) x 92(W) x 65(H)mm

:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

bargain....


When in use outdoors make sure its somewhere that will stay nice and dry, and also well ventilated...

[gb_astro]

Trevor, Andrews and Bintel must be out of the loop or are just keeping their product line trimmed.
The black EQ6 is listed as a non go-to mount on the Skywatcher web site presumably with the option of a SkyScan upgrade. Tasco must have decided to sell it as the one unit here.

gb.

[gb_astro]

Well this did not quite work out.
Could not get the motors to work on it at all.
Took it back and payed the extra $300 for a new one.
With a six year warranty it is still a very good buy.

gb.

[TrevorW]

Got a 12.5v 2.5amp AC regulated adapter from Jaycar $23

Tell me whats happened to Dick Smiths they don't carry half the electronic gear they used too.

[Tandum]

Woolworths bought Dick Smiths and Tandy is what happened.

Does that 2.5amp job work ok? I'm just using an old car battery in a square bucket.

[TrevorW]

Yes works fine mine was in a specials bin but nomrally sell for about $29 and like I said I've got a 30 metre extension cord.

Cheers

[garin]

Congrats on the new mount Trevor.
I made a levelling plate for mine and found it helped me overcome some of the frustration in getting the mount level. (in-built level on mine was miles out).
The plate instructions are on this link,
http://members.iinet.net.au/~garin/EQ6plate.pdf

Cheers
Garin

[TrevorW]

Great idea Garin just a thought though as I don't have the tools to cut timber, if I level the tripod top plate then put the mount on will this work.

:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

Garin! You bloody ripper!! :) what a good idea.. Where do you buy little levels like that? I might make something similar up at work, but out of stainless steel

[AdrianF]

I am going to work tomorrow and make one from 5mm aluminium plate.

Adrian

[TrevorW]

Adrian make a few you could sell them but may I suggest also cutting some 2" and one and a 1/4 holes ll around the edge as we make a good EP holder.

:thumbsup:

[AdrianF]

Might just get my apprentices onto it ;)

Adrian