Retailer recommendations for mounts

[stevejack]

Hi All,
As another forum member just noticed that Andrews have stock of the HEQ5 and EQ6 pro mounts again, I thought I would pose this dilemma.

Two major (respected) australian telescope retailers have told me on the phone that the HEQ5 will be completely sufficient to mount my 10" dob - including for astrophotography down the line.

Even after mentioning that I was quite prepared to spend the money and buy the EQ6 Pro if this was a better option, in order to save me money, both still told me that the HEQ5 would be fine.

Is this really the case, given that everyone here seems to say that the EQ6 is the miminum mount required for a 10" newt?

I would like to eventually get go-to and tracking... I thought an EQ platform and argo-navis would be best, but given the price of these GEM's it seems like a better option if I want to take photos down the line (albeit more complicated considering I'm a visual observer at the moment).

[matt]

Hmmm.

I'd say go the EQ6 if you can afford it....but who am I to argue with the opinion of retailers?:rolleyes::lol:

At least the EQ6 will give you some room to move in terms of load capacity when it comes to add-ons further down the track.

[Zuts]

I agree with Matt. It may be able to 'handle it' but what about in a bit of wind or say you wish to use an ED80 as a guidescope which is far heavier than an 80mm achro. With mounts the more stable the better. I would say a HEQ5 would be fine for mounting two ED80's side by side but when you get to the moment arm of a 10 inch newt plus guidescope plus two cameras and other stuff you may be just on the limit.

Go the EQ6 if you can afford it.

Cheers
Paul

[stevejack]

Thanks guys, I thought as much but they got me thinking about it...
+ $300 is a lot of money!

Now I just have to decide if I have the time for photography, otherwise it'll be an argo navis and an EQ platform :shrug:

Cheers :thumbsup:

[toc]

Not to be cynical, but you would have to suspect that the reason they are recommending the HEQ5 is that they dont have any EQ6's in stock :lol:

[matt]

Or, possibly, they have too many HEQ5s...shift those units, fellas!!!!:rofl:

[stevejack]

Haha yeah I thought exactly the same thing, but they had neither in stock at the time (both were on order from memory) and I made it clear I wasn't buying, just working out how much to save up :P

I think it was honest advice based on the manuf. specs, as others have said it is possible to use an HEQ5, but for the sake of security I'll go for the EQ6 if anything and just load that mutha up!

[Ian Robinson]

I would hazard a guess and say perhaps the one saying the HEQ5 is fine doesn't have the EQ6 and want the sale.

I would also hazard a guess and say they are desperate for major sales this Xmas too since many amateurs are engaging in a sales-strike and refusing to pay up for inflated prices (result of the poor exchange rate , job uncertainty , and retailor pricing here) and have sold bugger all except some eyepieces , filters and other small odd-n-sods this Xmas season.

Do your homework - and don't rush into buying the mount . Never take a salesman's word for anything is my policy .

[NCRAW]

Cant recall which store, but one of them online ones still got the EQ6Pro at old prices when the dollar was high so might be worth getting the EQ6

[andrew2008]

Andrews will have them in by 12th Jan and $1799 seems a good price given fall in $A. Cheapest i've seen elsewhere is $2200 but telescopeshop.com.au have them for $1495 still if you get impatient.

I've been looking for mount for 10" as well and really think the EQ6 will be best.

Now should i whip out the credit card and pay that off or am i patient enough to save for a few months:lol:

[Ian Robinson]

That is a big difference in price , one wonders how they justify the extra markup , $700 is better in your pocket than a retailor's till. Mastercard / Visacard all attract about 19.5% I believe , not cheap.

I save for my astro gear , never ever use credit to buy the stuff.