I don't have the HEQ5 but the EQ6, and a VX..I like the VX for it's build quality and finish, and I prefer the Celestron software over Synscan. But it sounds like a coffee machine
the EQ6 sounds smoother. On the flip side, the tripod and counterweights for the EQ6 are now rusting having been caught by a freak thunderstorm at IISAC
One thing to be aware of with the VX right now is that the all-star polar alignment routine doesn't work...Celestron engineers are apparently testing a firmware update that will fix that. They just won't say when
For imaging you will want to be drift aligning no doubt so it becomes irrelevant and for visual you just do a 2-star align followed by some calibration stars and your gotos should be good all night
