Hi All
I have my new GS-680 and just love it and am now trying to work out how to get a decent motorised GEM for it without spending a fortune.
I've looked at the EQ5 with SS legs and may go with this but I'd prefer a HEQ5 and I'd like the option of upgrading it to GOTO at a later date without spending $1000 for the pleasure when Andrews has the whole HEQ5PRO SynScan Go-To for $1399 (which I can't afford at the moment).
Overseas sites show 3 versions of the HEQ5. The basic motorised version (which requires the full (typically) $1000 upgrade), the SynTrek which just needs the Synscan hand-controller, and finally the full Synscan version. It also seems that the Syntrek and Synscan models are both called Pro's and come in white but the basic motorised version is black. Ref:
http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/astro...cope_mountings
Andrews has the "HEQ5 equatorial mount with dual axis motor drives" for $899 and many others have the apparently same thing for $999. Another forum here discusses just plugging in a Synscan controller into a non-GoTo to upgrade to full Go-To but can anyone confirm what version the non-GoTo mount is and if this is really possible? ie is it the basic dual axis motorised version or the Syntrek version?
Do I have all the facts correct and can anyone clear up the confusion? Or can anyone come up with a better solution to my needs?
Thanks for any help