Quote:
Originally Posted by deadsimple
Oh that makes me want to cry. I bought the non-GOTO for $1300 all up a few weeks ago, couldn't find a better price at the time - guess I didn't look hard enough.
I guess I'll wait until I need guiding and get the $1k GOTO upgrade kit. 2/3 of the price of the mount itself. Sigh :/
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I bought mine in Feb this year, just before huge price drop (I could have had Skyscan for what I paid for basic one, if only I had waited 2 weeks, and that was $1500). And somehow I am not entirely sure Bintel guys were not aware of that coming price drop.. anyway, this is in the past now.
However, I did Darren's mod, it cost me ~$30 and now I have GoTo (slow.. but OK for short jumps, and it works nicely with CdC, without ASCOM platform) via RS232, and it will be possible to replace motors with different ones (faster and with higher torque) in the future, if need arises.. because the gearbox ratio is a parameter in processor memory, configurable via serial port. The only issue that I know of with current firmware version is lack of acceleration, so it may not be a very good idea to try with faster slews before this is sorted out. But, source code is made available, so... :-)
For details, have a look at
http://projects.gbdt.com.au/eq6-1/
I did not use the second PCB, nor I added additional cover, I mounted D15 connector for serial and/or paralel guider cotrol interface at the left of the metal cover between edge and other connectors.
It is possible to buy motors with gearboxes as an upgrade, but it costs simply too much.. I mean, such stepper motor is $30 max, and additional flange and gear can be found at some places for another 30.. this is $100 maximum.
And upgrade costs $1000.... incredible.... Why? I know the answer but I do not want to be banned from this forum for using bad language :-)