Quote:
Originally Posted by Hagar
Quite sweeping you think. With a maximum carrying capacity of 10KG for an EQ5 and working on loading a maximum of 2/3 for astrophotography that gives a max loading of 6.5KG. An ED80, guide scope of some description, some method of mounting them, a guide camera and a DSLR or similar, you don't need to have a maths degree to see that the EQ5 is not suitable. Allowing for future upgrades is out of the question.
The construction of the EQ5 and HEQ5 is quite diferent and the load bearing capacity reflects this. EQ5 = 10KG HEQ5 = 13.5KG.
Having owned both an HEQ5 an EQ6 Pro mount I can tell you without doubt the EQ5 and even the HEQ5 mount just will not cut it with anything but the lightest imaging setup.
To save the extra for an EQ6 Pro mount would have to be the best advice I could give anyone when imaging is the use. It allows for future expansion and upgrades and gives a very stable platform for imaging. Even the weight and build of the tripods make a significant change during imaging.
If you are coming down to BSG this year talk to a few of the imagers at this event and you will find my statement is correct.
What I am really saying is think very hard before committing money to a setup which will need to be sold before long to allow your imaging to progress.
It can be expensive to be a 2 minute expert.
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Doug
You are obviously a seasoned vetran at this, and know your onions, and please dont think i was having a go, i wasnt. And i also agree with what you say about the mount needing to be much beefier than needed for ordinary viewing. But saying the HEQ5 wont do it is crazy, sure i dont expect it to carry a 12" OTA and other paraphenalia, but it will do good astrophography, admittedly it doesnt have anywhere near the load of an EQ6, but that said, it must be one of the most popular mounts sold, and action speak louder than words, i have seen plenty of great pictures taken with a small, similar setup, even if we analyze the 2/3rds rule for imaging. The HEQ5 has a limit of 13.5Kg here is what im using.
Skywatcher ST80 1.1kg
Orion ED80 2.47kg
Canon 450D 1.74kg
thats 5.31Kg, and lets add say ... another 1kg for adapters, guiders and stuff, and round it up to an even 6.6Kg.
thats still just under half of the mounts full load !! and 2/3rds of an ordinary EQ5.
its simple. If these mounts where completely pony, then they wouldnt sell, and if the HEQ5 wasnt up to the task, then it wouldnt have an autoguider port as a consideration.
So yes, i would also advocate a HEQ6 as its bigger, beefier, and better all round. But for people with a small setup like mine, getting started, i certainly wouldnt say its little brother is "too small"
hope i dont cause offense
