Quote:
Originally Posted by toryglen-boy
i didnt weigh anything, i got the weight from the manufacturers websites. The point i was trying to make was, a HEQ5 is perfectly adequate for a light imaging setup.
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Without going into too much detail, the HEQ5 was not the original mount discussed here. It was an EQ5. an entirely diferent mount in all aspects to the HEQ5. The internals and build quality of these two mounts is again very different.
Astrophotography requires more from a mount than just it's ability to carry weight. It must firstly be capable of carrying the weight but it must also be capable of guiding to quite fine accuracy with little to no tight spots or jumping. Both the HEQ5 and the EQ5 fall down in this category. They run relatively small stepper motors with small gears which are not up to very fine accuracy. The EQ6 being some what beefier has a much more rigid structure, right down to the ground, and believe me when two ED80's are stacked on top of each other this rigidity is tested. The ability of the mount to stop resonating after a gust of wind or accidental tap is also of major importance. The EQ6 range handle this far better than either of the EQ5 range.
I have had an EQ6 and HEQ5 and have now bought and use a G11 Losmandy mount for these very reasons.
The descision is of course up to the individual but my statement was meant as a warning for some one who is looking to get into this wonderful hobbie.
My advise is still. Save a bit longer and buy an EQ6Pro mount, you wont be sorry you did and it will last you through the progression which is Astrophotography.
No Offence Taken.
