hi, i was originally planning to buy a HEQ5 Pro goto mount for GSO RC 8" but experts in this forum (in fact in other forums also) pointed that NEQ6 Pro is better option and future proof. However, as it is over my budget, I did a little research and found that this mount can be driven by computer without SynScan Controller. In fact EQMOD provides far more powerful features by bypassing the hand-controller and communicating directly with the mount's stepper motor controller.
So, i need three things (besides the mount):
1) EQMOD software ----- free
2) Stellarium software ----- free
3) USB2EQ6 Interface Cable --------
(which is not free but i don't know how much it costs in bintel/ andrew)
Now, my questions are:
1) how much will i be able to save without SynScan controller?
2) What are the pros and cons of having and not having this controller?
3) Any other thing should i know?
Link:
http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tr...oductview.aspx
http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/introindex.html
http://www.store.shoestringastronomy...roducts_eq.htm
http://www.stellarium.org/