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Originally Posted by TheAstroChannel
What is the difference between the HEQ5 and the EQ5?
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Payload capacity, can control from your PC with EQMOD, half decent bearings and worms (versus plastic in the EQ5). If you ever plan to shoot deep sky images over a minute or so the HEQ5Pro is a minimum.
Sean you're discovering the evil truth of astronomy. The ideal setup for astrophotography is quite different to needs for visual. Most people have a couple (or more) scopes for this reason. For visual, a 10" or larger dob is unbeatable. For astrophotography most people would suggest you start with an EQ6 and an ED80. You'll be blown away either way - either with what you SEE in the dob, or amazed at what a DSLR can show in a 5min sub through the ED80.
As Paula said, there is the possibility of quite a decent compromise if you get a 8" Newt on an HEQ5Pro. Just make absolutely sure you'll be able to reach prime focus and expect to have very tight backfocus (more reading to do if those are unfamiliar terms - but that's why the hobby is fun - so much to learn and explore!
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