EQ8 Manual

[Germ]

First Light Optics have posted the EQ8 manual.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/user...eq8_manual.pdf

Jeremy

[Peter.M]

I know a genuine Panaphonics when I see one!

[LewisM]

And look, there's Magnetbox and Sorny!

[Steffen]

The actual EQ8 manual looks legit, though. They probably renamed the file to cover up their brazen act of piracy

Cheers
Steffen.

[ubique (Hugh)]

Jeremy was kind enough to add a link to the new EQ8 mount which a lot of people are interested in and all he gets are inane cryptic comments about the authenticity of the manual. Not everybody watches the Simpsons , I offer this link to those enthralled enough in finding out what Panaphonics, Magnetbox and Sorny is--- http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=magnetbox
First Light Optics is a legit website and has benevolently put a link up so those interested in the EQ8 can get a better idea of what this mount offers; I fail to see it as an act of piracy.
All the information so far from various reports online indicate the EQ8 is going to be a winner, if the success of the EQ6 is any indication you are going to see a lot of higher end overpriced mounts being replaced by the EQ8 on the field at future star parties.
I can’t wait to see the derogatory comments and erroneous opinions about the EQ8 which will flow like a sewer from the usual arm chair experts on here when it is released in Australia at the end of this month.
Hugh

[LewisM]

Hugh, it was all a bit of fun, aimed at the mis-spelling by First Light Optics of SLYwatcher vs Skywatcher - look carefully at the link title:

firstlightoptics.com/user/slywatcher_eq8_manual.pdf

(original link, which parses here: http://www.firstlightoptics.com/user...eq8_manual.pdf)

IT was nothing derogatory about the mount at all.

IT certainly is an innovative mount in many ways, and I hope it really will force Paramount, Losmandy etc to pull their prices down somewhat.

I'd personally love to get an EQ8, but I cannot justify a $4K expenditure, unless Mr.Gold Lotto shines on me.

[ubique (Hugh)]

Thanks Lewis, I did see the typo on the top of the page, the guys at First Light Optics have a sense with their website and it probably was deliberate to catch people. See the Clearance page http://www.firstlightoptics.com/clearance/hubble-cassegrain-reflector-telescope.html
And the Customer Reviews page
http://www.firstlightoptics.com/clearance/hubble-cassegrain-reflector-telescope.html
I particularly like the comments headed - Would like to make a binoviewer and Postage
Hugh

[Peter.M]

I'm glad my light hearted banter was not lost on you Lewis, I was not questioning the validity of the document in any way. Also who cares if it was "pirated" what use is it to anyone without the hardware.

[LewisM]

At least the EQ8 is not a direct knock-off of other maker's mounts, unlike their previous mounts, and like iOptron's mounts, though, the EQ8 has some distinct "Paramount-ness" to it.

Be interesting what the P.E actually comes in at.

If I did win Gold Lotto, it'd be an ASA, not a Skywatcher

[Peter.M]

DDM 80 and no guiding? Probably a newt lovers dream. No guiding = shorter backfocus = smaller secondary.

[g__day (Matthew)]

Looks a very nice, clever mount for its price point. One thing surprises me - the encoders are rated to 1.2 arc minute accuracy - but points is only RMS 5 arc minutes - can anyone explain that anomaly?

[BPO]

Originally Posted by LewisM

At least the EQ8 is not a direct knock-off of other maker's mounts, unlike their previous mounts...

The EQ6 may be a Tak knock-off but it's still a great mount for the price point.

If I did win Gold Lotto, it'd be an ASA, not a Skywatcher

That's the thing, isn't it? Sky-Watcher gear is great stuff for people who haven't won Lotto. You get almost premium level performance at a bargain basement price, so it's surprising to me that some still sneer.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

At least the EQ8 is not a direct knock-off of other maker's mounts, unlike their previous mounts

maybe, maybe not? http://www.geminitelescope.com/ENG/G42_eng.html

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by g__day

Looks a very nice, clever mount for its price point. One thing surprises me - the encoders are rated to 1.2 arc minute accuracy - but points is only RMS 5 arc minutes - can anyone explain that anomaly?

5' RMS is the same as 1.4 P-V so achieving an accuracy of 1.4' across the sky with encoders rated at 1.2 accuracy seems like a good feat,