My EQ8 is only a month old and last night when I went to do a 3-star alignment the mount started to slew OK, then the Dec made this terrible binding or jamming sound and stopped. Not good.
Now waiting on a reply from the SW engineers in Vancouver, Canada as to how to pull the Dec apart and see what is causing this.
Anyone who has bought an EQ8, I hope you don't experience what I had last night. But then, we get what we pay for, eh?.
Santa, unless you have a slab or two of festive cheer under your coat, don't come calling. I'm not in the mood.
Ok, strike both the SB MX & SW EQ8 off the future procurement list.
You say you get what you pay for, I would think forking out 4K-5K you would get more than 1 month of service.
I hate to sound negative, but if you aren't the kind of person who can troubleshoot faults then maybe this isn't the hobby for you. With a bit of luck all that is wrong is the dec worm is a little too close and all it needs is an adjustment.
Both software and hardware are can be frustrating in this and I don't think it matters which brand you buy
Even if well adjusted at the outset, EQ6s seem to need re-adjustment after a year or so, maybe less if heavily used. You do get what you pay for, but at the cost of learning a few "tips and tricks" you get a solid mount at a bargain price, at least in the case of an EQ6/NEQ6. Of course, precision in operation and software features are other arguments altogether.
Having a problem in only 1 month sounds a bit poor. I can understand the frustration ... anger, even. Perhaps it took a knock in transit/handling that was just enough to cause the worm carrier to move (does the EQ8 still have a worm carrier like the EQ6)?
Hope it is an easy fix.
Edit: It's a bit like owning a cheapish, bog-standard lawn mower. They're simple beasts, and cost effective, but they need regular maintenance to run well and it's a good idea to learn how to DIY.
There is no perfect mount. This is how they gear meshed pre-2005 AP mounts. Hammer in hand! If APs require re-meshing, an EQ8 will too. The only exception being a direct drive ASA or equivalent with no worm.
There is no perfect mount. This is how they gear meshed pre-2005 AP mounts. Hammer in hand! If APs require re-meshing, an EQ8 will too. The only exception being a direct drive ASA or equivalent with no worm.
And if the ASA mount has any issues then it will definitely have to go back to them!
Just take it back to were you got it from and have it replaced, we have laws in Australia if you people didn't know. Demand a new unit as more then likely a metal fragment has got caught between the worm and worm gear and probably damaged both leading to bad PE. Let us know were you got it from please.
BTW: 1 bad mount doesn't mean there all bad, hell every product has a fail rate even the very best mounts could end up with a bit of metal swath in them.
Thanks guys for the replies both pos and neg. I am waiting on a reply from Synta in Vancouver as to what to do next, that won't invoke my warranty from TASCO.
I spoke to Rob there today and he too, would like to know what is going on and how to strip down the Dec housing without damaging anything.
I've built dozens of EQ mounts both small and large and can tell you that worm/wheel pressure is very important. Why do you think the Paramounts and other pro mounts use spring-loaded worms. This keeps an even pressure for meshing. In the proposed Pro SW mount, it will have this and many other pro features.
Anyway, in re to my EQ8 Dec problem it's nothing I can't fix, but if it's damaged due to bad workmanship, I'll get a new mount but not before I get inside and see what caused this binding.
I'll report back here when I'm into it.
I've got a Titan 50 and an EQ6 and a 500kgs payload EQ mount, I built 33 years ago and it still gives spot-on tracking. Size does matter, folks.
nup, not a typo. 3" hardened shaft solid in 3" pillow blocks in RA and 2.5" in Dec. 40mm thick steel saddle plates and 12"Byers drive. Whole thing weighs unloaded, ~350kgs. It's sits on a 12" x 12" RSJ pier. I'm a B/Welder by trade, so I tend to build mounts that are 'over-kills'
Welcome to the world of Beta testing Jim. I understand the feeling when things are not going right. Though I have found that the Chinese and Taiwanese are a pretty fair lot overall and usually like to help those who help them.
When I sorted the first lot of RC8's and the baffle tube reflections, the manufacturers were most interested to hear how I resolved the problem and what I thought out to happen to future models. It is in their best interests to listen to those who want to sort the issues.
I am sure that Synta are the same. When I was I China I spoke to the head man at the Synta works about cooling of big scopes. He was keen to engage in the conversation and listen to an end user.
What sort of payload did you have on the mount? Balance? Just out of interest.
Welcome to the world of Beta testing Jim. I understand the feeling when things are not going right. Though I have found that the Chinese and Taiwanese are a pretty fair lot overall and usually like to help those who help them.
When I sorted the first lot of RC8's and the baffle tube reflections, the manufacturers were most interested to hear how I resolved the problem and what I thought out to happen to future models. It is in their best interests to listen to those who want to sort the issues.
I am sure that Synta are the same. When I was I China I spoke to the head man at the Synta works about cooling of big scopes. He was keen to engage in the conversation and listen to an end user.
What sort of payload did you have on the mount? Balance? Just out of interest.
Hi Paul,
Mate I have a perfect balanced 50kg system. You know me very well and I don't do things by halves but it seems I'm not the only one experiencing this Dec issue now.
Latest is, BOTH motors fail. Both the makers and I suspect it's the power board so the EQ. head is going back to TASCO for repairs.
Jim
Last edited by Star Hunter; 25-12-2013 at 02:55 PM.
It always amazes me how tolerant of imperfection Amateur Astronomers are, $5000 is a lot to pay for something that doesn't work the way it should. Beta testing what a load of BS, equatorial mounts are nothing new just improvements on an old design. I'd be asking for a replacement nothing less which you should be entitled to under Australian Warranty laws.
Mount is now in the hands of Dr. TASCO. No doubt the good doctor will find and fix the problem. Prognoses? I'll either get a new EQ8 head that has been personally brain tested and signed off by its maker or a refund, of which the latter I do not want nor do I see happening. I'll report back when the patient is out of IC and is recovering.
Sorry to read about your EQ8 issues. I have a one month old EQ8 - no problems so far (touch wood! ). I would be keen to know what the end result turns out to be.
