Can you help me choose an EQ mount?

[johngwheeler (John)]

I'm narrowing down my choices for a first serious scope+mount. The scope choice was relatively easy once I considered the pros & cons of the various types, my likely viewing interests and my portability requirements - I have probably decided on a SkyWatcher Black Diamond MK150.

However, choosing the mount seems a lot more involved! I've been advised by the good folks here to get a driven (preferably GoTo) mount at the start.

Now I see there are lots of options here as well.

1) Many people seem to suggest getting an HEQ5 mount for extra stability and upgrade path to larger scopes or more serious AP. Is the significant extra cost really worth it for a beginner who will initially be doing visual only?

2) GoTo systems add at least $400 to the price unless I use a "DIY" solution such as the AstroEQ. Is dragging a laptop, extra controller boxes and power supplies going to kill the impulse for "a quick view" because of the complexity of setting it up? I know myself, and I really want a system that I can move out of my garage into my yard and be using in 5-10 minutes.

3) Do any GoTo systems have any systems for helping with polar alignment? I live in Sydney, so I'm thinking that some assistance in this area would be helpful given the lack of clear polar marker stars.

Thanks!

John

[glend (Glen)]

Buy the best mount you can afford. You will likely upgrade the scope as most people do eventually and having extra mount capacity allows that. If you want to try astrophotography you will need a good goto EQ mount, preferably one with a guideport. You don't need a laptop to run a goto EQ mount, they usually have a hind controller, certain the HEQ5 does. New software versions of the Skywatcher Syncscan controller software do have polar alignment error correction routines, however, you probably should learn to 'drift align' as well.
No EQ mount is going to be ready to go in 5-10 minutes unless you have it permanently setup in an observatory. A dobsonian could be ready to use in that time frame but you won't be able to track for astrophoto purposes (although you can do bright planet photos that use auto fast camera speed settings). Deep Sky Object photos would be out of the question on a dob.

From where your starting there is alot to learn, so keep asking questions and read everything you can before you buy.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

If you want something you can use in 5 to 10 minutes get a Dobsonian. An equatorial mount will take 30 minutes to set up properly.

[casstony]

The Celestron Advanced VX is a very nice mount, more stable than the HEQ5, and can be set up in 10 minutes providing you only need a rough polar alignment for observing. Celestron's hand controllers are the best/simplest to use in my experience too.

Buying good condition used gear takes stress out of the decision since you can sell again for minimal cost if you have a change of mind.

For a super simple setup consider the Celestron Evolution scopes - you can still hook up a dslr for basic imaging using short exposures.

[DarkKnight (Kev)]

Hi John,

I've just been through this exercise.

Being retired I have the time to search the internet for reviews and read forum posts on gear I am looking at.

I decided on the HEQ5 Saxon/SkyWatcher (they seem to be from the same factory). However there seems to be three different models floating around. There is a basic model with twin motors than is only upgradeable to Goto with a motor upgrade and Synscan handset, around $600.00. The next ( I've seen it called the SynTrek) has the better motors and only needs the Synscan handset upgrade, around $220.00. The third is already set up with Goto and Synscan controller.

I live up in the Hunter Valley and to eyeball this stuff involves a 300k odd round trip, so I have to do my best to get it right online.

My initial use will be Nightscape photography although I'm sure I'll want to get a modest 'scope not too far down the line.

My main search criteria was to get something I could grow into and not something that I would soon find inadequate as my gear list expands.

Good luck with your ponderings and decision.