EQ5 with Goto??

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #1 04-10-2006, 06:18 PM

I have googled until my googler is just about worn out and cannot find what I want to know.

Is there such a thing as Goto on an EQ5 mount (or equivelent mount)?

The minimum Goto mount that I can find anywhere is an EQ6.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #2 04-10-2006, 06:27 PM

The HEQ5s can come with gotos. I would think the same system would work on an EQ5s.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #3 04-10-2006, 08:40 PM

Dunno Steve.

What I want to do is locate stuff easier. If not a goto, then those hand paddles that say when you are on an object (DSC is it?).

I can't afford a HEQ5 or an EQ6 so which ever mount is the minimum for astropics with my ED80.

Striker (Tony) · #4 04-10-2006, 09:19 PM

A CG5 is a eq5 goto mount Ken.

HEQ5 motors are completely different to EQ5.

Your after a CG5 goto mount Ken.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #5 04-10-2006, 09:22 PM

It's quite easy to fit the Meade DS motors to the EQ mounting and get full GOTO with the Autostar controller. The motor/ controller "kit" is about us$140 from Telescope_warehouse. That's the set up I use on the TV System mount. There another older thread here with details somewhere.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #6 04-10-2006, 09:40 PM

Thanks Tony and Merlin.

I'll google them and see what I find

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 04-10-2006, 09:46 PM

You might also want to give Steve Massey at Myastroshop a call, Ken. He supplies all sorts of eq gear and accessories.

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/mounts.asp

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #8 04-10-2006, 10:16 PM

Thanks Paul

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #9 05-10-2006, 02:27 AM

I found a mount on the AOE site that might suit my needs (depending on the cost of the optional Skyscan).

It is a HEQ5 with dual-axis motor drives for less than $950 (extra for skyscan).

Does anyone know the quality of this product?

It can be seen here: http://www.aoe.com.au/mounts.html - scroll down to HEQ5.

and if you scroll down a bit further they also have a heavy duty field tripod for under $140. Any good?

They do have some EQ5's that I could afford but don't say if they can be fitted with drives, or Goto.

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #10 05-10-2006, 06:49 AM

CG5 would be the way to go Ken, really cheap, compared to others on the market and uses the Celestron handpad. If you just want it for your ED80 then I would say "goto it"

Striker (Tony) · #11 05-10-2006, 07:29 AM

Ken,

The EQ5 can be fitted with drives but personaly I would be going for the CG5 if you want a goto EQ5.

The heavy duty tripod is the same as the steel tripod you get with the EQ5 and HEQ5...this was an option because you could buy the EQ5 with the aluminium legs but get the steel tripod as shown.

HEQ5 heavy duty equatorial mount with tubular steel tripod legs Now $899.00
HEQ5 Go-To has steel tripod legs and Skyscan Go-To Upgrade fitted Now $1699.00
HEQ5 PRO has steel tripod legs, white in colour, Skyscan Go-To fac. fit. Now $2199.00

I dont know why there is a difference between the HEQ5 and the pro version as they are the same mount..only the pro is white.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #12 05-10-2006, 07:45 AM

Ken, if you have the July 2005 edition (bit out of date

) of Aus Sky and Telescope (the one with Albert Einstein on the over), on page 82 there is a review of some Celestron, Losmandy, Skywatcher EQ6, Tak and Vixen mounts. It doesn't give prices but some of the specs might help you decide.

OneOfOne (Trevor) · #13 05-10-2006, 07:52 AM

Hi Ken,

My scope is on the CG5, I find the GoTo great...sometimes it goes a bit psycho though (once in a blue Moon

). If you are still thinking in a few weeks, you can have a look at mine at Ballarat. I see Andrews has the mount for $1249, now flash upgradeable. I can fit the whole tripod on the back seat or screw the head off and put it into the boot. So portability is pretty reasonable.

Cloudy Nights also has a review that compares this mount to Meade and others, have a look.

ving (David) · #14 05-10-2006, 11:01 AM

ok, i have looked extensively into this ken and it goes like this:

cg5 = eq5 with goto. its celestron made. good for a max of about 7-8 kg if i remember

heq5 is a much heavier mount that the eq5. it takes up to 15kg if i remember.

heq5 pro is heq5 with factory installed goto.

andrews can also install goto into heq5 for less than the heq5 pro.

as for eq5 i havent looked into this too much but i am guessing that as previously stated goto can be put on it.

if you can afford the heq5 go for it. its a much more stable mount

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #15 05-10-2006, 01:40 PM

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I should be deciding between the CG5 goto and the HEQ5 goto.

Yes Paul, I have that issue of Aust Sky&Tel. I'll have another read of it.
I'll also check them out at Camp.

allan gould · #16 05-10-2006, 04:41 PM

If you go the HEQ5 mount goto route, don't buy it yet. Hold off until version 3 of the handset or it will cost you $700 to upgrade the handset to version 3.
A real rip-off

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #17 06-10-2006, 10:13 PM

Thanks Guys.

I have googled and read heaps of articles, reviews, prices, Specs etc, compared in Aust Sky&Tel article, and listened to what you have all said.

As much as a HEQ5 GoTo would be wonderful I am heavily leaning towards the Celestron CG-5GT. It is flash upgradable, has Autoguiding capability and the new model has the upgrade version 3, has great reviews, is easily portable, and can carry a load capacity up to 16kg, and can be driven from a laptop. (Celestron even put thier 16" SCT on it

) $1540 at most dealers and $1249 at Andrews.

I will have a good look at yours at camp Trevor

http://www.celestron.com/c2/product....D=16&ProdID=92

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #18 07-10-2006, 01:18 AM

Concerning the Celestron CG-5GT mount:

What exactly is the 'Version 3'?

What are the benefits over the other version/s.

Will I need to have version 3?

Also, what does flash upgradable mean? Does it mean new info can be sent to it via the internet?

Coz if I don't necessarily need the 'Version 3' thingy, the older version is a lot cheaper.

You will have to excuse me as I know absolutely nothing about mounts etc. I am going into this blind and it is all a bit confusing with all the terminology, extras, upgrades and such. All I know is that I want a Goto Mount. I thought this would be easier

[1ponders] (Paul) · #19 07-10-2006, 08:42 AM

It's never easy Ken, too many choices ..........but it can be exciting

acropolite (Phil) · #20 07-10-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Also, what does flash upgradable mean?

Means it's a pretty flash feature..... nah not really, Flash Ram is a type of memory that retains it's contents without any supplimetal power, hence the term flash card for digital camera storage media. The flash ram within the controller is used to store the operating software, and star database.