EQ5 carrying capacity

[TrevorW]

Two questions folks

1. How much weight (can) have you loaded on an EQ5

2. Would it be efficient to upgrade the EQ5 with Skyscan (does this give you autoguiding) or buy a HEQ5 or HEQ6 mount

[renormalised (Carl)]

I think, for memory, the EQ5 can heft 12-15kgs...might be wrong. It's about the same for the HEQ5. For the price of the Skyscan, you'd be better off getting the other mount....although I'd be more inclined to get a EQ6 Pro mount. It's heavier but can carry a lot more. Goto Andrew's and see what the going price is.

[csb (Craig)]

The upgrade for the EQ5 will give the scope the same GoTo features as the HEQ5Pro and the 6.

The HEQ5Pro is a lot heavier than the EQ5 - I bought the former and sent it back due to the weight, and got the EQ5 with Synscan already installed - from Andrews.

[Tandum (Robin)]

From what I found on line, the eq5 has a max load of 9Kgs. It's not easy to find as most searches bring back the HEQ5 ratings. The HEQ5 is rated at 12-18Kgs, depending on where you look, skywatcher doesn't print a load limit. I'd suggest 18Kgs is the absolute top end for it to track anything from personal experience. Add a breeze and your stuffed

Get the EQ6 trevor, everyone else is, and I'd suggest sooner rather than later as the Bintel Price is back up to $2K already. If you buy from Andrews, double and triple check that the warranty is valid. Ring Tasco, the agent to confirm what Andrews tells you.

[csb (Craig)]

Yep, it sure is difficult to get the correct load limits and even to get the actual weight of their mounts.

York Optical have detailed listings but they show varying figures.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

I have just set up a short tube 120mm Skywatcher refractor on an EQ5 mount and I must say it tracks much better than it ever did with the 150mm Longtube Skywatcher refractor.
I suspect the clutches were slipping with the heavier scope.