EQ6 questions

BC · #1 18-09-2008, 11:22 AM

Hi,

Just working through the options as so many of us do. I’m considering putting my 10” dob newt on an EQ6 and have a few questions.

I assume that a non-goto EQ6 can be unlocked at the axis, manually slewed to roughly the right position, then locked again, using the motors to drive to the required object. Are the setting circles accurate enough to do this (provided they have been adjusted to a known star of course)? Also, are the only electrics the motors?

With the GOTO version, can it be manually slewed or must it be driven by the motors all the time. How accurate is the GOTO?

I’m not really desperate for goto because I can generally locate things in the sky, but the $500 extra isn’t much and there are certainly times when it would speed things up a lot. I guess my ideal would be to be able to manually slew with a RA and Dec readout as I went, then use the motors. Am I correct in saying this would be a non-goto mount with Argo Navis or does the GOTO give this sort of readout?

Thanks,
Bruce

bojan · #2 18-09-2008, 11:54 AM

Hi Bruce,
I have non Go-To version...
The setting circles are accurate enough, to put the object into FOV. It may be a good idea to use vernier instead of just pointer (I am in a process of making one for myself actually). Also, take care about the direction, the supplied RA circle is more suitable for Northern hemisphere. Use the numbers that are further away from pointer (they go in opposite direction)
However, you have to be careful with RA circle, once it is calibrated (by pointing to the object of known coordinates and locked in place by small screws), the tracking must be kept ON all the time, otherwise the reference will be lost. Also, you should not use slewing at RA axis, because the same thing will happen.. If you do, you will need to re-calibrate it to correct position again after your object is in FOV (obviously, Synta wanted to make user's life easier by avoiding the need to manually convert RA into hour angle.. something that without encoders results in other problems)
However, unlock and manual push to desired position is OK.

You are correct about AN.

Also, consider Mel Bartel's software.. It can be used instead of Argo Navis, and it is freeware (you have to supply your own encoders).

AlexN · #3 18-09-2008, 12:21 PM

I have the Go-to, and have found for imaging and observing, provided I do at least a 2 star alignment at the start of the night, using 2 stars on opposite sides of the medrian, goto is spot on. Centers any object in a 20mm ep.. With goto, you have to slew using the hand controller, which in my opinion, is a bit slugish.. slew speed is fairly quick, going from north to south taking a max of 25 - 30 seconds. The losmandy mounts have this issue sorted very well with their friction clutches. A G-11 with argo navis can be slewed by taking a hold of the scope, and spining the mount to where ever it needs to be pointed, then just let it go and it starts keeps on tracking away... no locking or unlocking of the axis...

The eq6 will easily hold your 10" Newt.. I suppose you just need to decide if goto is worth the extra $$ or not, Argo Navis will cost more than goto, and you'll have to do more work... Mel Bartels software is a great option provided you can get encoders set up on your mount.

Best of luck

TrevorW · #4 18-09-2008, 02:24 PM

As far as I knew you can disengage the clutches then move the scope by hand to where you want it.

Cheers

BC · #5 18-09-2008, 04:21 PM

Yes,

That's the terminology I should have used; "disengage the clutches". So more specifically, on a GOTO EQ6 Pro, if I didn't want to use the GOTO on any given night, can I disengage the clutches, slew it manually to where I want, engage the clutches and then use the motor drives? Then if I want to use the GOTO functionality, I do the aligning process and go from there.

Is this correct?
Thanks,
Bruce

iceman (Mike) · #6 18-09-2008, 04:25 PM

Hi Bruce.

Yep, all that's correct.

I've got an older EQ6 with the older skyscan. I generally don't align, as I just disengage the clutches and point it by hand, or simply use the hand controller to slew it to where I want, and then lock the clutches again and it just tracks.

BC · #7 18-09-2008, 05:02 PM

Thankyou folks, that's exactly the info I was chasing.

The follow-on from that is perhaps elsewhere on this forum, of the mechanics of connecting the GSO tube to the mount. I understand I need 303mm ID rings and some sort of dovetail arrangement. Is this just the bar? Does the bar fit directly onto the mount?

Bruce

AlexN · #8 18-09-2008, 06:11 PM

You'll need the biggest skywatcher rings available, I think they are 315mm or 303 or something like that, and the EQ6 will come with a 12" long dovetail bar with all the required bolts.. simply bolt the rings to the dovetail bar, and put the dovetail bar in the mount head and you're up and running.