German Equatorial Mount

supernova1965 (Warren) · #1 25-10-2010, 08:41 PM

I was doing some googleing on how a non motorised GEM works to do the limited tracking it can do if it can do any at all, and was unable to find any reliable and understandable explanations. I should have just posted this thread first. But I like to try myself first.

Thanks in advance

dannat (Daniel) · #2 25-10-2010, 08:57 PM

non-motorised - do you mean hand tracking? only one crazy guy in Oz who still does that i think - lives on the edge VIC ranges - some say he bites the heads off......sausages, just for fun

or do you mean motorised gem's without GOTO? that is they just have a RA drive - you polar align & let them take ics of the sky - most people might get 30-60 sec without trailing in their images if the focal length is below 1000mm. don't know that anyone would do it over 1000mm f/l

supernova1965 (Warren) · #3 25-10-2010, 09:14 PM

Do these ones in the picture actually follow planets with or they hand tracking. I have never used these before and have no idea how they work.

dannat (Daniel) · #4 25-10-2010, 09:31 PM

looks like an eq1 - you can turn the slo-mo handle for hand tracking or there is a Ra drive which works on a 9V battery..helps you track if you are polar aligned

supernova1965 (Warren) · #5 25-10-2010, 09:37 PM

So it can be motorised thanks. so as is it's hand tracking right appreciate your help.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #6 25-10-2010, 09:44 PM

Warren, just check if it is an EQ1 first.
There are some things about it that don't look like a Synta EQ1 to me, which means that the little EQ1 motor box won't fit it.

Just double check first.

Also be aware that EQ1's don't carry much weight.
But when they are polar aligned they are extremely accurate and the little motor box is spot on.

supernova1965 (Warren) · #7 25-10-2010, 09:48 PM

Thanks for the replies

Will there be some markings and where would I find them to find out what type it is

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #8 25-10-2010, 09:54 PM

EQ1's don't have EQ1 written on them. You just get so you can recognise certain parts on them.

Here's the little box on my old EQ1
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...4&postcount=28

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #9 25-10-2010, 10:02 PM

the more I look at the pic you supplied the more I know it's not a Skywatcher/Synta EQ1.

You can get an EQ1 very cheap though.

Andrews Prices:
EQ1 equatorial mount with adjustable height aluminium tripod legs - $99.00
EQ2 equatorial mount with adjustable height aluminium tripod legs - $149.00

Motor Boxes at Andrews:
EQ1 single axis (RA) motor drive kit (basic box type) - $49.00
EQ2 single axis (RA) motor drive kit (basic box type) - $69.00

So for $148 you can get a new motorised EQ1