10" Skywatcher on EQ6?

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Hi all,

I am throwing ideas around for a scope purchase later in the year, I have my eyes set on a few different designs and apatures. One being the SkyWatcher 250mm Newtonian on an eq6 (standard) mount, anyone had any experience with the skywatcher 10" newt? No need to talk about the mount I have done the research on that already. I am mainly looking for something I can upgrade/modify use potable as well as being setup in my observatory. Something to do possible astrophotography with, Something that can be used visually, and doesnt cost more than $2500. With the ability to update OTA and drives in the future. Would the OTA be good enough to satisfy my needs?

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I know many people do it , but I personally would find using a newt on an eq mount tiresome w.r.t. having to spin the ota in the tube rings anytime you move the scope.
I have heard others say that the 10" f5 is pushing it for the eq6 stability wise.

[cjmarsh81]

I have the skywatcher 10" and love it. But if you are looking into astrophotography you will want to change the focuser. It comes with a sloppy rack and pinion, and a crayford would be better. Otherwise this scope is great. I have seen pictures of people putting this scope onto an EQ6. I don't know anything about the weight/stability limits of the EQ6 though. I am interested in doing the same thing down the track when I eventually get into astrophotography.

[cjmarsh81]

P.S. You will probably see this OTA advertised as having a pyrex primary so you do not need to use fans. This works ok without a fan(and is probably better than a non-pyrex mirror), but I find that a fan still dramatically decreases the cool-down time.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

I am guessing the Skywatcher 10" dob has the same optics as the EQ mounted one? I was thinking something along the lines for cooling a Bird/DP cooling type contraption. I have a JMI-DX1 crayford focuser which would work well. The EQ6 has a load limit of about 25kg, but length of tube would change this, but I am sure the rings would have some effect also. Thanks for the feedback guys, look forward to hearing more.

[vash (Ashley)]

I Have the skywatcher 10" aswell, but I have it on the Heq5 mount, and it's stable and I can still take good Images with it.
The EQ6 would have to be even better I would think

[mick pinner]

hi Andrew, l had the 10" on the EQ6 and it worked very well, when balanced properly the motors drive effortlessly and you will find the optics of very good quality, the overall stability of scope and mount is excellent with the OTA being nowhere near the EQ6's capacity.

[33South (Chris)]

Steve (MyastroShop) Massey, uses that combination.

Some sample images taken with it here -

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/guides/sw252.asp

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

wow with a bit more processing those images could be awesome. tell you the truth it would look good in my observatory