Skywatcher EQ6 quality

[Carl]

In the process of applying for funding for a new mount.
Losmandy G-11 is probably out of the question but Losmandy GM8 or Skywatcher EQ6 with all the bells and wistles may be obtainable.
Currently mounting a C8 and piggy backing 80ed with reasonable results for photography but want to go better.

Any suggestions

Regards
Carl

[mick pinner]

l would go the G8, there seems to be too many problems with the EQ6 concerning both hardware and software. check out one of the EQ6 user groups and have a look.

[leon]

Hi Carl, if you can manage it the G8 would be the one to go for, construction and finish are A 1, they truly are a great mount, I have the G11 and will never look back.

Cheers leon

[g__day (Matthew)]

I ponder the new Vixen Sphinx SXD mount may exceed the capabilties of the Losmandy G8 + Gemini goto - for a lesser price.

As an astroimaging platform - easily capable of handling a C8 - either Losmandy G8 or Vixen Sphinx SXD would be far more precise on tracking than an EQ6.

[Carl]

Will the vixen or G8 handle both scopes at same time for accurate tracking for astro imaging that's the big question. Any thoughts.

Carl

[rumples riot]

I have one and found the mount is fine, it can carry a wide range of loads. The software is troublesome if you live in a half time zone, as the scope will not point correctly. This aside though, I am sure that the people doing the software will one day sort everything out.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

I have an EQ6 as well, haven't got any real issues with it, infact I am really happy with it. I didn't got the Synscan route though, I stuck to the Syntrek and am running EQMOD much better in terms of GOTO accuracy and guiding. There were a few issues with hardware early on which turned many people off and now with the GOTO hand controller which dare I say is rubbish. The losmandy G-8 mounts have a great reputation as being a good mount for those not wanting to load it up too much, should handle a 8" SCT and ED80 but for the price I would save a bit more and go the G-11 only about $1200 separates them in price according to Bintel. that way in future you can upgrade the scope without upgrading the mount.

Anyway good luck with your purchase.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I also have an EQ6 and extremely happy with it. I have no problems with Go-To accuracy or alignment. And with Guidedog it is absolutely spot-on for Astrophotography

[IanL]

After a lot of research myself i have ordered EQ6 Pro myself. For me its best in its price range.

Ian

[Doug]

Any Mount without exception, even the Paramount ME needs guiding for astroimaging. The only problem I have had with my EQ6 goto is using the show position fuction to find a non data base target. Once some kindly soul suggested I use planetarium S/W, I just don't have a problem. Goto using the databases works spot on and goto non database objects via Planetarium S/W is likewise spot on. A $200K mount could not be more spot on than spot on. PE is not something to boast about with the EQ6, but guiding takes care of that anyway.

[KG8]

I used the eq6 over the weekend and found it had issues with the cold. There were 3 of us all using the same hand controllers and at around 10pm on friday night they all went off their gotos. This was up on the range in SE qld where the temp was around 3 degrees C. Some boxes, like the aronavis, have built in heaters that kick in at low temps. Obstensively these are for the lcd displays but I wonder if it does not help in other areas of the electronics? I would guess that at low temperatures the skyscan controller is having a voltage drop or somesuch, so to correct the issue I will make a heated cradle for it. I was going to make a cradle anyway, to get it out of that plastic holder and away from the eyepiece tray.

[JohnH]

Originally Posted by Carl

Will the vixen or G8 handle both scopes at same time for accurate tracking for astro imaging that's the big question. Any thoughts.

Carl

Yes the SXD will handle this - I have a similar load on the SXW - and have been able to gets good results with a Canon 20D at prime focus on a VC200L (8 inch, 1800mm).

[lineout]

Is it possible to only buy the Losmandy mount (sans tripod) and put it on an existing LX90 tripod?

[JohnG (John)]

The answer is yes, but, you need the Meade Adapter (Losmandy part MA) for this to work, the MA has a 1/2" central hole plus a series of smaller holes to mount on a Meade Tripod.

Cheers

JohnG

[Aster]

Had a problem with the first EQ6, very tight Dec Axis. Dealer replaced the whole mount. No problems with the new one, even at below zero.

Carries a 305mm F5 BinTel Newtonian without any problems.

Aster

[iceman (Mike)]

Nice to see another with a 12" newt mounted on an EQ6

[g__day (Matthew)]

I'd look closely at the Sphinx SXD, for three reasons

1. It seems to have higher carrying capacity
2. Its cheaper
3. I think its PE is slightly better (to be confirmed)

If you need more well its also newer. The only downside I see is the PEC isn't remembered between power-ons.

[Aster]

Originally Posted by iceman

Nice to see another with a 12" newt mounted on an EQ6

Can't beat it for $1400 including drives. Very nice mount, especially with the equatorial head put on a sturdy steel pier sitting on a concrete block.

Tracks well, even with a tube weight of 25kg, which includes the saddle and tube balance weights.

Alex

[Terry B]

Originally Posted by Aster

Can't beat it for $1400 including drives. Very nice mount, especially with the equatorial head put on a sturdy steel pier sitting on a concrete block.

Tracks well, even with a tube weight of 25kg, which includes the saddle and tube balance weights.

Alex

Thats very cheap. I have just bought one with goto for ~$2000 and that is cheap at present.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Just out of interest I found this link on using an Autostar controller and LXD motors on an EQ6. Could make an inexpensive goto mod for someone without a controller. The author claims the mod fixed vibration problems he was having with the EQ6 steppers.