[SOLD] EQ6 Pro

[Astro_Bot]

For Sale:

Skywatcher EQ6 Pro mount including:

• SynScan hand controller running v3.27 firmware
• 2 x Skywatcher 5kg counterweights
• 1 x 2.5kg "dumbell" weight
• Losmandy wide saddle (currently fitted)
• Vixen narrow saddle (original)
• Tripod with eyepiece tray
• Velcro strap (to secure tripod legs for transport)
• 3 rubber foot pads
• AC adapter (12V, 2A)
• Serial firmware update cable
• 12V "cigarette lighter" power cable
• Printed instructions

Condition is good. There are a couple of minor scratches and wear marks on the exterior - and wear marks on the saddles, as you'd expect - but it looks pretty good overall and has performed well. I'm re-evaluating where I'm going with astro-photography and need the proceeds from this for other things.

I aligned the polar scope to within about 1 arcminute of the RA rotational axis. Of course, I've not used the polar scope since (due to not being able to see Octans from my place).

I would much prefer local pickup in Brisbane.

Shipping is possible, but is entirely at the cost and risk of the buyer, and you will need to make the arrangements yourself. I only have the mount head box, so the tripod will have to be "packed" separately. I suggest three packages: mount head box, tripod (bubble-wrap, maybe?) and counterweights/spare saddle, but you may have other ideas.

I'm happy to demo the mount to the buyer when you come round to pickup - you can drive it around and play with the hand controller and satisfy yourself that everything is OK. If you haven't used a GEM before, I'll show you how to balance it. And, for the newbies, assuming the forum hasn't scared you all off, although Skywatcher claims a payload of 25kg for the EQ6, it's realistically more like 15kg, so keep that in mind.

Oh, you'll want to know how much I'm asking ...

$950 pickup. Shipping extra, of course.

[Astro_Bot]

I've been asked a few questions. To save everyone some time, here is a summary of what people wanted to know:

• The mount is about 4 years old.
• I am the second owner and bought it in 2011.
• I have never had any problems with it - it works just fine and looks quite good, too.
• It has the 28.5cm counterweight bar (same length as current NEQ6 Pro's).
• I have never measured the Periodic Error (you won't know what PE is even on a brand new mount).
• You cannot borrow it to try it out and then decide later, however, I am happy to demo the mount to the buyer so you know you're getting a fully working mount.
• I am re-evaluating whether I will continue with AP - while I contemplate that, I will use the funds elsewhere.
• The advertised price is indeed less than I paid for it.
• No, I will not deliver to Toowoomba (or anywhere, for that matter). I'm not going to Astrofest, or Hazledean, or anywhere else in the near future.

Also, changing from Losmandy to Vixen saddle is a 5-minute job. I'll show you how to do it. Or, you can simply tell me which saddle you want fitted, and the other one will be in a box.

I'm happy to answer sensible questions.

[Astro_Bot]

I realised I hadn't posted photos from the back, so here are a few. Note the RA "Home" marker. The "Home" position for RA is marked since if you ever lose power (e.g. trip over the power cable) then you'll need it to return to the Home position again - it's not needed for DEC because the setting circle rotates with the motor for DEC, but not for RA (Synta designed it that way).

The tripod has reflective tape very neatly applied - it helps prevent people tripping over the tripod legs at a dark site - you'd be surprised how often that comes in handy!

[Astro_Bot]

A little more clarification ...

This mount hasn't had much use, as its condition demonstrates. I used it about once per fortnight and my typical session was about 3-4 hours long (I rarely pull late ones unless the seeing is exceptional). The previous owner used it in similar circumstances.

I don't like to haggle. I've always much preferred to set a single, fair price and leave it at that, so that's what I've done here, and the price isn't likely to move. If I were a haggler, I would have set a higher price in the first place.

As I've said before, I'm happy to demo the mount (to any serious buyer) and let you drive it around.