Rule #1: No just quoting the spec! We can all read as well as the next person!
Users know that the published capacity for the EQ6/NEQ6 Pro differs somewhat from the practical, useful capacity, especially for imaging. But what about the AZ-EQ6-GT? There's still not a whole lot of info out there, so I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has an AZ-EQ6-GT mount, especially if you used to have an EQ6/NEQ6 Pro before (or still do).
In your experience, is the useful capacity of the AZ-EQ6-GT more than, the same as, or less than the EQ6/NEQ6 Pro? What total load have you been able to run without issues?
I have one, but I've only had a couple of opportunities to use it.
I have an SV 115 on it and it seems to handle it with ease.
This is my my first EQ mount so I can't compare it to anything. I've only used it for visual so far and I haven't had a chance to update the firmware or to check PEC accuracy. Sorry not much help!
I'm looking forward to an opportunity to give it a good work through, but my job is taking up all my time at the moment.
I purchased mine a few weeks ago. I have a C11 sitting on it, which I use mainly for visual (currently in EQ mode) with the intent of doing planetary/lunar imaging. The OTA plus accessories comes in at 16kg and the mount handles it effortlessly. Mind you, I am not doing any deep sky imaging with it so I cannot comment how well it guides with this kind of mass.
Prior to purchasing this mount I did have an EQ6 Pro, and I must admit that the AZ EQ6 GT is definitely worth the price differential for the improvements over the standard EQ6 such as the Alt adjuster mechanism, the clutch locks, the fact that it is about 1kg lighter and the ability to run two scopes in ALT AZ mode (oh and the belt drive makes it run a lot quiter).
The improvements I have made so far is a replacement saddle from ADM (only just arrived last night) as they just seem more secure than the Skywatcher version, and also running EQMOD with a wireless controller!
I don't know what the copy-to-copy variability of the AZ-EQ6-GT is, but if it's anything like the EQ6PRO or NEQ6 then you won't be able to get a single meaningful number.
I have two EQ6s (both hypertuned by previous owners) and the tracking performance difference between them is *huge*. On the good one, I can get round stars at 1625 mm and 1.36''/px image scale most of the time using up to 1.5 sec exposures with standard autoguiding. On the other one, I need at least 4 Hz adaptive optics corrections to get round stars with the same OTA + image train.
From what I've read online, other people have reported similarly large discrepancies between "good" and "bad" EQ6s.
Updated the software on my AZ EQ6 GT on the weekend. I was having the "high volatage reading" issue. All sorted now. In addition, rather than using EQMOD, I thought I would have a play-around with Synscan hand controller. I was quite impressed with the GOTO accuracy.........
In terms of polar alignment, I have the mount head mounted on a fixed pier with a "texta mark" indicating the aligned position. As I only now do visual stuff, I do not bother with a drift align check, but it is pretty close to the mark. I completed a 3 star alignment, starting with Antares, then A-crux as second star and Nunki as 3rd. I then did a quick pointing check on 9 objects (M8, M20, M16, M17 all on the eastern side of the meridian, then went to the moon, M4, M6 and M7 on the western side and finished off with Tuc 47) and I am VERY HAPPY to say all objects were within the field of view of my 24mm Panoptic (with Celestron f6.3 reducer on my C11) with Tuc 47 being smack bang middle!!
Given the mostly positive feedback seen on the web, I am very seriously tempted to get one soon. My dilemma (as explain in another post) is whether I want to mount my current Sky Watcher Flextube 10" or whether I get a new GSO 10". Still have resolved that one
An old thread, but I'm hoping there might be a bit more experience out there now.
I'm looking at putting an RCA250 or RC10-A on one of these mounts. These OTA's weigh in at about 15.5kg and I am wondering whether the mount will be able to handle the load. Additional weight would be (assuming it weighs more than the one supplied) an aftermarket focuser, ONAG, AO and camera.
If I'm not mistaken, that should bring it to around the 18kg mark which is the commonly quoted maximum for long exposure photography on this mount, but I'd like to be 100% sure before investing in the new OTA.
A quick search of the web reveals some questionable testimonials (25kg?) about imaging loads, so I wanted to ask here for clarification.
An old thread, but I'm hoping there might be a bit more experience out there now.
I'm looking at putting an RCA250 or RC10-A on one of these mounts. These OTA's weigh in at about 15.5kg and I am wondering whether the mount will be able to handle the load. Additional weight would be (assuming it weighs more than the one supplied) an aftermarket focuser, ONAG, AO and camera.
If I'm not mistaken, that should bring it to around the 18kg mark which is the commonly quoted maximum for long exposure photography on this mount, but I'd like to be 100% sure before investing in the new OTA.
A quick search of the web reveals some questionable testimonials (25kg?) about imaging loads, so I wanted to ask here for clarification.
Any advice welcome!
As someone looking at a mount purchase in the near future myself I'd also love some more empirical responses on the subject of the real AP load capacity of the AZ-EQ6 myself from those currently using one...
An old thread, but I'm hoping there might be a bit more experience out there now.
I'm looking at putting an RCA250 or RC10-A on one of these mounts. These OTA's weigh in at about 15.5kg and I am wondering whether the mount will be able to handle the load. Additional weight would be (assuming it weighs more than the one supplied) an aftermarket focuser, ONAG, AO and camera.
If I'm not mistaken, that should bring it to around the 18kg mark which is the commonly quoted maximum for long exposure photography on this mount, but I'd like to be 100% sure before investing in the new OTA.
A quick search of the web reveals some questionable testimonials (25kg?) about imaging loads, so I wanted to ask here for clarification.
Any advice welcome!
First night out with my RC 10 on the Az and I'm pulling 30min subs. Have to say these are great mounts!
So what's the total weight of the OTA+camera etc., Chris?
I'm thinking of hanging ~15kg off mine, and I wonder if I'm going to need a 3rd 5kg counterweight, or whether I can get away with 2...
My optical train consists of ccd, filter wheel, oag and guide cam. Not that heavy, I'd say around 1.5kgs? However there's no way I'd be able to balance it without the 3rd counterweight. All 3 of mine are sitting quite close to the end of the bar extension
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