Differences between EQ6 mounts??

[Poita (Peter)]

I have been looking at an EQ6 purchase, and there are 3 different versions
(Well 4 if you count the NEQ6)

EQ6
EQ6 Syntrack
EQ6 Pro.

What I am trying to find out, it does the standard EQ6 and RA and DEC motors, and could it be controlled from a computer for autoguiding?

I found a site here:
http://zengine.ho8.com/Relay%20Boxes.htm
that seems to suggest that the standard EQ6 can be adapted for autoguiding by just modifying the hand controller and adding a Dual Function Relay box.

Does this mean that the motors are the same on ALL of the EQ6 models?

Thanks

-Peter

[asimov (John)]

Yeah good question & even though I own one (Black non goto) I'm confused about them & the different versions! I've been told in order to get goto on mine, I have to get new motors as well as the controller & board, but is this true? I have no idea as I always get conflicting info. on this subject..

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

I can help.
The EQ6 is sold over here as the NEQ6.
The "base" model with RA&Dec drives (non GOTO) has different motors and motherboards from the others. It is not upgradable to GOTO without replacing the motors etc.
The only difference between the Syntrack and the NEQ6pro Synscan GOTO is the handcontroller which does all the "smart" stuff. They both use the same motors and motherboard. So the Syntrack model can be "upgraded" by either using EQMOD software or using the Synscan V3 controller.
HTH

[asimov (John)]

Thanks for the facts, Merlin.

[Poita (Peter)]

Thanks Merlin, it is good to know. I suspected that the base model used different motors, and from what I have just read, the gearing was inferior on the base EQ6 as well, don't know if that is still the case.

I did just finish talking to Alex Zarvis about his modification to the 'base model' and although it has different motors, he apparently can modify the basic hand controller to add an autoguide port.
It costs $90 + shipping to do so, he reckons it works fine, but the motors in the base model aren't as good as in the Syntrek and Synscan models.

I'm awaiting some more clarification from him, but it looks like you could perhaps get autoguiding etc. happening on the old base EQ6 via this mod.
I'll post more details when I know more.

[Poita (Peter)]

Apparently you *can* add the autoguide ST4 port for $90 + $20(ish) freight without upgrading the motors on the base EQ6.

This is the answer from Alex:

The motors will not need to be upgraded to function...

however...it all depends on what equipment you will be using for your autoguiding camera and software...

If you are using a "on camera" guider like the orion starshoot autoguider...then you won't need a relay box...the camera has the circuitry built in...then you would use PHD software(free)

The modification will add an st4 compatible guide port to your scope...at that point use any guiding camera with the circuitry onboard (guide signals go directly from camera to scope)..or use a basic webcam without onboard circuitry and let a relay box send the guiding signals to the scope (guide signals go from camera to pc to relay box to scope)...

what guiding camera are you going to use?...(if you aren't sure...buy the orion starshoot guider and mini guidescope package)...then all you will need is the handpad modification.

[asimov (John)]

[bojan]

You can also have a look at so called "Darren's Modification"
http://projects.gbdt.com.au/eq6-1/
I did it and it works very well.
Of course, there is some room for improvement.. like faster slewing. Source code is available so somebody could try :-) Apart from this, it is "ideal" modification.

Also, you can have a look PicGoTo project (less popular in English-speaking part of the world), but VERY well known elswhere:
http://sites.google.com/site/picgoto/english-manual