EQ6 mount versions

[Marko of Oz (Mark)]

Hi all,
I've been searching this forum and googling info and it seems there a several versions/types of this mount.
What sort of differences are there? Some are GoTo ready I've read here. Some have different drive motors. It's like trying to pick the difference between an EH Holden ute/panelvan and and EJ.

How can I tell which one I have? Mines a Skywatcher EQ-6 with bubble level, illuminated polar scope with brightness control, 3 speed basic hand control.

cheers

[DobDobDob (Ron)]

I don't know, but it's a great question. I'll be keen to see what answers come in. Btw, you are giving your age away mentioning those cars

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

if it is the square hand controller with the three way switch and 4 push buttons then its the older version of the mount. It will not GOTO.

Synta did away with the adjustable polar illuminator (which is one thing they should have kept.) When they changed the drive electrics and motors so they could make the mount GOTO. You can still make the mount GOTOable but you will need to change the board and motors which is in the GOTO upgrade kit. A very worthy update I may add.

[Marko of Oz (Mark)]

Originally Posted by Astroman

Synta did away with the adjustable polar illuminator (which is one thing they should have kept.)

Just to clarify for me being
Does that mean the newer version;
1) Has an illuminated polar scope with no adjuster, or,
2) Has a non illuminated polar scope

cheers

[RAJAH235]

1) Is correct. L.
ps.But you can use a pot to find the brightness level you need, then substitute a fixed resistor..

[iceman (Mike)]

Laurie! Welcome back

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Yep Laurie is correct, the illuminated polar scope is VERY bright. Some versions of the mount didn't have bubble level either. While testing was going on it went through several different phases, some good some not. The older mounts had troubles with their tracking where it would vibrate at high magnification.

[RAJAH235]

Ta Mike...Bin a little while..
ps. Addendum to Andrew's comments....Do not rely on the inbuilt bubble level to be a true level indicator....Use a 'proper' spirit level across the top of the mount.L.

[paulee]

I recently bought an Skywatcher EQ6 v3.skyscan GOTO, no illuminated polar scope( I shine a red led torch down the opening every now & again to get my bearings ) still yet to get a polar alignment living in Strathfield, very frustrating....I'm on my knees, body contorted trying to look through & find the asterism & rotate to line up the image I can't see. I'm armed with binoculars & a Celestron SkyScout. I have temporarily attached a green laser mount & will then allign that, so that I can then simply use the binoculars & get the mount in position via the laser. Then I might finally be able to pear through the polar scope & see the 4 dim stars(great in theory ). I too have a 10"Bintel dob mounted with 303mm rings(hard to find). Fiddly to get balanced & annoying to look through the eyepiece at certain objects ie tippy-toes when pointing up , on butt balancing with one hand on the ground inching up to peer up when eyepiece pointing down (must get a diagonal, better still an SCT)

[bluescope]

I have an EQ6 Pro ( white ) mount, the polar scope is illuminated all the time you are powered up. From my setup position I can't use it anyway because of neighbours trees, one day maybe if I venture to a dark sky location. As regards awkward viewing positions with a Newt/Dob, I have a small step/stool for some positions and when the eyepiece is pointing low down to the ground, after a slew say to Saturn, I return the scope to park position and revolve tube to appropriate position relative to object to be observed and return to desired object. The mount is sturdy enough as to not lose alignment if I'm careful and I don't adopt any distorted postures for viewing. Bintel had a good special price on the mounts not long ago and I got mine in Perth from a dealer at same low price. I have updated software to v3.12 but I feel the software is the real disappointment with the mount if compared to Meade's Autostar controllers. However that can be overcome by running the mount via your PC with superior packages i.e. Starry Nights, The Sky etc.