cost effective motorized eq5 mount

[g__day (Matthew)]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

I agree, but Josh is dollar limited.
Maybe he might find a HEQ5 or EQ6 without GoTo for a good price

Agreed, just aking is there any way to make this a balanced comparision if its not a simple apples vs apples choice. If the retro fit gives you exactly what the factory fit-out version offers - well its simple labour and set-up you are weighting up. If even with that its performance is marginally or significantly below par for whatever reasons - well that should be understood and balanced in the decision process too. I just wanted to check it wasn't being glossed over if anyone knew the details of the add on motors capabilities versus a factory fitted version.

Matt

[joshman (Josh)]

ok, quick question...what does OTA stand for?

and i think i'll definitely go with the HEQ5, a sturdier mount that can handle heavier payloads (sound like we're shooting stuff into orbit!), i'll start with a simple motorized mount, with an alignment scope, then add my various bits an pieces later... at least this way i can start doing some photography straight up... unless i can pick up a HEQ5 with the addons (GOTO, synscan 3.x) for a very reasonable price.

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by joshman

ok, quick question...what does OTA stand for?

Optical Tube Assembly aka the scope!!!
Cheers and all the best in your search
Doug

[acropolite (Phil)]

unless i can pick up a HEQ5 with the addons (GOTO, synscan 3.x) for a very reasonable price.

The HEq5 with Synscan ponders mentioned here is about as good a deal as you are likely to get with the synscan controller.

[Terry B]

Originally Posted by joshman

ok, quick question...what does OTA stand for?

Don't you just love TLA's
Optical Tube Assembly

[rogerco (Roger)]

I have recently got into astronomy with the intention of doing astrophotography. Started by buying the ED80 then an EQ5 tripod (steel) and head, then the motors. The tripod, head and motors all from Andrews. Be aware there are EQ mounts and EQ mounts they are not all the same. They are all chinese copies of a basic design which some time ago basically became public as I understand it. As a result an EQ5 from one shop is not necesarily going to be the same as that from another. I am happy with what I have, I got what I paid for. But I thought the motor assemblies from andrews were a little light on. The mounting of the motors has some flexing. So far this hasn't shown up in what I have done but that isn't much. I feel the EQ5 mount should be able to hold a bit more weight. I've been using the ED80 with a heavy SLR camera and it seems to cope fine. Can't say anything about the goto box as I haven't got that yet.

Roger