I have a GPD2 I bought new about 3 or 4 years ago. It is made in Japan and I am very pleased with. I only use it manually hand tracking with the slow motion knobs for visual with a 4 inch refractor.
I have thought about upgrading it to go-to and would like to know more about the Skywatcher synscan upgrade. That seems to be the most economical way to get go-to. Is it fast to set-up and align. I know it is available from Europe for a good price.
I will not be doing astrophotography but may do some outreach occasionally and that would be much more convenient with tracking and go-to functions. Plus I think it would be fun for me and the kids.
Are there any strings attached? What are the pros and cons?
I have a GPD2 I bought new about 3 or 4 years ago. It is made in Japan and I am very pleased with. I only use it manually hand tracking with the slow motion knobs for visual with a 4 inch refractor.
I have thought about upgrading it to go-to and would like to know more about the Skywatcher synscan upgrade. That seems to be the most economical way to get go-to. Is it fast to set-up and align. I know it is available from Europe for a good price.
I will not be doing astrophotography but may do some outreach occasionally and that would be much more convenient with tracking and go-to functions. Plus I think it would be fun for me and the kids.
Are there any strings attached? What are the pros and cons?
Mine came with Synscan already installed, Andy, but I believe it is a simple bolt-on conversion. You can buy an EQ5 Synscan kit from local dealers like Astro-Shop.
It is a simple bolt on - no alterations required (OK, SMALL alteration to one cover).
Sirius in Brisbane sold it to me CHEAPER than importing it, so I went that option. Plus, Steve Massey (myastroshop.com.au) sells it for $595 if Sirius does not have it.
Other retailers here in Australia have it at OUTRAGEOUS prices - lowest I saw beyond Steve or Sirius was $698, with OzTelescopes at $721 (!!!) and the WORST from another vendor at almost $800. Those are SIGNIFICANT mark ups from retail! Pretty much the reason only 2 shops in Australia get my money (Sirius and Steve Massey)
Hi Profiler, I bought the Super Polaris new from the U.K. in 1992, and it was, of course, hammertone green. It was a shame, because everything
else about the mount was great.
Incidentally, everybody seems to be knocking the quality of the HEQ5, EQ6 etc:
I've never had to open up my HEQ5 Go To, so I can only go by my operating
experience. The cable from mount to hand controller was faulty; it was replaced under warranty, and since then the mount has performed very well indeed. I also think the
comparison is a bit unfair, because you pays your money and takes your choice.
If the GD2 was scaled up a little in load capacity, I bet you would not get one for
anywhere near the price of the HEQ5 Pro Go To[ $1195 at B.T.O.W.]
raymo
Last edited by raymo; 12-04-2013 at 12:01 PM.
Reason: had more to say
Thanks for the feedback. Buying the synscan upgrade from TS in Europe works out to less than $450 AUD including UPS express.
I bought my GPD2 from Astro Shop and have used them for other things many times. I recommend them but in this case would go for the less expensive option.
Does the synscan retain basic data when shut down?
Do you have to input lots of local data every time you start it up?
Is the alignment procedure straight forward once learned the first time?
Is aligning the go-to faster and simpler than getting basic polar alignment for single axis drive?
These are the things that worry me. I wonder if I could manage with just the basic single axis RA drive.
Synscan will remember the lat and long, time, and date of the LAST time you used it. It WON'T tell you new settings. If you set up in the same place, all you have to change is the date and time.
GOTO alignment depends on alignment tar availability. Some you will need a star chart for, others most people know. I ALWAYS do a 3 star align, and I can get it done in about 5 minutes give or take.
Alignment is childs=play, so long as you correctly identify the star. IF you did a pretty accurate polar alignment, the star SHOULD be somewhere close. If your polar alignment is off, GOOD LUCK
The Synscan upgrade is covered by a 5 year unconditional warranty by Tasco IF you buy it in Australia. If you buy it overseas, it's up to the retailer if tey will honour any returns, warranty etc.
Good luck. I almost ordered mine from the UK, but reconsidered, as it was NOT much dearer here, andwith greater peace of mind.
Thanks Raymo - I am sorry to hear of your own experience as typically I have heard nothing but praise for the venerable Polaris range until quite recently and then it was supposedly in the context of being blamed on changed manufacture standards etc.
Andy if you're going to use it for visual and without EQMOD etc then you can also consider the iOptron GotoNova Kit #8400 with the GPS module from TS in Germany, apparently the alignment routines are much easier.
Profiler, just assembled my GPD2 rig. The Made in Japan is cast into the Dec head, the bottom of the head body, and imprinted on the label on the side also.
Profiler, just assembled my GPD2 rig. The Made in Japan is cast into the Dec head, the bottom of the head body, and imprinted on the label on the side also.
So post a picture already, I want to see what you just got conned into buying!!!!!
You don't need to take the old Polaris mounts apart (or at least the ones I have seen) as the Made in Japan is very prominently stamped on the top of the Dec mounting block so they presumably want to make sure everyone notice it everytime just before you attach your OTA.
Tried out my GPD2 with Synscan tonight. Works beautifully. Very smooth and quiet and ROCK SOLID! A delight to polar align, too. I am VERY happy with it.
I don't think I will be selling this one!
My arms still hurt from being twisted so aggressively 
