I am considering to start building a new setup that could be more portable and flexible than my current 8'' dobsonian.
I was considering getting a Saxon NEQ6 pro mount with an 8'' Newtonian OTA for around 2800 dollars
This would be use initially for viewing and use the goto mount to find object easier, but also to slowly start playing with some AP.
Is the NEQ6 pro a good overall first goto mount ?
I am not sure which 8'' newtonian would be better for me. It seems to be several options about the same price:
Skywatcher 200-1000-black-diamond-reflector-ota
Skywatcher 200-800-f4-premium-photo-quattro-reflector
Bintel BT200 f/5 Newtonian Telescope OTA
Bintel BT200 f/4 Imaging OTA Telescope
Any special requirements on the focuser, specially if it is going to be used for AP ? Is there an easier or better focuser to be use when attaching a DSLR ? What other adaptors shall i buy to attach a DSLR to the telescope
I have a Bintel BT200 f/5 OTA that I use on a HEQ5Pro mount and on a DIY marine ply Dob mount. I find this a very flexible arrangement. Typically, I would use it on the Dob mount more often, as it is more convenient for general viewing. When using the scope for more serious viewing and imaging, the HEQ5 mount is certainly quite adequate for this OTA.
The NEQ6 is a much heavier duty mount and will not be as easy to carry around, but will provide a very stable platform for even longer focal lengths and apertures - at a greater expense.
Last edited by Scorpius51; 23-12-2021 at 11:36 AM.
Reason: Added detail
Firstly, especially as a newbie,don't get an f/4 Newtonian, more coma will
be visible, which is a real issue with photographs, necessitating the purchase of a coma corrector. F/4s are also more sensitive to mirror miscollimation
which can be a pain.
As John pointed out, the NEQ6 is a heavy beast, so if you are not looking at
going larger than an 8" in the foreseeable future, the HEQ5 will do the job.
I had an 8" f/5 on my HEQ5 for nearly 8yrs with no problems.
I don't know if things have changed, but up until quite recently some
Newtonians didn't have enough back focus to allow the use of a DSLR,
Skywatcher Newts do, but if you buy another brand, make sure that it
is suitable for use with a camera.
I don't know about Bintel scopes, but for Skywatcher ones all you need is the appropriate T-ring for your camera.
raymo
Yes, I have been reading that the NEQ6 is much bigger and heavier than the HEQ5, but also is only 400 dollars more expensive, so i think it will be more future proof.
On the other hand I can see that there is a big demand for second hand mounts and scopes, so it should not be difficult to sell it and do the upgrade in the future
I think for the moment i should be fine with the 8'' Newtonian, but I can see myself changing to something bigger like 10 or 12 in the future if I keep interested.
I was planning to go to a shop and see if i can have a look at both mounts and see if I found the NEQ6 to big or heavy
Hi Zeke,
I use Bintel GSO 6” and 8” newts for imaging only and a Skywatcher 12” Goto dob for visual work ( 5 years now )
An NEQ6 is not too heavy , I’m 61 and own 2 off EQ6-R mounts , 70kg dripping wet with a history of lower back problems and I can lift my mount head off and on to a parcel trolley used to transport it in and out of the garage ( My wife has even lifted it off onto the trolley ) Ask anyone , when it comes to Astrophotography, the mount is everything, there’s no such thing as over specifying a mount.Bigger the better IMO
For AP or imaging I prefer the Bintel or GSO newts , I find the dual speed crayford focusers so much more smoother and precise than the Skywatcher plus the barrel and thumbscrews are machined so much better than Skywatcher. GSO and Skywatcher mirrors are pretty much the same.
As Raymo mentioned, steer away from an f4 newt until you have had some experience under your belt. I’ve been using f5 and f6 newts for 5 years for imaging and they are so easy to collimate, plus they hold Collimation well.
You can use your newts on an EQ mount for visual but a Goto dob ( Az Alt ) is best for visual as the eye piece position on an EQ mount maybe in a low or awkward position when observing. A Goto dob (Az Alt) for visual is usually very comfortable anywhere in the Sky.
IMO I would eventually use the EQ mount and newt for AP and a Goto dob for visual.
Bintel GSO f5 and f6 newts have no trouble reaching focus with DSLR’s or dedicated CMOS cameras ( I use a Canon 600D DSLR and a ZWO 2600MC cooled Cmos camera )
Using a DSLR all you need is a T ring and adapter
Dedicated CMOS camera come with the required Spencer’s and adapters
In regard to Astrophotography, f5 and f6 newts still suffer from coma in the corners, so you will eventually need a coma corrector ( like a Baader MCCP Mk3 ) but that can be purchased later.
IMO if your going to spend the money on an NEQ6 mount I’d go a little further with your budget and buy the EQ6-R pro , you will not regret it believe me.Super smooth belt driven Ra and Dec drives with minimal backlash, quiet as a mouse and a Max payload of 20 kg ( recommended AP payload of 15kg )
thanks for your answer and suggestions
I have been reading a lot about the benefits of the EQ6-R mount and its belt driven drives and how lot of people is changing this in their NEQ6 Pro, but at the moment with the prices i can found, there is a 50% increase in cost when going from NEQ-6 PRo to EQ6-R, so it is a big gap, specially considering i was looking at a HEQ5 pro when i started having a look at the different mounts.
I don't think i can afford another scope for visual, so maybe if the newt is to uncomfortable i can alway use my 8'' dobs for that. I just need to buy some better eyepieces too.
Could a Bintel BT250 f/4 Imaging OTA also be used on a NEQ6 Mount
The weight of the OTA itself is 13.5 Kg so that would be getting veryt close to the limit ?
I can get a SkyWatcher NEQ6 Pro Mount (SKU SKY-SWNEQ6PRO) for 1899 and in the same shop they have the Saxon NEQ6 Pro Mount with Steel Tripod (SKU SXN-612016) for 2199.
I have seen that usually the Skywatcher is more expensive that the saxon
I asked the seller if the Skywatcher came with the same accessories, and he told me that yes.
I am missing something, or just a sale on the SkyWatcher?
Could a Bintel BT250 f/4 Imaging OTA also be used on a NEQ6 Mount
The weight of the OTA itself is 13.5 Kg so that would be getting veryt close to the limit ?
Seriously forget about an f4 as a beginner rig , but it’s your decision
Just remember for imaging you have to add in addition to the OTA , imaging camera , coma corrector , adapters , guide scope , guide camera , focuser, dew straps , mounting plates , cabling and so on.... so another 4 or 5 kg !!!!
As I mentioned previously an 8” f5 newt is the ideal beginner to intermediate scope for imaging ( and visual ) on that mount
Seriously forget about an f4 as a beginner rig , but it’s your decision
Just remember for imaging you have to add in addition to the OTA , imaging camera , coma corrector , adapters , guide scope , guide camera , focuser, dew straps , mounting plates , cabling and so on.... so another 4 or 5 kg !!!!
As I mentioned previously an 8” f5 newt is the ideal beginner to intermediate scope for imaging ( and visual ) on that mount
Another important factor I failed to mention
A 10” OTA is a big tube and will act like a sail even in light wind gusts , so it will impact your guiding during imaging unless you have wind protection or an Obs. The bigger the tube , the more susceptible to wind
I’m considering upgrading next year to a 10” f5 carbon fibre newt ( mainly for galaxies and the dimmer objects) and along with that I will be upgrading my existing EQ6-R mount to an EQ8-R mount. ( My existing EQ6-R is at Max payload carrying the 8” f5 newt )
I don’t know if anyone has mentioned that Astrophotography is a big money pit
Once you start and get better at it , you want to buy more advanced equipment
It the nature of the hobby
Get prepared for it !
Seriously forget about an f4 as a beginner rig , but it’s your decision
Just remember for imaging you have to add in addition to the OTA , imaging camera , coma corrector , adapters , guide scope , guide camera , focuser, dew straps , mounting plates , cabling and so on.... so another 4 or 5 kg !!!!
As I mentioned previously an 8” f5 newt is the ideal beginner to intermediate scope for imaging ( and visual ) on that mount
Understood i was just thinking loud. I forgot about the best F5 focal lenght for AP.
I will stay with the 8 newt. Now i have to resist not to buy the SkyWatcher, since the Bintel ones they don't have stock until march/april 2022
Understood i was just thinking loud. I forgot about the best F5 focal lenght for AP.
I will stay with the 8 newt. Now i have to resist not to buy the SkyWatcher, since the Bintel ones they don't have stock until march/april 2022
It’s a hobby that requires patience , the night sky is not going anywhere
Last year , I waited 9 months for my NexDome Observatory to arrive from Canada
Most Astro products out of stock are generally 4 to 6 weeks or longer
We’ve all had to get use to the long lead time and delivery
And don’t forget there’s plenty of help out there so ask questions, folk on IIS are always willing to help
+1 with Martin. Just follow what he says. The EQ6 is a safer bet with an 8" newt as far as stability for imaging. And he will know about the EQ6-pro!
And stay away from the F4 if you haven't much experience with newts.
I'm just about to get an F4 after a few years imaging with an F5 (need for speed). So I'm going to get a quality carbon fibre with a good focuser, and I have the cats eye collimation kit.
But the 8/F5 has been great for imaging over the years, and relatively easy to use. You just need to take care with collimation. Also, you'll need a coma corrector for imaging at F5 - I have no doubts about that.
