I am looking into getting an AZ-EQ6r and came across the saxon which looks remarkably like the skywatcher.
I did some research and for most part people seem to say they came from the same factory, but no one has said if they are the exact same thing with just a different name.
Now the saxon can be had for $3k and the skywatcher is around $3.3 which is the cheapest i have found
The only obvious difference i have noticed apart from the name is one is black and the other white
Am i missing something here or are they exactly the same thing
John,
Skywatcher , Orion and Saxon to name a few are retail brands of Astro gear including telescopes and mounts which are all designed and manufactured by Synta Corporation in Taiwan ( or its subsidiary) and distributed around the world as the above brand labels
Labels , paintwork and a few external features might differ but generally it’s the same kit.
Skywatcher brand is sold in Australia by Tasco sales in Sydney
Saxon brand is sold in Australia by Saxon in Melbourne
Orion brand based in California is no longer trading
Yep no real difference
Quick question, I assume your buying an AZEQ mount to use for both imaging / Long Exposure Astrophotography ( EQ ) and visual observation ( AZ ) ??
yes Martin that is the main reason for the EQ/AZ mount, though i could get away with just an EQ mount and continue using the evolution mount for viewing only.
My thought process though was to just have the 1 good mount, sell the evolution 925 mount and tripod.
I also am considering the strain wave mounts like the skywatcher 150i or the asi am5n for light weight and easy transport, however they are almost 2k more then the az-eq mount and im not sold on the lightweight carbon tripod with a heavy load. Also if i need to also add the counterweights to it, how much weight am i actually saving all up?
The AZEQ6 mount is quite a ship anchor , I wouldn’t class it as a portable mount for regular remote use. It’s more for backyard semi permanent or permanent use. However folk do lug these things around to remote dark sites.
Visual payload up to 20kg
Recommended imaging payload up to 15kg with tripod legs outdoors, wind dependent ( 20kg on a permanent pier , wind dependent, and / or in an Obs with pier )
What scopes were you considering to use for both imaging and visual ?
Remember to allow a few kg’s if your going Mono imaging ( in lieu of DSLR or OSC )
Scope i will be using is the C9.25 with asiair and the celestron 9x50 illuminated raci
For planetary i will be using the asi 678 also have the reducer, zwo filter draw and spacers to give me the correct back focus required.
I haven't delved into dso equipment yet, but thinking adding an oag either celestron or zwo L with 174 guide camera and still undecided on which cooled camera. Still reading up on them
Please correct me gentlemen. I thought Synta was a mainland Chinese company and GSO Taiwan.
Synta Technology Corporation the head company is located in Taiwan , a subsidiary of this parent company is Souzhou Synta Optical Technology ( manufacturing arm ) and is located in mainland China.
Very confusing
Synta Technology Corporation the head company is located in Taiwan , a subsidiary of this parent company is Souzhou Synta Optical Technology ( manufacturing arm ) and is located in mainland China.
Very confusing
My first and currently on scope is my 10 inch solid tube dob from Saxon bought 5 years ago. Granted it's the only scope I've ever looked through but I'm still blown away to this day by what it shows me and the quality of the views. Highly recommend!
thanks for all the info guys, i weighed up the options (pun intended) and went the light weight option of the skywatcher wave 150i with the zwo carbon tripod and zwo extension pier. I'll use the ecoflow battery (8kg) as a weight for the carbon tripod.
