EQ6 Pro Mount

TrevorW · #1 22-08-2008, 03:33 PM

I've bitten the bullet and decided to buy one but apparently the new ones are no longer white and have upgraded software. Anyone confirm this ??

I'm due to pick it up tommorow from a local supplier for the top price of $1495.

AdrianF (Adrian) · #2 22-08-2008, 04:05 PM

Good price I paid that much from a Sydney dealer. I think the new one are coming out in black and have Version 3.23 software which is OK It takes out all the bugs in previous versions.

Adrian
PS still to mount scope on mine.

Tandum (Robin) · #3 22-08-2008, 05:39 PM

I picked one up locally for the same price last Tuesday. It is still in the boot of the car unopened waiting for someone to get it out for me. I did find a Tasco Invoice with it that says "EQ6 Synscan GOTO White". I should have it out of the boot tomorrow and will let you know if it's not white.

AlexN · #4 22-08-2008, 08:52 PM

Trevor, Good to see people are still getting them at $1495

White has its up-sides but black just looks sexy

(mine is white... matches all of my scopes...

)

gb_astro · #5 22-08-2008, 10:00 PM

I am in the market for one.
Where are you guys getting them for $1495?
Bintel Sydney list it as $1995.

Also what size/style of dovetail rail does the EQ6 pro accept?

Thanks,
gb.

Tandum (Robin) · #6 22-08-2008, 11:19 PM

I got mine from Sirius Optics in Brisbane but I had it on order for several months. I think AlexN got a similar price on one from York Optical, with a bit of haggling. I dunno if Andrews have any left at all. It takes a vixen style dovetail.

gb_astro · #7 22-08-2008, 11:27 PM

Robin, thanks for the info.
gb.

AdrianF (Adrian) · #8 23-08-2008, 09:29 AM

I got mine from Andrews Communications for $1495 + $30 delivery and great after sales support.

Adrian

dugnsuz (Doug) · #9 23-08-2008, 09:48 AM

Andrews have an as-new return EQ6 Pro on their surplus page at $1199!!!
Go Go Go!!!!!!!!!

TrevorW · #10 23-08-2008, 02:57 PM

It must be an astronomers lot I went to pick up my mount today the shops nearly 40 klms from home, try to pay for it with Mastercard but the transactions declined, what

!!! I know I've got plenty of credit available.

So while I'm in the store we ring the bank and find out their Computer system is down and no one will be able to do any transactions credit or eftpos until after 12:00 noon Sunday.

Thankfully the store owner said he's out that way on Sunday and has made a commitment to open up for me tommorow afternoon so I can go back and pick it up.

Alas the shop doesn't have manual card facilities. Now knowing my luck (our luck) the weather will turn foul when I do get it home.

It's a EQ6 Pro (Black) with Sky scan all boxed up these are how they will now be sold to compliment Skywatchers Black Diamond and Equinox series of scopes

Now whats the best regulated (240v) 12v power source needs 2 amps for it and what else do I need like a portable power supply etc.

AlexN · #11 23-08-2008, 03:08 PM

I use a portable car jump starter from supercheap auto... 12v 17aH. Cost me $80.. works like a charm... If I had my time again I probably would have gone for the 24aH model..

bluescope · #12 23-08-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorW

It must be an astronomers lot I went to pick up my mount today the shops nearly 40 klms from home, try to pay for it with Mastercard but the transactions declined, what

!!! I know I've got plenty of credit available.

So while I'm in the store we ring the bank and find out their Computer system is down and no one will be able to do any transactions credit or eftpos until after 12:00 noon Sunday.

Thankfully the store owner said he's out that way on Sunday and has made a commitment to open up for me tommorow afternoon so I can go back and pick it up.

Alas the shop doesn't have manual card facilities. Now knowing my luck (our luck) the weather will turn foul when I do get it home.

It's a EQ6 Pro (Black) with Sky scan all boxed up these are how they will now be sold to compliment Skywatchers Black Diamond and Equinox series of scopes

Now whats the best regulated (240v) 12v power source needs 2 amps for it and what else do I need like a portable power supply etc.

I'm assuming you are dealing with Keith at BTOW, he's a good guy. I got my white pro off him about 18 months ago. I also bought both my 2 Newtonians and 180mm Pro Mak and Vixen eyepieces, EQ5 etc from him.
You can get a 3amp regulated power supply from Dick Smith's for around $70 and Super Cheap have jump starts for around $54 on special right now ... check them out.

beren · #13 23-08-2008, 04:23 PM

Ah darn it Trevor, rough but congrats on the new mount. If its any consolation I have endured similar torments, the most recent was some gear including a scope, tripod and counterweights rocking up but alas no mount

arhh patience was indeed tested that day.

For power from my own experience with 12v options I would suggest bypassing jump starters and get at least a 35+amp SLA battery or better still a AGM battery 65+amp. I have both these sizes with the 35 running the scope and the 65 running dew heaters/DSLR/CCD. Brought the batteries through here here and use battery boxes with associated connections from BCF {in the boating department}. If you go for a decent battery don't skip on a charger get a 4 stage type

TrevorW · #14 24-08-2008, 11:44 PM

Thanks Beren for the battery ideas but as more big $$$ which I just can't afford (justify) right now that I've spent big on the mount I had to go with the jump start from Supercheap for $54. I believe these are good for about 5 hrs of continuos use. I''ll also look at a 12v 2 amp regulated power supply as I have a 30 metre extension cord.

Tell you what thou until you get one you don't realise how massive these EQ6's are nearly gave myself a hernia setting it up inside even without the couterweights.

I expect some rock steady viewing with my 2 scopes, finders, camera gear, autoguider etc mounted on it.

AlexN · #15 24-08-2008, 11:51 PM

Trevor, Thats the exact thought I had when mine arrived.. I'd never seen an EQ mount in the flesh before... the eq6 pro arrived in these massive boxes and I was like "what the hell is going on here.." opened them up expecting to see either double boxes, or heaps and heaps of foam... alas... all I saw was a bit of foam and the largest hunk of metal I'll ever own...

I'd imagine with all your gear on it a 10~20km/h wind gust will not worry you much!

My 12v17aH jump starter provides closer to 8hrs of run time... that is with minimal slewing though... just 3 star alignment, then slew to target...

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #16 25-08-2008, 12:02 AM

Cmon Alex,

We are all dying to know what your latest purchase is, cough up!!!!

My guess is a semi trailer to haul around your ever growing gear list?

Chris

mrsnipey · #17 25-08-2008, 03:58 PM

Now you can give up your membership to the gym and use it for more astro gear.

gb_astro · #18 25-08-2008, 09:07 PM

"Andrews have an as-new return EQ6 Pro on their surplus page at $1199!!!
Go Go Go!!!!!!!!!" (Doug)

Doug, thanks for the heads up. Went there today and bought it.
Would only give one year warranty on it.
Story was that it was having problems either going or coming out of park.
Tech reflashed handset and all ok. Fingers crossed.

According to Andrews and Bintel the only EQ6Pro and HEQ5Pro colour is white. The other non Go-To Skywatcher mounts seem to be all black.

gb.

AlexN · #19 25-08-2008, 09:19 PM

gb - Great deal mate!

1199 for a mount so capable is awesome!!

TrevorW · #20 25-08-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gb_astro

According to Andrews and Bintel the only EQ6Pro and HEQ5Pro colour is white. The other non Go-To Skywatcher mounts seem to be all black.

gb.

This is strange as I've got an authorised dealer who buys through Tasco saying the opposite and he's just sold me a black one with Synscan hand set with goto.