The menu structure of the SkyScan is easy to navigate on the two-line, scrolling LCD screen, while the alignment procedures with one, two, or three stars, are easy to implement. the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro is third, being used in eight images. If you are interested in astrophotography using a DSLR and telescope, the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 is a suitable GoTo mount for a wide variety of imaging configurations. I find the SynScan computer system very easy to use, which makes it an enjoyable telescope mount for visual use and astrophotography. This review appeared in the June 2006 issue of Sky at Night Magazine. That is not to say that successful deep-sky imaging with a configuration of 30 lbs on the HEQ5 isn’t possible, but your balance and polar alignment will have to be rock-solid. In my experience, the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 provides extremely high precision tracking and works exceptionally well with the use of autoguiding via the built-in autoguider port. I have not tested the tracking accuracy of the AVX out of the box (without modifications or autoguiding). It was one of the first mounts I had ever used for astrophotography, and one I still use to this day. But it’s capable of more than just those. I’ll also compare this mount to the features offered by similar GoTo telescope mounts at this price point, including the Celestron AVX. The Saxon HEq5 Pro Computerised GoTo Mount is lighter than the NEq6 Pro, but it utilizes the same GoTo drive motors, electronic features, and functionality. Connector: Vixen-style dovetailWeight: 16kgLoad capacity: 16kgMax slewing speed: 3.4º/secondHand control database: 13,400+ objectsInterfaces: RS-232; autoguiderPower supply: 12V external, Price: £829.00Weight:16kgSupplier:Optical Vision Ltd.Telephone:01359 244200Website: www.opticalvision.co.uk, Connector: Vixen-style dovetailWeight: 16kgLoad capacity: 16kgMax slewing speed: 3.4º/secondHand control database: 13,400+ objectsInterfaces: RS-232; autoguiderPower supply: 12V external. With the user-friendly pushbutton hand control, locating and viewing the treasures of the night sky becomes as easy as a walk in the park. Some of the major advantages of a telescope mount in this class are GoTo functionality and increased payload capacity. I have not found the need to upgrade my Sky-Watcher HEQ5 with the Rowan Belt Mod which replaces the HEQ5 Pro’s original spur gear drive train with timing belts. The saddles are also different on the HEQ5 and EQ6-R Pro. Vital stats About two months ago I purchased iOptron Smart EQ Pro mount – and here is my small review. Be the first to Write a Review for this item! If you have an older Sky-Watcher SynScan mount, you have the option of updating the hand controller firmware using the resources on the Sky-Watcher website. The HEQ5 has been updated in many ways since the original version I purchased in 2014. SKYWATCHER HEQ5 PRO GO-TO MOUNT Sky at Night magazine "group test winner" Recommend for: ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY Sky-Watcher Mounts have been designed for use by novices and experts alike. A discussion that often surfaces is whether to invest in the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro SynScan or the larger EQ6-R Pro. EQMOD is a very popular way of controlling the Sky-Watcher HEQ5, NEQ6, and other mounts directly from a PC. The counterweights, motor drive, GoTo hand controller, guiding and slew speeds are all identical. The maximum payload capacity of the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 is 30 lbs. It is specially designed for observers who need the steadiness of the EQ6 Pro mount but finds the EQ6 Pro mount too physically demanding. Personally, I recommend using a refractor telescope if you plan on imaging galaxies and nebulae with this mount. The HEQ5 is a perfect fit with a small refractor, with all of the necessary imaging gear. With the added payload capacity comes a higher price tag. This kit replaces the factory spur gear drive train with timing belts. It is specially designed for observers who need the steadiness of the EQ6 Pro mount but finds the EQ6 Pro mount too physically demanding. While you can still get good Go-To accuracy without paying too much attention to this important setup procedure, tracking will be impaired without it. ... Review for HEQ5 Mount in Sky at Night Magazine. The SkyScan may not possess the capabilities of Celestron’s NexStar system, but the quality engineering of the HEQ5 Pro’s bearings and gears make it a quieter, better choice for imagers – especially since the hand control supports periodic error correction and autoguiders. I believe many of these issues can be dealt with by properly balancing the imaging payload. ). The Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro SynScan with an 8″ Newtonian Astrograph mounted to it. When we unpacked the EQ5 PRO, the first thing that struck us was its sheer size. The SynScan system provides a user-friendly menu that allows automatic slewing to over 42,000 objects. With its legs retracted, it stands at 118cm tall and reaches 150cm when fully extended – a bit high for some Newtonian owners perhaps. With our test 6-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope in place, we were impressed with the vibration damping time of just over a second. I used to carry my Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro SynScan around the yard with the telescope and counterweight attached. For amateur astronomers seeking superior equatorial control and the ease of a precision computerized GOTO system, the HEQ5 PRO SynScan tm is your answer. The Sky-Watcher HEQ5 has provided me with reliable and consistent results for my deep sky astrophotography endeavors, and I still continue to use this mount today. In this review, I’ll share my insights on this telescope mount, and share many image examples using it. In October 2018, I upgraded to the latest version of Sky-Watcher’s EQ6 equatorial mount, the EQ6-R Pro. The SkyWatcher HEQ5 Pro GOTO Dual Saddle Mount provides extremely high precision tracking and has built in autoguider ports. A mount costing less than £1k with an impressive combination of ease-of-use, stability and tracking performance. The HEQ5 is a high-functioning mount that has excellent traits that allows versatile performance. During the first use I realized that something was not working well during the guider (sometimes frames showed the stars elongated already with focal 560mm court). The Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro is a computerized, equatorial tracking mount. For novice users, the user-friendly menu allows automatic slewing to over 13,400 objects. It is probably the mount most recommended to someone wanting to begin astrophotography. If the portability of your telescope equipment is a big concern, the more lightweight HEQ5 version may be a better option for you. For example, on the HEQ5, I wouldn’t recommend mounting more than 20-lbs of imaging gear on top. The HEQ5 is essentially just a slightly smaller version of the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R mount, that is less physically demanding to transport and setup (with a lower maximum payload capacity, of course). When you look through the polar scope, there’s a clearly defined grid that allows you to offset easily and simply from Polaris to the true north celestial pole. It is specially designed for observers who need the steadiness of the EQ6 Pro mount but finds the EQ6 Pro mount too physically demanding. I found this curious comparison by Sky at Night Magazine which sums it up that HEQ5 is … Both the HEQ5 and EQ6-R provide extremely high-precision tracking and have built-in autoguider ports. The SkyScan may not possess the capabilities of Celestron’s NexStar system, but the quality engineering of the HEQ5 Pro’s bearings and gears make it a quieter, better choice for imagers – especially since the hand control supports periodic error correction and autoguiders. In common with the EQ6 Pro – the HEQ5’s sibling mount – and Vixen mounts, the counterweight shaft retracts into the body of the mount, which is a real plus when it comes to transportation and setup. The pulley modification reduces the spur gear errors that are typical and therefore reduces tracking errors. The HEQ5 Pro is designed for astrophotography featuring an auto-guide port and compatibility with computer control software. Take a look at the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 in action for some deep-sky astrophotography in my backyard (video). Even an inexperienced astronomer can master its variety of features in a few observing sessions. You can now enter the world of deep-sky astrophotography through a telescope, as the HEQ5 can handle small to medium-sized refractors with ease. The Andromeda Galaxy captured using the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 mount. AstroBackyard | Astrophotography Tips and Tutorials 2021. One difference you may experience between these mounts is the polar axis finder scope. The HEQ5 was outstanding, unobtrusively tracking with no noise and no fuss. The SynScan system is reliable and easy to use. This is known in the UK as the SkyScan, though the instruction manual insists on calling it the SynScan. A mount that is surely going to get compared to the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 is the Celestron AVX (Celestron Advanced VX). Don’t forget to account for the weight of your primary imaging camera, guide scope, and all other accessories. The 10kg payload capacity will handle telescopes of medium dimension such as 200mm reflectors or 150mm refractors. The main reasons for the price break are the single saddle mount, the tripod, the maximum payload capacity, and the spur gear drive train. For a list of refractor telescopes I recommend for astrophotography, please view this helpful resource on the topic. PRO-SERIES is the name for the new generation of professional quality telescopes and mounts of the Sky-Watcher range, targeted at the most discerning and critical observers. I have seen many fantastic deep sky images captured using the AVX, but I know that others have had some issues with tracking performance. HEQ5 SynScan Mount This heavy-duty HEQ5 Pro mount is a smaller version of the sturdy EQ6 Pro mount. Another difference in the two mounts is the belt-drive system found in the EQ6-R, which some say can make a big difference in tracking accuracy. It was one of the first mounts I had ever used for astrophotography, and one I still use to this day. Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Review. The HEQ5 Pro mount is considered by many to be Sky-Watcher's 'sweet spot'. I primarily shoot nebulae with this, with the odd galaxy. The three-star alignment accurately corrects for cone error, and subsequent Go-To accuracy was impressive: we found our test objects in the centre half to third of a 160x eyepiece field wherever we looked in the sky. In fact, it may be too well done for its low price, but no one is going to complain when they’re saving at least $500 with this model compared to more pricier ones. The Sky-Watcher HEQ5 is a GoTo equatorial telescope mount capable of deep-sky astrophotography. This way, you can control the mount using software from your computer, including a planetarium. The incredibly popular HEQ5 Pro GOTO mount and tripod but with the Rowan Engineering belt mod already fitted! I've added the new Celestron CGX, CGX-L, Skywatcher EQ8-Pro, and the iOptron CEM60, as they are newer intermediate class of mount, and all over £1700. I then did some tests to try to … Here, I’m going to review the EQ6-R Pro. A mount that is surely going to get compared to the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 is the Celestron AVX (Celestron Advanced VX). This telescope mount includes the SynScan system, which offers the user a hand controller to select and track various objects in the night sky. The user-friendly menu system allows automatic slewing to over 42,000 objects. This heavy-duty HEQ5 Pro mount is a smaller version of the sturdy EQ6 Pro mount. The Sky-Watcher HEQ5 and EQ6-R Pro Mounts setup for astrophotography. See the results here: Joint fourth goes to: the Celestron CGX; the Orion Atlas EQ-G; the Astro-Physics Mach1GTO (which is now discontinued) If you want to see the full data, see our article RMG Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2020: Data Analysis. The HEQ5 is a big step up from the star tracker category. The HEQ5 continues to track the night sky flawlessly and provide me with exciting new images. On nights when I am only interested in deep-sky astrophotography with my DSLR camera and 73mm refractor, there is no need to set up the larger EQ6-R. The Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) by Murray Fox Photography with the HEQ5 & 72ED Check out his feed and website! I am currently looking into controlling my Sky-Watcher HEQ5 using EQMOD during my astrophotography sessions in the backyard. I believe that the polar alignment scope is an additional accessory for the AVX because of this. It came to me, highly recommended, second hand from a … The SynScan hand controller also has the ability to connect to your laptop computer with a RS-232 cable. With the added stability of the EQ6-R comes an added overall weight. The biggest advantage the EQ6-R (or older NEQ6) have over the HEQ5 is the ability to handle larger telescopes and more astrophotography gear. You picked a very nice topic, astrophotography is amazing! The Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro is their largest telescope mount for extra heavy payloads. These mounts provide extremely high precision tracking and have built in autoguider ports. This telescope mount includes the SynScan system, which offers the user a hand controller to select and track various objects in the night sky. The HEQ5 is a great value for the money and should last you a long time (Mine is nearly 10 years old), but you may want to consider a larger equatorial mount if you plan on mounting heavier telescopes on it down the road. A wise investment due to its proven reliability and affordability. This is more than adequate for numerous deep-sky astrophotography configurations using a telescope. Owners of larger refractors or heavier reflector telescopes will benefit from the robust Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro or even larger Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro. This GoTo telescope mount sits at the same price point as the Sky-Watcher HEQ5, but is much newer. The RedCat 51 (and variations) are a great match for the HEQ5 mount. I’ve mentioned how reliable and practical the HEQ5 is, but I’d like to discuss other possible options to consider. Below, you’ll see a William Optics RedCat 51 telescope mounted to the HEQ5 with a DSLR camera attached. If you are on a tight budget, it is worth comparing these models to see which mount is the right fit for your imaging gear. I have a small 50mm guide scope and guide camera riding on top of the refractor, adding another 2 lbs. The difference in overall weight between the two mounts is about 10 kg (22 lbs), including both counterweights. For novice users the user-friendly menu allows automatic slewing to … It was practically new and used very little. This mount is a development of the Taiwanese optical giant Synta’s HEQ5 mount, and it incorporates a number of motor and gear enhancements as well as a computerised hand controller. The 4cm (1.5-inch) diameter stainless steel tripod legs may not look as sturdy as the Celestron or the EQ6 Pro, but there doesn’t appear to be a lot of difference in stability. The HEQ5 Pro mount is considered by many to be Sky-Watcher's 'sweet spot'. It was heavy and awkward, but manageable. Learning how to properly polar align the HEQ5 Pro using the built-in polar alignment scope took a bit of time, but now it’s a 30-second process. After selling my EQ5 Pro mount and before my finances allow me to grab either HEQ5 Pro or NEQ6 Pro mount I am reading all the reviews I can to make a better opinion of what mount is better suited for me. It’s such a gateway Go-To tracking mount for astrophotographers. Celestron has an “all-star polar alignment” feature that Sky-Watcher does not use. It will take a while to review the product properly but hopefully this will be beneficial for anyone thinking of upgrading their equipment. High Precision This provides extremely high precision tracking and has built-in autoguider ports. Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro Computerized Equatorial Mount This Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro mount is equipped with SynScan and has been designed for use by novice and experts alike! It is lightweight enough to quickly set up in the yard, and that means that I can use it more often. Smart EQ Pro is a tiny equatorial mount with GoTo that, according to manufacturer, can be used for visual with small optics and for wide field astroimaging.This second application is the one that interested me Smart EQ Pro has maximum payload of 5kg, and I really would not recommend to … For astrophotography, the HEQ5 Pro is a great mount for beginners or even experienced users looking for a lightweight setup. Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro SynScan mount review, Concentration of black holes found in ancient star cluster, 6 women who changed astronomy and spaceflight, Software Bisque Paramount MYT mount review, Sky-Watcher EQM-35 Pro Go-To mount review. The Sky Watcher EQ6R-Pro is a high-performing mount with all the right features for its price point. With a small imaging rig like this attached, you’ll only need to use one counterweight, and balancing the load in the RA axis is a breeze. You’ll also have the ability to explore other optical designs such as Newtonian reflectors, Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, and more. This heavy-duty HEQ5 Pro mount is a smaller version of the sturdy EQ6 Pro mount. Add the weight of the imaging camera (usually a Canon EOS 60Da), and the entire imaging ensemble is still under 10 lbs. Have a look at my results using this mount early on, including autoguiding accuracy here: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R – First Impressions (Video). You don’t actually need one to polar align the AVX. The Sky-Watcher HEQ5 is a very capable astrophotography mount with all of the features of the larger NEQ6. Sky-Watcher EQ6-R – First Impressions (Video). Watch as I show you how to setup a new SkyWatcher HEQ5 Pro. Another difference between the Celestron AVX and the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 is that the Celestron mount uses a plain bushing on the DEC axis, the HEQ5 uses a solid (non-bushing) bearing.

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