EQ6 GoTo Anyone beat this price?

[scorpius]

I think I am going to bite the bullet and go for an EQ6 Goto. I wonder if anyone can come up with a better price than this. This is landed on your doorstep anywhere in Australia. Anyone got anything that tells me not to do it?:hmm:

Skywatcher EQ6 SkyScan PRO mount - Full Go-To. 13. 436 objects. M. NGC. IC. Computer compatible. SS Tripod. stepper motors Code: EQ6MNT-SKY
$1,965.05 delivered anywhere Australia wide Includes $30 delivery.

This will definitely be my last spending mode for a long time I think
:Chessy_Smile:

Today's thought: You cannot take your money with you, that's why they have offertory boxes in churches and an abundance of Astro shops


Change this Post number to 12a !

[Radar]

I saw one of these being used up at Golden Grove recently. It appeared very smooth and had good pointing accuracy. What would be riding on it Dave?

[scorpius]

I saw one of these being used up at Golden Grove recently. It appeared very smooth and had good pointing accuracy. What would be riding on it Dave?
The wrath of my Bank Manager....I will initially use the 8" which I will be selling shortly and the 10" OTAs' They weigh in at 10 and 12kilos respectively and the EQ6 V3 is allegedlyrated at 25Kg load bearing. Plus anything else like my Canon 350D with a Tamron 800mm lens. I managed to get an adapter for the Tamron/Pentax to EOS also can use all my Pentax SP500 lenses

I was amazed on EBay to see how much people are paying for Tamron lenses. Around $450 bux Someone forked out 200 bux for the Tamron to Pentax screw adapter apparently these adapters are as rare as hen's teeth.

I will make the Vee Brackets and tube rings myself which will save me a few bux

On the subject of mounts etc. Am having teething problems with the EQ platform the threaded rod which drives the scope platform has a very minute rotational alignment problem which is moving the scope a fraction up and down every rotation of the rod. Looks like I will have to make a looser coupling with a teflon insert, when running below speed it puts a load of Big Ws'on all the stars :thumbsdownmate:

Aaaargh the joys of home brewing equipment.. But I love a challenge. Many years ago I coined a family motto If it can be done, I can do it May not be the expert, but at least I will have a crack at anything even if I do screw it up sometimes:duh:

Today's thought: If at first you don't succeed, try and try again

[AstroTasmania]

Which version handset does it have? The new (latest) version is 3.xx. which is a significant improvement over the V 2.xx.

It costs over $600 to buy the newer version handset, as they are not upgradeable from one to the other.

To my mind this is way too expensive just for the hand box, a quarter or more that the total mount cost.

The Version 2xx is not data upgradeable via the Internet (not sure about the V3xx) as are the Meade/Celestron etc.

A big downside, so do some checking before you fork out the hard earned stuff. Join the EQ6 User Group and ask some hard questions.

My EQ6 SynScan cost me around $2,500 last year and was not freight free.

Clear skies... (always live in hope)

[scorpius]

Which version handset does it have? The new (latest) version is 3.xx. which is a significant improvement over the V 2.xx.
Clear skies... (always live in hope)

Now with version 3 controller - Limited Offer whilst stock last:Chessy_Smile:

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Scorpius

Go for it, with V3 controller that is a very good buy. It is probably the most solid mount in that price range and to go better would cost BIG dollars. My Anssen Technologies Alhena with FS2 Controller etc without pier was something like $8K. Its later replacement is around $10K without a controller system etc, and it just goes way up from here.

I bought my EQ6 SynScan as a portable take anywhere mount, easy to pack up and set up in the field, whereas my Alhena is really a two person job. (notice the political correctness) in my day it was & still is, a two-man job!
I don't feel like forking out $629 to upgrade the hand piece, I will convert it to use my much superior FS2 system, as other FS2 owners have, it then adds so many more features. I am surprised at how behind the SkyScan is, given all the others on the market the SkyScan should be tops in development.

Oh for Clear skies...

[scorpius]

My bank Manager is now in tears.. Ordered it. :Chessy_Smile: Would have gotten it tomorrow but Aussie Post is having a rostered day off or something:duh:

Also NVT is tossing in a 2X barlow with a camera adapter for free.:thumbsupmate:

Exits left and goes into non-spending mode:hmm:

[scorpius]

Hi Guys. Have received the EQ6 Pro + everything else. This is just an unbelievable piece of equipment. I have spent the last 24 hours learning to drive it in the comfort of an armchair. In addition I also run Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts) a neat free program that is very easy to use. It has a Telescope interface software program RTGUI. Which uses downloadable data bases from CTC in addition to the 14,700 objects in SW database. Just click and GoTo. The universe is at your command.:thumbsupmate:

I have to knock up a pair of tube rings and then we will be cooking with gas, with the 10" on top. And of course get rid of this cotton pickin cloud....

[rogerg]

Congrats Dave! I look forward to seeing it at the next ASWA event, in action and slewing around the sky.