TheSkySearchers

Hello all,

Does any one know the weight ratings for the Skyview Pro and Skyview Sirius EQ-G mounts? Orion's web site doesn't list them in the specs, I'm assuming the EQ-G can handle more since it's heavier and Orion says it's good for deep sky imaging and it didn't recommend the Skyview Pro for that. Anybody know why? The 8" reflector OTAs are identical on either kit.

I own the Skyview Pro eq mount. With an extension tube and shorten 1.75" tripod legs, no more then about 22 pounds. I replaced the dew shield with a lighter Astrozap, but I added a 2" diagonal and dual finder mount. The extension tube and shorten tripod legs makes it stable. I say about 2 1/2 seconds shake time at high mag. I read that the tracker that is made for this mount is so so for astrophotography, which I know nothing about.

The Skyview Pro is a EQ-4 class mount with a 20 lb weight capacity, the Sirius EQ-G is a EQ-5 class mount with a capacity of 30lb.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Sat Jan 30, 2021 5:25 am The Skyview Pro is a EQ-4 class mount with a 20 lb weight capacity, the Sirius EQ-G is a EQ-5 class mount with a capacity of 30lb.

Thank you Lady Factor.

A couple more questions then please, if the Celestron Advanced VX has a rated capacity of 30 pounds that makes it an EQ-5 class mount?

I ask because the Advanced VX with a 6" aperture dobsonian is about $500 less than the Sirius EQ-G with an 8" dobsonian. Would the OTA make that big of a difference in the cost?

Yes the Celestron is also a EQ-5 class mount, Vixen made the original then Celestron cloned it.
A good workhorse mount.

I will say that unless everything is perfectly balanced a 200mm newtonian on a EQ-5 can make it struggle due to the moment arm of the tube and surface area of the telescope.
It makes a nice sail.

At one point Celestron and Orion both sold these mounts with a 305mm newtonian, to much for a EQ-5 and WAY to much for a EQ-4!
I think they offered these for less than a year.

Check out this post and the associated spreadsheet.
viewtopic.php?f=54&t=1041

Cheers,
JT