Which SW mount

[Jockinireland]

So, I think I'm going to have to make the leap and get a proper mount and scope to move on in AP. I'm pretty much settled on the SW Evostar 80ED for various reasons but I'm really struggling on the mount. I'm pretty much down to the SW EQM-35 or the HEQ5.

I've read lots of reviews and studied the specs so I do understand the differences. I have a Staradventurer so the modular part of the EQM is not that important to me. But over all weight and ease of setting up is.

On the payload, the ED 80 with dlsr camera and guide scope would be inside the Spec payload of 7kg for the EQM. I'm not sure I'd need to go higher (unless I ever try to defork my 8" lx200 and stick that on a GEM). But do you think that I could regret that 7kg limit in a few years.

I'd really appreciate your thoughts, especially if anyone has hands on experience with the EQM-35

Rgds

David

[carastro]

The EQM has a an imaging payload of 7kg, and the HEQ5 11Kg.
I use the SWED80 on an HEQ5.

Personally I'd be dubious about the sturdiness of the smaller mount.

Carole

[Lady Fraktor]

The EQM is just a slightly updated version of the EQ-3/2 which is a EQ-4 sized mount.
You will outgrow its usefulness rather quickly I suspect.
The HEQ-5 is a much more stable mount.

[Jockinireland]

The EQM has a an imaging payload of 7kg, and the HEQ5 11Kg.
I use the SWED80 on an HEQ5.

Personally I'd be dubious about the sturdiness of the smaller mount.

Carole

Hi Carole, thanks for that. Ive seen the HEQ and the SWED80 on your signature and on some of you images (which I think are stunning by the way) and thats one of the things that has pointed me towards that combination. Can I ask, do you feel you have payload in reserve on that HEQ ( I see the Ed120 in your sig also so I guess thats a yes).

Also, have you used the 80ED without a flattener - they are out of stock throughout Europe just now - probably for some months yet so if I get that I may need to go flattener free (with the right connector) for some time. I'm thinking that on my APS-C sensor it will be manageable but what would you think.

Thanks again

David.

[Jockinireland]

The EQM is just a slightly updated version of the EQ-3/2 which is a EQ-4 sized mount.
You will outgrow its usefulness rather quickly I suspect.
The HEQ-5 is a much more stable mount.

Thanks - yes that's whats in the back of my mind. Right now I think the ED80 will be plenty enough but that could well change with time.

Rgds

David.

[Lady Fraktor]

Even stepping up to a 102mm would have you looking for a new mount right away.
The EQ-5 sized mounts are the minimum I would even use now for stable visual, if you can afford a bigger mount now I would do that.

[JayTee]

If you think AP will be a long-term endeavor, then I would highly suggest you look at a mount whose payload capacity is in the 30lb (13-14 kg) range. Remember you should only load the mount to 50% of its capacity for AP use.

Cheers,
JT

[carastro]

Can I ask, do you feel you have payload in reserve on that HEQ ( I see the Ed120 in your sig also so I guess thats a yes).

Yes, I use the ED120 and I also use a dual rig on the HEQ5

This is it set up during the day time with all the cables looped up.



I even at one time mounted the ED80 on top of the ED120 as a dual rig, although I got a good image with it, I felt that was pushing it a bit and have since not used that combination.

Carole