TheSkySearchers

I am on the lookout for a second hand mount good for both visual and astrophotography for my Vixen A105 MII. Currently, a 10 year old second hand NEQ6 Pro is on offer near me. However, it comes without a tripod. I am looking for advice regarding:
1. Can the NEQ6Pro mount be mounted on my existing Explore Scientific Twilight Mid tripod? If not what is the recommended tripod for the NEQ6 Pro?
2. From the posts, I understand the mount is quite heavy. How heavy is it? While I am not intending to travel with it, I still need to set up my tripod and mount in my backyard on clear nights for viewing or photography.
3. How is the noise from tracking as I do not wish to disturb my neighbours?
4. What should be a fair price for such a mount without the tripod?

Advice on any/all of the above will be very helpful in deciding.

Thanks

Hello Biswasg

I moved your post to a Topic of it's own to get a bit more exposure.

Welcome to the forum.

Graeme

Hello biswasg,
The Vixen A105M II is a very nice refractor! I have actually just sold one a few weeks ago
If you will just be doing visual with the telescope a EQ-5 class will work fine. The Skywatcher HEQ5 is definitely more than adequate.
The HEQ-6 weights 16kg and holds 25kg for visual which is overkill for that telescope.

I do not think the Skywatcher mount will fit on the ES tripod, it should fit a Vixen or Celestron tripod though.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Wed Apr 17, 2024 8:40 am If you will just be doing visual with the telescope a EQ-5 class will work fine. The Skywatcher HEQ5 is definitely more than adequate.
The HEQ-6 weights 16kg and holds 25kg for visual which is overkill for that telescope.

Thanks for your response. The HEQ5 was my first choice, but as I am on the lookout for a good second-hand mount, this NEQ6 Pro is now available as a second-hand option, so wondering if it still be useful. Of course, I realize that I will have to find an appropriate tripod for it too. So might wait. Also, I was concerned with the weight of the NEQ6 pro.

Other second-hand options currently available are the iOptron CEM60 Goto and the Celestron AVX Goto.

I have no experience with the iOptron mounts but I have had ASGT/ AVX mounts.
If you just want to do casual AP the AVX will work but you will outgrow it quickly if looking at doing more serious AP.
Visually it will serve well for years.
For visual and serious AP the hEQ6 will be a good mount but a tripod other than a Berlebach may be hard to find.

I currently own a Celestron AVX mount and briefly had (one year) an iOptron CEM60 before I traded it in for the 70.
My experience with the AVX mount is that while it is fine for lighter payloads up to about 75% of max (max =30lbs) for visual, I found that performing AP at even 50% of max was problematic. The Dec backlash was nearly unconquerable and gave me about a 66% success rate with imaging. Meaning that I had to throw out one of every three images due to bad guiding. The AVX mount made me an expert at fine tuning PHD2. I learned that PHD2 can't overcome every inconsistency a mount may present.

On the other hand, I can't say enough good things about the two iOptron mounts I own/ed. They are smooth, precise, and nearly flawless. My success rate with imaging on these mounts is about 98%. I can't recommend the CEM70 highly enough.

Cheers,

Still struggling to make a decision whether to go for the second-hand (6 year old) CEM 60 GoTo or a brand new HEQ5 Pro GoTo for AP with my Vixen A105MII to start with. What is the maximum load capacity of HEQ5Pro for AP?

While I do not have that particular iOptron mount I do have the AZMP and I don't have a bad thing to say about it. It seems that their mounts are whisper quiet and the tracking and goto seem to be very accurate. The best feature for me is their hand controller and go nova system. It is just simple to use and the menus are set up in a very simple and easy to use.

hmm, 10 years, i'd be looking at re greasing the mount

maybe a nylon shim and worm gear bearings replaced if needed,they just take standard skateboard bearings

the eq6 is a solid performer with good capacity and can be upgraded with a belt mod for better tracking, if you can get it at a good price and are willing to service it then i would recommend it , it is a well documented mount so servicing should be easy .

if you don't want the hassel with servicing an eq6 then the eq5 should handle your scope just fine .

Finally pulled the trigger. Just now collected a used iOptron CEM60. The owner had used it sparingly and kept it in good condition. Hope it will stand up well. Many thanks to all for your valuable advice. Now to learn setting it up and hope for the skies to clear soon!
I do understand it may be an overkill (by the weight of it) for my current equipment, but trying to future proof myself.

You have done a brilliant job of future proofing yourself. I know this mount will serve you well. It doesn't take much effort to learn how to get the best from this mount, but I will say the most important thing is balance. The closer you are to perfect balance the more trouble and error free it is.

Cheers,