Price:  Please Contact UsSkywatcher EQ8 PRO

Incoming

We have the following details of the new Skywatcher EQ8 premium quality heavy-duty mount scheduled for launch early 2013.

This mount is still under development so features and specification might change prior to launch. 

Skywatcher EQ8 Manual

Key features

• 50 Kg payload capacity.
  
• Stable pillar-tripod design allowing height adjustment between 0.75 and 1.0 m.
  
• High resolution stepper-motors directly drive the worm gears to minimise backlash.
  
• Patented dual-encoder technology for perfect harmony between manual handling and automated Synscan driven operation, never losing the position.
  
• Modern driver software with AUTOHOME, PPEC and hardware compatible with the established Synscan handset and the new starchart driven Synscan Tour.  

Freedom FindTM Function

The EQ8 mount is equipped with auxiliary encoders on both the R.A. axis and Dec. axis. Therefore, the mount can keep tracking its current position even when a user unlocks the clutches and rotates the mount in R.A. axis and Dec. axis manually.  With this feature, a user can manually operate the mount anytime without worrying about losing the mount’s alignment status. When the user wants to operate the mount with the SynScan hand control again, no alignment is required and all that is needed to be done is to re-lock the clutches.
This feature can be enabled or disabled on the SynScan hand controller.

Permanent Periodic Error Correction

The EQ8 mount is equipped with an index on its R.A. worm thus the motor controller can keep tracking the current position of the worm. After a proper PEC training routine, in which the training data is stored in the motor controller permanently, a user can start the periodic error correction (PEC) at any time to improve the tracking performance for short focal length astrophotography. A training process is not required in the next observing session (assuming that the polar alignment is always accurate), thus this is a Permanent Period Error Correction (PPEC). A user can train the mount with manual guiding or auto-guiding. For detailed instructions,

Batch Exposures Function

The EQ8 mount is equipped with a SNAP port which can control the shutter release of a camera. Working with the SynScan hand control’s “Camera Control” function, a user can take batch exposures when doing astrophotography. Up to 8 groups of “Exposure-time & Frames” combinations can be set on the SynScan hand controller. For detailed information, refer to the SynScan hand control’s instruction manual.

Auto-Home Function

The EQ8 mount is equipped with two home position sensors. Working with the SynScan hand controller, the mount can be placed to the same home position after turning on the power. For detailed information, refer to the SynScan hand control’s instruction manual.