It's very sturdy and everything you would expect from a Skywatcher mount. Sometimes it's handy to just be able to plonk a stable mount out and view immediately without all the faff of setting up a goto. However, the controls are a bit awkward. I replaced them almost immediately because even though I have arms like an Orangutan, if I used a lengthy 5 inch refractor, even I couldn't reach the RA control from certain angles! Flo of course were 1st class as always.

big and sturdy and even with extra cost shipping over seas, still better deal than current manual mounts out there

Good solid mount. Should last many years and much better than my last mount. Quick delivery a plus. Minor minor concern that one foot on a tripod leg fell off as I lifted it out of box. Reglued and sorted. Overall very happy.

Strong rock solid mount, with an outstanding quality
I’m waiting for my 150mm maksutov to try it out

A very sturdy tripod and mount. It holds my Skywatcher 200 PDS OTA securely. My only complaint is that the supplied control knobs are difficult to fit and then when fitted can work loose quickly. I now use two sets of remote control arms. Much better.

Unlike the Bresser equivalent, this mount is less wobbly and doesn't judder. Also, unlike the Bresser, you can fit a control knob on both sides of the mount. This means you can easily adjust the right ascension no matter where the scope is pointing. The EQ5 has slightly thicker and longer tripod legs. I'm using this mount to carry a Vixen SD 115 S refractor, which weighs 7.5 kg including the accessories. The EQ5 is perfectly adequate for visual use of this scope. The diagonal clears the tripod ok, so I haven't needed an extension tube. I have added an extension cable to adjust the declination. When star hopping, the EQ5 has just enough friction to not slip out of place before you engage the clutch leavers. In this respect, it's better than the original Vixen GP mount that I owned years ago!

Firstly, for the price, I really doubt you'll get more mount for your money anywhere, this really is a sturdy bit of kit, weighty and rock solid. Luckily, I managed to use it the first night it came, best views of Jupiter I have ever had, purely because I could ramp up the power with no movement or shake, plus lovely moon less night. There are a couple of minor things that are poor quality the plastic and aluminium parts are a bit cheap plus one of the clutch levers is bound to get broken at some point, and a few of the previous reviewers have said some bits should have been included in the package, i.e. flexible slow motion knobs and a polar illuminator, but when all is said and done it really is a fantastic mount for the price. If like me GOTO doesn't interest you or astrophotography, just plain old visual is your thing, which after all IS astronomy this is the mount for you.

So it's reassuringly weighty, the tripod is a very sturdy unit, and ( once you work it out), it fits together quite easily. Quite a step up from the Star Adventurer and a camera tripod. Delivered within 48 hrs by Flo, who are now my goto for all things astronomy. Don't debate; just buy it!

The reason I gave three stars is I have no idea how good or bad the mount is as there have been no clear skies since I received it. However, I will say it's a wee bit cheapskate supplying control knobs rather than cables.

Very good equatorial mount. Mine arrived with a damaged tripod but FLO organized for me the return and replacement of the broken part from France in 2 weeks. The bad surprise was for the delivery of the repaired tripod, DHL did not understand that it was a return from a previous delivery, I had to pay the taxes twice.

The mount is very good, arrived with a polarscope, I thought it was optional! I use it visually with a Maksutov 127. For astophotography I have mounted an EQstar belt kit and the first tests are very encouraging for the future setup with 200-500 mm FL scope.