If Dave from Dark Frame Optics says doing the Rowan upgrade to the HEQ5 is one of the best things you can do for the mount, I think that says it all.

It removes another source of backlash and the upgrade is particularly useful for older noiser gears.

Rowan Belt Mod completed today on my HEQ5pro. Took about 1hr 45mins. Pretty straightforward but the somewhat expensive pinion extractor tool was a godsend. Couldn’t have managed without it. Great service as always from the people at FLO. Ordered it yesterday afternoon & it arrived this morning. Decided to do it without unplugging the motors from the motherboard as I’ve heard some recent horror stories from people who have fatally damaged the motherboard trying to remove the connectors. Didn’t have any problems doing it this way. Doesn’t seem any quieter really but my HEQ5 was only 6 months old so didn’t have the grinding gear noises that some of the older models have. Will give it a try tonight as the forecast later is for clear skies.

I would really recommend this mod for anyone with a HEQ-5 Pro mount as it really improved my guiding stability as there are no more backlash problems.
My guiding total error dropped from over 1" down to around 0.5"

Fitting the upgrade was relatively straight-forward, but I recommend watching some of the videos on YouTube on how to do it before you start if you are not used to this kind of challenges.
The main thing is to be patient and not try to hurry. I also used my phone camera to picture everything in the mount before I removed it, and this made it really easy to reassemble with the Rowan gear, e.g. showing how the motors for DEC and RA should be placed to be in their original orientation.

I would strongly recommend adding the pinion extractor if you purchase this belt mod kit! I also included an extra belt just to be safe, but as the mod went well for me, I did not need it.

I didn't expect my first shopping experience with FLO could be so nice. Chris has been really quick in every response to my questions. I felt supported before and after the purchase. FLO has the friendliest staff!

The belt mod kit has been easy to install. I didn't unplug the motors from the circuit board as instructed, and didn't encounter any troubles because of it. I used the pinion extractor, which was straight and easy to use. I wanted to compare using it against without it, but I wasn't ready to take any risk of damaging my gears.

Speedy delivery from FLO, fitted the belt mod to my heq5 pro mount, sounds like a totally different mount, haven’t tried it outside yet due to the weather, also purchased the pinion extractor tool which is a must, a great upgrade well worth the money.

Straight forward to install (get the additional pinion extractor), instructions a easy to follow. My mount is a lot quieter after fitting , not had chance to see if my guiding has improved due to bad weather

Great kit,Very easy to fit haven’t had a chance to use it outside but I did try it out inside, there seems to be no backlash whatsoever can’t wait to get outside for some clear skies,Great service from FLO as always, thanks guys keep up the good work

The package arrived within 5 working days in SW France, no charges from La Poste (yet?). The upgrade is well made and the instructions very good...especially when you have watched several videos on the subject! Fitting would have been very easy but for some poor quality control on the mount's motors (holes not round) but easily sorted. The distances suggested were also out due to said Skywatcher inconsistencies but again I just made sure everything was level and running smoothly. Oh the lack of grinding noises and backlash. My guiding has also improved considerably. Value..seems expensive but I would prefer to upgrade this mount than spend 10x to 20x (or more) on a new mount. Add this upgrade to the ADM dual saddle (also from FLO), improved azimuth bolts and mounting on a pier and I should be OK. One other thing...buy the pinion extractor (4mm in my case)

Once again, super quick delivery and quality products. The belt mod especially is a quality product that has really improved the mount accuracy. Very happy

I have not long fitted the belt mod to my HEQ5 Pro and tested it on an imaging session over the weekend.

Prior to fitting the belt mod I was achieving circa 1.3" RMS error however the other night I was averaging around 0.8" - baring in mind that there was a 'breeze' in the air I thought that was a huge improvement.

Thanks to FLO for the well packaged, quickly sent item. A fantastic service as always!