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Model: eq5-mount-20464Part Number: 20464
The sturdy EQ5 Equatorial mount provides provides a host of useful features for the serious astronomer.
Supplied with a sturdy, adjustable stainless steel pipe tripod with accessory tray, bubble level, latitude adjuster with micrometer scale and an azimuth polar-alignment adjuster.
A polarscope is included to aid polar alignment and manual slow motion tracking controls for convenience.
Optional single-axis and dual-axis D.C. motor drives can be installed for auto-tracking purposes.
Approximate latitude operating range: 28-60°
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.
An excellent mount for medium-weight scopes. FLO were hit by shipping problems from China but kept me informed as to the progress of the shipment. All in, an excellent purchase from a top-rate company!!
Since I own the Sky-Watcher Startravel 120T, I felt in need of a more sturdy mount than the small EQ-1 that I had with my Sky-Watcher Maksutov 90/1250. So, the EQ-5 was what i ordered from FLO. It arrived within a week, great! The 120T sits snugly on this mount. I have to get used to it though, it is so much heavier than the tiny EQ-1.It took some effort to get the manual knobs for declination and RA attached. I used the smooth part of a 5.5 mm drill to extend the metal bushing within the knobs a little, so as to make them fit onto the axis. That did the trick, the knobs are now perfectly fitting and will not fall off again.Now, all I need is sufficient spare time at night to get used to this mount more and more. The first impression is great. The small Mak 90/1250 can remain on its EQ-1, whilst the 120T appears perfectly fitted onto this nice mount. As a beginner, I cannot wish for a lot more right now, until I can call myself more experienced.
I have never owned an equatorial mount before, so not sure what to expect when it was delivered, first impression when I tried to pick up the box is, its heavy, on the plus side it is a very sturdy tripod, assembly is straight forward, though the fine adjustment knobs are not a great fit, but work ok, the plastic cap over the polar scope is not a tight fit either, but apart from moving slightly I have not managed to knock it off. I found reading the manual on how to carry out polar alignment is confusing, but there is a lot of help on youtube, after that it is not that bad, the worst part is that the polar scope is not illuminated, so it is hard to see the markings for lining up polaris, you have to squat down to look through the scope, and I ended up shining a red light across the end of the scope, so I could see it, there is a polar scope illuminator you can buy, so might make it easier, balancing the telescope on the mount is easy enough, just make sure you tighten the weight locking screw enough, or the balance weight will slip down the shaft. Overall very pleased with the EQ5 delux, rated at 4 stars due to the adjustment knobs and loose polar scope cap
Arrived within 2 days, very well packed, and all in order thank you FLO, great service! Got it to mount a Celestron C6 which sits happily using only one of the 2 5kg weights provided with the mount. The mounts really solid, and doesn't weigh 'too' much either. It's my first EQ mount, as I've come from starting with a dob 200p, which is still great. I look forward to some setting circle fun, and getting a single axis motor at some point to venture into some tracking and astrophotography, I'll let you know how I get on. Cheers FLO.
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