Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Astronomy Mount
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 Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Astronomy MountSky-Watcher EQ8-R Astronomy Mount 

Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Astronomy Mount

£3,399.00
  (4 Reviews)
✓ 2 year warranty
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About this product

Model:  skywatcher-EQ8-R-20323
Part Number:  20323

A solid workhorse at a bargain price! 

The NEW Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro is an evolutionary progression of the popular EQ8 Pro.

An extra heavy-duty, observatory class German Equatorial Mount with a payload capacity of up to 50kg.

Quiet in operation, the EQ8-R is supplied with the Synscan Go-To handset that can automatically find and track over 42,900 celestial objects from its extensive computer database.

Available either complete with a pier tripod or as the mount head only to install onto a static pier.

Two 10kg counterweights and the Synscan computerised handset are supplied with both options.

The mount is also compatible with the optional Synscan Wi-Fi adaptor and Synscan Pro Apps, which can control the mount wirelessly.

 

Improvements over the previous EQ8 model include:

  • Cable management system for reduced tangling.
  • Improved Connectivity.
  • Improved installation position of motors for improved balance.
  • The improved clutch mechanism provides more holding strength.
  • Improved dovetail groove knob for added comfort and increased locking power.
  • Belt drive on the RA and DEC axes for quiet slewing (previously, only the RA axes was belt driven).

Note: Freedom-Find encoders are not present on the EQ8-R

 

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 permanently stored in the motor controller, 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 has a SNAP port that can control a camera's shutter release. With the SynScan hand control’s “Camera Control” function, users 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 in the same home position after turning on the power. For detailed information, refer to the SynScan hand control’s instruction manual. 

 

We have included the diagram below for those wanting to mount an EQ8 head to an existing pier. 

 

Note regarding delivery: Because the EQ8-R Pro is a large mount, it is delivered separately on a pallet.  Delivery requires 3-5x days (not the indicated 1-2x days).  The courier will contact you when it reaches your local depot to arrange a delivery date. 

Specifications

Payload Capacity (excl. counterweights)50kg
Latitude Adjustment Range10° to 65°
Azimuth Adjustment Range+/- 10°
Mount Head Weight (excl. tripod)25.8kg
Pier Tripod (optional)29.4kg
Counterweights2 x 10kg
Counterweight Rod2.6kg
Power Requirement11 to 16 Volts DC (Higher voltage preferred), 55W
Motors0.9° Hybrid Stepper Motor
Transmission435:1 Worm Drive + 256 Micro-Step/0.9° Stepper Motor
Resolution44,544,000 Counts/Rev, approx 0.03 Arc-Second
Maximum Slewing Speed3.7° per Second
Tracking RatesSidereal, Solar and Lunar Rates
Auto-Guiding Speeds0.125x, 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x & 1x
PPEC200 Segments Permanent PEC
Polar AlignmentBy software control or optional Polarscope
Hand ControllerSynscan with 42,900+ Object Database
Remote ControlControl also possible with Synscan Pro Application for Windows via USB, Synscan Pro App for iOS and Android with optional Wi-Fi Dongle
Additional Ports4 x USB Ports and 3 x Power Outlets for Peripheral Devices
ConnectivityPaired RJ10, RJ12 and RJ45 modular jacks
DSLR ControlDSLR Snap Port / Batch Exposures Function
HomeAuto Home Function
Synscan Celestial Object CatalogueMessier, NGC, IC, SAO, Caldwell, Double-Star, Variable Star, Named Star, Planets
Pointing AccuracyUp to 5 arc-minutes (RMS)

Customer reviews

Average Rating (4 Reviews):  
Write a Review and share your opinions!

Rating (max 5):  
Solid build but still Skywatcher backlash
14 November 2023  | 

Had this for well over a year now and time to review it. A little less than 4* really. Delivery in a really sturdy flight case (although what do I do with it now?).

The build feels very nice, a step up from the EQ6-R build I had before (which I liked) and it handles any loads I throw at it easily. Smooth, quiet, fast slewing and easy to use with EQMOD or GSS (which I prefer now).

But... it has the trademark Skywatcher backlash. I can get really good guiding in some orientations but I have to tune it for that position in the sky. So when it works I can get 0.3" but if I leave it alone it defaults to 0.7" - 1.4". It could so easily have been much better.

You can't use it as a side-by-side mount because there are physical stops in Dec. I had planned on using it that way but no chance - or certainly not easy to do.
Would have been nice to have a place to attach a mini/NUC PC to. Not easy to find a place.

A pretty good mount but could have been so much better with a few changes. In hindsight would have chosen a JTW Trident P75 for not much more.


Rating (max 5):  
Buyer beware
05 December 2022  | 

I’ve had my EQ8 about a year and think I should leave a review. The first problem arose with declination backlash, which literally off the scale with dec axis being so floppy guiding close to the zenith being utterly impossible. Relatively easy to fix? Except for the fact that wheel seems to have been drilled off centre, so you get completely different back depending on where you point in the sky. You can see why it was built the way it was. Next is the sticking (sticktion) which is so extreme, particularly in the winter that when PHd2 issues a command, it jumps by about 5 arc seconds at random intervals. With light loads this effect is so extreme the guide star is frequently lost. The majority of subs are lost. There are other problems as well but you get the picture.
It should be an excellent mount if it was made and assembled correctly. My eq6 r pro is great, which is why I bought this one.
I’m sure there are good examples of this mount, but you may end up with one of these which is basically £K3.3 worth of scrap metal. If you get one with problems send it back immediately, don’t assume you can fix it over time like I did, you can’t. Save you pennies for a top notch mount or go for the Ioptron equivalent , the CEM 120. These may have their problems on occasions but seem to be fixable.


Rating (max 5):  
Eq8 r pro mount head
02 November 2021  | 

The mount head came in a sturdy flight case and we'll packed. It is a very substantial mount and took my 12inch f4 Newtonian with breeze. Only had this a few weeks and only just got around to place in my observatory. Purchased a power supply from Flo as well and performed a home sync which was successful on first attempt. Easy to use with Eqmod too. I have no hesitation of recommending this mount if you're looking for something beefy to take heavy or multiple telescope's. Flo was excellent as usual, many thanks.


Rating (max 5):  
Rigid Mount
11 September 2020  | 

Hello, Just received this mount head. Looks very rigid.
Powered on the mount and run the mount with maximum speed using controller (more features alike auto home). It sounds pleasing (wider belts drives).
More tests are pending, while observations, but I think it is going to be wonderful with it.
Thanks
Vikrant, India

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