Specifications
- Sky-Watcher EQ8-R SynScan GPS Heavy Duty Computerized Equatorial Mount with GoTo
- GoTo: SynScan
- Counter Weights: 10kgs X2
- Motor Drive: 0.9º Hybrid Stepper Motor
- Power Supply: DC11-16v 4A
- Payload Capacity: 50kgs
- Tripod Weight: 31kgs
- Maximum Slewing Speed: 3.3º/second
- Shipped in 4 boxes: 98x48x50 cm3 (33kg); 66x61x71 cm3 (28kg); 24x13x26 cm3 (11kg); 24x13x26 cm33 (11kg)
Product Feature
Sky-Watcher’s EQ8 SynScan GPS Equatorial Mount takes heavy duty to the next level. With a payload capacity of 50kgs, this equatorial mount can handle even the largest amateur astronomer telescopes. SynScan mounts have been designed for use by novices and experts alike. These mounts provide extremely high precision tracking and have built in auto-guider ports. Even the most demanding experts will be impressed by the capability of these mounts for astrophotography.
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 by hand. This means that you can manually operate the mount anytime without worrying about losing the mount’s alignment status. When you want to operate the mount with the SynScan hand control again, no alignment is required and all that is needed is to re-lock the clutches. This feature can be enabled or disabled on the SynScan hand controller.With the patented Freedom Find (dual-encoder) technology which allows the telescope to be moved manually or electronically in either axis without losing its alignment or positional information. After moving to a new object the telescope will automatically begin to track the new object accurately. No re-setup is required in one observing session.
Permanent Periodic Error Correction
The EQ8 heavy duty 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), making this is Permanent Period Error Correction (PPEC). You can train the mount with manual guiding or auto-guiding. For detailed instructions please refer to the SynScan hand controller manual.
Batch Exposure Function
The EQ8 mount is equipped with a SNAP port capable of controlling the shutter release of a camera. Working with the SynScan hand control’s “Camera Control” function, you 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 controller 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 controller manual. They also come with features that advanced astronomers can appreciate:
- Latitude Adjustment Range: 10º to 65º
- Azimuth Adjustment Range: +/- 10º
- Pier Weight: 25kgs
- Counterweights: 10kg X2
- Tripod: 20.4kgs
- Counterweight Rod: 2.6kgs
- Power Requirements: DC11-16v 4A
- Motor: 0.9º Hybrid Stepper Motor
- Transmission: 435:1 Worm Drive + 64 Micro-Step/ 0.9º Hybrid Stepper Motor
- Gear Ratio: 435
- Resolution: 11136000 Counts/Rev., approximately 0.12 arc-second
- Maximum Slewing Speed: 3.3º/second
- Tracking Rates: sidereal, solar, and lunar
- Auto Guiding Speed: 0.125X, 0.25X, 0.5X, 0.75X, 1X
- PEC: 100 Segments Permanent PEC
- Data Base: 42 000 objects
- Celestial Object Catalogs: Messier, NGC, IC, SAO, Caldwell, Double Star, Variable Star, Named Star, Planets
- Pointing Accuracy: Up to 5 arc-minutes (RMS)
- Resolution of Auxiliary RA/Dec. Axis Encoders: 17624 Counts/Revolution approximately 1.2 arc-minutes
Free shipping or pick-up in the Greater Victoria Area. For customers outside the Greater Victoria Area, please contact us for shipping arrangements to order this product, owing to the size of this mount.
