Hi dude, hope all is good?
What do you think about the SkyWatcher AZ-EQ mounts? I’m looking at the 5 and 6. The price gap between them is big. Other than that the 5 can carry a reasonable load despite its much smaller size. I would be doing mostly visual until I’ve watched another 2 million YouTube videos on imaging.
Seriously though I do prefer this dual function option but not sure if I should go for the big boy or play it safe
That’s something you’ll need to decide for yourself :-). The AZ-EQ 5 is perfectly suited for imaging in combination with most smaller, shorter focal length refractor telescopes. If at one point you want to buy a heavier, longer focal length scope and get into astrophotography, you’ll probably need to upgrade to the AZ-EQ 6. Good luck!
I greatly enjoyed your video comparing 8 different mounts. Thanks for that. I am seriously considering the GEM28 or the CEM26 from Ioptron. I know in your video you commented that very little is known about these mounts since they are so new. Have you had any further information from users on these two mounts? On paper they seem to be fantastic, and unlike all the other mounts in your review they actually have 2020 technology (I know that can be good or bad!).
Thank you very much Ravi! You’re right, there is still not much feedback from users, and the Ioptron mounts appear to be available only on backorder right now (see: https://bit.ly/2L4eRv0).
If you are willing to wait…I have received a number of super positive e-mails from a couple of persons who actually bought the GEM28 and/or the CEM26. Their first user experiences were pretty amazing and they talked about a guiding accuracy < 1 arc second...
I think many people are still unaware that these mounts exist and tend to go for the traditional options like the Celestron AVX (http://bit.ly/380Y01D) or the HEQ5 pro (http://bit.ly/2VDCXzJ). But like I said, Ioptron mounts have been on the market for quite some time and I do think that these new mounts have some tech usually found on more expensive mounts like PPEC. Hope this helps, good luck with your decision!
Love this guide. Completely new to this myself. Would be it possible to have an extra column about how there are powered? Or are they all powered the same way? (Wall power point or?)
Thanks!
When estimating the load, do we have to account for the counter-weight as well?
Also, if i m going with a WO ZS81 with a mirrorless DSLR, do you think a Sky-watcher Star Adventure Gti mount would suffice?
Hi there, no, the counterweight is not part of the payload capacity. It’s there to balance your payload. I would not put anything over 300mm focal length on that GTI. Cheers.
Hi Wido. I went thru your mount comparison video many a times. It is really very helpful for people like me with no experience on mounts and trying to purchase one. Many thanks for creating such videos. I wants to know your latest advise on purchasing iOptron CEM26 vis-a-vis HEQ5. The main reason I am considering CEM26 is portability and Wifi connectivity. Your video was created in 2021 when not much review was available on CEM26, I guess now you must be having good amount of review on CEM26. Would you please help me with latest information on it. I am looking for a mount which is easy to use, last me a good amount of time, minimal maintenance and no issues.
Hi dude, hope all is good?
What do you think about the SkyWatcher AZ-EQ mounts? I’m looking at the 5 and 6. The price gap between them is big. Other than that the 5 can carry a reasonable load despite its much smaller size. I would be doing mostly visual until I’ve watched another 2 million YouTube videos on imaging.
Seriously though I do prefer this dual function option but not sure if I should go for the big boy or play it safe
Hi Brian,
That’s something you’ll need to decide for yourself :-). The AZ-EQ 5 is perfectly suited for imaging in combination with most smaller, shorter focal length refractor telescopes. If at one point you want to buy a heavier, longer focal length scope and get into astrophotography, you’ll probably need to upgrade to the AZ-EQ 6. Good luck!
Wido.
I greatly enjoyed your video comparing 8 different mounts. Thanks for that. I am seriously considering the GEM28 or the CEM26 from Ioptron. I know in your video you commented that very little is known about these mounts since they are so new. Have you had any further information from users on these two mounts? On paper they seem to be fantastic, and unlike all the other mounts in your review they actually have 2020 technology (I know that can be good or bad!).
Thank you very much Ravi! You’re right, there is still not much feedback from users, and the Ioptron mounts appear to be available only on backorder right now (see: https://bit.ly/2L4eRv0).
If you are willing to wait…I have received a number of super positive e-mails from a couple of persons who actually bought the GEM28 and/or the CEM26. Their first user experiences were pretty amazing and they talked about a guiding accuracy < 1 arc second... I think many people are still unaware that these mounts exist and tend to go for the traditional options like the Celestron AVX (http://bit.ly/380Y01D) or the HEQ5 pro (http://bit.ly/2VDCXzJ). But like I said, Ioptron mounts have been on the market for quite some time and I do think that these new mounts have some tech usually found on more expensive mounts like PPEC. Hope this helps, good luck with your decision!
Love this guide. Completely new to this myself. Would be it possible to have an extra column about how there are powered? Or are they all powered the same way? (Wall power point or?)
Thanks!
Thanks! I’ll look into it. All mounts I’ve owned so far come with adapters that can be powered by your electricity grid.
So what’s the common thing to do if you need to use them outside, say somewhere far away from city light?
Most people use a LiFePO4 battery option or an older lead-acid battery to power their mount when they are “off the grid”.
When estimating the load, do we have to account for the counter-weight as well?
Also, if i m going with a WO ZS81 with a mirrorless DSLR, do you think a Sky-watcher Star Adventure Gti mount would suffice?
Hi there, no, the counterweight is not part of the payload capacity. It’s there to balance your payload. I would not put anything over 300mm focal length on that GTI. Cheers.
Hi Wido. I went thru your mount comparison video many a times. It is really very helpful for people like me with no experience on mounts and trying to purchase one. Many thanks for creating such videos. I wants to know your latest advise on purchasing iOptron CEM26 vis-a-vis HEQ5. The main reason I am considering CEM26 is portability and Wifi connectivity. Your video was created in 2021 when not much review was available on CEM26, I guess now you must be having good amount of review on CEM26. Would you please help me with latest information on it. I am looking for a mount which is easy to use, last me a good amount of time, minimal maintenance and no issues.