Sky-Watcher's AZ-EQ5 GT Mount

By: Sean Walker July 19, 2015 2

Sky-Watcher USA

Sky-Watcher introduces its AZ-EQ5 GT Mount ($1,649). This multi-purpose Go To telescope mount is equally useful as a German equatorial mount, or operating in alt-azimuth mode. The AZ-EQ5 GT features hybrid stepper motor drives on both axes for smooth slewing at up to 4.2° per second. Capable of supporting up to 33 pounds of gear excluding counterweights, the mount accepts the standard ST-4 style autoguider input for astrophotography, and also has a DSLR shutter control port. Its SynScan Go To controller contains a database of more than 42,000 objects, including all the Messier, NGC, IC, and Caldwell catalogs, and much more. The AZ-EQ5 GT also provides two 7¾ lb. counter-weights, an adjustable tripod with 1¾-inch stainless steel legs, and a DC power adapter. See the manufacturer’s website for additional details and accessories.

SkyandTelescope.com's New Product Showcase is a reader service featuring innovative equipment and software of interest to amateur astronomers. The descriptions are based largely on information supplied by the manufacturers or distributors. Sky & Telescope assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of vendors statements. For further information contact the manufacturer or distributor. Announcements should be sent to [email protected]. Not all announcements will be listed.

Comments

Mario Rascon

July 20, 2015 at 9:06 am

Good afternoon,

I owe one AZEQ5 since March. By the moment I have used it only for visual sessions, and I have to say that its pointing precision for visual observing is quite fine when using the 3-Star allignement, there is no need to have a polar allignment device, (which is provided as an extra not within the mount at a 100$ cost).
One pitfall with this mount are the counterweights selection, 2x3.5kg counterweights are not enough to handle a 200/1000 Newtonian, so an extra 5kg (10 lbs) counterweight has to be purchased. As said the counterweights are not enough to find RA equilibrium when the total weight scope and accesories, is heavier than 8 kgs (19lbs).

Cheers
Mario.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Mario Rascon

July 20, 2015 at 9:09 am

Just to add that the tripod and the mount themselves are extremely high portable, and the complete set up is done in less that 30 minutes. This is a very good point when your stargazins place is faraway from home.

Regards.

You must be logged in to post a comment.