rob288
member
Reged: 05/13/08
Loc: New Zealand
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Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
#5691781 - 02/20/13 09:27 PM
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A video update showing the almost final EQ8 mount from Skywatcher. Video recorded at 2013 Astrofest by Robert and the team from Astronomy & Nature Center UK.
Click here to view
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rigel123
Postmaster
Reged: 06/29/09
Loc: SW Ohio
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Re: Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
[Re: rob288]
#5691846 - 02/20/13 10:11 PM
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Nice beefy mount, not sure about the Polar Assist scope and its placement, but it's a handsome mount nonetheless.
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John O'Grady
member
Reged: 11/15/09
Loc: Waterloo, ON CAN
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Re: Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
[Re: rigel123]
#5695783 - 02/22/13 10:26 PM
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Nice, thanks for posting. Really looking forward to seeing this mount hit the market.
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Griffin!
super member
Reged: 09/12/10
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Re: Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
[Re: John O'Grady]
#5695788 - 02/22/13 10:29 PM
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Looks nice, minus the odd polar assist scope stuck to the side. It'll be interesting to see how the mount performs and how realistic its advertised capacity is.
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Mike X.
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/28/10
Loc: Greece-Athens and Rome-Italy
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Re: Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
[Re: Griffin!]
#5695848 - 02/22/13 11:10 PM
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I have the same feelings about that polar assist scope.Probably they will add a sort of ASPA routine just like the Nexstar has.
It's a nice looking mount, i like the handles..to my opinion something all EQ mounts should have.
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Goodchild
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/31/08
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Re: Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
[Re: Mike X.]
#5696180 - 02/23/13 08:47 AM
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I like what I see. Certainly, the polar assist scope will be mounted differently (more substantially) than it is on the prototype. My only beef with this mount, and I admit it's a small one, is the on/off switch mounted sideways. That's weird. Up should be on and down should be off.
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Dixie
super member
Reged: 03/30/06
Loc: UK Latitude 53.3 north
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Re: Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
[Re: Goodchild]
#5696402 - 02/23/13 11:21 AM
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I had a good look at the mount at Astrofest. Chatted to one of the guys on the vendor stand and he suggested a price north of £4000 sterling and delivery probably late summer. The hardware is done, but as the video said, some software issues to sort out. Polar align will use the All Star routine recently introduced on Synta mounts based on the Nexstar version. Personally, I would have liked a proper polar scope. Gets you near to PA quicker than six star sightings, especially if the mount is carting a big tube around.
Dixie
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Mike X.
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/28/10
Loc: Greece-Athens and Rome-Italy
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Re: Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
[Re: Dixie]
#5696460 - 02/23/13 11:58 AM
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So as i understand...there is to be expected soon a new Firmware as in 3.34 the Synscan version of ASPA has been disabled.
That's good news...My only concern is...at 4000 pounds..would be a good reason to get one instead of a CGE-PRO or different mount?..I heared on the video that it "will compete with mounts like AP1200", if i'm not mistaken,....i find id a litle..optimistic at this pirce range
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end
super member
Reged: 08/31/11
Loc: Houston, Texas
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Re: Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
[Re: Mike X.]
#5696534 - 02/23/13 12:41 PM
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The video suggested that it will compete with the AP1200, but it looks much more to me like it will be direct competition with the CGE PRO. Humorously the demo version in the video is mounted on the CGE PRO tripod and what looks similar to a CGE PRO electronics pier. It also looks like the counter weight bar is also a part from a CGE PRO - you can tell from the finish and also from the safety stop at the bottom. I imagine all these parts will get replaced with new manufactured parts when it is finalized, but it suggests to me that it will be comparable in quality and price to the CGE PRO. The one thing that struck me as being a substantial step up from the CGE PRO was the idea of encoders on both axises. If that is true, and they don't mess up any of the fundamentals, this really will be a great new competitor on the market.
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ZielkeNightsky
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/01/06
Loc: Denmark
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Re: Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
[Re: end]
#5696715 - 02/23/13 02:22 PM
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Hi
Anyone noticed how much it looks like a copy of the Gemini 42 mount?
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Astrojensen
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/05/08
Loc: Bornholm, Denmark
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Re: Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
[Re: ZielkeNightsky]
#5696750 - 02/23/13 02:45 PM
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Quote:
Anyone noticed how much it looks like a copy of the Gemini 42 mount?
Yup! 
But it differs quite a bit in the smaller details, such as location of the locking levers and altitude adjustment.
Clear skies!
Thomas, Denmark
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Stew57
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/03/09
Loc: Silsbee Texas
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Re: Update on the Skywatcher EQ8 mount
[Re: Astrojensen]
#5696849 - 02/23/13 03:39 PM
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Looks like the price here
http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tripods/EQ-Mounts/SkyWatcher-EQ8/1445/produ...
is out the window.
At a price point in line with the CGE pro the EQ8 is a great deal, at a price point in line with the AP1200 not so much. Willbe interesting to see the final price.
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