Any opinions on the HEQ5 Pro?

Seems to have a slightly higher payload capacity compared to the AVX?

I've been told its a good mount for AP, i.e. guides well etc?

Skywatcher mounts are known to be great performers, although sometimes in need of minor tweaks. As far as I can see, it is the best value for money there is. I started my astro "career" with an NEQ6. I do not use it today but invested in a belt mod kit a month or two ago. Before that I changed the bearings to SKF ones. All in all, my NEQ6 is hyper-tuned and ready to go, tight as a dream.

The HEQ5 is very similar in design and can be belt modded. I do not know much about the Celestron mounts, but comments in this part of the world indicate that they do not perform as well as the Skywatcher ones. HEQ5 guides great, but as with any non-premium mount, you have to beware of weight limits. Surprisingly enough, some people put much too large scopes on them and still get great results!

/per

Ive got the Orion Sirius EQG mount...same mount as the HEQ5. Its a very nice mount for portable ap'ing meaning carrying weight under 20lbs total give or take. There are many in the field so a descent amount of info. is available in regards to tune-ups, mods and use. I really like the fact that you can use EQMOD to control it. Some like the Synscan hc...I mostly use EQMOD but have used the hc when a quick setup and use is in order. Ive just starting doing 5 min+ imaging with autoguiding and so far im very happy. I have read others going as deep as 10+ minutes guided. Without autoguiding I have been able to go as deep as 4 mins. I have yet to measure pe...its on my list of things to do. To be fair though, I had my mount professionally tuned by Deep Space Products. You'll have to look hard at your options today...AVX, ZEQ25, even the HEQ6 and CGEM. I say this because cost wise the Sirius mount almost doesn't make sense...for a little bit extra you could get the HEQ6 or CGEM...for a substantial amount less the AVX and less so for the ZEQ25. If I didn't already own mine I'd probably lean towards the ZEQ25...Hope this helps.

My last sentence may be of no help to you, however, since I own my Sirius mount its a definite keeper! Aside from other choices you can't go wrong with these mounts!

I cannot see why an HEQ5 wouldn't do an hour guided. It's GUIDED; if it responds to the guide commands and the polar alignment allows for negligible field rotation it should go on forever.

It is more of a payload issue.

/per

Thanks. I think Ian King the 10micron dealer in GB has one permanently (HEQ5 Pro) overseas for imaging, just takes his scope.

Ill give it a go with with the ED102, once I've decided between this and maybe an AVX. ES says its 11 pounds. My DSLR body without lens is light probably less than a couple pounds. Lightweight auto guider and I should be ok, balanced well of course, we'll see, be fun finding out.

Thanks. I think Ian King the 10micron dealer in GB has one permanently (HEQ5 Pro) overseas for imaging, just takes his scope.

Ill give it a go with with the ED102, once I've decided between this and maybe an AVX. ES says its 11 pounds. My DSLR body without lens is light probably less than a couple pounds. Lightweight auto guider and I should be ok, balanced well of course, we'll see, be fun finding out.

The AVX doesn't have a DEC axis bearing. For DSO that's pretty much guaranteed to cause issues.

Thanks, didn't know that. HEQ5 Pro looks good. EQ Mod seems pretty cool too.

The HEQ5 is a good mount, full stop.

Keep the load under 15 to 18 pounds if you plan to image with it. I have had nothing but good experience with mine.

Guylain

The trade offs? A slightly heftier mount. And a less capable HC/alignment system with the HEQ-5.

....a less capable HC/alignment system with the HEQ-5.

That's why people should use EQMOD

....a less capable HC/alignment system with the HEQ-5.

That's why people should use EQMOD

I agree, EQMOD is awesome.

Actually, EQMOD is the reason I bought my HEQ5 and NEQ6 over their Celestron cousins and I have had no regrets.

In fact the hand controllers has been stored in a zip-lock bag since I got them, EQMOD is that good.

Regards,

Guylain

Thanks, looks like I'm finally getting near a decision. I think the HEQ5 is where its at right now. I can give AP a go with the 4" I have now. I have the wireless sky-safari thing as well, forgotten its name.

I have a feeling the 1100 Edge will get more use as well, such a great scope but if you like being mobile mounting is an issue. The weight of the scope is no problem for me. The skywatcher might not like it too much but should/hopefully be ok for visual. Ill grab a dual saddle from ADM.

10 Micron next Congrats on the mount Guylain, awesome.

Thanks, looks like I'm finally getting near a decision. I think the HEQ5 is where its at right now. I can give AP a go with the 4" I have now. I have the wireless sky-safari thing as well, forgotten its name.

I have a feeling the 1100 Edge will get more use as well, such a great scope but if you like being mobile mounting is an issue. The weight of the scope is no problem for me. The skywatcher might not like it too much but should/hopefully be ok for visual. Ill grab a dual saddle from ADM.

10 Micron next Congrats on the mount Guylain, awesome.

Thanks, I'm anxious to get the 10Micron now that it's ordered. But boy it was a long process.

Regards,

Guylain

I also have HEQ5 Pro and am happy with it. It works well and if you keep weight under 10kg you should not have problems taking long exposures with it. I really like my 120ED on heq5 pro.

I've had my SkyWatcher HEQ5-Pro for 5 years now and still love it...even more as I get older (66). It's still relatively easy to carry out of the basement with the mount head and tripod still attached. I sling it over my back and it's relatively painless. It works with PHD Guiding with no issue. The EQ6 is a better mount in regards to another 10lb payload but it is fairly heavy to move around. If you're younger than me, then this might be a better choice but the HEQ5-Pro suits me very well.

Interesting, thanks, sounds pretty manageable which is one of the reasons I'm thinking of this class of mount. EQ6 is too heavy for my purposes, I did the cgem thing for a while, enjoyed it but the weight was an issue.

Thanks, looks like I'm finally getting near a decision. I think the HEQ5 is where its at right now. I can give AP a go with the 4" I have now. I have the wireless sky-safari thing as well, forgotten its name.

I have a feeling the 1100 Edge will get more use as well, such a great scope but if you like being mobile mounting is an issue. The weight of the scope is no problem for me. The skywatcher might not like it too much but should/hopefully be ok for visual. Ill grab a dual saddle from ADM.

10 Micron next Congrats on the mount Guylain, awesome.

Thanks, I'm anxious to get the 10Micron now that it's ordered. But boy it was a long process.

Regards,

Guylain

I'd love to hear how that 10Micron mount is. As far as high end mounts go, either a GM1000HPS or GM2000HPS is at the top of my list, before Paramount MX or any of the A-P mounts.