12 replies to this topic

[Bob51]

I've been eyeing Orion's EQ-26 as a grab-and-go visual use mount for my C-8 with only the 6x30 finder and 1 1/4" diagonal as added accessories. I know Orion says it is rated at 26 lbs. My question is if anybody has used this combination with only the provided two 5.5lb counterweights, and if it was enough to achieve proper balance? Any other insights on the combination would be greatly appreciated.

[JimB1]

I was looking at that one too but it’s brand new and I’m not sure anyone has even seen one in the wild yet let alone run though its paces with a C8. 
 

The C8 weighs in around 14lbs depending on the vintage/version so for visual I’m reasonably sure the weight won’t be an issue for the mount but I’m more concerned with functionality and compatibility with all the usual players (ascom, SkySafari, etc) 

 

Hope someone who has first hand experience with them chimes in…

[firemachine69]

26 pounds capacity is the amount including counterweights. Even then, that's being excessively generous. I've seen the equivalent Bresser version of this mount in person, and the real capacity is probably around half of that just going on the spindly-looking tripod legs. So max of a C5 or C6 bare, really...

Edited by firemachine69, 05 March 2023 - 01:17 PM.

[Bob51]

Well, I've the time and money, so I'm willing to take a chance and pull the trigger on it and will be reporting back to you all on how it works out. Stay tuned...

[Bob51]

I was looking at that one too but it’s brand new and I’m not sure anyone has even seen one in the wild yet let alone run though its paces with a C8. 
 

The C8 weighs in around 14lbs depending on the vintage/version so for visual I’m reasonably sure the weight won’t be an issue for the mount but I’m more concerned with functionality and compatibility with all the usual players (ascom, SkySafari, etc) 

 

Hope someone who has first hand experience with them chimes in…

I'm not concerned with the computer apps so much, though I've heard it is go-to ready and may work with those. 

[godelescher]

I'm very leery of Orion's new line of products.

 

Their other new mount, the EQ13, looks like a 1970s EQ-1 complete with exposed worm and stamped tin setting circles, but they're saying it's rated for 13 lbs, which is blatantly absurd.

 

I would expect the payload capacity of the EQ26 to be similarly grossly overstated.

[Bob51]

I'm very leery of Orion's new line of products.

 

Their other new mount, the EQ13, looks like a 1970s EQ-1 complete with exposed worm and stamped tin setting circles, but they're saying it's rated for 13 lbs, which is blatantly absurd.

 

I would expect the payload capacity of the EQ26 to be similarly grossly overstated.

Well, I am going to find out about this 26 and let you all know what. I have 30 days to return it and I am not too far from them. 

[Bob51]

Here is the report on the Orion EQ26. It arrived today. I set it up and mounted my C8. Good news is the two supplied counterweights do balance the C8 with vixen dovetail, 6x30 finder, and 1 1/4" diagonal with about 1 inch left on the counterweight bar's bottom end. The tripod is solid. The mount turns freely making balancing easy. The mount, with clutches locked, left about 1/4" play or slop in the gear mesh back and forth. The dual axis hand control was problematic and would work and then quit. I really wanted this lightweight mount to work, and at first, I thought it would. But between the slop in the drive system and the hand control working and then cutting out, I gave up and repackaged the whole thing to be returned tomorrow. Calling Orion tomorrow.

Edited by Bob51, 08 March 2023 - 11:53 AM.

[Challenger75]

Here is the report on the Orion EQ26. It arrived today. I set it up and mounted my C8. Good news is the two supplied counterweights do balance the C8 with vixen dovetail, 6x30 finder, and 1 1/4" diagonal with about 1 inch left on the counterweight bar's bottom end. The tripod is solid. The mount turns freely making balancing easy. The mount, with clutches locked, left about 1/8" play or slop in the gear mesh back and forth. The dual axis hand control was problematic and would work and then quit. I really wanted this lightweight mount to work, and at first, I thought it would. But between the slop in the drive system and the hand control working and then cutting out, I gave up and repackaged the whole thing to be returned tomorrow. Calling Orion tomorrow.

Unfortunately, I had to return mine too. Although I was using a light setup, AT60ED with a Canon R7 mirrorless, the mount exhibited poor tracking. Every other picture showed an up and down movement to the stars. My polar alignment was spot on too.  This occurred with two separate mounts! I was very disappointed with the tripod too. It's not the same one that ships with the SkyView Pro or Sirius/Atlas mounts. It's a cheaper version. Much shorter too without the legs extended. I had high hopes for this mount. If it was built like the SkyView Pro was, which we (Orion Rep and I) thought it was, then it would have been great. My friend uses a SkyView Pro and out of the box it has tracked great for 2 minute unguided subs. I couldn't get a consistent 30 second sub with this EQ-26! With an added go-to package, this mount would have been a perfect beginner/intermediate option. What a shame.

[Bob51]

Unfortunately, I had to return mine too. Although I was using a light setup, AT60ED with a Canon R7 mirrorless, the mount exhibited poor tracking. Every other picture showed an up and down movement to the stars. My polar alignment was spot on too.  This occurred with two separate mounts! I was very disappointed with the tripod too. It's not the same one that ships with the SkyView Pro or Sirius/Atlas mounts. It's a cheaper version. Much shorter too without the legs extended. I had high hopes for this mount. If it was built like the SkyView Pro was, which we (Orion Rep and I) thought it was, then it would have been great. My friend uses a SkyView Pro and out of the box it has tracked great for 2 minute unguided subs. I couldn't get a consistent 30 second sub with this EQ-26! With an added go-to package, this mount would have been a perfect beginner/intermediate option. What a shame.

I don't know what is going on with Orion, but their selection of mounts is down to nothing. It seems their overall offerings are resembling cheap department store junk more and more. Accessory offerings are way down too. It doesn't look good. 

[Challenger75]

I don't know what is going on with Orion, but their selection of mounts is down to nothing. It seems their overall offerings are resembling cheap department store junk more and more. Accessory offerings are way down too. It doesn't look good. 

They did take over Meade, so I don't think they have financial issues. I too don't know what is going on with them. For months now they haven't had any good mounts to speak of. Other Astro places usually are out of stock and then in a few months they restock. Not so with Orion, unfortunately.

[Bob51]

They did take over Meade, so I don't think they have financial issues. I too don't know what is going on with them. For months now they haven't had any good mounts to speak of. Other Astro places usually are out of stock and then in a few months they restock. Not so with Orion, unfortunately.

Perhaps their divorce from Synta has something to do with this. Meade in bankruptcy, too, had been slipping into the abyss of declining quality for some time with their lower priced and abundant offerings. I've noticed an increase in Synta/Skywatcher/Celestron quality in my latest purchases this month which is the opposite of Orion.

Edited by Bob51, 09 March 2023 - 04:12 PM.

[JimB1]

Thanks for the report, I guess this one will be a hard pass for me. It’s a shame because I like the Orion stuff I’ve gotten in the past so I was hoping for some reasonably good, affordable mounts out of them. I suspect some of their issues are around supply chain problems and trying to find new sources but some seem to be bad development choices. 

 

The LX85 is, for all it’s faults, a sturdy mount mechanically. A bit too much backlash in the gearing maybe but most of the issues are in the electronics or software. I mean who crosses the wiring on the aux port and then after finding out about it, just shrugs and goes, “meh, it’s fine keep building them that way” ??

 

Hearing that Meade is now sourcing products from North America gives me hope that changes are coming but stuff like this is like one step forward, two steps back. 
 

JMHO