5 replies to this topic

[dmgriff]

Thought I would post this for those with one of the old Synta EQ1 mounts or equivalents (such as Orion, Celestron, Meade etc. rated at ~7 lbs. load capacity) that may want to improve the mounting and usage capabilities. I have one of the last Orion versions of the Synta with extruded aluminum legs, and marketed as updated, large triangular accessory tray for added stability and some other minor stuff. Originally for my ST80.  Some of these suggestions will apply to the newer versions also.

 

The EQ1 is much maligned in the forums for various reasons. Many overload the mount which causes most of the problems. If the ota is lightweight the mount can easily handle the scope. ST80 or 114mm fast newt is about the max weight. Lighter is even better. A 3-4 lb or so refractor as discussed in the...

 

Unusually Inexpensive Refractor thread...

 https://www.cloudyni...3#entry13485942

 

Maybe 60mm or 70mm or less, keep it lightweight whatever your aperture and price range.

 

My Orion EQ1 is now home for my Kenko/Borg (Japan) Moebius 55, 55/600 ota, weight is 1kg, 2.2 lb. A nice little Japanese optics refractor and not inexpensive. 

 

 

 Any lightweight ota needs a easy to use lightweight mount. The EQ1 can fit that requirement with a few simple modifications.

 

A large triangular tray or piece of plywood or plastic on the tripod spreader. Adds stability to the tripod.

 

Knobbed M6 machine bolts to replace the hard to find in the dark RA/DEC axes lock bolts. They come with a choice of knobs and lengths.

https://www.amazon.c...062914899&psc=1

 

 

Add a second setting circle pointer to your DEC axis opposite the existing one. Easier to set the degree coordinate on your DEC setting circle. I cut a thin width of self adhesive white metal tape . Use colored tape, or another metal pointer, whatever you can find. Lock the DEC axis, use the slomo to set the pointer (such as 90 degrees), put your pointer directly opposite.

 

The above "pointer" is set at about 15 degrees, the middle of the width of the strip.

 

A variable speed RA box motor drive. You will lose slomo capability on your RA axis as the variable box motor has no clutch. You can ruin the motor if you use a RA slomo attached to the opposite side. Center the object, lock the axes, use the DEC slomo and the speed control, on/off and N/S switches on the RA box motor as desired. I have the RA drive with controller hand set that Orion offered for the EQ1. No clutch either, but the hand control helps center etc. I do not know if AliExpress has a compatible RA drive/controller in their inventory or not.

https://agenaastro.c...B8aAiswEALw_wcB

       

 

Add a Vixen rail compatible saddle to the original mounting plate. Self explanatory. Measure the hole spacing as carefully as you can. This one doesnt fit exactly as you can see, but there is not a problem in use.

https://www.amazon.c...ZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

 

 

Just some simple modifications I have applied to my Orion EQ1. The little Borg 55mm f/10.9 moves smoothly and is very well balanced on both axes on the Orion EQ1. With both axes unlocked, when I stop moving the ota, it stays in the stopping position. These modifications have made the setup much easier and pleasing to use for me.

 

Some of you may have better modifications and ideas.

 

Edited by dmgriff, 15 March 2025 - 06:21 PM.

[Jon Isaacs]

The EQ1 is much maligned in the forums for various reasons. Many overload the mount which causes most of the problems. If the ota is lightweight the mount can easily handle the scope. ST80 or 114mm fast newt is about the max weight. Lighter is even better. A 3-4 lb or so refractor as discussed in the...

 

 

Good stuff in your post.  For a light scope like the ST-80, the EQ-1 can handle it nicely.  The problem with the EQ-1 and EQ-2, in fact for many mounts, is that the manufacturers overload them, it's rarely the owners.  

 

One nice thing about the EQ-1 and EQ-2 (CG-2 and CG-3) is that they can easily be configured to work in the alt-az mode.  For a scope like the ST-80, that makes a lot of sense.

 

 

Jon

[Sketcher]

 

 

For me, the EQ-1 is the ideal mount -- without any modifications -- for use with my ST-80.  That telescope and mount have been together (and with me) for 24 years.

 

I prefer 100% manually operated German Equatorial Mounts (GEMs) for the kinds of observations that I tend to make.  Most of my time with that telescope/mount combination I'm involved in the "serious" observation (and often sketching) of individual celestial objects.  For such purposes, I find the advantages of an astronomical GEM to be far superior to the advantages of using a terrestrial alt-az mount.

 

Simply put, the EQ-1 works.  It's not fancy nor complicated nor expensive.  It just works, year after year without any problems, without any failures, without any complaints.

[Jon Isaacs]

I prefer 100% manually operated German Equatorial Mounts (GEMs) for the kinds of observations that I tend to make.  Most of my time with that telescope/mount combination I'm involved in the "serious" observation (and often sketching) of individual celestial objects.  For such purposes, I find the advantages of an astronomical GEM to be far superior to the advantages of using a terrestrial alt-az mount.

 

 

ALT-AZ does not imply terrestrial, the EQ-1 used as alt-az would not be terrestrial.  These days, research telescopes like the Kecks are all alt-az mounted. They use camera rotators but the brain is very good at that particular task.  

 

Jon

[dmgriff]

 

Simply put, the EQ-1 works.  It's not fancy nor complicated nor expensive.  It just works, year after year without any problems, without any failures, without any complaints.

 

Still trucking along....

 

Skywatcher Global still has the exact same Synta EQ1 mount on the website.

 

The EQ1 version that Meade offered (tubular tripod and a small vixen saddle, otherwise the mount looks basically identical to the Synta) with their entry level Polaris kits (3 MA eps, 2x barlow) is available thru Amscope with a 60/800 ota and the same eps/barlow.

. 

[Jon Isaacs]

Still trucking along....

 

Skywatcher Global still has the exact same Synta EQ1 mount on the website.

 

The EQ1 version that Meade offered (tubular tripod and a small vixen saddle, otherwise the mount looks basically identical to the Synta) with their entry level Polaris kits (3 MA eps, 2x barlow) is available thru Amscope with a 60/800 ota and the same eps/barlow.

. 

 

The tripod appears more robust than the standard Synta extruded aluminum tripod.  I like 60mm x 800mm OTAs.. It has something to do with those amazing Asahi-Pentax 60mm x 800mm's from the 1960s and I guess the 1950s.

 

https://amscope.com/...QgaAgd7EALw_wcB

 

Jon