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Sky Watcher HEQ5 – Fully Computerized GoTo German Equatorial Telescope Mount – Motorized Astrophotography Mount with 42,000 Object Database,White

  • Based on 109 reviews
Condition: New
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Availability: In Stock.
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Arrives Tuesday, Dec 31
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Style: HEQ5


Features

  • LIGHTWEIGHT COMPUTERIZED EQUAORIAL MOUNT: The HEQ5 is ideal for beginning astrophotographers, or skilled astronomers looking for a lightweight computerized equatorial mount.
  • HEAVY DUTY ROLLER BEARINGS: Heavy duty all-metal roller bearings on both right ascension or declination axis.
  • BUILT-IN ILLUMINATED POLAR FINDERSCOPE: Included with the mount is a built-in illuminated Polar finderscope, helping users with quick and easy polar alignment..
  • ALL-METAL CONSTRUCTION: Beefy, all-metal construction provides 30-pound payload capacity perfect for all but the heaviest optical tubes.
  • 42,000 OBJECT DATABASE: SynScan hand controller with 42,000 plus object database will keep even the most experienced astronomer busy for countless observing nights.
  • STURDY ROLLED-STEEL TRIPOD: The HEQ5 uses a beefy tripod with 1.75 diameter tripod legs made of rolled-stainless steel.

Description

Sturdy 30 Pound Payload With a sturdy payload capacity of 30 pounds, the computerized HEQ5 is Sky-Watcher’s most well rounded mount. The mount provides a convenient, stable platform for refractors up to 120mm or up to 180mm Maksutovs, and although it’s designed as an imaging system, it works astonishingly well for visual use. This mount is perfect for the beginner as well as the more advanced astronomer. 42, 000 Object Database Using our proprietary SynScan hand controller, the HEQ5 provides a user-friendly interface with automatic slewing to over 42, 000 objects in the night sky. The hand controller can also connect to a computer using USB cable (cable sold separately), enabling computer control with most astronomy programs, including The SkyX, Stellarium, and Starry Night. Quick and Easy Polar Alignment Included with the HEQ5 is an illuminated polar finderscope to assist astronomers with quick and easy polar alignment. Ready to Go, Out of the Box! While most mounts leave you high and dry to purchase accessories on your own, Sky-Watcher includes plenty of accessories to get you started. In addition to the SynScan hand controller and polar finderscope, the HEQ5 mount comes with two 11lb counterweights, an 8” Dovetail bar and a DC power cable.

Brand: Sky Watcher


Color: White


Form Factor: Tripod


Mounting Type: Tabletop


Accessory Connection Type: Bracket


Material Type: Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel, Metal


Unit Count: 1.0 Count


Item Weight: 30 Pounds


Item Dimensions: 40 x 18 x 19 inches


Global Trade Identification Number: 09


UPC: 050234304009


Model Number: S30400


Number of Items: 1


Brand Name: Sky Watcher


Model Name: S30400


Style: HEQ5


Color: White


Fastening Type: Bracket


Additional Features: Lightweight


Mounting Type: Tabletop


Form Factor: Tripod


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Tuesday, Dec 31

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Wonderful mount if you know what you are doing
Style: EQM-35
Tl;dr: This is a fantastic, solid, stable, highly capable, mount. The tripod alone is almost worth the price, it makes most tripods for mounts in this category look like they were made out of fly-fishing poles. The 'modular' design is a bit weird, but the mount controller has a usb-b port, making computer control straightforward - if you have a phd in computer science (luckily, I do - nothing is 'straightforward' in astrophotography!). It is heavy though, probably not one for a camping trip or frequent 'dark site' trips unless you are much younger than me (78). Now for the rant: This mount has bushings, rather than ball or roller bearings, on both RA and DEC axis. (Minor peeve - 'bushings' ARE 'bearings'. They aren't ball or roller bearings, but beware of any online advice saying this mount doesn't have 'bearings'. The writer has already revealed how little s/he knows.) The bushings often come from the factory extremely tight and stiff. Perhaps the factory assumes they will loosen as they 'work in'. In any case, this can result in poor, erratic (jerky) tracking. Ok for visual use, maybe, horrible for astrophotography. There are simple fixes for this. See esp 'Sky-Watcher EQM-35 - making it work properly (BELOW 1" RMS GUIDING) in 3 simple steps!' by Kamil Pekala on YT. 'Simple' - well, maybe. I bought mine from Amazon resale for a nice discount. Perfect condition, except the previous buyer obviously attempted an overhaul similar to what Kamil describes, and failed. The DEC locking collar was extremely stiff, and the previous owner was unable to loosen it, creating minor damage in the process. Luckily, nothing I couldn't work around. So. Do I recommend this mount: ABSOLUTELY, if you are comfortable around mechanicals and parts that can bind and be a bear to get to release. HOWEVER, If you just want something plug-and-play, and have never played with engines, axles, grease, and that sort of stuff, well, maybe this isn't the mount for you. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2024 by Bruce D'Ambrosio

  • Watch the price
Style: EQM-35
Price of this mount varies. A basic mount for light scopes for AP. A great mount for goto visual. Lots of tweaks you can do to improve it. But very usable out of the box. Good first goto mount. Can be tied to a computer and tracking. Can need adjustments to get everything lined up right. Can need tweaking to get it tracking to it's potential. Could use a more heavy duty tripod. Update it before first use. Easy to do online. It been around for awhile, so lots of information online. Not as good as the old Mead LX75, and costs more. But Mead is gone. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2024 by Excellent Silverwing cover

  • The electronics don't work.
Style: EQM-35
I've has this mount for almost two years and have had nothing but problems. I think it's the electronics that are screwed up. I've never been able to get the scope to track at all. The hand controller read out indicates it is slewing but nothing happens with the motors. It will slew with sometimes with Stellarium to some random place but then it always disconnects. I've used three different laptops and it's the same problem. Popular astro software doesn't work with this mount either. I've updated the firmware, sought advice and nobody can figure it out. I've thought about buying a new hand controller/computer, but I'm reluctant to sink anymore money into this mount. The good part is it is a solid stable mount, but that's is useless if the electronics don't work. I guess it would make a great boat anchor. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2021 by Stovetop

  • Buy a quality mount and it will last you!
Style: EQM-35
I normally don't leave reviews anymore these days but figured I would leave one today because I am jazzed on Astrophotography and this mount! Why the EQM35? Well, it’s a good budget mount at $725, it can also handle up to 22 pounds of weight so if I ever outgrow the RedCat Telescope I can upgrade to a larger APO. Also, this mount offers a GOTO system so you can plug in the coordinates into the SynScan hand control unit and find 49,000 objects in the sky. Out of the box, it can track 30-60 seconds in the stars. I have been averaging about 30-40 seconds without guiding. Overall this is a great setup however there are some drawbacks. First, the setup requires power so you need a dedicated power supply for the EQM-3. Either you need a power cell that supports a 12V cigarette lighter or a dedicated power supply. Since I don’t plan on leaving my Bortles Class 4 backyard for the current time being, I purchased the Celestron AC Adapter – 5 Amp Continuous power, Black (18780) which was recommended by the Sky-Watcher customer service team whom I can say is darn right amazing! Next, it’s more complex so when you set this up not only do you need to polar align the mount you also need to configure either 1, 2, or 3-star alignment so you can easily move around the sky. So far the single star alignment was been working great for me! Finally, it’s bulkier than say an iOptron Sky-Guider Pro so it’s not as easy to just pick up and move, so if you do move it during a session you need polar align and star align again. Even with the few drawbacks, it’s a fantastic mount and so stable! I have been really pleased with the setup, instructions, and overall solid build quality even though it’s an entry mount. Also, solid customer service is a big plus! As long as I don’t keep going down the rabbit hole of buying more astrophotography equipment this setup should last me for multiple years. I also included an image of M11 the Wild Duck Cluster as well. -------- Issues / Solutions I have had with the mount #1 When star aligning the mount I could do a fine adjustment with the arrow pad after pointing to VEGA. I wasn't sure but suspected I needed to update the firmware which can be done with a USB Printer cable and software from the main SkyWatcher.com website. First, plug in the mount and USB cable to the SysScan hand unit and check in the device manager on Windows under ports. Mine was COM3. Next, turn off the mount and unplug the USB printer cable then while holding down 0 and 8 on the SysScan hand unit turn on the power. It will then boot into the boot loader mode, plug in the USB cable, and run the software to upgrade. The current version is 4.39.15 as of 5.10.2020. Once the process updates shut down the system and unplug the USB cable. #2 The SysScan holder unit slides around a lot and I dropped the handheld unit multiple times as the holder was sliding around when I grabbed the SysScan. I put two rubber bands on the leg in between the holder unit and it works great now without moving any more. I have a picture of it attached to the post. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2020 by Joey Troy Joey Troy

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