SkyWatcher AZ-EQ5 GoTo mount

 The Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ5 SynScan Go To mount is equally useful as a EQ mount, or operating in AZ mode. The AZ-EQ5 SynScan features hybrid stepper motor drives on both axes for smooth slewing at up to 4.2o .The mount accepts the standard ST-4 style autoguider input for astrophotography, and also has a DSLR shutter control port. Supplied with a SynScan handset with dual AZ/EQ firmware, it can automatically find and track 42,900+ celestial objects from its database.

    Freedom Find™ - tracking made easy!

    With the patented Freedom Find (dual-encoder) technology which allows the telescope to be moved manually or electronically in either axis without losing its alignment or positional information. After moving to a new object the telescope will automatically begin to track the new object accurately. No re-setup is required in one observing session.

 Quick Overview:

    ♦ Equatorial and Alt-Az dual mode

    ♦ Autoguider port, USB-to-Serial port, DSLR shutter control port

    ♦ Whisper slew, smooth PE curve

    ♦ Freedom Find

    ♦ Weight 40% of an AZ-EQ6

    ♦ Compact mount and foldable pier stand

    ♦ Full latitude(0 to 90 degree) range

    The AZ-EQ5 GT mount is equipped with an index on its R.A. worm. Thus the motor controller can keep track of the current position of the worm. After a proper PEC training routine, in which the training data is stored in the motor controller permanently, a user can start the periodic error correction (PEC) at any time to improve the tracking performance for short focal length astrophotography. A training process is not required in the next observing session (assuming that the polar alignment is always accurate). Thus this is a Permanent Period Error Correction (PPEC). A user can train the mount with manual guiding or auto-guiding. For detailed instruc­tions, please refer to the relevant section in the SynScan hand controller instruction manual.

    ♦ Batch Exposures Function

    The AZ-EQ5 GT mount is equipped with two SNAP ports which can control the shutter releas­ing of two cameras. Working with the SynScan hand control’s “Camera Control” function, a user can take batch exposures when doing astrophotography. Up to 8 groups of “Exposure-time & Frames” combinations can be set on the SynScan hand controller. For detailed infor­mation, refer to the SynScan hand control’s instruction manual.

We highly recommend to use the Skywatcher Wi-Fi unit (SynScanWifi), with which you can control your telescope via smartphone or tablet. Just plug the Wi-Fi unit into the hand controller slot and download the free App (Android or iOS) - it is ready to use.