Sky-Watcher AZEQ6 Pro Go-To Equatorial Mount

• German Dual Axis Motorized Equatorial Mount AZ-EQ6
• With automated tracking and signaling (GOTO)
• Lower periodic error with belt drive.
• Lighter than NEQ6 - Equatorial AND azimuthal mode
• Load capacity 20kg (tube up to 254/280mm)
• Suitable for visual observation and ideal for astrophotography.

Everything you need to know about the Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 mount

Evolution of the famous EQ6, This mount is available in 2 modes: equatorial for astrophotography or azimuthal for imaging . The AZ-EQ6 is capable of supporting very heavy loads such as Schmidt-Cassegrain or Newton optical tubes up to 280 mm. Therefore, it offers more versatility and ease of use . In fact, nothing replaces the equatorial mode of astrophotography (tracking on an axis to compensate for the Earth's rotation). The Schmidt-Cassegrain possibility on a hairpin to go equatorially with a table is not an efficient and accurate solution. At the same time, the azimuthal mode (single movement: up, down - left,

Thanks to its new design, the AZ-EQ6 offers the advantages, without the drawbacks, of each mode of use. For an amateur astronomer interested in the visual and wanting to get into photography, this is a very welcome addition. There is no need to set it up (adjust the mount through the polar finder for a few minutes) when you simply want to observe the sky through an eyepiece. 3 star alignment procedure in altazimuthal mode is faster and efficient enough so that the object is in the center of the field every time it moves.

Massive, the head alone weighs 15.4 kg, the AZ-EQ6 guarantees very good stability even at high magnifications. Monitoring quality has improved compared to the EQ6/NEQ6 versions thanks to several innovations . The EQ6-R allows you to perform long exposure astrophotography sessions on less bright objects. An autoguidance port is included as standard to significantly reduce right ascension (RA) periodic error.

A support for images and visuals.

For moderate budgets, the AZ-EQ6 is a very attractive solution for supporting telescopes that were previously compatible with much more expensive mounts. Allows the beginner to start taking images using a PC and a second parallel instrument when auto-guidance is activated. The visual observer will appreciate the GOTO SynScan automatic signaling system delivered via an easy-to-use hand controller. In fact, It is not necessary to know the position of the stars. Or distant stars in the deep sky, the EQ6-R takes care of moving the instrument towards the target you want to observe. After calibration (setup) with the polar finder on the North Star, select the mount alignment on one, two or three stars. More than 42,000 objects are registered in the database, including the main catalogs (Messier, NGC, IC, as well as the planets, the Moon and the Sun).

The dual mode of use of the AZ-EQ6 implies several new features. Firstly, it's easy to switch from one mode to another, thanks to the AD/DEC block tilting to 90° using the imposing latitude adjustment screw. Additionally, an additional dovetail can be attached to the other side of the counterweight bar to attach a second instrument. This will act as a counterbalance...allowing you to aim at the same object while looking at it through 2 instruments!

What's new

The transmission system was modified for the occasion with the incorporation of a belt at the transmission level . The result is noticeable, with a smoother periodic error curve, less reaction and reduced noise during movements (GOTO pointing). Now there are optical encoders, whose design is patented, to avoid any loss of positioning despite manual movement. This gives the user a lot of freedom, avoiding having to start the initialization procedure from scratch. Finally, the weight of the mount has been reduced (compared to the NEQ6) from 20kg to 15.4kg ...making the AZ-EQ6 more pleasant to transport.

Automated time attendance system

After calibration (setup) with the polar finder on the North Star, select the mount alignment on one, two or three stars. More than 49,200 objects are registered in the database, including the main catalogues. (Messier, NGC, IC as well as the planets, the Moon and the Sun). For maximum convenience, the stand moves quickly, up to 3.4°/sec via the control panel. Easy to use, it helps to quickly point the instrument towards any galaxy, nebula, cluster or object in the solar system. Discover in detail the famous Andromeda galaxy, the fabulous curtains surrounding the heart of Orion, the Hercules cluster M13 and its heart rich in thousands of stars. Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon are also wonders that must be examined without moderation.

The indication on the racket of the date, time and place of observation combined with "Tour" function allows the AZ-EQ6 mount to aim at the most interesting objects throughout the night . Enjoy a guided sky tour at your viewing location by clicking the "Enter" button based on the object presented in a drop-down list. Aiming precision can reach up to 1 minute of arc, compensating for mechanical errors of the mount. . This procedure called "Backlash" requires measuring the time between two opposite movements of the mount. The operation is simple to perform and, especially in astrophotography, saves precious time.

Specifications