Designed to carry heavy loads including large optical tube assemblies (OTAs), guide scopes, and imaging rigs, the Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Equatorial GoTo Mount is designed for advanced astrophotography and imaging. Its SNAP port connects to a DSLR shutter release, and the programmable SynScan hand box automatically controls the exposure time and number of frames with up to eight profiles so your astrophotography stays on schedule without manual intervention that can cause unwanted vibrations or errors.
This mount has a belt drive that reduces Periodic Error Correction (PEC) common to worm gears in many mounts to improve tracking accuracy, virtually eliminating vibration—essential features for long-exposure deep-sky astrophotography. With a maximum payload capacity up to 110 pounds, this mount can support most large refractor, reflector, and catadioptric OTAs and still handle imaging rigs. An advanced cable management system with essential input, output, and power ports in strategic places helps avoid cable wrap during long sessions when you're moving the mount from one horizon to the next.
The SynScan system has an internal database of 42,900 celestial objects, including the complete Messier, NGC, and IC catalogs and 25 user-defined objects. To keep it current, its firmware can be updated through the built-in serial port via updates downloaded through the Internet. Using the same computer connection, SynScan can be controlled with many popular astronomy software systems for additional versatility. With multiple alignment options, 10 slew speeds, and automatic tracking capabilities, finding and keeping objects centered in the field of view is easy no matter whether you're viewing the fast-moving moon or much slower deep-space subjects.
- Motorized and computer controlled equatorial mount designed to carry heavy loads
- 110 lb payload capacity is designed to carry large OTAs, accessories, and/or imaging rigs
- Positioning accuracy up to 5 arcminutes
- Etched indicators on RA and declination axes
- Clutches for manual manipulation
- Internal hardstop on RA and dec axes to protect mechanical parts, OTA, and internal wiring
- Advanced cable management system utilizes multiple electronics panels to avoid cable wrap during long imaging/observation sessions
- Includes two 22 lb counterweights and 5.7 lb counterweight rod
- Runs on 11-16 VDC power, adapter included
Motors and Gears
- 0.9°, 256 micro-step hybrid stepper motor
- 435:1 worm drive
- Belt drive reduces gear backlash for finer pointing and tracking accuracy
- Runs on 11-16 VDC power, adapter included
- SNAP port permits control of DSLR camera through SynScan controller
- Enables precise control of exposure time and frames without manual intervention by user
- Control many DSLR shutter releases for advanced photography techniques, including long exposures and star scapes
- Up to 8 groups of "Exposure Time & Frames" combinations can be set on the SynScan hand controller
- Canon EOS remote shutter release cable included, releases for other brands are available separately
- Camera must be equipped with a shutter release control port and can be set to the bulb exposure mode
- Utilizes a primary connection panel on the mount base
- Secondary port panel on the back of the dovetail saddle moves with the OTA while slewing and tracking for accessory communication and power without cable wrap
Primary Panel:
- Mount on/off switch
- DC mount power-in port
- Hand controller port
- USB port for USB-to-serial connection to control the mount from a computer
- ST-4 autoguider port
- SNAP port for automatic camera control
- Three 2.1mm power ports
- Four USB 3.0 ports
- RJ10, RJ12, RJ45 modular in/out jacks
- Self-contained computer controller for mount
- 42,900-object database, including the complete Messier, NGC, IC, and SAO catalogs
- 25 user-defined objects
- Alignment Assistance: One-, two-, three-star alignment
- Sidereal, Lunar, Solar tracking rates
- Slew Speeds: 1000x, 800x, 600x, 400x, 200x, 32x, 16x, 8x, 2x, 1x
- Guiding speed selectable from 0.125x, 0.25x, 0.50x, 0.75x, or 1x
- Periodic Error Correction (PEC) removes inaccuracies inherent in gears and allows for more accurate tracking, especially for long-exposure astrophotography
- Connect to a computer via user-supplied RS-232 cable
- Auto-home function
- Flash upgradable via internet download