Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 GoTo Mount

The Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 GoTo Mount: A 20 kg Dual-Mode Platform

The AZ-EQ6 carries 20 kg (44 lb), counterweights excluded, in German equatorial (EQ) mode for astrophotography or in alt-azimuth (AZ) mode, where a second saddle lets it hold two telescopes.

It combines a belt-driven transmission with 180-tooth brass worm gears, 100-segment permanent PEC, an ST-4 type autoguide port and Freedom Find dual encoders, which keep the alignment when you move the telescope by hand.

Equatorial or Alt-Azimuth Mode

The defining feature of the AZ-EQ6 is its ability to transform its mechanical configuration. In equatorial mode, the Right Ascension axis is tilted to your local latitude, adjustable from 10° to 75°.

To switch to alt-azimuth mode, you set the R.A. axis to a 90° latitude. The AZ-EQ6 includes a second dual-fit saddle that can be mounted on the counterweight rod, allowing you to use two separate telescopes simultaneously. Remove all counterweights and telescopes before switching between modes.

Drive System: 180:1 Worm & Belt Drive with 0.14 Arc-Second Resolution

The precision of the AZ-EQ6 is rooted in its drive train. It uses a 48:12 timing belt to connect the 1.8° hybrid stepper motors to the 180:1 worm drives. The R.A. and Dec worm gears are made from brass and feature 180 teeth on a 92.5 mm diameter.

This mechanical arrangement produces a final gear ratio of 720, which gives 9,216,000 counts per revolution. The resulting resolution of approximately 0.14 arc-seconds per step. The mount's auxiliary encoders, part of the Freedom Find system, offer a resolution of 6356 counts per revolution, or about 3.4 arc-minutes.

A 20 kg Capacity on a 7.5 kg Steel Tripod

The rated payload is 20 kg (44 lb), excluding counterweights. The head weighs 15.4 kg (34 lb) without the tripod.

The entire system is anchored by a heavy-duty tripod with 2-inch diameter stainless steel legs, which weighs 7.5 kg (16.5 lb). The mount includes two 5 kg (11 lb) counterweights that attach to a 25 mm diameter counterweight rod, and a 150 mm counterweight rod extension is included.

Polar Alignment: Precision Across a 10° to 75° Latitude Range

The mount's latitude can be adjusted from 10° to 75°. The adjustment is made with the latitude jackscrew, while two azimuth adjustment knobs give a ±9° range.

The polar scope is built into the mount. The SynScan hand controller assists by displaying the correct orientation of Polaris in the polar scope's reticle for your exact time and location. The manual also gives a polar alignment method using the SynScan hand controller.

GoTo Control: The SynScan Controller's 42,000+ Object Database

The included SynScan hand controller holds the GoTo database contains over 42,000 objects, including the Messier, NGC, IC, SAO, and Caldwell catalogs, plus double stars, variable stars, named stars, and all the planets. After performing an alignment procedure, you can command the mount to slew to any object in the database at speeds up to 4.2° per second.

The controller offers multiple alignment options to suit your needs. Star alignment methods differ between EQ and AZ mode. The hand controller also handles setting tracking rates (sidereal, solar, or lunar), configuring autoguiding speeds, and running the Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) training routine.

Ports: Autoguide, SNAP, Hand Control and Power

The control panel has four ports.

• Autoguide (RJ-12): compatible with any ST-4 type autoguider.
• SNAP: stereo outlet for a camera's shutter control port, for batch exposures controlled by the SynScan hand controller.
• Hand control (RJ-45): for the SynScan hand controller. A power LED shows voltage and PPEC status.
• Power: DC 11 to 16 V, 4 A at 11 V or 2.5 A at 16 V, with a knurled locking cap.

Tracking & Guiding: 100-Segment PPEC and 4.2°/sec Slewing

The AZ-EQ6 incorporates two key technologies for high-precision tracking. The first is Freedom Find™, which uses auxiliary encoders on both the R.A. and Declination axes. These encoders track the mount's position even when you disengage the clutches and move the telescope by hand. This allows you to manually swing the scope to a new target without losing your GoTo alignment; re-lock the clutches to continue with the hand controller.

The second is 100-segment Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC). The R.A. worm gear has an index sensor that allows the motor controller to record and permanently store corrections for the worm's inherent periodic error. After running a training routine one time with an autoguider or PC, the mount can apply these corrections in any future session , assuming your polar alignment is accurate.

Hardware & Power: 2-Inch Tripod, Dual-Fit Saddles, and 11-16V Requirements

The mount is supplied with two dual-fit saddles, one for the primary position and one for secondary use in AZ mode. Each saddle accepts both the narrow 45 mm V-style and wider 75 mm D-style dovetail bars.

The mount requires a DC power supply providing between 11 V and 16 V. At 11 V, it draws 4 A, while at 16 V it draws 2.5 A. Do not use an unregulated AC-to-DC adapter; use a switching power supply with a 15 V output and at least 3 A output current. The power input on the mount features a knurled locking cap to prevent accidental disconnection.

Assembly & Setup: Balancing with Two 5 kg Counterweights

First, extend the 2-inch steel tripod legs and level the tripod head. The 15.4 kg mount head is then placed on the tripod and secured from below with the primary locking shaft. After attaching the accessory tray to brace the legs, you install the two 5 kg counterweights onto the 202 mm counterweight rod. The 150 mm extension can be installed at this point if needed.

With the counterweights in place, you mount your telescope onto the dual-fit saddle. You must balance the mount on both the R.A. and Dec axes independently. This is done by loosening one clutch at a time, adjusting the position of the counterweights on the rod and the telescope in its rings or on the saddle, until each axis stays put with its clutch loosened.

Component Weights

The mount head weighs 15.4 kg (34 lb), the tripod 7.5 kg (16.5 lb), and each counterweight 5 kg (11 lb).