Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro

A 720:1 Gear Ratio from a 48:12 Belt and 180:1 Worm Drive

It uses a 48:12 timing belt to connect the 1.8° hybrid stepper motors to the 180:1 worm drives. Stepper motors are quieter than servo motors.

With a total gear ratio of 720 and 64 microsteps driving the motors, the mount achieves a resolution of 9,216,000 counts per revolution, or approximately 0.14 arc-seconds per step.

• Transmission: A 48:12 timing belt drive connects the stepper motors to the 180:1 worm drives on each axis.
• Motors: 1.8° hybrid stepper motors with 64 microstep control drive both axes.
• Resolution: The system delivers a resolution of about 0.14 arc-seconds.
• Slew Speeds: The mount can slew at up to 4.2° per second.

A 20 kg Payload on a Dual-Fit 45mm/75mm Saddle

The EQ6-R Pro is rated to carry a 20 kg (44 lb) instrument payload for astrophotography, not including the counterweights. Add up the tube, camera, guide scope and accessories and compare the total with the rating.

To balance the load, the mount includes two 5 kg (11 lb) counterweights. The 18 mm diameter counterweight rod is retractable for easier transport, and an extension is included. The dual-fit saddle accepts both 45 mm Vixen-style and 75 mm Losmandy-style dovetail plates.

Polar Alignment from 5° to 65° Latitude

The mount's latitude adjusts from 5° to 65° with the elevation adjustment bolts, and azimuth with the azimuth adjustment knobs.

The built-in polar scope lights up when the mount is powered. The reticle includes a pattern for the Northern Hemisphere that shows the position of Polaris relative to the North Celestial Pole, consistent with the output of popular polar alignment apps. For observers in the Southern Hemisphere, a constellation pattern for Octans is etched into the reticle.

The SynScan hand controller also has a polar alignment routine that needs no polar scope. After performing a 2- or 3-star alignment, the controller can calculate the mount's alignment error and guide you through making the necessary altitude and azimuth adjustments using a reference star.

SynScan GoTo Control with a 42,000+ Object Database

The included SynScan hand controller is the primary command interface for the EQ6-R Pro. Its internal database contains over 42,000 celestial objects, enabling automated pointing and tracking across the night sky.

The SynScan system provides multiple alignment options to suit your needs. For equatorial mounts it offers 1-star, 2-star and 3-star alignment; the manual explains when each suits, and how cone error affects pointing. The controller's object catalogs include:

• Deep Sky Objects: Messier, NGC, IC and Caldwell catalogs.
• Stars: SAO catalog, named stars, double stars, and variable stars.
• Solar System: Planets and the Moon.

PC Control via USB and App Control via Optional Wi-Fi

A built-in USB port on the mount's control panel provides a direct USB-to-serial connection for controlling the mount from a computer.

For wireless control, the optional SynScan Wi-Fi dongle can be plugged into the RJ-45 hand control port. This allows the mount to be controlled from a smartphone, tablet, or computer running the SynScan Pro app, which is available for iOS, Android, PC, and Mac.

100-Segment PPEC, Autoguiding, and Camera Control

The mount's R.A. worm is indexed, allowing the motor controller to track its position. This enables the 100-segment Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) function. After running a PEC training routine, either by manual guiding or with an autoguider, the correction data is stored permanently in the motor controller. This allows you to enable PEC in subsequent sessions to improve tracking performance without needing to retrain, provided the polar alignment is accurate.

An RJ-12 autoguide port takes an autoguider with an ST-4 type interface. You can configure the autoguiding correction speed in the SynScan controller, with options ranging from 0.125x to 1x the sidereal rate. The mount also includes a SNAP port, which is a stereo outlet that can trigger a DSLR camera's shutter for automated imaging sequences using the hand controller's "Camera Control" function. A shutter release cable for Canon EOS cameras is included; cables for other cameras are optional.

The 17.3 kg Head, 7.5 kg Tripod, and 11V to 16V Power System

The mount head weighs 17.3 kg (38.1 lb). It sits on a tripod with 2-inch diameter stainless steel legs, which itself weighs 7.5 kg (16.5 lb). The accessory tray slides up the primary locking shaft until its three tips push against the legs.

The mount requires a DC power supply providing between 11V and 16V. The current draw varies with voltage, requiring 4A at 11V or 2.5A at 16V. The power plug is secured with a knurled cap. Sky-Watcher cautions against using an unregulated AC-to-DC adapter, . A status LED provides feedback on power voltage levels.

First Night Assembly and Balancing

After extending the 2-inch steel tripod legs and leveling the tripod top, the 17.3 kg mount head is placed onto the tripod and secured with a primary locking shaft from below. The accessory tray then slides up the locking shaft against the legs.

First, with the clutches locked, the retractable 18 mm counterweight rod is extended and the two 5 kg counterweights are installed. The R.A. axis is balanced by loosening the R.A. clutch and sliding the counterweights along the shaft until the mount remains stationary with the shaft horizontal. The Dec. axis is then balanced by loosening the Dec. clutch and sliding the telescope forward or backward in its saddle until it stays put.