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July 1st: Store will be closed for Canada Day. Orders placed that day will ship on July 2nd.
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod

Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod

by Sky-Watcher
SKU SW-S30601
CA$9,720.00 - CA$9,720.00
CA$9,720.00
CA$9,720.00 - CA$9,720.00
CA$9,720.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 110 lb instrument payload capacity
  • Whisper-quiet dual belt-drive system
  • Integrated thru-mount cable management with 4x USB 3.0 ports
  • SynScan GoTo controller with 42,900+ object database
  • Heavy-duty adjustable pier tripod included
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro Mount with Pier Tripod

    The Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro Mount with Pier Tripod is an observatory-class platform designed for serious astrophotography, supporting a massive 110 lb payload capacity with its heavy-duty pier tripod. This high-capacity motorized equatorial mount features a 0.9° hybrid stepper motor and belt-drive system for precision tracking, managed by the SynScan controller and its 42,900 object database. The mount head alone weighs 56.8 lbs and is supported by a 64.8 lb pier, with two included 22 lb counterweights providing immediate balancing capability for large optical tubes.

    Observatory-Grade 110 lb Payload Capacity

    Engineered with all-metal construction, the EQ8-R Pro securely handles up to 110 lbs of imaging equipment. This capacity supports large refractor or reflector systems with heavy cameras, filter wheels, and guide scopes without compromising stability. The included pier tripod provides a rock-solid foundation, adjustable from a minimum height of 30.25" to a maximum of 39.125" and featuring 2.36" diameter legs for vibration damping.

    Integrated Cable Management with 4 USB 3.0 Ports

    The EQ8-R Pro eliminates cable drag and snagging with a fully integrated thru-mount cable management system. This built-in hub provides four USB 3.0 ports, three 2.1mm power ports, and three serial connections directly on the D-style saddle plate. This allows you to power and control your camera, focuser, and other accessories without external wires wrapping around the mount during slews, which is critical for automated and remote imaging sessions.

    Belt-Driven 0.9° Stepper Motors for Precision Tracking

    At the core of the EQ8-R Pro are dual belt drives paired with 0.9° hybrid stepper motors. This combination significantly reduces periodic error and backlash compared to traditional gear-driven systems, resulting in smoother tracking and more accurate guiding for sharp, long-exposure images. The whisper-quiet operation is an added benefit for backyard observatories where noise can be a concern.

    Control System with 42,900+ Object Database

    You can operate the EQ8-R Pro using the included SynScan V5 hand controller, which features a database of over 42,900 celestial objects and multiple alignment routines, including one-, two-, and three-star alignment. For advanced users, the mount offers a direct PC connection port, allowing for control via popular astrophotography software. The system offers slew speeds up to 1000x to quickly locate targets across the sky.

  • What kind of telescope can I use with the Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro's 110 lb capacity?

    The 110 lb payload capacity of the EQ8-R Pro supports large observatory-grade instruments. This includes large Schmidt-Cassegrains (14-inch and larger), Ritchey-Chrétiens, large refractors, and heavy Newtonian astrographs, along with a full imaging train of cameras, filter wheels, and off-axis guiders.

    How does the EQ8-R Pro's belt drive system improve astrophotography?

    The dual belt-drive system minimizes periodic error, which is the small, cyclical tracking error inherent in worm gear systems. This results in smoother, more accurate tracking that requires fewer and smaller corrections from your autoguider. The outcome is rounder stars and sharper details in your long-exposure deep-sky images.

    Can I control the Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro remotely from my computer?

    Yes. The EQ8-R Pro is designed for remote operation. It features a PC Direct Connect Port and an integrated cable management system with four USB 3.0 ports. This allows you to connect the mount and all your accessories to a single computer for control via ASCOM or EQMOD drivers, making it ideal for unattended imaging from a remote observatory or inside your home.

    Is a polar scope included with the EQ8-R Pro mount?

    No, the polar scope is an optional accessory for the EQ8-R Pro and is sold separately. While not required for polar alignment (methods like drift alignment or plate-solving can be used), it can expedite the setup process, especially for mobile setups.

    How does the EQ8-R Pro handle a large OTA like a 14-inch SCT for imaging the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)?

    The EQ8-R Pro's 110 lb capacity easily manages the weight of a C14 and a full imaging payload. The belt-drive system ensures smooth tracking needed to resolve fine detail in the dust lanes of M31. Furthermore, the integrated cable management prevents cable snags as the mount tracks the galaxy across the sky over several hours.

    What is the benefit of the pier tripod included with the Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro for imaging Jupiter?

    For high-magnification planetary imaging of targets like Jupiter, stability is paramount. The heavy-duty pier tripod provides a much more rigid and vibration-resistant platform than a standard tripod. Its 64.8 lb weight and 2.36" diameter legs ensure that vibrations from wind or ground movement settle extremely quickly, which is crucial for capturing sharp video frames (lucky imaging) of planetary details like the Great Red Spot.

  • Mount Type High-capacity motorized equatorial (EQ)
    Payload Capacity 110 lbs
    Tripod Heavy-duty pier tripod
    GoTo System SynScan Controller
    Object Database 42,900+ objects
    Alignment Procedures One-, two-, and three-star alignment
    Slew Speeds 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 32x, 200x, 400x, 600x, 800x, 1000x
    Drive System Belt
    Motor Type 0.9° hybrid stepper motor
    Power Requirements DC 11V-16V, 3A
    Saddle Type D-style
    Included Counterweights Two 22 lbs
    Mount Head Weight 56.8 lbs
    Tripod Weight 64.8 lbs
    Tripod Leg Diameter 2.36"
    Min Mount Height (with Tripod) 49.75"
    Max Mount Height (with Tripod) 58.625"
    Latitude Range 10° to 65°
    Connectivity 4x USB 3.0 ports, 3x 2.1mm power ports, 3x serial connections
    PC Direct Connect Yes
    Polar Scope Sold seperately
    WiFi Optional WiFi dongle
    GPS Optional SynScan GPS
    UPC 050234306010

    • EQ8-R Mount Head

      × 1

    • Pier Tripod

      × 1

    • SynScan V5 Hand Controller

      × 1

    • 22-pound counterweights

      × 2

    • DC Power Cord

      × 1

  • Sky-Watcher 2-Year Warranty