Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Mount

The HEQ5 Pro: A 13.7 kg GoTo Platform for Imaging

It is designed for observers who need the steadiness of the EQ6 Pro but find the EQ6 Pro too physically demanding. It carries 13.7 kg (30 lb), and SynScan mounts provide extremely high precision tracking.

SynScan mounts are designed for novices and experts alike, and even an inexperienced astronomer can master the features in a few observing sessions. Periodic Error Correction, an autoguider port and a computer connection serve imaging.

0.144 Arc-Second Resolution from 1.8° Stepper Motors

At the heart of the HEQ5 Pro's tracking capability are its 1.8° stepper motors, which are driven with 64 microsteps. This fine level of control, combined with a 705 gear ratio, gives a motor resolution of 0.144 arc-seconds.

Vibration is minimal for steady long-exposure photography. The system's positioning accuracy is rated at up to 1 arc-minute, enhanced by software compensation of collimation error (mount mechanical error).

A 13.7 kg Capacity with 10.2 kg of Counterweights

The HEQ5 Pro is rated for a 13.7 kg (30 lb) instrument payload. This capacity is balanced by two included 5.1 kg (11.2 lb) counterweights, 10.2 kg in all.

The counterweights mount on a solid stainless steel counterweight shaft that is 21.5 cm long and 1.8 cm in diameter. The mount head itself, standing 35 cm tall, weighs 10 kg (22 lb) without the counterweights.

Precision Setup with the Included Polar Scope

A polar scope is included. After initial setup, the SynScan hand controller provides the precise position of Polaris on the polar scope's reticle, displayed as a clock-face position (e.g., "HH:MM") and as an hour angle.

The hand controller also has a polar alignment routine that needs no polar scope. After a 2-star or 3-star alignment, the system calculates and displays the mount's polar alignment error in both altitude and azimuth. You can then use the mount's adjustment bolts to correct the error.

The SynScan Controller with 42,900+ Objects

The included SynScan hand controller finds and tracks objects automatically. Its database contains over 42,900 entries, including the complete Messier, NGC, and IC catalogs, as well as planets, named stars, double stars, and more. Once aligned, you can command the mount to slew to any object in the database at speeds up to 3.4° per second (800x).

For equatorial mounts, you can choose from a 1-Star, 2-Star, or 3-Star alignment. The manual explains cone error, which occurs when the telescope's optical axis is not perfectly perpendicular to the mount's declination axis.

RS-232 Connectivity for Planetarium Control

The SynScan hand controller features an RS-232 port for connecting to a computer. Many commercially available planetarium programs can then control the mount.

The hand controller also features a "PC Direct Mode," which allows applications to communicate directly with the mount's motor controller, primarily used for firmware updates.

Autoguiding at 4 Speeds and Periodic Error Correction

A built-in autoguider port takes guiding corrections. The SynScan controller lets you set the guide speed to 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x, or 1x the sidereal rate.

The mount also supports Periodic Error Correction (PEC). This function allows you to train the mount to recognize and compensate for the small, repeatable errors inherent in its worm gear drive. By recording these errors during a training session, the mount can play back the corrections during tracking.

A 1.75-inch Steel Tripod with an 8-inch Dovetail Bar

The tripod has 1.75-inch diameter stainless steel legs. The tripod height is adjustable from 97 cm to 121 cm. The tripod itself weighs 5.6 kg (12.3 lb).

It comes with a large wall-to-wall accessory tray and an 8-inch dovetail bar.

11-15V DC, 2A Power Requirements

The HEQ5 Pro mount and its SynScan controller are powered by an external DC power source. The system requires a supply that can deliver between 11 and 15 volts DC at 2 amps. The power input jack on the mount is tip-positive.

No power supply is included. The SynScan hand controller can display the current input voltage, allowing you to monitor your power source during an observing session.

Your First Night with the HEQ5 Pro

Setting up the HEQ5 Pro begins with leveling the tripod and attaching the 10 kg mount head. Before powering on, the mount should be set to its "home position": with the counterweight shaft pointing down and the telescope pointing towards the celestial pole. Once powered on, the SynScan hand controller guides you through an initialization process where you enter your location, date, and time.

After initialization, you perform a star alignment. In a 2-star alignment the controller suggests a bright star, you center it in the eyepiece, and then repeat for a second star. The mount is then ready to automatically find any of the 42,900+ objects in its database.

A 10 kg Head for Enhanced Portability

The system comes apart into several manageable components for transport: the 10 kg (22 lb) mount head, the 5.6 kg (12.3 lb) tripod, and the two 5.1 kg (11.2 lb) counterweights. Total weight is 15 kg without counterweights.

Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro vs. HEQ5-R Pro

This is the HEQ5 Pro, with 1.8° stepper motors and a 705 gear ratio.

The HEQ5-R Pro is an evolutionary progression of the HEQ5 Pro. The HEQ5-R Pro uses a belt drive between motor and worm.