Sky-Watcher HEQ5-R Mount

Sky-Watcher HEQ5-R Pro: A 15 kg GoTo Mount for Astrophotography

The HEQ5-R Pro is an evolutionary progression of the HEQ5 Pro, with features that serious imagers will appreciate. It carries 15 kg for astrophotography, and the head weighs 12 kg (26.5 lb) with a built-in carrying handle.

Synchronous Belt Drive: 1.8° Steppers and a 160-Tooth Worm Wheel

At the heart of the HEQ5-R Pro is a synchronous belt drive system that connects the 1.8° hybrid stepper motors to the worm gears. The synchronous belt drive gives minimal backlash and even quieter, smoother operation with higher torque and better results when guiding.

The drive train features 15.5 mm diameter copper worms that engage with large-diameter worm wheels. The Right Ascension axis uses a 74 mm aluminum alloy wheel with 160 teeth, while the Declination axis uses a 144-tooth wheel. With 64-microstep motor control, this gives the resolution below.

• Motors: 1.8° hybrid stepper motors are driven with 64 microsteps.
• Transmission: A 36:12 timing belt drive between the motors and worms.
• Gear Ratios: The overall gear ratios are 480 in R.A. and 432 in Dec.
• Resolution: The drive system achieves a resolution of 0.21 arc-seconds on the R.A. axis and 0.23 arc-seconds on the Dec axis.
• Slewing Speed: The maximum slewing speed is 3.2° per second.

15 kg Payload Capacity and Vixen-Style (V) Saddle

The HEQ5-R Pro is rated for a 15 kg (33 lb) instrument payload for astrophotography. The manual rates it in EQ mode. Add up the tube, camera, guide scope and accessories and compare the total with the rating. To balance your payload, the mount includes two 5 kg (11 lb) counterweights.

The counterweight rod has a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 310 mm, and it comes with a 200 mm extension. The mount head is equipped with a Vixen-style (V-style) saddle for V-style dovetail bars.

Polar Alignment: 5° to 72° Latitude Range

The mount has superior latitude adjustment controls with a greater range, 5° to 72°, and about ±15° of azimuth adjustment.

No polar scope is listed in the box. The SynScan V5 hand controller has a polar alignment routine that needs no polar scope. After performing a 2-star or 3-star alignment, the software calculates the mount's alignment error relative to the celestial pole and guides you through making the necessary altitude and azimuth adjustments.

SynScan V5 Controller: 3 Alignment Methods and GoTo Control

The included SynScan V5 hand controller controls the HEQ5-R Pro. After initial setup of your location, date, and time, the controller guides you through an alignment procedure to synchronize the mount with the sky. For equatorial mounts, you can choose from three alignment methods:

• 1-Star Alignment: For a mount that is already accurately polar aligned. It synchronizes the mount on a single bright star.
• 2-Star Alignment: It also calculates and displays your polar alignment error, allowing you to refine your setup.
• 3-Star Alignment: Adds a third star; the manual covers how cone error affects pointing.

Once aligned, the hand controller gives you full GoTo access to its internal database of celestial objects. You can command the mount to automatically slew to planets, nebulae, galaxies, and stars from catalogs like Messier, NGC, and IC. The controller also sets tracking rates and autoguider speeds.

Built-in Wi-Fi, Hand Controller or USB

Control is via built-in Wi-Fi or cable. The built-in Wi-Fi connects your smartphone or tablet running the free SynScan Pro app (iOS or Android).

The included SynScan V5 hand controller plugs into the hand controller port, and the USB port connects to a computer.

The connection panel has the power switch and ports for power, the hand controller, USB, an ST-4 compatible autoguider, and a SNAP port for DSLR camera shutter control.

0.21" Resolution: PPEC, ST-4 Guiding, and a SNAP Port

The mount supports Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC), which allows you to record and permanently save corrections for the natural periodic error of the worm gear. This saves you from re-training the PEC every session.

Autoguiding works through the ST-4 type autoguider port or the USB port.

To streamline your imaging sequence, the mount also features a built-in SNAP port. This allows you to connect your DSLR camera (with a cable for your camera, not listed in the box) and control its shutter directly from the SynScan hand controller, with up to 8 groups of exposure time and frame count (SynScan Camera Control).

Tripod and V-Style Saddle

The tripod has 1.75-inch stainless steel legs and weighs 5.2 kg (11.5 lb). A metal accessory tray and a hand controller holder are included.

The optical tube mounts on a Vixen-style (V) dovetail saddle.

Powering the HEQ5-R Pro: DC 9V to 12.6V at 3A

The HEQ5-R Pro requires a DC power source capable of supplying 9 to 12.6 volts at 3 amps. The manual specifies an external supply of DC 12V. A DC power cable is included in the box to connect to a suitable power source.

The operating temperature range is -10 to 50°C (14 to 122°F).

First Night Out: Assembling and Balancing the HEQ5-R Pro

Begin by extending and levelling the tripod and fitting the accessory tray. Next, place the 12 kg mount head onto the tripod and secure it from below. Attach the counterweight rod, slide on one or both of the 5 kg counterweights, and attach your telescope to the Vixen-style saddle.

Then balance the mount: with the R.A. clutch released, move the counterweights along the rod until the R.A. axis stays put, and with the Dec. clutch released, slide the telescope in the saddle until the tube stays put.

Designed for Portability: A 12 kg Head with Integrated Handle

The mount head weighs 12 kg (26.5 lb) and has a built-in carrying handle for convenient transportation.

The entire system, including the 5.2 kg (11.5 lb) tripod and two 5 kg counterweights, comes apart into these parts for transport.