Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ5 GoTo Mount

Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ5: A 15 kg Hybrid Mount for Imaging and Visual Use

The AZ-EQ5 works as an equatorial mount or an alt-azimuth mount. It supports a 15 kg instrument payload (excluding counterweights); add up your tube, camera and accessories and compare the total with it.

In equatorial mode it tracks with its polar-aligned R.A. axis for astrophotography. In alt-azimuth mode, the secondary saddle on the counterweight rod can hold a second telescope.

Equatorial & Alt-Azimuth: A Dual-Mode System with 15 kg Capacity

For equatorial use, the R.A. axis is set to your local latitude.

To convert to alt-azimuth mode, the R.A. axis is raised to 90° and secured with the Alt-Az mode locking bolt. The included secondary saddle can then be attached to the counterweight rod, allowing a second telescope to be mounted. Remove all counterweights and telescopes before switching modes, and never turn the adjusting handle forcefully. The 120 mm rod extension cannot be used with the secondary saddle.

0.25 Arc-Second Resolution: Hybrid Drive & Freedom Find Encoders

The AZ-EQ5's drive system uses 1.8° hybrid stepper motors with a 32 microstep resolution, connected to the main worm gear through a 72:12 timing belt drive. The gear ratio is 810, for a resolution of 5,184,000 counts per revolution, or 0.25 arc-seconds.

With Sky-Watcher's Freedom Find dual encoders, the telescope can be moved by hand in either axis without losing its alignment.

15 kg Payload: Balancing with Two 3.5 kg Counterweights

The mount's 15 kg astrophotography payload is supported by an 18 mm diameter counterweight rod and two included 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) counterweights. A 120 mm extension for the counterweight rod is also supplied.

To balance the mount, first install the telescope and counterweights. With the R.A. clutch loose, adjust the position of the counterweights on the rod until the mount remains stationary with the rod horizontal. Then, lock the R.A. axis and loosen the Dec. clutch, sliding the telescope forward or backward in its saddle until it too is balanced.

0° to 90° Latitude Range: Polar Alignment with the Pier Tripod

On the included pier tripod the latitude range is 0° to 90° (28° to 90° on a standard tripod). The mount also provides approximately ±15° of fine adjustment in azimuth.

The SynScan hand controller includes alignment routines to assist in this process, including a polar alignment routine that can be used after a 2-star or 3-star alignment to refine your setup. An optional polar scope kit is available for quick polar alignment. The hand controller provides the orientation of Polaris within the polar scope's reticle based on your time and location.

SynScan V5 Controller: A 42,000+ Object Database

The included SynScan V5 hand controller contains a database of over 42,000 objects, including the Messier, NGC, IC, and SAO catalogs, as well as planets, named stars, double stars, and variable stars. After a 1-star, 2-star or 3-star alignment, the mount can automatically slew to and track any object in its database.

It sets tracking rates (sidereal, solar, and lunar), autoguiding speeds, and backlash compensation. Its utilities include polar alignment and identifying objects near where the telescope points.

PC, App, and Camera Control: USB, ST-4, and 2 SNAP Ports

The control panel has a USB port (USB-to-serial) for computer control and an RJ-12 autoguide port for an autoguider with an ST-4 type interface.

The mount also features two SNAP ports for DSLR camera control. Using the SynScan hand controller's "Camera Control" function, you can program batch exposures; the two stereo outlets trigger two cameras' shutters.

1200-Segment PPEC: Autoguiding at 5 Speeds from 0.125x to 1x

For advanced astrophotography, the AZ-EQ5 features 1200-segment Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC). The R.A. worm is indexed, allowing the motor controller to know its precise rotational position. This enables the mount to record a PEC training session, where it learns the specific imperfections of its worm gear. This data is stored permanently in the controller.

Once trained, PEC can be started in later sessions without retraining, assuming accurate polar alignment. The mount also offers five selectable autoguiding speeds, 0.125x, 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x, and 1x.

1.75-inch Pier Tripod and 11-16V DC Power Requirement

The pier tripod has 1.75-inch stainless steel legs and weighs 6.1 kg (13.4 lb). The mount requires a DC power supply rated for 11V to 16V, 3A. Do not use an unregulated AC-to-DC adapter; Sky-Watcher recommends a switching power supply with 15V output and at least 2A.

A power LED on the control panel indicates the power status: steady for normal voltage, slow flashing for low voltage, and fast flashing for critically low voltage; if the voltage is too low the motor controller stops the motors.

First Night Setup: Assembly in 5 Key Steps

The manual's set-up, in short:

• 1. Tripod Setup: Unfold the pier tripod legs, secure them with the thumb screws, and extend the legs so the pier top is level; the mount's bubble leveler confirms it.
• 2. Attach Mount Head: Seat the 7.7 kg mount head onto the tripod's central dowel, engaging the azimuth adjustment knobs, and secure it from below using the flexible shaft's thumb screw.
• 3. Install Counterweights: With the R.A. axis clutch locked, extend the counterweight rod and slide the two 3.5 kg counterweights onto the shaft, securing them on the rod.
• 4. Mount Telescope: Lock the R.A. axis and rotate the Dec. axis so the saddle is horizontal. Seat your telescope's dovetail bar into the saddle and tighten the saddle's locking screws.
• 5. Balance Both Axes: Sequentially unlock the R.A. and Dec. clutches, adjusting the counterweights and the telescope's position until each axis stays put.

Field Portability: A 7.7 kg Head and 6.1 kg Tripod

The mount head weighs 7.7 kg (17 lb) and the pier tripod weighs 6.1 kg (13.4 lb).