We recommend the SkyWatcher EQ-8 RH Pro GoTo, the successor to the SkyWatcher EQ-8 Pro GoTo, especially for amateur astronomers using large telescopes. This is one of the highest-powered instruments available to amateur astronomers and astrophotographers at a price that only smaller observatories have been able to afford in recent times. .
The manufacturer's specification claims a useful load capacity of 50 kg, so it will hold and guide Newtonian and SC/MC systems up to 30 cm and above, thanks in part to the factory-installed ribbed belt drive.
The sturdy mechanics head is supported by a combination of column and tripod (optional). 2 counterweights of 10-10 kg allow the mechanics to be balanced even with the heaviest scopes. Astrophotographers will appreciate the very fine corrections (up to 0.125x star speed) and the 5 arcminute object pointing accuracy. The RH version of the EQ-8 features a so-called Renishaw encoder on the RA axis, which allows accurate measurement of angular rotation, essentially replacing the guide.
SkyWatcher's proprietary patented Freedom Find technology allows the user to move the telescope along the axes at any time, either manually or electronically, without losing alignment or position information. There is no longer any need to re-boot the mechanism, even when manually moving the scope.
Tests have shown that it has extremely fine tracking, with very small periodic errors approaching zero, with a maximum tracking error of only around 0.5". The mechanism also has a so-called Permanent Periodic Error Correction function. After a PEC training routine, the user can start the periodic error correction, thus significantly improving tracking accuracy in short focus astrophotography. For later observations, however, it is no longer necessary to perform the training process (provided that the telescope is always accurately polarized). Hence the name: Permanent Periodic Error Correction
The SynScan handheld database stores data on more than 42 900 objects, any one of which can be accessed with the touch of a button. Its two-line LCD display allows you to select the target you want from a wide range of catalogues, but you can also connect it to a computer to control your scope from the comfort of your room. A GPS receiver can also be connected, making it easy to enter the current date, time and geographic coordinates.
The mechanics include one USB 3.0 input, four USB 3.0 outputs, one power input and three power outputs (distribution), as well as 3-3 Aux inputs and outputs.
Specifications:
- EQ head weight: 25.9 Kg
- Tripod weight: 29.5 Kg
- Max. telescope mass: 50 Kgs
- Tripod:height adjustable between 77-100cm
- Overweight: 2x 10 Kg
- Manual control:SynScan
- R.A. pulley: D=219.5mm, 435 tooth, aluminium
- Dec. pulley: D=219.5mm, 435 tooth, aluminium
- R.A. axle: D=55mm, aluminium
- Dec shaft: D=55mm, aluminium
- Balance shaft: D=31.5mm
- Pole height adjustment: 15 to 65 degrees latitude
- Pole horizontal fine adjustment: approx +/-5 degrees
- Pole alignment: via built-in software or external pole telescope
- Pole telescope: external - optional
- Dual Encoder control: yes
- PEC: yes
- Motor: DC12V stepper motors
- Tracking speeds: star, sun, moon, PEC+star
- Tracking mode: single or dual axis tracking
- Object database: 42,000 objects
- Power supply: DC 12V min. 3A supplied with cigarette lighter power cable
