Mounts

Celestron CGEM Computerised Mount and Tripod - £1295

CGEM Computerized Mount - General Features

• Holds a maximum instrument capacity of 40 lbs
• CGEM Computerized Equatorial Mount
• Ultra sturdy 2" steel tripod with Accessory Tray

CGEM Computerized Mount - Computerized Mount Features

• 40,000 object database with over 100 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
• Proven NexStar computer control technology
• Flash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet
• New "All-star" Polar alignment uses any bright star for a quick and accurate Polar alignment
• Software Features include: Mount Calibration, Database Filter Limits, Hibernate, five Alignment Procedures, and user-defined slew limits
• Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterisms
• Permanent programmable periodic error correction (PEC) - corrects for periodic tracking errors inherent to all worm drives
• Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterisms
• Steel worm gear and 90mm pitch diameter brass worm wheel
• Drive Motors - Low Cog DC Servo motor with integrated optical encoders offer smooth, quiet operation and long life. The motor armatures are skewed to minimize cogging which is required fro low speed tracking.
• Internal Cable wiring for trouble-free setup and transportation
• Designated six-pin RJ-12 modular jack, ST-4 compatible guide port
• Autoguide port and auxiliary ports located on the electronic plate for long exposure astrophotography
• Double line, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display Hand Control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of goto features
• RS-232 communication port on hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer
• Includes NexRemote telescope control software, for advanced control of your telescope via computer
• Precision machined 40mm diameter steel Polar shafts supported by multiple tapered roller bearings and ball bearings.
• GPS-compatible with optional CN16 GPS Accessory
• Secure power plug ensures that the Mount's power source is not accidentally disconnected

Celestron CGE-Pro Mount £5490

CGE Pro Mount - General Features

• Holds a maximum instrument capacity of 90 lbs
• +/-9 arc second tracking accuracy, which can be further reduced with PEC
• Permanent programmable periodic error correction (PEC) - corrects for periodic tracking errors inherent to all worm drives
• CGE PRO computerized Equatorial mount
• Heavy duty stainless steel tripod adjustable from 38 - 55"
• One 22 lbs counterweight
• Weighs 154 lbs

CGE Pro Mount - Computerized Mount Features

• Proven NexStar computer control technology
• 40,000 object database with over 100 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
• New All-Star Polar Alignment routine for both Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
• Software Features include: Database Filter Limits, Hibernate, five alignment methods and user-defined slew limits.
F
• lash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet
• Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number; the most beautiful double, triple and quadruple stars; variable star; solar systems; objects and asterisms
• Double line, 16-character Liquid Crystal Display Hand Control with backlit LED buttons for easy operation of goto features
• 12VDC Servo Motors with integrated optical encoders
• Drive Motors - High quality motors with seven slot skewed armature to minimize magnetic cogging for quiet operation and long life. Precision made cut-steel gears in gearbox for Improve tracking precision
• Bearing and Shaft - Main shafts are made from 1.57" diameter steel tubing with .40" wall thickness with two preloaded 2.68" O.D. tapered roller bearings on each axes
• Precision worm drive system - .75" pitch dia. precision made steel worm preloaded with two .87" OD ball bearings to minimize run-out (a source of periodic error). 255 tooth 6" pitch dia. precision made worm wheel with enveloping brass teeth
• Spring loaded DEC worm to minimize backlash and for easy guiding
• 4 point RA and DEC clutch system for no-slip pointing precision
• Autoguide port, PC port and auxiliary ports located on the electronic pier for long exposure astrophotography
• One 4.72" O.D. thrust bearing and one 4.13" O.D. thrust bearing on each axes provide a large thrust surface for additional stability.
• Rugged 9-pin thread on motor cables
• Latitude range: 10° to 65° northern or southern hemispheres
• RS-232 communication port on hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer
• Includes NexRemote telescope control software, for advanced control of your telescope via computer
• GPS-compatible with optional CN16 GPS Accessory (93967)

Latitude Adjustment Bolts for EQ6 and HEQ5 Mounts - £24.99

Premium bolts, to upgrade the standard type which are inclined to bend!
Made from a specially chosen grade of stainless steel for stiffness and durability, with a shaped tip to prevent digging in during adjustment. This new version is hand engineered in the UK utilising the best materials, no plastic parts! Other improvements include a longer South lever, for easier turning, and rounded edges for comfort. Don't delay replacing the original bolts, if (when) they bend you may have great difficulting removing them.

HiTec Astro EQDir Adaptors for NEQ6/EQ6/HEQ5 Mounts (Synscan and Syntrek) - £38.00

Allows Skywatcher HEQ5/NEQ6/EQ6 Synscan and Syntrek mounts to be controlled from your PC via a USB port. It's connected in place of the handset and works in conjunction with the EQMOD driver and planetarium software.

Gives your Syntrek mount full GOTO and adds valuable features and precision to Synscan mounts.

Note: The Orion Atlas EQ-G is the same mount as the  EQ6 Pro, the Orion Sirius EQ-G  the same as the HEQ5 Pro.

HiTec Astro Mount Hub Pro V2 - £198.00

Anyone who has spent time setting up anything more than the most basic imaging setup knows that arranging all of the various components can be a time consuming and laborious task.  All the cables need to be routed to avoid snagging.  Often once this is complete, you will find that the sky conditions have changed and you have to do it all again in reverse!

HitecAstro's 'Mount Hub Pro' is an exciting new product which seeks to simplify all this by including three of the most useful accessories inside one tidy package which only requires one power cable and one USB cable, thus reducing the clutter around your setup.

Mount Hub Pro Includes;

• 8 individually selectable and controllable relay driven outputs to power your equipment. (plus three constant (always on) outlets.)

• A 4 channel dew controller with individually selectable outputs.

• A stepper motor focus controller compatible with many of todays most popular focusers (e.g. Moonlite, Robofocus)

• PC software which allows all of the above to be controlled from the users PC (Windows XP, Vista)  Windows 7 currently under test.

• Manual (Non PC based) control of the Dew Controller

• Optional Manual 'Hand Controller' for focus operations

• An ASCOM compliant driver to operate with your favourite third party ASCOM compliant application. (e.g. Maxim DL, CCD Soft etc)

• USB Interface

• An integrated 4 port USB hub for connecting your favourite devices.
• Can deliver up to 15Amps of power to your equipment (via an appropriate power supply)

One power cable leads from your power supply to the 'Mount Hub Pro' and one USB cable runs from the controlling PC to the MHP, so there is less chance of tripping or getting tangled in lots of cables in the dark.  Power outlets and USB ports to your equipment are provided so cables no longer cause problems.

EQ2 Equatorial Mount - from £99.99

The EQ2 Equatorial Mount is suited to both beginners and experienced astronomers. It offers very good stability and the tall, fully adjustable aluminium tripod with large accessory tray is a real plus. This mount features 360° slow-motion tracking gears on both the right ascension and declination axes with flexible controls. Dual metal setting circles allow location of objects by their R.A. and DEC. coordinates. A separate latitude adjustment aids in polar alignment. An optional D.C. Motor Drive can be installed to the R.A. axis for auto-tracking purposes.

EQ3-2 Equatorial Mount

The superb EQ3-2 mount receives high marks from experienced observers. This sturdy mount offers precision and stability along with a host of other features for the serious astronomer. The mount rests firmly on a large, adjustable aluminium tripod with accessory tray. A bubble level allows for quick and accurate levelling. Slow-motion control knobs allow for continuous manual tracking of celestial objects. The precision mount features full 360° worm-gear tracking controls on both R.A. and DEC. axes. Dual metal setting circle dials allow quick location of target using celestial coordinates. An optional polarscope is available for aiding in polar alignment. Optional single-axis and dual-axis D.C. motor drives can be installed for auto-tracking purposes.

EQ3 Pro SynScan™ - £399.00

Sky-Watcher offers simple solutions for users who would like to attach their smaller telescope to a convenient computerized system but do not wish to deal with the weight of the HEQ5 or EQ6 mount. The NEQ3 SynScan™ mounts use the same Go-To system found in the HEQ5 and EQ6 Pros-SynScan™. It allows you to point the telescope at a specific object or even tour the skies at the touch of a button.

• Features

• Positioning Accuracy up to 1 arc minute. Accuracy enhanced by software collimation error (mount mechanical error) compensation.
• Stepper motors with 1.8° step angle and 64 micro steps driven.
• Slewing speed up to 3.4°/sec (800X).
• Guiding speed selectable from 0.25X, 0.50X, 0.75X, or 1X.
• Object database containing complete Messier, NGC, and IC catalogues.
• Periodic Error Correction.
• PC compatibility.
• Upgradeable hand control via internet download.

EQ5 deluxe heavy-duty equatorial mount - £216

The very sturdy EQ5 Equatorial mount provides excellent precision and stability and a host of other useful features for the serious astronomer. The mount rests firmly on a large, adjustable stainless steel pipe tripod with accessory tray. Supplied complete with a bubble level, latitude adjuster with micrometer scale and an azimuth polar-alignment adjuster. It also features engraved aluminium setting circles and manual slow motion tracking controls. A polarscope is optional for accurate polar alignment. Optional single-axis and dual-axis D.C. motor drives can be installed for tracking purposes.

EQ5 Pro SynScan™ - £485

Tour the night sky at the touch of a button

• Hardware Features:

• SynScan™ V.3 Firmware Updateable Hand Control New features include ongoing firmware updateability via the internet, Pointing Accuracy Enhancement (PAE), and capability to store star alignment data. Also can accept new GPS mouse attachment.
• High precision stepper motors
• Motor Controller: Microstep driving with auto-power saving feature
• Resolution: 0.288 arc second
• Slew Rate: 0.5x, 1x, 8x, 16x, 32x, 64x, 400x, 500x, 600x, 800x
• Tracking Rate: Sidereal, Lunar, Solar
• Tracking Mode: R.A. tracking
• ST-4 type Autoguider Interface: Support 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x 1x guiding rate
• Maximum Payload Capacity: Approx 9kg
• Power requirement: 11 to 15 V DC 2 Amp (Tip positive) (Power supply not included)
•  

• Software Features

• Alignment Method: One-Star Alignment, Two-Star Alignment, Three-Star Alignment
• Pointing Accuracy: Up to 1 arc min
• Object Catalogues: Messier, IC, NGC, Caldwell
• 13740 Object Database: Including Planets, Named Stars, Double Stars, Variable Stars & User-Defined Objects
• Backlash compensation
• Periodic Error Correction
• Premium PC Interface: ASCOM compatible, Nexstar-5i compatible protocol and command set
• User-tunable LCD contrast, LED backlight and buzzer volume

HEQ5 SynTrek™ - Discontinued

The new HEQ5 SynTrek is effectively a hybrid of the standard HEQ5 and the HEQ5 PRO SynScan. It is basically a standard EQ6 but with a pre-installed PRO SynScan motherboard and stepper motors, and supplied with its own unique SynTrek hand-controller. The SynTrek hand control is designed for the purpose of providing a simple slewing and tracking control. The small and versatile SynTrek hand control provides automatic tracking of celestial objects as soon as the power is turned on. The user-friendly interface provides quick access to many other functions the SynTrek has to offer. The HEQ5 SynTrek mounts can be upgraded to computerized SynScan system by simply changing the hand control to SynScan hand control.

• SynTrek Hand Control
• Power supply: 11 to 15V DC 2Amp
• Motor type and resolution: Microstep driven 1.8 stepper motors. Resolution: 0.144 arc sec (or 9,024,000 steps/rev.)
• Slewing speeds: Guiding speed, 4x 8x, 32x, 64x, 800x
• Guiding speeds: 1x, 0.75x, 0.5x, 0.25x
• Gear ratio: 705
• Tracking rates: Sidereal, Lunar, Solar
• Tracking Modes: RA tracking