Excelsis - Display Vote

Skywatcher HEQ5

Greetings all,

I just purchased an HEQ5 from ITE telescopes. I finally got it out in the field to give it a test run. I placed the double double in my TEC 6 using a 9mm U.O. ortho rendering 200X with a 23 arc minute field. Then I let er rip while I viewed through another scope. One hour and fifteen minutes later the double double was still in the middle of the field. I was impressed and surprised.

The mechanics of the scope are really nice. Build quality is great and it's a fine looking piece of equipment. In fact, I was surprised at how well built it looked when I opened the box - and how big it was. Man, I'd hate to see the EQ6! And yet it is still easily moved about without much difficulty - which is what I wanted. Great combination of transportability and support.

It holds my TEC 6, 2" AP diagonal, Starbeam, U.O right angle finder, and Parallax rings (20lbs.) without any difficulty - obviously. Almost no vibration while focusing and I wasn't even using my vibration suppression pads.

The 1.5" legs are very solid (contrary to some reports I have read) and setup is a breeze. I did remove rubber sleeves that cover the tips of the legs - I had read it added vibration, which may account for some problems identified by others.

I also found the polar scope worked well and is well executed. Although, I think an illuminator is needed and would make things a lot simpler. I am going to see if I can put a Vixen illuminator on the mount.

Downside. The RA is a bit stiff, but it obviously tracks well. And I get about 4 seconds backlash at 16X in one drive when changing directions (6 or 7 seconds at 8X). This essentially manifests itself as a hesitation before it moves. Once in motion it is steady and smooth. Of course, I will try and adjust it to see if I can get rid of it.

For those looking for a robust visual mount that can handle good size instruments, this mount is a winner. Of course, quality control may very so buy from a reputable dealer in case you get a lemon.

I really like the mount. If its longevity holds up, it's hard to imagine considering this mount anything other than a superb performer at a great price. It is clearly lights years ahead of a CG5, without a doubt. I have a feeling, that as more of these enter circulation, there will be a high demand for this mount.

Take care,
john

[moderator note: follow-up moved by ScopeDreamer2032]

Just to follow up on my above report. I have eliminated the backlash in the drives. The stiffness in RA was caused by screwing the setscrew on the RA circle down tightly. I loosened it and the RA freed up nicely. This allowed for better balancing of the RA and eliminated the backlash. To fine tune the drives I look for backlash at the eyepiece and then adjust the counter-weights until it is gone. Works like a charm.

With this adjustment, I can find no fault at all with this scope other than the lack of illumination for the polar scope. Hopefully this will remain true over the long haul.

Take care all,
john

Overall Rating: 10
Performance:9 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 07/04/2003 08:55:37 pm PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.58.57)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=260555

>Greetings all,
>
>I just purchased an HEQ5 from ITE telescopes.  I finally got it out in the field to give it a test run.  I placed the double double in my TEC 6 using a 9mm U.O. ortho rendering 200X with a 23 arc minute field.  Then I let er rip while I viewed through another scope.  One hour and fifteen minutes later the double double was still in the middle of the field.  I was impressed and surprised.
>
>The mechanics of the scope are really nice.  Build quality is great and it's a fine looking piece of equipment.  In fact, I was surprised at how well built it looked when I opened the box - and how big it was.  Man, I'd hate to see the EQ6!  And yet it is still easily moved about without much difficulty - which is what I wanted.  Great combination of transportability and support. 
>
>It holds my TEC 6, 2" AP diagonal, Starbeam, U.O right angle finder, and Parallax rings (20lbs.) without any difficulty - obviously.  Almost no vibration while focusing and I wasn't even using my vibration suppression pads.
>
>The 1.5" legs are very solid (contrary to some reports I have read) and setup is a breeze.  I did remove rubber sleeves that cover the tips of the legs - I had read it added vibration, which may account for some problems identified by others.
>
>I also found the polar scope worked well and is well executed.  Although, I think an illuminator is needed and would make things a lot simpler.  I am going to see if I can put a Vixen illuminator on the mount.
>
>Downside.  The RA is a bit stiff, but it obviously tracks well.  And I get about 4 seconds backlash at 16X in one drive when changing directions (6 or 7 seconds at 8X).  This essentially manifests itself as a hesitation before it moves.  Once in motion it is steady and smooth.  Of course, I will try and adjust it to see if I can get rid of it.
>
>For those looking for a robust visual mount that can handle  good size instruments, this mount is a winner.  Of course, quality control may very so buy from a reputable dealer in case you get a lemon.
>
>I really like the mount.  If its longevity holds up, it's hard to imagine considering this mount anything other than a superb performer at a great price.  It is clearly lights years ahead of a CG5, without a doubt.  I have a feeling, that as more of these enter circulation, there will be a high demand for this mount.
>
>Take care,
>john
>
>[moderator note: follow-up moved by ScopeDreamer2032]
>
>Just to follow up on my above report. I have eliminated the backlash in the drives. The stiffness in RA was caused by screwing the setscrew on the RA circle down tightly. I loosened it and the RA freed up nicely. This allowed for better balancing of the RA and eliminated the backlash. To fine tune the drives I look for backlash at the eyepiece and then adjust the counter-weights until it is gone. Works like a charm.
>
>With this adjustment, I can find no fault at all with this scope other than the lack of illumination for the polar scope. Hopefully this will remain true over the long haul.
>
>Take care all,
>john


Hi John,
Nice review. Would you kindly post what the weight of the mount head is? It seems that there are either lightweight, medium weight, or heavy weight mounts. No middle heavy weights. It seems that the HEQ5 may be the first in this catagory.

All The Best,
Bernie

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