Mounts

Celestron CGEM Computerised Mount and Tripod - £1195.00

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 £6189.99

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.
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• 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 HEQ5 and EQ6 Mounts - from £19.00

Replacement bolts for the standard ones, which are inclined too bend over time . They're made from stainless steel for added stiffness and durability, with a shaped tip to prevent digging in during adjustment.

Replacement Azimuth Adjusters

They are designed to replace the relatively short Azimuth adjusters fitted as standard on the HEQ5 and EQ6 mounts. Primarily designed to aid Polar drift alignments by providing a more positive feel handgrip with more clearance between the handgrip and the mount body. The larger handgrip also makes fine adjustment easier. No tools are required for either fitting or use of the azimuth adjusters.

Orbit Engineering Wedge - Available again soon in limited numbers - Please Ask!

Modern Astronomy is pleased to announce what is probably the most exciting accessory for the Meade LX and Celestron CPC & Nextstar range of SCT telescopes. A brand new Wedge manufactured by Orbit Engineering

Features

• Light Weight 6082 Grade Aluminium
• Easy Gas Strut Weight Altitude Adjust Assist
• Easy Quadrant Azimuth Assist
• Super Slick Bearings On Working Joints.
• Latitude Adjustment: 16 to 74 degrees
• Azumuth Rotation: 27 degrees
• Weight: 10.4kg
  
  

No production wedge offers so much engineering excellence. All parts are fully serviceable and can be replaced if necessary.

EQ1 Tabletop mount - £99.99

This convenient mount possesses all the same features as a standard sized EQ1. The only difference being it is supplied with mini-sized, screw-in tripod legs offering the ultimate in portability for the mounting of short-tube small aperture telescopes or even a camera. The mount, which is only 13" high, can be used on any reasonably firm and level surface. Perfect for taking on days out and trips abroad. Supplied with D.C. single axis motor drive with multi-speed (2x/8x) hand controller, manual slow motion cable controls, counterweight & ¼"/20 threaded adaptor.

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.

NEQ3 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. 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.

EQ5 SynScan™ - £449.00

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)
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• 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™ - £588.00

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

HEQ5 Pro SynScan™ GOTO Mount - £718.00

For amateur astronomers seeking superior equatorial control and the ease of a precision computerized GOTO system, the HEQ5 PRO SynScantm is your answer. The Sky-Watcher HEQ5 PRO SynScantm is designed with the novice user in mind. With the user-friendly pushbutton hand control, locating and viewing the treasures of the night sky becomes as easy as a walk in the park. The hand control allows you to point the telescope at a specific object or even tour the skies at the touch of a button. The user-friendly menu system allows automatic slewing to over 13,400 objects. Even an inexperienced astronomer can master its variety of features in a few observing sessions. The HEQ5 PRO SynScantm also comes with features that advanced astronomers can appreciate:

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). Auto Guider Interface for astro-photography. Power Supply Required - not supplied Guiding speed selectable from 0.25X, 0.50X, 0.75X, or 1X. Object database containing complete M, NGC, and IC catalogues. Minimal vibration for steady long-exposure photography.

EQ6 Deluxe super heavy duty Equatorial mount - £604.00

The Sky-Watcher EQ6 equatorial mount is the first of its kind, and is top of our range of equatorial mounts. It is a precision instrument capable of carrying massive payloads (up to 25Kg) but at the same time is very reasonably priced. The mount is excellent for visual observations and short-term unguided CCD imaging with most telescopes of conventional design. It will easily handle refractors up to 8"/200mm and classic Newtonians up to 14"/350mm in aperture. The EQ6 has a black powder coat finish and weighs in at 17Kg.

The equatorial head features engraved aluminium setting circles and a latitude scale, a polar finder scope holder and polarscope, a bubble level, large R.A. and DEC. locking clamps, built-in dual axis motor drives and retractable counterweight shaft and counterweight. Two counterweights are supplied, each weighing 5.4Kg. The dual-axis motor drives are operated by a hand controller with a switch for both Northern and Southern hemisphere operation with slewing speeds of 2x, 8x and 16x the sidereal rate.

The tripod is made from 2" diameter stainless steel legs, making for a very sturdy system. The EQ6 (without telescope) adjusts from 1069mm in its lowest position to 1544mm with the tripod legs fully extended. The height of the mount (excluding tripod) is 406mm. The EQ6 accepts generic dovetail bars made by Sky-Watcher and many other companies.

EQ6 SynTrek mount - £789

The new EQ6 SynTrek is effectively a hybrid of the standard EQ6 and the EQ6 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 and EQ6 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

EQ6 Pro SkyScan™ GOTO mount - £898

For amateur astronomers seeking superior equatorial control and the ease of a precision computerized GOTO system, the EQ6 PRO SynScan™ is your answer. The Sky-Watcher EQ6 PRO SynScan™ is designed with the novice user in mind. With the user-friendly pushbutton hand control, locating and viewing the treasures of the night sky becomes as easy as a walk in the park. The hand control allows you to point the telescope at a specific object or even tour the skies at the touch of a button. The user-friendly menu system allows automatic slewing to over 13,400 objects. Even an inexperienced astronomer can master its variety of features in a few observing sessions. The EQ6 SynScan™ also comes with features that advanced astronomers can appreciate

• 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).
• Auto Guider Interface for astro-photography.
• Guiding speed selectable from 0.25X, 0.50X, 0.75X, or 1X.
• Object database containing complete M, NGC, and IC catalogues.
• Minimal vibration for steady long-exposure photography.

Technical specifications

SynScan Upgrades - from £169

Available for easily upgrading the standard (non-PRO) mountings for computerised GO-TO capabilities. Kits comprise V.3 SynScanTM Flash Upgradeable GO-TO handset, 2 x Stepper Motors for DEC and R.A. Drives, Replacement Control Panel / Motor Board, Hand Control Cable, Cable Clamp and Hand Control Holder (12V D.C. Power Supply required - not supplied).

Motor drives - for Synta mounts

Motorised drive upgrades for the Synta mounts

Pillar mount support for HEQ5 and EQ6 Mounts - from £169.00

Provides a stable platform for all the standard HEQ5, EQ6 mountings including PRO versions. Complete with wheels, which can be disengaged when mount is in use. Designed for use on a reasonably hard, level surface close to where the telescope is normally stored. Colour: Black. Please note the picture features the HEQ5 pillar support.