Thank you for the helpful and informative video! The manual is great, but the video is even better. I would've probably been super clueless without this help.
I change postion of the dowel so unscrewed it and placed it over the front leg. Miles better, back altitude bolt wont hit back leg, also easier to use polar scope. Dont like weight between the legs. The weight is supported over front leg, rather than between and a very small risk of toppling the mount
Cool! I haven't tried that because on other scopes, the weight wasn't supported equally before adding the scope and almost caused it to tip over when I was mounting the scope. I'd check that if I were you just to make sure nothing bad happens. Otherwise, that sounds like a good solution to some issues!
@@southphysicsobservatory6336 its not mentioned in the manual, but it gives you both options. Havr had someone on cloudy nights saying a heavy scope is best having weight over leg, else risk a topple. I have my SCT 9.25" on it, and man looks a lot bigger than when on the Evolution alt alz mount
Congratulations to Your private Mt. Palomar. Very instructive video. Watching Your cat I learned that there are 2 night hunters on Your property. I wish You fun and success. Greetings from Germany. Joachim
Oh boy, that’s a beast to put on that mount. And when you walked away from putting the weights on, you didn’t re-attach the toe saver …. Yikes, i do that right away.
Hi; My EQ6-pro had a PS clockface where the 0 (12 o'clock) is crooked; it points at 7:00. I understand this is commonplace. And that SW maintains not a problem; just adjust RA to a cardinal point, then pretend it's 0 (or 12:00 hi). Then, use a building or flagpole for accuracy. But i go to a park with no buildings; and, I use a 90 diagonal (so i don't pretzel my neck), which further complicates it. Cloudy Nights posts have a method to adjust the clock face by loosening reticle screws & and turning the clock face to the correct position. Seems fairly straight forward ; but i'd like your input... go Utes.
Nice video Paul. I expect my EQ6-R Pro in about a week. May I ask you to post the specs on your carry case? That looks perfect for my head and 9.25 OTA. Thanks!
Hi Ken, thanks for watching! The case is an SKB 2922-16 (22"x22"x16"). While it works, I think I should have bought one with about 2-4" more space in width. The area between the scope and mount has only one layer of foam, so I had to add some cardboard for stiffness. I didnt know it at the time but later found out they have a lot more sizes if you go to their website. There may be other orientations that work better so definitely map it out a bit before cutting into the foam.
If you have a 10" scope and this mount, finding a box a couple inches wider would be best. This fits these, but its so tight the foam gets mangled after a few years. There are other ways to deal with it but just so you're aware it could use some extra space.
I got the SkyWatcher Star Adventurer tracking mount, and polar alignment is a nightmare, especially with heavier payloads like my Nikon D750 and a Tamron 150-600mm telephoto lens. I will probably get the EQ-5 or maybe even splurge on the EQ-6 Pro and be done with it.
Definite weight limits on that mount. The eq35 is a lighter version if you dont plan on big scopes but would track with that 600mm really well. The head is also useable as just a tracker by taking off the upper declination section.
South Physics Observatory yes actually i was first looking at the EQ35 as well and it is a very nice rig, but i plan to get a telescope soon so i will need more capable mount. The Star Adventurer is nice for wide angle photography and the fact that it can be used as a timelapse device during daytime is an added bonus, but it's just not designed to do DSO photography with big lenses. Thanks for the nice videos.
Great laidback video mate.im new to your videos,have you done one on polar alignment? I've only got a celestron evolution mount so I don't know how to polar align.im on the verge of buying the eq6 r pro.
That's for manually setting the mount to follow along RA (or HA) and DEC coordinates. Old school astro folks had to use this method since computers weren't widely available or cheap.
Great video! I ordered an EQ6-R Pro but so far have only received the mount (no tripod). I currently own an HEQ5 Pro. Until the tripod comes in for the EQ6-R Pro, would the HEQ5 Pro tripod work with the EQ6-R Pro?
Hi, it looks like that's the same tripod as on the EQM35, and unless you forge an adapter plate, it wont fit. The top mounting area is much smaller. I'd refrain from using as you mount may take a spill on it.
I have adopted the practice of not bothering to level the tripod and mount until after the mount, itself, has been added to the mass of the whole, and until after I have inadvertently shifted the tripod during the placement of the mount and drive atop the tripod....as our host above does near the 8 minute mark. My reasoning is that, assuming the tripod is safe to accept the mount's mass and balance, it will all shift as the tripod legs settle into the topsoil if one is in a back yard, on a lawn anywhere, in an open field, and so on ( a paved or concrete surface obviously doesn't apply). Just as the optics must acclimate for about 20 minutes, the tripod on soil will settle. One leg may settle on a rock early in the settling process, just below the surface, while the other legs will dip a bit further, even a few mm. That will draw the level bubble well out toward the edge of the level's window. Yes, a more massive whole is trickier to level now, but it must be done with care anyway if one learns that the tripod has gone off level during the mount placement.
Levelling pre scope, even pre mount, just helps towards the final levelling and not trying to hold up all that weight for to long as you go around adjusting each leg. Usually, once it's level with the scope on, it tends to be fine after that as long as your gear is all balanced.
From my own experience I recommend not using the inbuilt bubble level. Not very accurate at all. Use a seperate bubble level on the tripod before putting on the mount.
Great info. Thank you. I just got one and this answered questions. Oh, what is the disaster if the vixen holder screws come off? I'll try not to, but just curious. Hey, I see your cat likes when you do astronomy too. It's kind of perfect for cats: human outdoors for hours at night, too busy to want much attention from the cat, but willing to give a scuffle when they rub on your leg.
If the screws come off with nothing on it, not much, the clamp will just fall off. If there is a scope in it, the scope falls off with them. Haha yes, my cat has made an appearance in most of my videos.
Thanks for this. I have one arriving next week. But I was assuming you’d be aligning it also. Surely that’s a pretty important part of ‘set up’. Or is that a separate video?
Hi; i use iPhone level on the tripod; (so far) have not had to adjust legs after installing mount; it's bubble is centered. Question: my EQ6-pro has a weight bar extension, so i only need 2 11# counterweights; the mount supports 44#; how can you have so much weight on the rig? the LX200 is 27# + accessories is like 35# ; you must have 30# with the 3 counterweights; how does that work? (i should have majored in astronomy/physics at the U).
Hey, the quoted weight capacity is for the instruments and excludes the counterweights. If including that, you could claim it has 88 pounds capacity. Most manufacturers state the instrument (OTA, accessories, camera, etc.) and not the combined weight with counterweights.
The only thing I would watch with using the extension is to make sure you can see it and it doesn't come in contact with anything around it. You can make sure of this at night by getting some glow in the dark tape which works really well.
Did it come with the tripod? I bought mine a few weeks ago and it won't be here until January. Almost 8 months from now. It shows one in the picture on optics planet where I bought it from. But I just wanna make sure for the 16 hundred bucks I spent it will have it with it. Thanks for the great information bud. I will be watching a few more times once it gets here.
@@southphysicsobservatory6336 yes I did. But we got it from FLO in a week and cancelled the order from OTP. But now I have other questions lol. Like why when I try to put in the lat-lon does it not show up as the same numbers as given by the app or map? Like if it says 26°68"26 on the app and I try to put that in. No matter what I do it shows up like this 266°82' and wont let me put any thing else in. And I know tyats not right. So should I just use the first few numbers?
so, how many counter weights have dropped on your foot, possibly an emphasis on replaceing the retaining screw would be good, rather than leaving it on the tray, but regardless, nice video on set up of the EQ6R PRO.
@@southphysicsobservatory6336 yes , saw it later on in video, sorry wasn't being confrontational, but s they weigh 5 kios each could cause a bad injury if the whole lot came off , just thought it ws worth a mention 😉
Man, you're throwing your whole leveling off when sliding the scope on the bracket. Best to widen the saddle and place the scope on. I would also use a small level. Place it N to S and E to W. Level in each direction. A setup with that much weight is going to settle on grass throwing your leveling off. Might be best to place pavers under each foot, at least, to spread the weight out a little. If you're going to use the same spot in your yard to setup, maybe make a small cement pad.
Sliding the scope on vs putting it into a wider bracket makes no difference if you're not catching the bracket with much force to tip the tripod. I've tried both, no difference. Keeping the bracket closed and sliding it actually helps to steady the scope and keeps it from tipping out of the bracket sideways. It's much safer this way. Settling on the grass depends on the soil type and compaction. This didn't change. You can add pavers if you'd like. No biggie. The weight of the mount and counter weights do a lot to sink the feet initially anyway. Also, using a center, circular level does perfectly well to level so there's no need to waste time measuring the level in four directions.
@@ImTheBhattman at first we just used the pluck foam that you can get with the case but after a lot of use, the foam fell apart as does most pluck foam unless you leave a lot of foam in between. We've now upgraded a lot of our cases to either softer high density polyurethane, custom cut foam (that we cut), or the harder custom cut polyethylene foam that we cut ourselves. These work much better since they don't fall apart.
Am sure that is not it's permanent home. Mine is on my lawn and never sank. I did consider the possibility in winter and I have a brick under each leg.
Hey! The case is an SKB 2922-16 (22"x22"x16"). While it works, I think I should have bought one with about 2-4" more space in width. The area between the scope and mount has only one layer of foam, so I had to add some cardboard for stiffness. I didnt know it at the time but later found out they have a lot more sizes if you go to their website. There may be other orientations that work better so definitely map it out a bit before cutting into the foam. (copied from an earlier comment). Feel free to ask about any other details.
your power cord is going to snag on the tripod and rip it off as the RA rotates with the earth? Also never adjust your counterweights whilst the retaining screw is not in place. Not unless you really want a trip the the emergency room at the hospital or a busted scope.
i thought I had everything correct. Like a moron, I didn't read the manual, just watched this. Then I realized I had it on backwards when I saw your the tube mount screws were on the left side...oof
You're not wrong... The mounts can really go on either side. The mount turns on assuming the starting position is "counter weight down, facing north". But I'm assuming you're talking about the big screws that sinch down the mounting plate.
![สาวเมืองเพชร - ธีเดช ทองอภิชาติ [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kEt7F9PvO3I/mqdefault.jpg)
Love the AstroCat @ 14:10 .
Thank you for the helpful and informative video! The manual is great, but the video is even better. I would've probably been super clueless without this help.
Thanks for the video Paul.
Very helpful for the novice. Thank you!
I change postion of the dowel so unscrewed it and placed it over the front leg. Miles better, back altitude bolt wont hit back leg, also easier to use polar scope. Dont like weight between the legs. The weight is supported over front leg, rather than between and a very small risk of toppling the mount
Cool! I haven't tried that because on other scopes, the weight wasn't supported equally before adding the scope and almost caused it to tip over when I was mounting the scope. I'd check that if I were you just to make sure nothing bad happens. Otherwise, that sounds like a good solution to some issues!
@@southphysicsobservatory6336 its not mentioned in the manual, but it gives you both options. Havr had someone on cloudy nights saying a heavy scope is best having weight over leg, else risk a topple. I have my SCT 9.25" on it, and man looks a lot bigger than when on the Evolution alt alz mount
Really clear video. This is exactly the setup I plan after I defork my old 10inch Lx200. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Well. Glad I ran into this. I just got my hands on an EQ6-R. Now I have to figure out if I should mount the f10 or f6.3 10” lx200. 🤔
What case are you using to store the EQ6R mount head?
Great video 👌
Congratulations to Your private Mt. Palomar. Very instructive video.
Watching Your cat I learned that there are 2 night hunters on Your property.
I wish You fun and success. Greetings from Germany. Joachim
Thanks very much Paul. Without you, I don’t what I would have done ahah
Oh boy, that’s a beast to put on that mount. And when you walked away from putting the weights on, you didn’t re-attach the toe saver …. Yikes, i do that right away.
Lol its more than 10 lbs under the weight limit and the weights are perfectly fine if you do things right ;)
Great vid matey
Hi; My EQ6-pro had a PS clockface where the 0 (12 o'clock) is crooked; it points at 7:00. I understand this is commonplace. And that SW maintains not a problem; just adjust RA to a cardinal point, then pretend it's 0 (or 12:00 hi). Then, use a building or flagpole for accuracy. But i go to a park with no buildings; and, I use a 90 diagonal (so i don't pretzel my neck), which further complicates it. Cloudy Nights posts have a method to adjust the clock face by loosening reticle screws & and turning the clock face to the correct position. Seems fairly straight forward ; but i'd like your input... go Utes.
Thanks!
Nice video Paul. I expect my EQ6-R Pro in about a week. May I ask you to post the specs on your carry case? That looks perfect for my head and 9.25 OTA. Thanks!
Hi Ken, thanks for watching! The case is an SKB 2922-16 (22"x22"x16"). While it works, I think I should have bought one with about 2-4" more space in width. The area between the scope and mount has only one layer of foam, so I had to add some cardboard for stiffness. I didnt know it at the time but later found out they have a lot more sizes if you go to their website. There may be other orientations that work better so definitely map it out a bit before cutting into the foam.
what is the brand and model of your mount/telescope case? great video BTW...
Hey, sorry for the delay... Here's a link to it. SKB www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1225114-REG/skb_3i_2922_16bc_iseries_waterproof_utility_case.html
If you have a 10" scope and this mount, finding a box a couple inches wider would be best. This fits these, but its so tight the foam gets mangled after a few years. There are other ways to deal with it but just so you're aware it could use some extra space.
Mind if I ask what case are you using?
I got the SkyWatcher Star Adventurer tracking mount, and polar alignment is a nightmare, especially with heavier payloads like my Nikon D750 and a Tamron 150-600mm telephoto lens. I will probably get the EQ-5 or maybe even splurge on the EQ-6 Pro and be done with it.
Definite weight limits on that mount. The eq35 is a lighter version if you dont plan on big scopes but would track with that 600mm really well. The head is also useable as just a tracker by taking off the upper declination section.
South Physics Observatory yes actually i was first looking at the EQ35 as well and it is a very nice rig, but i plan to get a telescope soon so i will need more capable mount. The Star Adventurer is nice for wide angle photography and the fact that it can be used as a timelapse device during daytime is an added bonus, but it's just not designed to do DSO photography with big lenses. Thanks for the nice videos.
@@aerozg definitely go with the bigger mount then! Glad i could help!
Great laidback video mate.im new to your videos,have you done one on polar alignment? I've only got a celestron evolution mount so I don't know how to polar align.im on the verge of buying the eq6 r pro.
I have KIND of done one, the next video where I run it at night shows one method. I plan on doing another that's more in depth sometime in the future.
I love this video. Thanks! I have a question: what is the dial from 0 to 90 degrees next to the bubble level for?
That's for manually setting the mount to follow along RA (or HA) and DEC coordinates. Old school astro folks had to use this method since computers weren't widely available or cheap.
Isn't the level bubble on the mount usually off and best to level each tripod leg with spirit level ?
Great video! I ordered an EQ6-R Pro but so far have only received the mount (no tripod). I currently own an HEQ5 Pro. Until the tripod comes in for the EQ6-R Pro, would the HEQ5 Pro tripod work with the EQ6-R Pro?
Hi, it looks like that's the same tripod as on the EQM35, and unless you forge an adapter plate, it wont fit. The top mounting area is much smaller. I'd refrain from using as you mount may take a spill on it.
South Physics Observatory thank you for the response. I’ll just have to be patient and wait for the EQ6-R Pro tripod.
nice video
I have adopted the practice of not bothering to level the tripod and mount until after the mount, itself, has been added to the mass of the whole, and until after I have inadvertently shifted the tripod during the placement of the mount and drive atop the tripod....as our host above does near the 8 minute mark. My reasoning is that, assuming the tripod is safe to accept the mount's mass and balance, it will all shift as the tripod legs settle into the topsoil if one is in a back yard, on a lawn anywhere, in an open field, and so on ( a paved or concrete surface obviously doesn't apply). Just as the optics must acclimate for about 20 minutes, the tripod on soil will settle. One leg may settle on a rock early in the settling process, just below the surface, while the other legs will dip a bit further, even a few mm. That will draw the level bubble well out toward the edge of the level's window. Yes, a more massive whole is trickier to level now, but it must be done with care anyway if one learns that the tripod has gone off level during the mount placement.
Levelling pre scope, even pre mount, just helps towards the final levelling and not trying to hold up all that weight for to long as you go around adjusting each leg. Usually, once it's level with the scope on, it tends to be fine after that as long as your gear is all balanced.
From my own experience I recommend not using the inbuilt bubble level. Not very accurate at all. Use a seperate bubble level on the tripod before putting on the mount.
I tested this and you're right. I found was off by a fair amount. I'll have to check in other ways to see though. But thanks for bringing it up!
As far as it is repeatable, you are fine
Great info. Thank you. I just got one and this answered questions.
Oh, what is the disaster if the vixen holder screws come off? I'll try not to, but just curious. Hey, I see your cat likes when you do astronomy too. It's kind of perfect for cats: human outdoors for hours at night, too busy to want much attention from the cat, but willing to give a scuffle when they rub on your leg.
If the screws come off with nothing on it, not much, the clamp will just fall off. If there is a scope in it, the scope falls off with them.
Haha yes, my cat has made an appearance in most of my videos.
Thanks for this. I have one arriving next week. But I was assuming you’d be aligning it also. Surely that’s a pretty important part of ‘set up’. Or is that a separate video?
Hi Stuart, I have another video going through those steps in the next video right after this one.
Nice rig, are u pushing the capacity to the limit having that extra counter weight on? U have 11lbs left after that lol?
It's close to the limit... Lol
Setting it up on a hard surface or adding some feet would help with sinking.
Hi; i use iPhone level on the tripod; (so far) have not had to adjust legs after installing mount; it's bubble is centered. Question: my EQ6-pro has a weight bar extension, so i only need 2 11# counterweights; the mount supports 44#; how can you have so much weight on the rig? the LX200 is 27# + accessories is like 35# ; you must have 30# with the 3 counterweights; how does that work? (i should have majored in astronomy/physics at the U).
Hey, the quoted weight capacity is for the instruments and excludes the counterweights. If including that, you could claim it has 88 pounds capacity. Most manufacturers state the instrument (OTA, accessories, camera, etc.) and not the combined weight with counterweights.
The only thing I would watch with using the extension is to make sure you can see it and it doesn't come in contact with anything around it. You can make sure of this at night by getting some glow in the dark tape which works really well.
Did it come with the tripod? I bought mine a few weeks ago and it won't be here until January. Almost 8 months from now. It shows one in the picture on optics planet where I bought it from. But I just wanna make sure for the 16 hundred bucks I spent it will have it with it. Thanks for the great information bud. I will be watching a few more times once it gets here.
Sorry I didn't get to your comment. I hope you got the mount with tripod. It comes with one for the price you mentioned.
@@southphysicsobservatory6336 yes I did. But we got it from FLO in a week and cancelled the order from OTP. But now I have other questions lol. Like why when I try to put in the lat-lon does it not show up as the same numbers as given by the app or map? Like if it says 26°68"26 on the app and I try to put that in. No matter what I do it shows up like this 266°82' and wont let me put any thing else in. And I know tyats not right. So should I just use the first few numbers?
so, how many counter weights have dropped on your foot, possibly an emphasis on replaceing the retaining screw would be good, rather than leaving it on the tray, but regardless, nice video on set up of the EQ6R PRO.
Lol Luckily none. But I do mention it needs to be replaced for safety.
@@southphysicsobservatory6336 yes , saw it later on in video, sorry wasn't being confrontational, but s they weigh 5 kios each could cause a bad injury if the whole lot came off , just thought it ws worth a mention 😉
@@lumleytc Definitely could cause some damage. Lol Some scopes have even heavier so some care should be taken.
Man, you're throwing your whole leveling off when sliding the scope on the bracket. Best to widen the saddle and place the scope on. I would also use a small level. Place it N to S and E to W. Level in each direction. A setup with that much weight is going to settle on grass throwing your leveling off. Might be best to place pavers under each foot, at least, to spread the weight out a little. If you're going to use the same spot in your yard to setup, maybe make a small cement pad.
Sliding the scope on vs putting it into a wider bracket makes no difference if you're not catching the bracket with much force to tip the tripod. I've tried both, no difference. Keeping the bracket closed and sliding it actually helps to steady the scope and keeps it from tipping out of the bracket sideways. It's much safer this way. Settling on the grass depends on the soil type and compaction. This didn't change. You can add pavers if you'd like. No biggie. The weight of the mount and counter weights do a lot to sink the feet initially anyway. Also, using a center, circular level does perfectly well to level so there's no need to waste time measuring the level in four directions.
Suddenly, all the Internet experts are spouting...
@@willisa123 Not suddenly. Two months ago. LMAO
What hard case is that?
SKB 2922-16 (22"x22"x16").
@@southphysicsobservatory6336 Thank you! And did you just cut a piece of foam out to fit your OTA and mount?
@@ImTheBhattman at first we just used the pluck foam that you can get with the case but after a lot of use, the foam fell apart as does most pluck foam unless you leave a lot of foam in between. We've now upgraded a lot of our cases to either softer high density polyurethane, custom cut foam (that we cut), or the harder custom cut polyethylene foam that we cut ourselves. These work much better since they don't fall apart.
What site did you order your EQ6-R Pro?
If I remember right it was OPT.
I'd be worried about the legs sinking into that soft ground, throwing everything off.
Am sure that is not it's permanent home. Mine is on my lawn and never sank. I did consider the possibility in winter and I have a brick under each leg.
May I ask what case do you use for the Mount and Scope?
Hey! The case is an SKB 2922-16 (22"x22"x16"). While it works, I think I should have bought one with about 2-4" more space in width. The area between the scope and mount has only one layer of foam, so I had to add some cardboard for stiffness. I didnt know it at the time but later found out they have a lot more sizes if you go to their website. There may be other orientations that work better so definitely map it out a bit before cutting into the foam. (copied from an earlier comment).
Feel free to ask about any other details.
where to get the tripod bag and counter-weight bag please?
Tripod bag was from amazon, vidpro tc-45. the weight bag was from harbor freight.
Bag is about an inch too short to fit easily, but it fits perfectly if you put the top in first, then squeeze each leg in, one at a time.
@@astrophyz Thanks a lot for the reply and great work you have been posting
Ice cream truck at 10 min mark
your power cord is going to snag on the tripod and rip it off as the RA rotates with the earth?
Also never adjust your counterweights whilst the retaining screw is not in place. Not unless you really want a trip the the emergency room at the hospital or a busted scope.
The power cord does not snag on anything how we set it up on here.
We also cover that issue with the counter weights in the video.
i thought I had everything correct. Like a moron, I didn't read the manual, just watched this. Then I realized I had it on backwards when I saw your the tube mount screws were on the left side...oof
You're not wrong... The mounts can really go on either side. The mount turns on assuming the starting position is "counter weight down, facing north". But I'm assuming you're talking about the big screws that sinch down the mounting plate.