Why I Chose The HEQ5 Pro Equatorial Mount--And How I Modified It For Higher Performance
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ส.ค. 2024
- I wanted a quality equatorial mount for use in remote astrophotography at the many dark sky sites we have here in Utah. Precision and portability were my main priorities. I really liked the newer EQ6-R Pro because of its belt drive system, but I wasn't excited at all about the extra weight factor. Since I only needed a mount that would support an 80mm refractor, a DSLR, and a 50mm guide scope, the EQ6-R Pro was kind of overkill anyway, but that belt drive feature...
Then I came across the belt drive upgrade kit for the HEQ5 Pro from Rowan Astronomy in the UK. That sealed the deal for me! I ordered an HEQ5 Pro and the Rowan upgrade kit.
In this video, I document the entire upgrade procedure as I carry it out on my own mount. I did this with a hope that those who were considering whether they should attempt this work themselves would feel more confident in their ability to successfully complete the job. I hope someone out there finds this video helpful.
As always, your questions and comments are welcome.
Clear skies everyone!
Note: This is an upgraded version of the original video I had posted on my channel.
I love the message at the end. The world needs more coaches like you.
What a kind thing to say... I'm happy my little message resonated with you.
Fantastic mindset, Mark. I whole-heartedly agree that people don't realize their true potential, and hold themselves back because they think they can't pull what they want off. The interesting thing is that everything is built up of the same constituents. You can approach art and music creation, motorcycle maintenance, general fixes and everything in-between in the same simple, clear-headed way. I also build motorcycles, make music, love astrophotography and art, and a ton more, and I am learning new things every day with this exact mindset and approach.
Thanks for this great video, and it's nice to see more likeminded spirits out there. Keep it up! W.
Walid, thank you for your kind assessment of my work. It's nice to meet a fellow traveler who relates with my vibe. I've spent my life encouraging people to discover, accept, develop, and share their unique gifts with the world--to live their unique lives fully! I created my TH-cam channel to demonstrate to people that it's OK to put yourself out there to the whole, wide world! I create each video with the hope that it may bring joy and/or meaning to someone out there. Obviously, this video did that for you! Thanks for telling me. Do you have a channel I can check out?
@@markswain4111 Awesome to hear that Mark! I'll keep checking your videos. Yes I do have my channel here on TH-cam. It's grown quite big. I show aspiring artists and musicians how to create art and music. Best, Walid
@@WalidFeghali Wow--you're a master of understatement my friend! You are approaching 200K subscribers! And what great content you have put out to the world! I'm very new at TH-cam--just over a year. My goals are pretty simple: Share fun, informative, and uplifting content with my fellow travelers on the good Earth. It is nice to have made your acquaintance. I wish you continued success in your work!
@@markswain4111 many thanks and best of luck to you as well!
Thank you for this video. I’m very impressed with the detailed explanation, organisation and how the procedure was performed in a very tidy fashion. Really professional. Besides, what a wonderful message at the end.
Berlin Brandenburg, thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to offer your kind words regarding my video. I am so happy you found value in viewing it. In my work as a life coach, I have come to discover that every human being is filled with greatness! It is been my privilege and my joy to help people discover, accept, develop, and share their personal greatness with the world.
Superb from start to finish. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind words Jonathan. I am really happy you found my video useful.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I know it's been 2 years since the video was made but this mount continues to be a great one.
Thank you for your kind words. I'm happy you found value in viewing my video. I own two HEQ5 Pro mounts. One is in my backyard observatory, and I use the other one with the field tripod to take to remote sites. I love the HEQ5 Pro.
Excellent video! I ordered the kit for my HEQ5 Pro only a few hours before I found your video. Can't wait for the kit to arrive..... 👍
Thank you for your kind words Brian. I'm happy you found value in viewing my video. I think you'll enjoy doing the modification--I did. The added precision from the belt drive upgrade is a real plus for astrophotography!
am about to purchase one of these mounts next week so your clear and concise instructional is very much appreciated. By showing the belt in operation with lack of any backlash proves the real benefit of this mod - many thanks .
Sandra, thank you for your kind words regarding my video. You are going to be marvelously happy with the belt mod! All those challenges that are present with the meshing of metal gears will be a thing of the past! Clear skies!
Thanks Mark, Excellent video. I am stuck away from home for weeks and am considering the HEQ 5 Pro as a "Mount away from home" rig. This is very helpful.
Thank you for your comment. I think you will be happy with the HEQ5 Pro if your scope is of the smaller variety--like mine.
@@markswain4111 Thanks Mark, I have since bought it and did the Rowan Belt upgrade. It works very nicely with a Skywatcher 72 ED.
@@Wolfie6020 Happy to hear it! Clear skies!
Great video. Just retired... Utah is one state that I am thinking of retiring to... mainly for doing more astrophotography.
hangerbird, Utah is a wonderful state for astrophotography--the southern half of the state. Along the Wasatch Front, where most of the population resides, the light pollution is substantial--and the mountains keep an inversion going during the winter and California fire smoke in all summer and fall. I have only been able to use my backyard observatory a handful of times all summer because of the horrendous amount of smoke in the air...
@@markswain4111 I have been looking at southern part of the state... right over the AZ line. I like AZ, but they would love to tax my retirement to death!
@@hangerbird Please look at Utah's tax laws really close before making any decision, because Utah loves to tax everything. We have just about every kind of tax possible here...
Thank you for the closing words!
I believe the message in my closing words is ultimately more important--by magnitudes--than the main topic of my video. I'm happy my message resonated with you.
Brilliantly explained Mark. Easily one of the best Rowan Belt Mod videos out there. And the best part of your video is at 26:45 Thank you! :-)
Astrokumaon, thank you for your kind words. I am happy that you found value in investing your time to watch my video. I'm glad that my message of encouragement resonated with you as well. My life's work has been getting people to accept their personal greatness, develop it, and share it with the world--and live compelling and happy lives in the process! Clear skies!
@@markswain4111 Well done Mark :-)
@@astrokumaon3397 Thank you my friend.
It's a great mount. Had both EQ6 and HEQ6. Loved them both. But once I stepped into the Losmandy G11g I'll never go back. Truly a stellar mount.
I love all the gear I have from Losmandy. The G11 is a wonderful mount--and it costs way more than the HEQ5 Pro.
Mark Swain yes it does you're right. But the build quality and lack of maintenance made it worth it to me. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved my EG6 and still have it as a backup. It's the workhorse of Astrophotography!
Great video easy to follow awesome job mark 👍🏻🔭 I will give this a go when my mount arrives 👍🏻
I'm happy you found value in viewing my video. Have fun modifying your own mount!
Dear Mark, Ty for your tutorial and especially the motivational speech at the end. I hesitate to buy the Mount and after that do the modification because it’s too costly bud I feel in my gut I’m gonna buy it and do it anyway. I even have a 80mm ed telescope like you but it is from Sky-Watcher. Greetings from Hungary.
Syrius Lee, than you for your kind words. I am happy you found my tutorial useful. What a beautiful country you live in my friend. I would like to visit there one day. If you do decide on the HEQ5 Pro mount, you won't be disappointed--whether or not you decide to do the belt-drive mod. It is a very good mount that has proven itself over years with users all over the Earth. And, I am superbly confident that you could d the mod if you decided to!
Awesome! Thank you mark, I was looking for an easy to understand breakdown of this EQ mount. Thank you for making it.
Thanks for your kind assessment of my video. I'm happy that you found it useful. It's a wonderful upgrade to an already great mount. Clear skies!
I love your videos. I’m just a backyard thumper. Been hunting dark skies for 69 years. Wish I could afford this mount. Just beautiful. 🔭
What kind words... I'm happy you have found value in viewing my videos. I'm happy to meet yet another person who shares my love of the starry sky (I'm 67). The HEQ5pro and variants marketed under other brands has been produced for many years. It is a very good mount. They often come up for sale used. Keep an eye on your local classifieds, astronomy club classifieds, and sites that advertise used astronomy gear. I am actually going to be purchasing another HEQ5 pro, because since this video, I permanently mounted that HEQ5 in my backyard observatory. Now, I need another one for taking camping! Clear skies!
@@markswain4111 I swap my GP Polaris Mount with my Celestron C-102 mm and my joy, a TeleVue TV-76. The SM EQM-35, though less expensive, is a mishmash of stuff. The HEQ5 Pro appears to be designed from the ground up. Is that correct? I’d consider a HEQ5 and dedicate my TV-76 to it. I’ve never wanted a GoTo until I saw the HEQ5. So, would you recommend this mount to a thumper? Dark Skies🔭👍
@@cigarnationwarriors I heartily and without reservation recommend the HEQ5Pro. If you have a small refractor, I'm not sure there is a better mount at that price. And it is very portable, because it doesn't weigh a "ton." As you know, I modified mine with the Rowan belt drive. When polar aligned with my iPolar scope and software, it tracks incredibly accurate for hours on end. A couple of weeks ago, I entered my observatory at 8pm and left at 5am. During that time, I took nice images of M13, M27, M57, M42, M45, and the Eastern Veil Nebula. I'm actually going to do a video on that evening.
Great video! Never underestimate the value of photos or videos to remember how things are put together.
EV Cover band, thank you for your kind words. I'm happy that you found value in viewing my video. It sounds like some of my methodology resonated with you. Clear skies!
@@markswain4111 it definitely did, thanks for taking your time to make it.
@@evacousticmusic You are most welcome. Thanks again for taking the time to give me feedback.
I love my HEQ6R PRO Heavey but stable and on point
Awesome and great instructions on the mod. You need more subscribers sir…
You are kind my friend. I'm happy you found value in watching my video. I have many passions in life, and I derive great joy in sharing them with other people. One of those passions is astronomy! Clear skies!
Thank you!
You are most welcome. I'm happy you found value in viewing my video.
Nice video, echos my experience, great mount serves me well....
Thank you David. I appreciate your comment. And I agree with you--it is a great little mount.
Thank you for the video. I just ordered an HEQ5, mainly because I can't find an EQ6-R in stock. I was a little disappointed because I wanted a belt drive. Well, this solves the problem. My Rowan belt drive upgrade should be on the way soon!
Unless you have a heavy payload, you don't need an EQ6-R. The HEQ5 is simply more portable for smaller scopes. And with the belt upgrade, you get your cake and eat it too! Good luck with your upgrade!
Excellent video thank you.
Thank you for the nice compliment. I'm happy you found value in watching my video.
Very good video well described and very much helpful thank you for taking the time to show this upgrade, I am hoping to get this mount when it is available, and will at some point be upgrading the motor, thanks again clear skies.
Aran, thank you for your kind words. I really enjoy encouraging people to try new things and do things for themselves. I am happy that you found my video helpful. The Rowan upgrade is a great way to make a tried-and-true mount even better. Have an extraordinary day!
Super helpful! Thank you!
Did you use 4mm or 3mm extractor?
Thank you for your kind words. I'm happy you found value in watching my video. I took a chance and ordered the 4mm extractor reasoning that the shaft diameter would probably be the same for both gears. I never did measure which diameter gears my mount had, but the extractor worked marvelously well!
Nicely presented. One thing you didn't cover is adjustment of the worm/worm-gear backlash which is important.
Thank you for your kind words. I wanted to simply focus on the Rowan upgrade. My video was already getting long☺
Awesome video Mark, many thanks. I like your approach, I am similar when pulling things apart, albeit I suffer from that "fear" aspect that you mention. I would eventually like to try this, and I don't think I'd have any issues with the gears/pulleys/belts etc, it's the wire looming that scares me.
I have all the confidence in the world in your abilities to complete this project successfully--and I've not even met you. Please don't let fear keep you from doing what you can do--and do well. The trick with the wiring is to take it slowly and methodically. If you exercise patience, you will do just fine. I also found that by wrapping the wiring with electrical tape, it made it much easier to mold the wiring to the desired shape.
@@markswain4111 I had a good general mechanical background as a kid - my dad was one of those guys who could do wood work, was a plumber by trade, could do anything electrical, could fix cars and worked as a machinist (until it was found out he didn't have his trade paperwork and the union stepped in). The irony was his work shamed the other machinists on the floor, so that says a lot about trade papers lol. My dad had no fear, he'd just do it. I am not a chip off the old bloke sadly.
I lack self confidence, I'm lazy, and a severe procrastinate, I'm impatient, I'm semi OCD, and these days, my eyes aren't good with small things, even with my prescription glasses.
@@davepastern The negative traits you claim for yourself above are common to the human condition. And fear is foundational to many of them. I have suffered from mental illness in my life as well. How I healed myself is detailed in four videos on my TH-cam channel. Please be kind and patient with yourself. All human beings--including you--are filled with talent and ability. Part of the wondrous journey we call "life" is learning how to rise above fear, doubt, and negativity to claim and share our personal greatness. Please have a wonderful day!
Greatly admire your organisational approach, I modded mine and have subsequently tackled issues like worm gear meshing (backlash) and got great benefit from it, My mount carrys a 9.25" SCT and is pier mounted in a run-off shed, the mount copes well and the guiding is very acceptable.
David, thank you for your kind words. I'm happy you found value in watching my video. I have always been a process-oriented guy--I actually teach the subject. I wanted to give people confidence to perform the mod themselves. Yes, backlash is usually something that has to be dealt with in most mounts. However, as you discovered, if you approach it with some patience, you can often produce reasonable results. Sounds like you have a nice setup.
Belt drive makes it much smoother. Less noise is just a sweet extra.
Absolutely true!
Good job! It would be fun if you had taken 10 photos at maybe 5 minutes without autoguiding before the new belts and repeated the 10 photos after the new belt and see the star roundness improvement. I just bought the Rowan belt kit for my Sirius EQ-G mount. Thank you for the video.
Thank you for your kind words. Truth to tell, I haven't used my modified mount yet. This past year was hectic, and I spend my precious "astronomy time" hosting groups at my backyard observatory to introduce them to the universe. I also spent time with my 16" Dobsonian at dark sky sites. I'm hoping to do more astrophotography this coming year. Have fun modifying your mount!
Hi Mark, nice video.
I would give your mount a little more voltage. I saw that your LED flashes. A sign of a limit. I usually work with at least 13.5 V (no guarantee) This will help to keep enogh torque for some extra load and also fine guiding.
Cheers Freddy and CS
Thank you for your compliment. I'm happy you enjoyed my video. You are very observant! As I recall, when I was filming the video, I was powering the mount from a deep-cycle, gel, automotive battery. It wasn't carrying a full charge. Before I head out to remote sites, I put a full charge on that battery. It can power my mount, laptop, and camera for 4-5 hours, which is more than I usually spend imaging. Thanks again for taking the time to respond. Clear skies!
Good choise sir , I'm so regret to choose my eq6r pro , because thats heavy like rock , back pain everytime while carry it , its really not a good idea for age people , if young man then is all good 😅
You are so right my friend! I love the HEQ5 Pro. In fact, I'm going to purchase another one to replace the fork mount on my LX200 in my backyard observatory. They are such good mounts. And since my scopes are not that large, the HEQ5 Pro is perfectly adequate for my needs. And, as you said, as we age, that extra weight to lift matters (I am 67). Clear skies my friend!
What size Pinion Gear Extractor did you use 3mm or 4mm?
I ordered the 4mm, because I figured that the shaft diameter would probably be the same for both gears. I reasoned that the 4mm puller would probably work for the 3mm gear as well. I never did measure the diameter of my gears. I do know that the 4mm puller worked perfectly for me.
While the gears are driving , the gears are all loaded up - why does the backlash matter ?
I could see if you change direction , there will be a period of lost motion until the gear backlash is taken up , but once moving the backlash shouldn’t be an issue ?
What are your thoughts on this ? I just want to make sure I understand- thank you
Hi Mark - what are your thoughts on the belt drive modification now that you've used the HEQ5 for awhile? Did you notice an improvement in tracking accuracy? I have the same mount and am trying to decide on this mod to improve tracking. thanks!
Funny you'd ask... I haven't used it yet--that's right. I also have a backyard observatory and a large Dob. This past year, I hosted groups at my observatory, so much of my "astronomy time" was used in that regard. I have a Meade LX in my observatory. I also traveled to dark skies here in Utah with my Dob--with friends in the Salt Lake Astronomical Society. So, goal for 2022--get that mount out and do some astrophotography. Now, that being said, I can tell you without having used it yet, that the guiding accuracy is going to be a definite improvement, because gear-to-gear backlash is eliminated with the belt drive. Obviously, even with a belt drive system, there are going to be minute "play" issues--but vastly improved over gear-to-gear. If you are thinking of the upgrade, I'd definitely recommend it to you. I hope this helps. Clear skies!
Would you also modify your own DSLR for astrophotography (remove IR filter) ?
I had mine modified years ago by Hap Griffin but, yes, I would probably go for that as well (I like going for it in life!). Replacing the stock filter with a new one is more tedious than the belt drive upgrade. There are some good videos on how to do that.