Best Mounts for Astrophotography

IMO Dave Woods from Dark Frame Optics knows more about commercial mounts for astrophotography than anyone else on the planet. In this video we ask him to tell us the best mounts for astrophotography. Thx Dave
🔭Astrobiscuit website (for more info on mounts): www.astrobiscuit.com/mounts-f...
🌌 Dark Frame Optics website: bit.ly/darkframeoptics
☕Buy me a coffee (can’t do this without you!): www.buymeacoffee.com/astrobis...
💛 Be my patron (and ask me questions): / astrobiscuit
🕺💃🏾 ASK QUESTIONS HERE (an army of nerds in the astrobiscuit community will answer): / discord
🎵Riktenstein's Awesome Album: riktenstein.bandcamp.com
🎁Pink Bunny Merch!!!! (if you have any ideas let bunny know!): teespring.com/stores/astrobis...

[@fspinacz]

Dude! Your enthusiasm, creativity, knowledge, and quite some skill with video editing make your content absolutely delightful to watch. I just got an AstroMaster 130 as a gift and I'm super hyped to begin the adventure :)

[@SeriesofClu]

Damn he’s pumping out the uploads gotta love it keep going biscuit

[@Chris-Theodore]

I was about to say the same thing! Thx Sir Biscuit!

[@TheZ3roCool]

Called David to talk about a Rail Kit for my NEQ6 and ended up chatting for about 45 minutes. Very nice chap and knows his stuff!!

[@poruatokin]

Talks big, but can't run a business and has been horrible to actually purchase from.

[@williamhamilton2440]

Excellent videos that help to make the bewildering field of astrophotography more inviting to us beginners. Thank you Mr Biscuit. You should be on the telly mate!

[@astrostufftomtrubridge7915]

Back in the early 80s on completion of my electrical engineering apprenticeship Highbury college Portsmouth, one of my lecturers was a guy called Robin Gorman he eventually became precedent of the local astronomy group running in Clanfield Hants , the nice thing was he also gave evening classes during the 80s at Highbury building instructing small groups to build simple Dobsonian telescopes, sadly Robin recently passed, but will remember him as a keen helpful person with a deep passion for Astronomy, when I watched this It reminded me of him and DFO at Clanfield Hants, also the home of Hampshire astronomical group. Being in semi retirement I've been keen to persue some imaging again, enjoying the hobby and learning more about new tech thats available ..Great video's Rorey..atb👍👍.

[@Astrobiscuit]

cheers bud and thx for watching

[@andysPARK]

I'm just researching astrophotography as a potential hobby and actually, this is the most helpful video so far. Thanks guys....

[@Steve-br7wt]

Love the production value of your channel. Very entertaining.

[@caramba10]

I don't even have a telescope but am enjoying watching your video's, you seem really at ease in front of a camera, it's a pleasure to watch and you do deserve a slot on mainstream TV (Sky at Night maybe?).

[@DariusPaveliu]

Thank you! Been waiting for this one.

[@xxstr8jacketxx]

I just want to say I'm new to this whole astrophotography thing.you are my absolute favorite on youtube to watch I can only imagine hanging out with a dude like it you seem really fun!!

[@stew_redman]

ANOTHER Astrobiscuit video!!!! Fantastic. Thankyou.

[@poruatokin]

I got to know about Dave's company through this video and have just ordered a "Stellardrive 5 ULTRA" from him which is a brand new, reworked HEQ5 with all his tuning and a Rowan Belt Mod included as standard. Can't wait to start playing with it!! I did mention this channel so there might be some commission coming your way!! EDIT - I finally got my mount from Dave - it has been an absolutely horrible and frustrating experience with late delivery, faulty assembly, horrible, horrible customer service where he completely refuses to answer. Best advice is walk the other way, do NOT do business with this guy - he talks big but does not deliver on his promises.

[@nadirteymurov1]

Great video ! Makes me happy that I own AZ-EQ6 and previously HEQ5 for 5 years.

[@HEXZ0R-]

this is like a TV show :D i cant stop watching ,u are very good at doing all of this man , hope u get your own tv show one day :D u are born for this

[@brentfugett2700]

THANK YOU for a proper rundown of all the important points. You lined out in 8 minutes what I've been trying to grapple with for months. Question though: Trying to decide on what level I want to come in at, the Sky Watchers I'm seeing here in the states are the EQM-35 for $725 and the HEQ5 for $1,150, that's quite a gap in price from the EQ3 and EQ5 mentioned here. Is there a significant difference?

[@callumsify]

ive got the eq5 tracks perfectly for a beginner without any upgrades im happy with it and great to see another video from you i do like them keep posting more

[@Astrobiscuit]

cool. and thx bud

[@ThalanorThornhale]

I am watching your videos multiple times because I love your content and Rick's music.

[@TheJerryRN]

This video contains the single most important information so far in my entire two year AP career. I watched this video when it first came out… I enjoyed it and thought I had really learned something. Fast forward to yesterday and while watching again I was amazed at how much more I got out of it. Hands down on the my best mount learning moments. I will be ordering my Skywatcher Heq5 now! Thank you for everything and power to the biscuit!

[@TeodorAngelov]

It's 400EUR more expensive than eqm35 though - what do you get in return?

[@flyer152]

Im about to get my first GO-TO mount tomorrow, a EQ5 Pro. pleased to see it mentioned on here and for some notes I can get get it better! Thanks so much for this video. I have been enjoying all your videos, I wish there is more! This mount im getting is basically going to replace my EQ2 mount which the RA gear stripped :(

[@lajo122]

Hello how much did it cost and was it good

[@s.l.astronomy6887]

Two video's in a week, this is one of the best weeks in my life. 😅👍

[@Astrobiscuit]

😅😅

[@melgigg]

Ioptron mounts are wonderful and having an eight line display when your out travelling is fantastic

[@jonviga]

I bet Rory is preparing for the Saturn and Jupiter day! Hope the weather clears in Britain! We’ve had few amazing nights here around S. France. Man...a week without a video and is like i miss something😜

[@dazzab81]

Never really been a geek/nerd but thanks to your videos I'm fast becoming one so thank you 😂 always had a fascination with the sky and I've always wanted a telescope but it's always looked a bit complicated and expensive but you make it look so easy and fun so thank you again for the inspiration... I will definitely be sky watching with a telescope and camera soon

[@SmeeUncleJoe]

Just start out with an 8 or 10 inch dobsonian. Leave some of your powder dry for quality eyepieces. You don't want t learn to drive in a hot rod.

[@dazzab81]

@@SmeeUncleJoe learning to drive in a hot rod good way of putting it and i suppose thats the thing nowadays people want it right here right now instead of learning the basics, thanks for the reply and tips 👍

[@NG-VQ37VHR]

I'm in the states and First Light Optics is where I was able to source the rowan belt mod for my Orion Sirius(HEQ-5) mount. No issues at all and have ordered several products from them since. They are outside of the US, but don't seem to have a problem shipping to us over here. Its a magical modification, BTW. Everyone who has an heq5 needs to do it immediately. It's the best $100 you'll ever spend for your rig.

[@musashi3036]

Nice video astrobiscuit :) you have inspire me into astronomy Quick question, have you ever tried looking for meteorites?

[@TravelWithLinAndBilly]

Perfect timing thank you

[@User1dentification]

Oh yes! -> Finally a new Video!

[@MetalZlig]

Fun and very informative video, thanks! :D

[@qwertyu2387]

I had heq5 tuned up by DarkFrame. Gone for StellarDrive 5. The difference before and after was massive. Simply we talking about two completely different pieces of kit. Currently I have eq6 r pro and idea of having it tuned up is very tempting.

[@Astrobiscuit]

it would be quite something.... you'd need a really lon fl scope to test it

[@ThalanorThornhale]

Because of this video I sent my mount to Darkframe optics! I am looking forward to getting it back soon!!!

[@poruatokin]

Did you ever get it back? My experience with Darkframe has been awful, late delivery, poor assembly, missing parts (that I am still waiting for 6 months later)

[@benwalsham8896]

Extremely enjoyable as per usual 🙌

[@andrewlindenfeld6222]

I’m in the states and recently got a cem70. Now I love it. Tracks beautifully. But out of curiosity, what would that cost to have tuned up? It’s very new, so I couldn’t find anything on their site

[@lukeybaby45]

Perfect timing as I am talking myself in to buying an HEQ5. Also, I wasn't aware of Dark Frame optics, so thanks for helping me spend yet more money 😂😂

[@evildiesel1709]

Did you buy one? I have the same dilemma now😁.

[@lukeybaby45]

@@evildiesel1709 I didn't in the end. I've decided to keep my kit portable enough to hike with and am shifting more to landscape astrophotography 🙂

[@evildiesel1709]

I'm probably heading that way myself. Had myself convinced I needed a HEQ5

[@jasonmcintosh2632]

Love your honest and enthusiastic channel. Does this guy sell tune up kits/guides for people in the US who aren’t going to be shipping mounts overseas???

[@Riktenstein]

Dave comes across like a proper nice geezer.

[@reecepruis6322]

Niiiice!

[@PetraKann]

Very little difference between a geezer and a tosser my friend

[@layhervamp]

looks are deceptive. just paid a small fortune for stellar5 drive upgrade, cam back with grinding bearings and missing parts. mount has been reduced to an expensive paperwright! Never again!!

[@pmasters2]

Dave fixed up an old eq6 (black version, remember them?!) and its running 0.6/0.8 arc seconds still after about 3 years. He’s a great guy. He also put the rail kit on which is definitely the most affordable of the ways to solve the horrendous altitude bolt issues on the mount. Would highly recommend. Also, his shed really is awesome :)

[@Astrobiscuit]

he's rebuilt the exterior of his shed. I expect he was a bit gutted I filmed the old one. 🤣thx

[@pmasters2]

@@Astrobiscuit I'm glad I'm not the only one who couldn't find his house though, that first bit made me laugh!

[@luboinchina3013]

I am so grateful for UK lockdowns. Each time during lockdown we get a new astrobiscuit videos😄

[@Astrobiscuit]

🤣

[@LukeSutherland.]

After watching this video I have purchased an Eq6-R Pro. I was going to originally buy a Celestron CGX Mount but it will be out of stock for quite some time. I will be pairing the Eq6-R Pro with an Orion Astrograph 10. I hope this mount will be able to handle the large scope without problems.

[@shatterpointgames]

I love the music in your videos. It's cool to see the man behind the madness. The music is perfect because it captures the unhinged astro obsessed personally that I think you try to portray in your videos. I feel like I'm in the head of a mad genius as I watch and listen.

[@Riktenstein]

Thanks - much appreciated!

[@danielbeetsma6118]

Beethoven was pretty much a mad genius, yep.

[@scopex2749]

Just got back from dropping off my mount with David (we're not worthy............we're not worthy) the OBI KENOBE ACE JEDI of astronomy mounts his force is STRONG! Had a lovely chat with loads of tips to get me set up in a dark place......ooo er missus....watch my dark place.....Many thanks to him for sorting my loose bits...😀

[@wvastrophotography655]

Keep up the videos man, I love the diversity and the schmorgusborge of content.

[@Zealor365]

This was actually a rather good video. Bravo!

[@astroadventures3559]

I was like hell yea more astro biscuit this week!!! Great info I would love to send it out to him but he needs to expand so we wont have to wait a year to get it back. I'm still waiting to get my telescope mount I got the perfect scope with no mount for it. Just a star tracker for my camera And Orion is back so I'm going to get some data here soon.

[@Daniel-ms2nz]

New merch for Christmas. 🤶🎅🎄 Proper KZbinr now mate 👍👍

[@MartinLeeney]

Dave Hypertuned my brand new HEQ5 Pro mount as it was terrible out of the box. When I got it back I couldn't believe what he'd achieved with it. Now it tracks all night at between point 2 to point 6 of one arc second. He is a genius.

[@Astrobiscuit]

that is better than mine🤣

[@davidwoods6326]

@@Astrobiscuit Yours is older, and may need a service... 😉

[@111pokemonhacker]

Just in time for my college final project :) thank you

[@PafMedic]

I Finally Decided To Go With The Eqm35Pro For My 6se,and The Evoguide 50ed,So I Can Use It for Stand Alone Wide Field Imagining🙏🏻❤️🇺🇸🔭🌏...Be Safe,God Bless,and Clear Skies

[@gdlambert9736]

I just got my first ever mount an Eqm 35 pro and i see it is on your website list! Well pleased haha. Plus, if i get Dave to have a fiddle could be even better! 👍👍

[@Astrobiscuit]

yes it would. he says there is not much fiddling to do with this mount from home. the grease should already be ok

[@gdlambert9736]

@@Astrobiscuit Excellent! i will get in contact. Big fan of yours keep up the good work! two videos so quickly is a treat. All the best! :)

[@SuperEddietv]

Dave "Two sheds" Woods. I love that he compared Ioptrons "with the upper echelon". I was beginning to think this was a Skywatchers are good when they are fixed video. Had one, hated it. Have an Ioptron, love it. Cool video, watching from the states.

[@agri_mitch178]

Hi there biscuit, really interesting video. Also do you know if you can get a belt mod for the eqm35pro ?. 👍

[@RossWynne]

Thanks for this video. I contacted Dave overnight and am shipping my CGEM II from Dubai to him. We have high nighttime temps and high humidity so best to get him setting it up for extremes. It’s barely capable of tracking for 30s guided as it is and the RA axis is sticky with an 8”HD on top.

[@poruatokin]

Did you ever get it back?

[@krazyhartin]

I'm glad, people like Dave Woods are out there. I had thoughts about mounts, if they're serviced and looked after right, they will last forever. But Dave takes it further, with better bearings, lubrications and belt upgrades for finer and smoother tuned tracking.

[@poruatokin]

Dave Woods is not a good person to deal with. Hell take your money then make a million excuses why your parts are delayed. Avoid doing any business with him.

[@marbasfpv4639]

@@poruatokin I'm in the same boat. I ordered an HEQ5 Rail system that never got shipped. Have you had any luck getting your money back, chargeback?

[@poruatokin]

@@marbasfpv4639 No, he is a charlatan who talks a lot and never delivers. I managed to fix his shoddy workmanship on the mount I bought and have moved on. I just made sure other people got to know about him by posting my experience on Cloudy Nights (member name archiebald in the mounts section) plus on Google Reviews. Another member on CN waited 14 months and had to finally pay a lawyer before he could get his $6,000 mount returned.

[@radar3518]

Hi. First of all great videos. I've seen almost all of them in under a week. Keep up the great work. Quick question though. I own a Canon6D II and a Canon T5i. Also I have a Canon 70-200 lens and a 2x converter. On the 6d that means 400mm focal length. On the T5i that means 640mm. However, I get stuck with f.8 on the 6D and f.13 on the t5i (crop factor). Now, the 6D II can handle high ISOs. On the T5i anything above ISO 800 becomes unusable (and 800 is already a strech). I figure that if my milky way shots with the 6D II and a 20mm f1.8 are taken without a star tracker with a 20s exposure, that means: Canon 6D II 400mm f.8 3200ISO: 60seconds exposure time. Canon t5i 640mm f.13 800ISO: 130seconds. My question is: Are those entry level star trackers (like the move shot move or the sky watcher SAM mini) good enough to support a canon 6dii or a t5i with a 70-200mm L lens and a ball head and a 2x teleconverter for 60 or 130s? Or which budget trackers should I aim for? BTW: the purpose here is to try and shoot DSOs and not the milky way 😁 Thanks a lot and again... great work man.

[@maximuscassius3121]

I have spoken to Dave I live in Philadelphia these guys were a lifesaver my EQ 35 skywatcher from First Light Optics in the UK would not honor or repair what was clearly a bad motor within its warranty. I sent my f'upped mount to Dark Frame optics for repair. It was unbelievably easy Fedex picked it up Fedex returned it And It was less than 500 bucks no wonder I got my doctorate in the UK. We are talking about repairs to a motor and a 15 lb package. Nothing more satisfying than good customer service! I highly recommend them!

[@thepedalsadvocate7389]

This video is fantastic. And very helpful. And effing hilarious.

[@Gally80]

Two videos in a week love it

[@MalcolmCrabbe]

You need to do a follow up, so we can see what is done in the process of tuning a mount, be interesting to see / hear what the secret is :)

[@gazza9839]

Very interesting @Astrobiscuit ... been tempted myself. Dave is a top bloke, he helped me by email on my old AVX (at no cost !) My only worry is the courier company both ways :-(

[@ngers3614]

I would say, the best budget mount for beginners is the Az-gti. very mobile and cheap. mine can handle a TS72ED with a guidingscope easily with the right counterweight. I am using it with a raspberry pi (Astroberry installed). it just needs a smartphone to control it.

[@JoeLewis14]

Hi, bud. New to your channel, ans new to astronomy. Great work. Anyway, is it possible to get a mount for a Dobsonian Apatura AD12? I would like to get something that would allow live tracking for it. The EQ8 Pro seems plausible. Maybe a video on how to achieve this?

[@AstroAdictosMX]

Hi from México, I like so much your channel!! I don't remember if Dave comment some of little more voltage fot the mount. 1 or 2 more volts? Thank You!!

[@russellhawkins2723]

Young man you tickle me. Will watch them all, like little movies. Happy Thanksgiving

[@imahol3]

Awesome another video!

[@purplesky7893]

Nice vid thank you sooo much

[@sebastianpainsi53]

I use an AltAz mount (the one you used in you deep space for 150 pounds video) for imaging. Of course it wobbles and some images are trash, but I'm super happy with it and it works fine when it's balanced right and the target is high enough.

[@Astrobiscuit]

well done. It means you are very skillful

[@sebastianpainsi53]

@@Astrobiscuit I'm still a lil bit of a newbe, using an achromatic refractor and a stock DSLR, but I'm happy. Maybe I'll get a DAC for Christmas. BTW. I'm that guy who messaged you on Instagram asking for what app you're using to remove the stars in a picture

[@ByTheRedEmbers]

When I have a telescope question, I come to Astrobiscuit

[@reecepruis6322]

I've got myself a Meade LX85. What are your thoughts on that one? (Carries my gorgeous 8Inch F5 Newt)

[@astroazores]

I image with a eq3 pro mount and so far I'm satisfied!

[@TheUrbanAstronomer]

Great info 👌

[@chuck3814]

Best Astro channel on KZbin

[@kazinkap]

Im about to buy the 150P newtonion, can you recommend a budget and a medium set of eyepiece, since i prefer to look trough them, and witch sizes to buy?

[@SpaceyMcSpaceFace]

Just spent an hour on the phone with David - really grateful for all his help and just a genuinely good chat about all things astro. Thanks David 😊

[@poruatokin]

He's great at talking, not so great at actually delivering.

[@Clockworkg1rl]

I need an advice about mounts: I have an offer of cg5 with synscan and a bit newer eq5 with on step. Both are used, cg5 might seen some good skyes out of town. Prices are for $530 for eq5 and $620 for cg5. I have 5" refractor and 6" newton. What mount should I choose?

[@prnzssLuna]

The eq6-r pro really works very well out of box. Even as a beginner I was able to get 10 min subs without any problems, even tho I totally forgot to balance dec :D. Fixed it by now, but it's a really good mount

[@kevinashley478]

How about the EQM-35?? Is it worth getting or should i just go with the HEQ5? I am disabled, so weight is a bit of concern for me.

[@JVRost]

An eternal topic for astrophotography)) I live in Odessa from Ukraine, so I apologize for my English. I am your subscriber and you have a very cool channel. I also have my own channel and I am also passionate about astrophotography. This summer I finished modifying my astro tracker SW Adventurer, I managed to do a belt drive on my tracker. Now the periodic error at a load of 3.8 kg ( Canon 550D cooling DIY, ZM-6A 500 mm guiding Datyson T7M & 135 mm) is about 0.78 - 0.92" So the tracker has potential under the condition of the application of the hands and head.

[@mikebeatstsb7030]

Yes Dave 👍💯

[@2badger2]

Great video! Does Dave Woods known any places in the USA, I'm in CA, that does this? There was one place in AZ but he stopped doing it. I just bought a EQ-6 and would like it to get a tuneup, it work great but as a retired engineer I always think about preventive maintenance.

[@Fam2014Ch]

I like the "Orange" Pink Bunny better !!! Good episode amigo... Salute !!!

[@lukemiller-hall5556]

This man deserves way more subs

[@charliekempf]

What about a video on recommendations for beginner, mid-range, and dream DSLRs for AP?

[@reidchandler6486]

I really like the bunny rig sweatshirt!

[@amounifnd]

Seriously the best vid on mounts as it removes all the BS. Great incentive to tune my EQ5 rather than buy a new one.

[@danjensen9425]

A big question I have would a hypertune done on a new cgemll Mount that gets rid of stiction and replaces the bearings for ceramic ones improve autoguiding guiding. Great video thanks

[@Astrobiscuit]

You'll have to ask dave. link below. thx

[@GarnettLeary]

Fantastic video idea. Nice surprise to log in and see your post. I want the shirt. Clear skies.

[@Astrobiscuit]

hey man, 😊hope your good

[@bingus2550]

The return of the king

[@mikebenengtouncry3613]

NEW VIDEEOOOO. im getting the eq6r pro (:

[@Phillyo118]

I have a HEQ5 Pro with the Rowan Belt mod that I've just bought second hand, and the mount seems a bit 'sticky' when rotating it to try and find accurate balance. Would getting some decent grease on it help with that? How hard is it to do? I'd really like the EQ6R Pro in the future. Looks like a fantastic mount!

[@chrisvig123]

Definitely help…it’s easy

[@MrGChuff]

Damn I was looking at booking a tune last night. He’s gonna busy after this

[@Jazzynet100]

Sir Biscuits you spoil us! Still thinking of designs. Google ewf official have a look at how they do there merch. The explorer t shirts are pictures they have taken and then made to look artistic. So I guess really say on the front you would have your logo then maybe on the back one of the pictures you have taken. Maybe you and bunny sat next to fancy pant done in that way...

[@CAREFREEOBSERVATORY]

We will be Purchasing a Planewave L500 w/Matching Weddge, Any Thoughts? for semi Professional Observatory in Carefree, AZ USA

[@Notchrhino55]

Been trying to get a EQ6-R PRO for months, should have had one in October, now its January :( What would you say are the best eye pieces? i have a couple of Baader Hyperion which seem pretty good.

[@KW86.]

Awesome, I never knew this information, ok now is next.

[@clarkeysam]

Hi AstroBiscuit and community, I'm looking to get my first DSLR or mirrorless camera. My hope is to use it for holiday pictures (backpacking far flung countries), when hiking in the UK, and hopefully for Astrophotography. Is there anything I should be looking for or looking to avoid when looking at cameras? If going down the DSLR route, does it matter if it's Nikon or Canon? Is there an appreciable difference between the entry level, say Canon 2000D (circa £340) and the next level up (about £550)? Any recommendations?

[@HogarthsAstrophotography]

I had a AZ-EQ6 Pro tuned by Dark Frame. (Stellar drive) It did take a while to come back and unfortunately it sounded like a bag of spanner’s was in the mount whilst slewing. Sent it back to Dark Frame and another 2 months later it came back fixed. Overall the mount got tuned to what was offered, but took a total of 5 months to get it sorted, of which I was without any mount for 99% of that time. That shouldn’t put people off, the suspicion from Dave was that the courier dropped it the first time. I’ll never know. Dave certainly knows his stuff

[@Astrobiscuit]

hey fella thx for that. It must have been most frustrating.

[@robinj.9329]

So wonderful to meet a genuine EXPERT in his chosen field! ❤️ I have great respect for anyone that can FOCUS on just one bit of "kit" or piece of Technology, and become THE EXPERT on it! Thank You for introducing us to this very interesting person !!! A genuine "Treat"! And I'm no geek! But just a sort of "Teckie" when it come to all sorts of "Science and Technology"! (Please! I spent a lifetime selling all sorts of products directly to "Consumers"! And "we" Professionals NEVER use the work "Cheaper"!!! Train yourself to say; "Less EXSPENSIVE !" Or "It cost a bit LESS ". )

[@ntbarone]

So question Mr. Biscuit. If I purchased an EQ3-2 and regreased it. What EQ Mount Upgrade Kit would you recommend to get it tracking?

[@douweodh4146]

I own an EQ6 pro (without the R) which is right out of the box capable of guiding at 0.6-0.8 arc sec.

[@jefflucas_life]

I'll say - Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro, EQM 35 Pro and Orion Atlas II, Orion Sirius Pro for best price and reliability.

[@brentfugett2700]

Good to know, I started out with a Star Adventurer but can quickly see I need more stability so looking at the EQM-35. I think even if I go larger I'll want the portable rig for wide field DSLR shots. I was a little bummed though that these bigger ones still depend on the flimsy little illuminator. Seems like they could just build a dimmable red led into the mount. Oh well, still researching.

[@jonviga]

Astrobiscuit better have clean skies over London!!! 😎😎👍🏻