CQ350 - Skywatcher's New Mount!!! The link between the EQ6 and EQ8!

It's been released! The CQ350 from Skywatcher!!!

[@Seafox0011]

Interesting. Probably a short production run for just the US market - to see what the take-up is first. Then if there's significant interest further batches could be bought to other global sellers. It looks to be following iOptron's lead a bit. But with more and more high capacity harmonic drive based mounts being developed one has to wonder if this mount will complete at that price point.

[@karlfortner887]

The list indicates a "Optional Polar Scope", also the "Power In" would more than likely supply the 3 2.1 power out ports.

[@DavesAstrophotography]

Looks like a direct competitor to the Celestron CGX-L in terms of payload / pricing.

[@MrTremors1]

Polar scope is the same as for the AZ-EQ5 I think. You don't look thru the actual axis, something you don't really need to do.

[@scottfairbairn6305]

Who made the decision to put all the ports at the front of the mount? Looks like cable snags will be a problem.

[@anata5127]

4300 with tripod in US. Mount is probably designed by “magicians” in IOptron. Basically, it is not German Equatorial system. It is CEM.

[@cliveroberts415]

Interesting, not one to have to set up every session though. I wonder how long it will be until we get an upgrade to the HEQ5 (HEQ5-R maybe)

[@Gordonlanguam]

You mean the eq6r pro?

[@cliveroberts415]

@@Gordonlanguam No that already exists

[@Gordonlanguam]

@@cliveroberts415 that is the upgrade to the heq5

[@cliveroberts415]

@@Gordonlanguam No its the upgrade to the NEQ6

[@tubedude54]

I question the stability of the front polar axis assembly to the base. If you look at the mount at the 7:15 mark the front polar axis is 'connected' to the base assembly through a lattice work that has extremely small members. I'd be interested if someone could attach some strain gauges to these members and let us know how stable they are.

[@JanSteffl]

Sky Watcher released first leaflets about this mount in 2019, so not a groundbreaking product intro... one could wonder why they delayed global availability and larger press exposure for so long.

[@samh4232]

I guess the iOptron patent has dropped

[@carlostejeda6191]

It looks like iOptron model