It's Time To Say Goodbye

[@mark2220]

I have the same mount, boy it really is heavy all together. It guides extremely well, but I totally understand! Always loved the breeze resistance too.

[@AstroVagabond]

Yes very stable which was important given the geometry of my EdgeHD 8 when desert wind come up. 👍

[@OldGirlPhotography]

Lifting the Edge HD scopes can't be easy either. Never used one, but have seen enough videos of people who have to find mechanical lifts or other means of getting those scopes on the mount. If your back is the issue, you may end up downsizing there as well rather than upsizing.

[@AstroVagabond]

True but 23.5 lbs does not seem to give me the challenge of the 39 lbs EQ6-R Pro head unit. So I'm comfortable lifting the EdgeHD for now.

[@larrychristianson2244]

I'm on the cusp of a similar decision with my Losmandy G11G. Wonderful mount, but lacking an observatory its getting to be a bit much for regular use. Best wishes for a quick sale to a good owner.

[@AstroVagabond]

Thanks! Yes if I had it setup in an observatory I'd keep and be happy to have it.

[@ronlundgren4391]

Dude! You almost had me crying!😂

[@AstroVagabond]

😊 Thank you for recognizing my feeble attempt at humor! Clear skies!

[@thebst6408]

@@ronlundgren4391 yeah almost 🥲

[@JonnyBravo0311]

The EQ6-R is a very heavy mount. Back when I was shopping for mounts, it was a top contender, but the weight... it's why I ended up buying the CEM40. I just couldn't see myself dealing with the weight. Now, if I had a permanent setup, it would be a different story. But, I "travel"... ok, the travel is from my garage to the end of my driveway... but still. With the EQ6-R, I'd need to always tear it down and set it up every session. I just couldn't see myself doing that in the middle of the night. With the CEM40, I carry my entire imaging rig fully assembled back and forth. I've actually been looking at the strain wave gear mounts. Not because I need a new mount, but because it would be an even lighter setup. Something like the iOptron HAE69 would have near double the payload capacity, weigh less and not need counterweights to handle my EdgeHD. Definitely on my radar :).

[@AstroVagabond]

Yeah the EQ6-R Pro weight finally caught with me but it is what it is. Thanks for the tip on the iOptron HAE69 which is now on my radar Jonny! Tips like yours is one reason I want to take my time to do the research before I purchase. While I'm getting good performance with the ZWO AM5 when my EdgeHD is mounted on it I'm not wed to the ZWO brand. Thanks again and much appreciated. 👍

[@JonnyBravo0311]

@@AstroVagabond if you're going to look at any of the iOptron HAE mounts, make sure to get the "C" version. The "B" version comes with iMate... and it's absolutely awful.

[@alajmiq8]

70 still young don't stop 🎉

[@AstroVagabond]

Not quitting, just lightening the load on my back!

[@alajmiq8]

❤ eat sesame full of calcium to support your back

[@AstroVagabond]

Thanks for the tip!

[@IronMan-2024]

Take care of your back! Jeez I’m 68, hope I can make it to 70. Clear skies!

[@AstroVagabond]

Will do! Clear skies.!

[@Richard-s5m]

I also have an 8 inch edge and eq6-r pro and am planning to purchase the wave 150 when the eq6-r pro tripod adapter is available in Canada. It will become my portable mount and the eq6-r pro will go onto a concrete pier.

[@AstroVagabond]

👏👏👏 😉

[@perry3928]

At first thought i was thinking retire it as yard art. But when you said it was your back, and not an unrepairable problem, and still a reliable piece of equipment , i agree with your decision. A lot of life left in that beast for others to enjoy. I turn 65 this month. It doesn't get any easier, but the precious memories are priceless.

[@AstroVagabond]

True on the precious memories and happy early birthday. 👍

[@robertgrenader858]

As a Landscape photographer coming to Astro in the last 2 years, I love post-processing images.

[@AstroVagabond]

I have a good workflow to process it's just that I push the processing down in priority compared to other events and activities in my life. PixInsight makes it easy enough if I just focus. Thank yoou for taking a moment to view and comment. Much appreciated. 👍

[@robertgrenader858]

@@AstroVagabond Nothing about Pixinsight is easy!

[@lenn15]

I am 38 and never considered buying a 35kg/77lb mount because I know that weight will be the no.1 thing why I am not using it even if that's the mount to go for for a heavier telescope.

[@AstroVagabond]

I went with the EQ6-R Pro because I knew it would help counter-act the effects of desert winds where I normally image on my EdgeHD 8. Subsequently through testing I've built confidence the AM5 with counter weight and sand bags on the legs will be stable enough for my EdgeHD 8 in the desert. I knew at the time of purchase of the EQ6-R Pro the ZWO AM5 was due to be released and overtime I'd gain information about the experiences other imagers were having who decided to pair the AM5 with their EdgeHD 8. What I've been hearing is mostly favorable so it was time to make a move. I had to sell the EQ6-R Pro to build the cash to probably purchase the ZWO AM3 for my RedCat 51 freeing up my AM5 for my EdgeHD. This has been my roadmap for sometime. Clear skies!

[@TheNewForestObservatory]

You should always wear a weight-lifting belt when shifting heavy stuff like that, can save you a LOT of grief!!

[@AstroVagabond]

Great tip!

[@SonnyPruitt-q1s]

Now that you have been in the hobby for a while,if you were to start over,what would you buy today if you wanted to view planets and not spend a fortune? Thanks

[@AstroVagabond]

You know I've never tried capturing an image of a planet so can't beof any help here. But great question which just gave me an idea for a video where I ask the viewers your question. I've been wondering about the same thing, stay tuned and thank you for the idea!

[@WRX2001]

Are you replacing it with something new? more lighter.

[@AstroVagabond]

Yes I think come spring time I probably will. The ZWO AM5-N looks interesting and may be the one. I'm not in a hurry to make a decision. Thasks for taking time to view and comment. Much appreciated. 👍

[@brianmahoney4156]

the most sinister clickbait of all time

[@AstroVagabond]

So true. But everything I said about the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro is true. It's a good, reliable, stable mount. No joking around about that. Thanks for taking time to drop a comment. Much appreciated. 👍

[@thebst6408]

70 still young don't stop 🎉

[@AstroVagabond]

Not stopping, just lightening the load on my back! 👍

[@thebst6408]

@AstroVagabond we love you you from Saudi Arabia and kuwait 🏜