My Impression of the Sky Watcher HEQ5 Pro

In this video I'd like to share my impressions of the HEQ5 Sky-Watcher Mount with you.
Join me in my journey in astrophotography from a beginner perspective. If you follow me along you will know what you need and what you can expect.
Gear: (with affiliate links)
William Optics Zenithstar 73/430 at OPT (bit.ly/3YFYLc2)
Sky Watcher HEQ5 Pro (bit.ly/3jdJWNs)
William Optics 50/200 mm Rotolock Guide Scope (bit.ly/3VcXLsH)
Canon EOS 6D (amzn.to/3BSrlwP)
Omegon 1200 Color CMOS Guide Camera (bit.ly/3jdKPWi)
MeLE Quieter3C (amzn.to/3VrFyIh)

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

I've recommended the HEQ5 as a starter mount for quite a few years now as they pretty much just work, my partner has had hers for 10+ years & hasn't been modded in any way but has always guided beautifully. It's nice to see that they're finally fitting dual saddles to these mounts to so they can take a Losmandy dovetail & not just a vixen type. I think I already know the modification you're thinking of fitting to which would be the Rowan belt mod, if it is you will definitely see a difference in the guiding & how much quieter the mount is when slewing. Even though I always recommend the HEQ5 I've got the EQ5 pro which does work (eventually) but I pretty much had to strip it down re-grease everything & readjust both axis to get any decent guiding from it.

[@DocAstro]

Yes, it is a great mount that lies in a very sweet spot. Enough to hold a camera and a lens but with room to upgrade! Exactly, that’s the modification. I just had to have this as I love working on this kind of stuff. And I really appreciate silent and smooth working equipment :-) Thank you for your comment!

[@bokvaj]

@@DocAstro i also recommend to change the bearings. its was significantly better afterwards ;)

[@Bobby-fj8mk]

The most important thing about the mount is the ST4 port - that plugs into a guide camera and the guide camera sends pictures to the laptop and the laptop- with say PHD2 guiding software - sends back commands to the guide camera - which are re-sent to the mount via the ST4 port for perfect tracking of the stars.

[@PetterAstrom]

ST4 port is really useless. You do not want to use that, you want to use autoguiding tool like PHD2 for a far superior guiding performance. Simple search on youtube will give you more information

[@JoeBob79569]

I just ordered one of these as my first motorised mount, and I didn't know the hand controller had been replaced with an app and dongle. So you saved me having a heart attack when it arrives with no controller!

[@DocAstro]

😂

[@Techno_dad]

i did the rowan belt upgrade too and makes it more better in the sound department and overall it seems better too. if you do it be careful the board is rubbish connections i had to solder one port back on which gave me a panic attack considering the price but luckily im good with a solder. i might get the better board for it.

[@AstroCrescentDIY]

Nice and honest review. Very well done!

[@DocAstro]

Thank you!

[@salahsana3481]

Good job. Thanks

[@Techno_dad]

not sure if im annoyed or happy but i got mine a few back and it came with the controller, not that i use it anyway as im all zwo and asi air setup. nice review as well enjoying your channel. :)

[@jonrobinson1026]

Just bought eq 5 pro. Have 12v power supply. Plugged it in and it began to whistle ...zzzzzz whatever you want to call it. Is this norma ?

[@captaincook6666]

Hi mate. I am looking at this as next step from my SW AZGTi in EQ mode. I use synscan and sharpcap on a laptop for plate solving. Assume you can still do same with this?

[@DocAstro]

I haven’t tried but I am pretty sure. I plate solve with Nina and eq mod

[@NJ_Galactic]

I have a star adventurer pro2i with a Sigma 150-600mm as I am tired of using my 300mm lens. Would you consider this to be a good upgrade and more stable than a pro2i?

[@DocAstro]

Hi Rick_, this will be definitely the case. I don't own the pro2i but the weight you can load onto the HEQ5 Pro is significantly higher and you will have a much smoother tracking and guiding with it. You can't go wrong with a bigger mount if mobility is not that important. And of course you will be able to upgrade to a telescope with the HEQ5

[@callumvernon7053]

I was rocking the same setup as you, make sure your balance is good on Dec and RA. With a guide cam and scope you’ll get 2 min exposures easily. Without I was only hitting about 20sec at 600mm, probably could push it to 30 but the success rate would be far worse!

[@Oxizee]

Where is the video with the Rowan Belt mod?

[@SpaceyMcSpaceFace]

If you can get under 1arc-seconds tracking accuracy, you're laughing with even the cheapest £100 scope

[@danielshade710]

At no point did you sway and swivel around carefully guiding your telescope so your impression needs work. Maybe start with impressions of dinosaurs or construction equipment. Any way thanks for all the words despite the lack of comedy.

[@DocAstro]

Thank you for your feedback. Will consider that.

[@DocAstro]

And until then check out my other videos, maybe it got better already and you appreciate them :-)