Skywatcher EQ6 GoTo Equatorial Mount Telescope Review

The Skywatcher EQ6 is probably the best example of how technology can transform your hobby into a more pleasant experience. Regardless if you’re an amateur astronomer or an astrophotography aficionado, the Skywatcher EQ6 is the kind of tool you’ll need in order to increase the quality of your terrestrial and celestial observations.

Furthermore, the Skywatcher isn’t just any type of motorized mount. By all appearances, the Skywatcher EQ6 looks like its telescope on its own, if one is to judge by its features. Being capable of holding two telescopes at once, and a total payload of 31 kilograms, the Skywatcher EQ6 can indeed be the answer to all your mount-related necessities.

Skywatcher EQ6 Review – Product Description

According to the official Skywatcher EQ6 description, this device is a hybrid mount, meaning that it can function both as an altazimuth and equatorial mount. This type of hybrid mount can be quite useful, especially when you want to use it as an astrophotography support.

In order to enhance its stability and tracking precision, the Skywatcher EQ6 features a flashable computerized remote control, updated to latest AZ and EQ firmware. Furthermore, for ease of access, the computerized remote, which features a 2-line LED display, has a database which contains more than 40,000 deep sky objects.

As an added feature, the Skywatcher EQ6 has the Freedom Find technology, a system designed by the company in order to help you increase the quality of your observations. This system allows the attached telescope to be moved in any position, without losing alignment.

Moreover, this type of hybrid mount also comes equipped with the PEC (Periodic Error Correction) system, which allows the mount to retain its position relative to the Earth’s axis in any circumstance. This system also corrects any positional error that may occur as a result of the worm gear going haywire.

The Skywatcher EQ6 also comes equipped with two dual-fit saddles, which allows you to install two telescopes at once. Furthermore, in order to ensure that the whole ensemble is stable, this mount also features two five kilo counterweights.

Surprisingly enough, even though this mount can accommodate any type of telescope, apart from Dobsonians, it is very light, weighing a bit over 21 kilograms.

Other Features and Specs:

• Motor Design: 64 micro-step DC servo motors;
• GoTo ready;
• Power source included: 12 VDC;
• Features a polar axis scope for easy alignment;
• Low backlash;
• Features an auto guider.

Additional Accessories for the Skywatcher EQ6

Apart from the technical capabilities of the Skywatcher EQ6 hybrid mount, you can buy additional accessories in order to enhance it. Naturally, the most common item bought together with such a high-quality mount is a telescope.

For the best results, we recommend you use this type of mount with the Skywatcher Pro 120ED or with the Skywatcher Evostar 80ED. Both of them are shipped without a mount and a tripod but are GoTo ready.

Now, apart from a telescope, here’s another list of some of the most popular accessories bought together with this kind of mount:

• Celestron PowerTank 7-Amp 12 VDC Power Supply;
• Meade – PSLXPS7 12 VDC 7 Ah Power Supply;
• Vixen Optics – Triangle Accessory Tray;
• Celestron Vibration Suppression Pads;
•  NexImage Solar System Eyepiece CCTV Imager from Celestron; 
•  NexImage 5 Solar System Imager (5MP) from Celestron;
• Skywatcher – Star Adventurer Counterweight Kit;
• Slik – TBL Large Tripod Bag;
• Vello – Lens Mount Adapter – T-mount lens to Canon EOS Camera;
• Vello – Lens Mount Adapter – T-mount lens to Nikon F Mount Camera;
• T-mount Lens to Pentax K Camera adapter from Vello.

(Click image to see more pictures and prices on Amazon)

What’s in the Box?

• Skywatcher EQ6 GoTo Equatorial Mount;
• One 12 VDC vehicle power cord;
• One SynScan hand controller;
• Two 11 lb. Counterweights;
• One counterweight bar;
• Two-year limited warranty certificate.

Customer Reviews

The Skywatcher EQ6 has received great reviews. Customers who awarded it 5/5 stars praised the mount’s good tracking capabilities and reliability. Clients were impressed by the quick and easy PA that is owed to the new polar alignment Reticule. The mount’s built is another reason for praise: extremely quiet and steady, the Skywatcher EQ6 feels sturdy and is very well built.

Where to Get it From?

As always, the best from where you can purchase this amazing telescope and astrophotography platform is Amazon. At this moment, you can buy the exquisite Skywatcher EQ6 mount for $1,405 and, as part of the offer, the company will deliver it to your front door for free.

Skywatcher EQ6 Review – Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Great platform for astrophotography;
• GoTo-ready;
• Comprehensible database;
• Can support up to 15 kilograms of equipment;
• Equipped with a polar alignment scope for easy calibration;
• PEC technology included;
• Can be connected to any computer.

Cons:

• Pricey;
• Difficult to assemble;
• Cumbersome;
• More suitable for professional than beginners.

Conclusion

In order to conclude our Skywatcher EQ6 review, we need to add a couple of things. First of all, as we’ve mentioned throughout our article, this type of hybrid mount is recommended for professionals  rather than amateurs, since it requires a good grasp of the basics, especially when it comes to polar alignment.

The second thing we will need to add is that the mount itself is not that cumbersome, weighing a little over 21 kilograms. However, if you plan on attaching one or two telescopes, its overall weight can exponentially increase. Thus, it would be a good idea to have a car nearby should you need to relocate.

Another thing to keep in mind is that vibration suppression pads are a must have for this type of mount. Despite the fact that the added counterweights are there to ensure that the mount is stable, we advise you to buy these little gadgets for extra protection.

As for the price tag, we are aware of the fact that this mount is pricey. If you are sure that you want to take your astronomy hobby to the next level, then you should go ahead and buy this mount because it will increase the quality of your observations.

If you’re still not sure about lies ahead, then it would be wise to settle for a cheaper, yet well-built German Equatorial or Altazimuth mount.