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Sky-Watcher HEQ5 – Fully Computerized GoTo German Equatorial Telescope Mount – Motorized Astrophotography Mount with 42,000 Object Database,White

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Availability: 16 left in stock
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Arrives Thursday, Sep 11
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Style: HEQ5


Features

  • LIGHTWEIGHT COMPUTERIZED EQUAORIAL MOUNT: The HEQ5 is ideal for beginning astrophotographers, or skilled astronomers looking for a lightweight computerized equatorial mount.
  • HEAVY DUTY ROLLER BEARINGS: Heavy duty all-metal roller bearings on both right ascension or declination axis.
  • BUILT-IN ILLUMINATED POLAR FINDERSCOPE: Included with the mount is a built-in illuminated Polar finderscope, helping users with quick and easy polar alignment..
  • ALL-METAL CONSTRUCTION: Beefy, all-metal construction provides 30-pound payload capacity perfect for all but the heaviest optical tubes.
  • 42,000 OBJECT DATABASE: SynScan hand controller with 42,000 plus object database will keep even the most experienced astronomer busy for countless observing nights.
  • STURDY ROLLED-STEEL TRIPOD: The HEQ5 uses a beefy tripod with 1.75 diameter tripod legs made of rolled-stainless steel.

Description

Sturdy 30 Pound Payload With a sturdy payload capacity of 30 pounds, the computerized HEQ5 is Sky-Watcher’s most well rounded mount. The mount provides a convenient, stable platform for refractors up to 120mm or up to 180mm Maksutovs, and although it’s designed as an imaging system, it works astonishingly well for visual use. This mount is perfect for the beginner as well as the more advanced astronomer. 42, 000 Object Database Using our proprietary SynScan hand controller, the HEQ5 provides a user-friendly interface with automatic slewing to over 42, 000 objects in the night sky. The hand controller can also connect to a computer using USB cable (cable sold separately), enabling computer control with most astronomy programs, including The SkyX, Stellarium, and Starry Night. Quick and Easy Polar Alignment Included with the HEQ5 is an illuminated polar finderscope to assist astronomers with quick and easy polar alignment. Ready to Go, Out of the Box! While most mounts leave you high and dry to purchase accessories on your own, Sky-Watcher includes plenty of accessories to get you started. In addition to the SynScan hand controller and polar finderscope, the HEQ5 mount comes with two 11lb counterweights, an 8” Dovetail bar and a DC power cable.

Brand: Sky-Watcher


Color: black/silver


Form Factor: Tripod


Compatible Devices: Camera


Mounting Type: Floor Stand


Product Dimensions: 40 x 18 x 19 inches


Item Weight: 30 pounds


Item model number: S30400


Date First Available: June 1, 2019


Manufacturer: Sky-Watcher


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Thursday, Sep 11

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Buy a quality mount and it will last you!
Style: EQM-35
I normally don't leave reviews anymore these days but figured I would leave one today because I am jazzed on Astrophotography and this mount! Why the EQM35? Well, it’s a good budget mount at $725, it can also handle up to 22 pounds of weight so if I ever outgrow the RedCat Telescope I can upgrade to a larger APO. Also, this mount offers a GOTO system so you can plug in the coordinates into the SynScan hand control unit and find 49,000 objects in the sky. Out of the box, it can track 30-60 seconds in the stars. I have been averaging about 30-40 seconds without guiding. Overall this is a great setup however there are some drawbacks. First, the setup requires power so you need a dedicated power supply for the EQM-3. Either you need a power cell that supports a 12V cigarette lighter or a dedicated power supply. Since I don’t plan on leaving my Bortles Class 4 backyard for the current time being, I purchased the Celestron AC Adapter – 5 Amp Continuous power, Black (18780) which was recommended by the Sky-Watcher customer service team whom I can say is darn right amazing! Next, it’s more complex so when you set this up not only do you need to polar align the mount you also need to configure either 1, 2, or 3-star alignment so you can easily move around the sky. So far the single star alignment was been working great for me! Finally, it’s bulkier than say an iOptron Sky-Guider Pro so it’s not as easy to just pick up and move, so if you do move it during a session you need polar align and star align again. Even with the few drawbacks, it’s a fantastic mount and so stable! I have been really pleased with the setup, instructions, and overall solid build quality even though it’s an entry mount. Also, solid customer service is a big plus! As long as I don’t keep going down the rabbit hole of buying more astrophotography equipment this setup should last me for multiple years. I also included an image of M11 the Wild Duck Cluster as well. -------- Issues / Solutions I have had with the mount #1 When star aligning the mount I could do a fine adjustment with the arrow pad after pointing to VEGA. I wasn't sure but suspected I needed to update the firmware which can be done with a USB Printer cable and software from the main SkyWatcher.com website. First, plug in the mount and USB cable to the SysScan hand unit and check in the device manager on Windows under ports. Mine was COM3. Next, turn off the mount and unplug the USB printer cable then while holding down 0 and 8 on the SysScan hand unit turn on the power. It will then boot into the boot loader mode, plug in the USB cable, and run the software to upgrade. The current version is 4.39.15 as of 5.10.2020. Once the process updates shut down the system and unplug the USB cable. #2 The SysScan holder unit slides around a lot and I dropped the handheld unit multiple times as the holder was sliding around when I grabbed the SysScan. I put two rubber bands on the leg in between the holder unit and it works great now without moving any more. I have a picture of it attached to the post. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2020 by Joey Troy Joey Troy

  • Good system but don't trust the bubble level.
Style: EQM-35
It should probably have a 5 star review because I do have a limited view of the sky so a 3 star alignment is a bit tricky. With that being said, the polar scope and alignment is pretty easy and when doing a 2 or 3 star alignment it tells you how far off axis you are. When aligned properly the tracking is excellent. I have been able to take 2 minute exposures with very little or no drift. The tripod is solid and well built. The only issue that I did have was the goto function. I got in touch with Skywatcher support and they are very good. Basically the bubble level on the head isn't always accurate. So I did what they said and leveled it using a different bubble level and that increase the accuracy quite a bit. It still isn't perfect, but it is pretty good. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2025 by Jim

  • Works really well if you know how to use it
Style: EQM-35
This mount is very good for "beginners", but not really easy to work with if you don't know what you're doing. I'm going to start with my setup: - Mount: EQM-35 - Telescope: Celestron Nexstar 6SE - Control: Laptop connected via software - Software: Stellarium & Starry Night 8 (got if free with my 6SE) So basically this is a very sturdy mount for my telescope, if you go with a similar or smaller scope go for it. Set up was a little complicated as I was reading the wrong part of the manual (user error). But after I figured it out it was pretty straight foward. One small issue is that the aligning scope came 270° shifted to the side, which I had to manually correct by disassembling it; something that should come perfect from factory as the mount simply won't align properly especially if you get the manual version. But that was it. Now for software setup. The best way to get this working properly as I've read in forums and found out myself through trial and error is to have the following softwares installed. First you're going to need ASCOM as well as the ASCOM EQMOD (both are needed to work properly) connected via an USB type B directly on the controller of the mount. Second you'll need a stargazing app, I recommend Stellarium for first timers as it is the easiest to learn and there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube on how to use it and it is also a great base for any future apps you might want to get later on. Just make sure you get the Qt5 version of Stellarium as the Qt6 does not support ASCOM and won't work connect to the mount. For connecting to the mount and alignment, just go with a tutorial on YT, it's very simple and works wonders; it just takes a little bit of time and some getting used to. The manual also has some instructions if you decide to use the hand controller instead, which is actually a lot simpler and easier to use but won't have as many stargazing and deep sky options compared to a specialized software. If you do all of this correctly it should all work fine. Good luck and have fun with your new toy :) ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2024 by 0L1V31R4

  • The electronics don't work.
Style: EQM-35
I've has this mount for almost two years and have had nothing but problems. I think it's the electronics that are screwed up. I've never been able to get the scope to track at all. The hand controller read out indicates it is slewing but nothing happens with the motors. It will slew with sometimes with Stellarium to some random place but then it always disconnects. I've used three different laptops and it's the same problem. Popular astro software doesn't work with this mount either. I've updated the firmware, sought advice and nobody can figure it out. I've thought about buying a new hand controller/computer, but I'm reluctant to sink anymore money into this mount. The good part is it is a solid stable mount, but that's is useless if the electronics don't work. I guess it would make a great boat anchor. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2021 by Stovetop

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