Skywatcher HEQ-5 Pro SynScan GoTo Upgrade Kit

This upgrade kit turns your Sky-Watcher equatorial mount into a full-fledged GoTo device. Using the SynScan hand controller you can explore and get to know the night sky yourself in a short time, even as an absolute beginner. Simply select the object you want to observe on the LCD display – be it a planet or one of a thousand galaxies, clusters or nebulae – and the mount will slew the telescope to it completely on its own. There are 42,900 astronomical objects stored in the hand controller (including the complete Messier, NGC and IC catalogues), to choose from. In addition, up to 25 positions can be freely stored, so that you can save your own discoveries and go back to them at any time. With an accuracy of an arc-minute you will have almost any object selected immediately in the field of view. Slewing to an object can be done at speeds of up to 3.4° (800X) per second, so you do not have to wait very long.

This device has a lot to offer for professionals as well as amateurs. A large part of the worm gear periodic error is eliminated by PEC software correction so that you have a constant and steady image for astrophotography. There is a separate autoguider connection included. The tracking speed can be adjusted in steps of 0.25X, 0.50X, 0.75X and 1X. You can move the telescope at speeds of 2X, 8X, 16X, 32X, 64X, 400X, 500X, 600X and 800X, allowing you to freely explore the night sky. The precision of the motors is 0.144 arc-seconds. An initial alignment is required, as is common with other devices. 1 or 2 or 3 star alignment is possible, whereby the latter method of course offers the most accurate positioning.

Included are: RA and DEC motors, SynScan hand controller, the necessary cables and tools and the new cover for the motors. An installation and user’s guide (in English) are included, so that assembly is quickly and easily accomplished.

Features of control and motors:

• positioning accuracy to 1 arc-minute
• stepper motors with 1.8° steps
• speeds of up to 3.4° per second
• tracking speeds of 0.25X, 0.50X, 0.75X, or 1X
• object database with complete Messier, NGC and IC catalogues
• periodic error correction (PEC)
• option for connecting to PC
• software upgrades via the Internet possible

Included with the upgrade kit:

• DEC and RA motors
• SynScan hand controller with usb port
• the cables and tools required
• English user guide

Please note: this is an upgrade kit with no mount. You will also need a 12V power supply which can provide a current of at least 2 amps – the battery pack that came with your mount cannot provide sufficient power here. There are different upgrade kits for the different Sky-Watcher mounts, please make sure that you order the correct kit for your particular mount.