Hahahaha! I cackled out loud when Mikey said, "Its not exactly gonna set the world on fire" commenting on the speed of the motor. Well done video/tutorial! Thanks for a thorough and realistic demo. Two thumbs up!!
Thanks for this Mikey - I found it useful when setting up after a lapse of some 6 years! I'm debating whether to bother fitting the latitude motor - do you still think it's worth having?
Thanks again for a great video, Mikey. I'm just wondering where can I find a RA motor setup like yours here in the states. Having no luck finding these skywatchers motors here in mid 2022 except overseas but these companies not willing to ship overseas. Any suggestions?
hola amigo q tal alguna vez sacaste el telescopio al campo q bateria trasportable de 6v podria comprar yo y q dure toda la noche para los motores de seguimiento ar dc
Can you please clarify something for me. I polar aligned (in Australia) using the PoleMaster and I wasn't sure what speed to use on the RA Motor when tracking. Is 2x Normal Speed? Or 4x. What speed reflects the rotation of the earth? Also, should you not use the fine adjustment knobs when the motor is on instead use the unit to fine adjust onto your star.?
Hi Mikey, quick question. I'm looking at purchasing the Eq3-2 mount with the Skywatcher 150-750 150mm scope just as you have in this video and plan to use it for astrophotography. I was wondering whether it would be better to purchase this mount with the external dual motor drives or spend some extra money on another mount that has inbuilt motors?
Hi Lachie, sorry for my late reply! The EQ3-2 and 150p-DS (go for the dual speed focuser version) is a good combo, although the Eq3-2 is the weaker link. The external motors dont give you 'Goto' whereas the 'Synscan' version (built in motors) does, so makes finding stuff easier. Honestly, its a long journey for astrophotography, and you will probably find yourself wanting to upgrade the mount in a year or less..
hi, thanks for the video. where did you purchase the motors from? ive recently brought the same scope and mount and would like to add motors for imaging
Hi Sarah, bought them through eBay, but 365astronomy does the set for £88, helps a lot for imaging, after a good polar alignment Thanks for the comment
Thanks for your video. Learn a lot on setting up the motor to mount. I have the Skywatcher reflector telescope with eq3-2 since 2015. Now would like to go for tracking in purpose of imaging later on. Would like to know it is better off by starting with this dual axis motor or direct goto, as for starting off?
Thanks For the comment. I have another scope with GOTO. One thing is that you cannot slew about with the GOTO by loosing the clutches, you have to use the motor drive or it loses its position. The dual drives are simple, and when you lock the clutches, it starts tracking straight away. Of course you have to know where you want to point it first though 🤔
@@MikeyJ when the lock is released, and slew the scope manually, does this action will spoil the gear in motor? Or it just safe to slew once release the clutch? If want to track, just lock slightly the clutch so that the gear in motor in action?
Hi, no these are not the GOTO drives with computer handset. You have to do a manual pointing, and then the motor will track the object as it traverses the sky
Hello, I bought the engine, and it works well for the moon. But when I make an observation of Jupiter, the engines do not follow Jupiter and it decays quickly. What speed do you use to track Jupiter? thank you
To use the motor drives, you need to balance the mount, with an OTA. You already have that big counter weight set-up, what for? Unbalanced weight can burn out the motors or break the clutches! Also, i know these Chines drives, those LAN connectors, RA connector sticking out, are very flimsy, they break easy when putting the mount away or transporting it! 🤔🤔🤔
Good Day, at time index 7:30, are you supposed to lock the RA in order to track?? I would think locking the RA would negate the use of having the RA motors. So are you tracking with RA locked or unlocked?
Jeff Lucas hi Jeff, yes you lock the clutch, it still let's the motor drive it, the clutches let you move large amounts, then after locking the motors drive slowly.
Mike, did several tests, you do not lock the mount RA when operating the drive motors for sidereal speeds 2x, 4, 8x. Locking the RA brake on the mount, will damage the RA motor, you will start to see the black spring shaft to warp, indicating to release the mounts RA break. Also, noticeable, the hand control will blink RED that the motors have stopped instead of steady blinking/solid green for normal operation. I went further, for better free moments on both axis, I did one quarter turn on the hex nuts, anti clockwise for the RA/DEC worm drive housing. Locking the mounts breaks on both axis is not a good idea. Regadrs,
Jeff, sorry but that is wrong. Please refer to page 12 of SW manual: 'Loosen the lock knobs to make large direction changes. Use the control cables for fine adjustment after the lock knobs have both been locked (Fig.e1).' It's the same on my az-eq6 as well. Without locking the clutches/knobs, the scope will move easily if touched, and lose position. The only thing I can think is that your fine adjust is locked somehow, maybe disconnect the motor and try with the manual rotation knob. Ps: the motors drive at sidereal rate without the buttons being pressed. The 2,4,8x are for 'rapid motion' although as mentioned in the video, it's not very rapid. Thanks for taking the time to comment, happy Christmas by the way 😊
MikeyJ - All do respect, its instruction as for fine adjustment, RA locked, is mechanically like trying to drive your mini cooper with the parking breaks engaged. I understand the sidereal rate, my mount RA just went full 180* in 12 hours, without RA breaks locked. I will call Celestron, no rush m8. Mike and to your family, friends, followers, Merry Christmas 2016. Clear Skies.
@@jefflucas_lifeI know this is 3 years late but I just saw this now, of course they are supposed to be locked, it is the same as having the fine tuning knobs installed, just rather than your fingers turning the knobs, a motor is doing it instead. Obviously unlocking the locking mechanism doesn't allow you to use the control knobs, large movements manually
I have the 150mm skywatcher reflector. would like to do the tracking. not sure either the dual axis motor or GOTO directly. any suggestion fronm your experience. After equipped with either dual axis or GOTO, the control knob on RA or DEC can not be function to point other location of the sky, since the motion slew is very slow......
Hi there, no easy answer unfortunately. If you already have the EQ3-2, then at least the RA motor is a good low cost upgrade, and tracking is fine. I find that now, with the latitude set correctly and the base leveled, i just have to point the one leg north and turn on the motor to track for 30+ mins without losing sight of the object! The GOTO kit is quite expensive, and i think you might be better going for an upgraded mount to get that kind of functionality. best is you try to get to see both in action before you decide, maybe at a local club?
Well hello there. thnx a lot for the Video you have done a really good job it was very briefing...one question though...Does it worth it to buy one, even if someone doesn't want to use it at the start for astrophotography but only for observation... Thnx again...
+talzano filos Hi there, thanks for your nice words. Yes it is worth to get the RA motor definately. it means that if you align the polar axis you can move the mount to any position and it will track the object indefinitely. The DEC motor isn't so useful, its ok for fine adjustments, but too slow (they both are) for slewing across the sky.
The DEC slow motion can still be used ith the motor attached, by slackening the brass knurled nut, but unfortunately the RA cannot use the slow motion control at all. Of course you can slacken the clutch and move the axis freely if you want to make large changes of direction.
Hi Adrian, with perfect PA, for visual use, it would/could track several hours. But for Astrophotography, guiding is the only way to go longer than a couple of minutes (say 5 max) with a budget mount like this. there are 'periodic' errors in the gears, it also depends on the focal length of the scope or camera (widefield much easier to track longer than high magnification)
Tenu Adrian : I hear these mounts vary in quality, so not easy to say. I managed 1 min exposures but also lost quite a few do to star trails. In the end I decided an upgrade was needed, hence the AZEQ6GT 😉
MICHARU Hi, well that depends on how accurate you are on polar alignment. The drives seem pretty good for 15 deg/hr which is what the stars move at, the drift will come with mis-alignment in the setup. Hope that helps?
MICHARU RL, I had this setup once. with fairly good polar alignment, I could make a 30sec exposure with 700mm telescope with pinpoint stars. more then enough to get started with astrophotography.
i just used the one motor it is constantly disconcerting the DEC clutch and its drive is anoying i took it off it is a pain in the arse RA is all you need really :)
I wondered the same, although at least the controls are all in one place on the handset, so after making the course adjustment, you dont have to switch between controller and hand control
chrome plated hex keys are crap the black ones are more accurate the coating on the chrome ones leave you a few thousands of a mill out and can damage your hex bolts
Hahahaha! I cackled out loud when Mikey said, "Its not exactly gonna set the world on fire" commenting on the speed of the motor. Well done video/tutorial! Thanks for a thorough and realistic demo. Two thumbs up!!
Is that the EQ5 dual motors that's being used on the EQ3-2 mount?
If not, Will the EQ5 (dual) motors fit the EQ3-2 mount?
Thanks
Don't use like this. Mount the telescope first and equilibrate before use or you will break your engine.
Good video
Obviously, this is just a demo. But he should have mentioned that.
Thanks for this Mikey - I found it useful when setting up after a lapse of some 6 years! I'm debating whether to bother fitting the latitude motor - do you still think it's worth having?
Great video, do you still have the instruction manual for the motion controller, if so any chance of a copy
Thanks again for a great video, Mikey. I'm just wondering where can I find a RA motor setup like yours here in the states. Having no luck finding these skywatchers motors here in mid 2022 except overseas but these companies not willing to ship overseas. Any suggestions?
Which motor is this? I can't find any motors for this mount. When I find some motors, the website says it is compatible but it's not
hola amigo q tal alguna vez sacaste el telescopio al campo q bateria trasportable de 6v podria comprar yo y q dure toda la noche para los motores de seguimiento ar dc
Can you please clarify something for me. I polar aligned (in Australia) using the PoleMaster and I wasn't sure what speed to use on the RA Motor when tracking. Is 2x Normal Speed? Or 4x. What speed reflects the rotation of the earth? Also, should you not use the fine adjustment knobs when the motor is on instead use the unit to fine adjust onto your star.?
I bought the exact same motors. Cheaper than goto for sure
Hi Mikey, quick question. I'm looking at purchasing the Eq3-2 mount with the Skywatcher 150-750 150mm scope just as you have in this video and plan to use it for astrophotography. I was wondering whether it would be better to purchase this mount with the external dual motor drives or spend some extra money on another mount that has inbuilt motors?
Hi Lachie, sorry for my late reply! The EQ3-2 and 150p-DS (go for the dual speed focuser version) is a good combo, although the Eq3-2 is the weaker link. The external motors dont give you 'Goto' whereas the 'Synscan' version (built in motors) does, so makes finding stuff easier. Honestly, its a long journey for astrophotography, and you will probably find yourself wanting to upgrade the mount in a year or less..
hi, thanks for the video. where did you purchase the motors from? ive recently brought the same scope and mount and would like to add motors for imaging
Hi Sarah, bought them through eBay, but 365astronomy does the set for £88, helps a lot for imaging, after a good polar alignment
Thanks for the comment
Thanks for your video. Learn a lot on setting up the motor to mount. I have the Skywatcher reflector telescope with eq3-2 since 2015. Now would like to go for tracking in purpose of imaging later on. Would like to know it is better off by starting with this dual axis motor or direct goto, as for starting off?
Thanks For the comment. I have another scope with GOTO. One thing is that you cannot slew about with the GOTO by loosing the clutches, you have to use the motor drive or it loses its position. The dual drives are simple, and when you lock the clutches, it starts tracking straight away. Of course you have to know where you want to point it first though 🤔
@@MikeyJ when the lock is released, and slew the scope manually, does this action will spoil the gear in motor? Or it just safe to slew once release the clutch? If want to track, just lock slightly the clutch so that the gear in motor in action?
Tan KT , no damage with the lock released, the mount is quite robust really!
Can i buy a computerized hand controller and attach to it. Will that work?
No sorry, this wont' work with a hand control from a GOTO mount
Hi there does this do the tracking ?? As in the point and go in an app type...does that make sense
Hi, no these are not the GOTO drives with computer handset. You have to do a manual pointing, and then the motor will track the object as it traverses the sky
Cheers for this vid Mike, just got this kit and this has been helpful!
Glad to hear it Thomas :) thanks
Hey, could you give me a link to the motors you bought?
@@belabertalan search for Enhanced Dual-Axis Motor Drive For EQ3-2 Mount. These are what I have for this mount.
Hello,
I bought the engine, and it works well for the moon.
But when I make an observation of Jupiter, the engines do not follow Jupiter and it decays quickly.
What speed do you use to track Jupiter?
thank you
Fred SX Hi, use Sidereal rate for Jupiter just like the stars, and lunar for the moon 😊
To use the motor drives, you need to balance the mount, with an OTA.
You already have that big counter weight set-up, what for?
Unbalanced weight can burn out the motors or break the clutches!
Also, i know these Chines drives, those LAN connectors, RA connector sticking out, are very flimsy, they break easy when putting the mount away or transporting it!
🤔🤔🤔
Good Day, at time index 7:30, are you supposed to lock the RA in order to track?? I would think locking the RA would negate the use of having the RA motors. So are you tracking with RA locked or unlocked?
Jeff Lucas hi Jeff, yes you lock the clutch, it still let's the motor drive it, the clutches let you move large amounts, then after locking the motors drive slowly.
Mike, did several tests, you do not lock the mount RA when operating the drive motors for sidereal speeds 2x, 4, 8x. Locking the RA brake on the mount, will damage the RA motor, you will start to see the black spring shaft to warp, indicating to release the mounts RA break. Also, noticeable, the hand control will blink RED that the motors have stopped instead of steady blinking/solid green for normal operation. I went further, for better free moments on both axis, I did one quarter turn on the hex nuts, anti clockwise for the RA/DEC worm drive housing. Locking the mounts breaks on both axis is not a good idea. Regadrs,
Jeff, sorry but that is wrong. Please refer to page 12 of SW manual: 'Loosen the lock knobs to make large direction changes. Use the control cables for fine adjustment after the lock knobs have both been locked (Fig.e1).' It's the same on my az-eq6 as well. Without locking the clutches/knobs, the scope will move easily if touched, and lose position. The only thing I can think is that your fine adjust is locked somehow, maybe disconnect the motor and try with the manual rotation knob.
Ps: the motors drive at sidereal rate without the buttons being pressed. The 2,4,8x are for 'rapid motion' although as mentioned in the video, it's not very rapid. Thanks for taking the time to comment, happy Christmas by the way 😊
MikeyJ - All do respect, its instruction as for fine adjustment, RA locked, is mechanically like trying to drive your mini cooper with the parking breaks engaged. I understand the sidereal rate, my mount RA just went full 180* in 12 hours, without RA breaks locked. I will call Celestron, no rush m8. Mike and to your family, friends, followers, Merry Christmas 2016. Clear Skies.
@@jefflucas_lifeI know this is 3 years late but I just saw this now, of course they are supposed to be locked, it is the same as having the fine tuning knobs installed, just rather than your fingers turning the knobs, a motor is doing it instead. Obviously unlocking the locking mechanism doesn't allow you to use the control knobs, large movements manually
Can it be used with asiair pro?
I have the 150mm skywatcher reflector. would like to do the tracking. not sure either the dual axis motor or GOTO directly. any suggestion fronm your experience. After equipped with either dual axis or GOTO, the control knob on RA or DEC can not be function to point other location of the sky, since the motion slew is very slow......
Hi there, no easy answer unfortunately. If you already have the EQ3-2, then at least the RA motor is a good low cost upgrade, and tracking is fine. I find that now, with the latitude set correctly and the base leveled, i just have to point the one leg north and turn on the motor to track for 30+ mins without losing sight of the object! The GOTO kit is quite expensive, and i think you might be better going for an upgraded mount to get that kind of functionality. best is you try to get to see both in action before you decide, maybe at a local club?
Well hello there. thnx a lot for the Video you have done a really good job it was very briefing...one question though...Does it worth it to buy one, even if someone doesn't want to use it at the start for astrophotography but only for observation...
Thnx again...
+talzano filos Hi there, thanks for your nice words. Yes it is worth to get the RA motor definately. it means that if you align the polar axis you can move the mount to any position and it will track the object indefinitely. The DEC motor isn't so useful, its ok for fine adjustments, but too slow (they both are) for slewing across the sky.
thanks ! I know how to fix it now !
Do the slow motion cables work when motors are attached?
The DEC slow motion can still be used ith the motor attached, by slackening the brass knurled nut, but unfortunately the RA cannot use the slow motion control at all. Of course you can slacken the clutch and move the axis freely if you want to make large changes of direction.
thanks for this video
Whenever I play this video, it start getting buffer . Don't know why
Thanks very much.
How long can track a object,without losing a planet or the moon? With perfect polar alignment??
Hi Adrian, with perfect PA, for visual use, it would/could track several hours. But for Astrophotography, guiding is the only way to go longer than a couple of minutes (say 5 max) with a budget mount like this. there are 'periodic' errors in the gears, it also depends on the focal length of the scope or camera (widefield much easier to track longer than high magnification)
@@MikeyJ I have SW 150/750 with Canon 700D,same mount like you,can do 1 min exposure???
Tenu Adrian : I hear these mounts vary in quality, so not easy to say. I managed 1 min exposures but also lost quite a few do to star trails. In the end I decided an upgrade was needed, hence the AZEQ6GT 😉
It does not work?
it will track object automaticly?
yes, it will track an object, but you have to find it manually first!
MikeyJ ok thanks, but i have one more question. How long will it track a
object in center of ocular or frame in camera faultlessly?
MICHARU Hi, well that depends on how accurate you are on polar alignment. The drives seem pretty good for 15 deg/hr which is what the stars move at, the drift will come with mis-alignment in the setup. Hope that helps?
MikeyJ yes it really does helped, if i have more accurate aligment i track longer. Thanks :D
MICHARU RL, I had this setup once. with fairly good polar alignment, I could make a 30sec exposure with 700mm telescope with pinpoint stars. more then enough to get started with astrophotography.
Douse the tripod come with the motor etc.
Hi Jack, no it’s an aftermarket add on kit for the basic EQ3 Mount. Of course you can get the Synscan full GOTO version
i just used the one motor it is constantly disconcerting the DEC clutch and its drive is anoying i took it off it is a pain in the arse RA is all you need really :)
I wondered the same, although at least the controls are all in one place on the handset, so after making the course adjustment, you dont have to switch between controller and hand control
chrome plated hex keys are crap the black ones are more accurate the coating on the chrome ones leave you a few thousands of a mill out and can damage your hex bolts
Looks like a waste of time if you can’t zip across the sky to find objects fast.