Maksutov-Cassegrain SkyWatcher 180/2700mm telescope with AZEQ6 Pro GoTo mount

Maksutov-Cassegrain SkyWatcher 180/2700mm telescope with AZQ6 Pro GoTo mount.

Maksutov-Cassegrain catadioptric optical tubes have always stood out for their enormous contrast and magnification power. In addition, because their optical system is based on integrated mirrors, Maksutov-Cassegrain tubes are free of any kind of chromatic aberration. This makes them an ideal alternative to the classic achromatic refractors as they improve them in terms of chromaticism.

On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that the SKYWATCHER Maksutov-Cassegrain model presented here has a Maksutov corrector plate made of the highest quality glass. The result is undoubtedly a guarantee of success.

The new SKYWATCHER AZ-EQ6 SYNSCAN mount offers optimum stability and pointing precision for a wide range of heavy professional photographic and video equipment. It is a hybrid mount with the possibility to work in Altazimuthal format for general use and also in Equatorial format for astrophotography. The SKYWATCHER AZ-EQ6 SYNSCAN mount is supplied with the SYNSCAN control knob that includes dual firmware for both AZ and EQ formats. It can track and locate more than 42,900 celestial objects stored in its database.

The SKYWATCHER AZ-EQ6 SYNSCAN mount is capable of carrying heavy professional photography or video equipment. It is also very easy to transport and efficient thanks to its weight of only 15Kg and its load capacity of 25Kg (excluding the counterweight).

Tracking made easy -- Freedom Find™

With the patented FREEDOM FIND (dual-encoder) technology the telescope can be moved either manually or electronically, on both axes and without losing information about its position or alignment. After moving to a new object, the telescope will automatically start tracking the new object precisely. There will be no need to re-align the telescope during the entire observing session. This technological feature is highly appreciated by Telescopiomania as it incorporates a functionality that until now was only available to users with professional mounts.

New features:

• • • • • German Equatorial/Altacimutal dual mode mount.
        • Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC). PPEC can be calibrated with an Autoguider or via PC.
        • Improved and more reliable power connector.
        • Encoder on both axes allows the position of the mount to be known at all times. Users can disengage and move the mount without losing the correct alignment of the mount.

The best innovations according to Telescopiomania:

• • • • • Displacement of the axes driven by belts.
        • Very smooth movement minimizing the Periodic Error.
        • Practically no backlash.
        • Quieter than other mounts in its class.
        • Programmable shutter control for DSLR cameras.
        • Motor controller board that offers greater torque and precision.
        • Mount head prepared to accept VIXEN and LOSMANDY type dovetails (45/75mm)
        • Illuminated polar finder included as standard.

Also featured:

• • • • • Motion resolution: approximately 0.14 arc seconds.
        • Includes electronic shutter control port for DSLR.
        • Autoguiding port.
        • PEC control in EQ mode.
        • Polar alignment facilitated by the included illuminated polar finder.
        • Alignment methods: 1, 2 or 3 stars (EQ) / alignment to 2 stars or brightest star (AZ)
        • Connection to the telescope: 2 clamps are supplied that accept VIXEN and LOSMANDY type dovetails.
        • AR/DEC crowns: D=92.5mm, 180 teeth, made of brass.
        • AR/DEC shafts: D=40mm, made of steel.
        • Latitude adjustment range: 10º to 70º (EQ), 90º (AZ)
        • Azimuth adjustment range: about ± 90º

Special applications of NEQ6 PRO and AZEQ6 PRO mounts:

Telescopiomania would like to point out that the SKYWATCHER NEQ6 PRO and AZEQ6 PRO mounts are not simple GOTO mounts whose application is reduced to the astronomical field. Some customers also use GOTO mounts of this type as a stable and precise platform to perform specific positioning or to follow the rotational motion of the Earth (installation of solar panels, oil extraction platforms, etc).

Technical specifications of the mount:

• • • • • Mount type: Dual EQ/Alt-Az mode
        • Counterweights: 2 x 5Kg
        • Motors: Hybrid stepper motors 1.8º
        • GOTO: SYNSCAN control knob
        • Tripod height: 127cm
        • Tripod weight: 7.5Kg; steel tripod with 2" legs
        • Weight of the cases: 21Kg + 15Kg
        • Box dimensions: 117x28x21cm3; 100x50x50x50 cm3
        • Power supply: DC11 16V 4th
        • Load capacity: 25Kg (excluding counterweight)
        • Tracking modes: Altacimutal / Equatorial
        • Tracking speeds: Sidereal / Solar / Lunar
        • GOTO speeds: up to 4.2°/second (800x sidereal speed)
        • Guidance speeds: from 0.125x, 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x, 1x

Technical specifications tube:

• • • • • Optical design: Maksutov-Cassegrain
        • Diameter: 180mm
        • Focal length: 2700mm
        • Focal ratio: f/15
        • Maximum recommended magnification: 360x
        • Stellar magnitude limit: 13.1
        • Resolution power: 0.64 arcseconds
        • Light gathering power: 660
        • Tube connection: 2", including 2" 90º zenithal
        • Weight: 7.8Kg
        • Eyepiece included: 28mm 2" (50.8mm).
        • Finder: 9x50mm

Maksutov-Cassegrain SkyWatcher 180/2700mm telescope with AZQ6 Pro GoTo mount.