dawson Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 If an equatorial mount has motors on, but no GOTO system, how easy / expensive is it to install a GOTO system? Or would people advise just getting one with a factory fitted GOTO system? Thanks James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Eddy Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 It can be easy as just replacing the handset (roughly £100) or it can be as hard as replacing all the motors I think, someone will probably correct me though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kheldar Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 (edited) Depends on the mount, quite expensive ... it's almost always better value to sell the mount as is and buy a S/H GOTO mount ... Upgrade kit for EQ5/EQ6 is about £300 As Eddy says, if you are starting from a SynTrek then you can just pay for the handset Edited March 11, 2013 by Kheldar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 I'm not going to buy this, but I was just wondering how much it would cost (money and hassle) to get a GOTO system on this: http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=67030 James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kheldar Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 £300 and it would not be worth the time / money / bother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 That's what I thought. Next! James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 I agree - he's taken that in part ex for a dob I'll bet. But it would be better to get a brand new CG5 GT Goto for £475 from FLO - then pop whatever ota's on it as budget allows. The SW EQ5 is ok but the goto upgrade is way overpriced and not as good. (Now David's dobs are an entirely different matter - I wouldn't hesitate on one of those - he's an expert builder.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Goto requires encoders, motors and handset/pc, its not just a matter of fitting a handset. Ages ago I gotod an eq3 using meade ds motor/encoders and a handset, it worked a treat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stovesy Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 (edited) As another side project, I'm looking at controlling an EQ mount using the existing fitted stepper motors, via an Arduino controller and motor shield. This could potentially interpret LX200 commands coming in via USB and control the motors accordingly. There are a few projects out there which look promising: https://github.com/TCWORLD/AstroEQ/tree/master/AstroEQ-Firmware Worth a look Edited March 12, 2013 by stovesy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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