The Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro has done what some might think difficult. It has improved upon on the already well received EQ6 with a assortment of upgrades.
The team at Sky-Watcher took a good look at their best selling EQ6 mount and asked, "How can we make it better?"
They started with the obvious in making it more sturdy. With this improved rigidity, brought in part by design and in part by construction (ie 16.5 pound 2" Stainless Steel tripod is a great way to start), they went about the task of improving the payload capacity as well. Why the greater capacity you might ask? Well, the EQ6-R Pro comes with a D and V saddle plate. Basically this means it can handle virtually any dovetail you already own.
The new payload capacity of 44 pounds then opened another path for them to go down, improvement of the internals as well as the software and controls. Standard in the EQ6-R Pro is permanent periodic error correction, zero-play power transmission, and a high precision latitude adjustment that works when fully loaded. The EQ6-R Pro uses Stepper motors with a 1.8° step angle and 64 micro steps driven. Stepper motors are quieter than servo motors, providing accuracy up to 1 arc minute without waking your neighbors from buzzing motors.
You might get an itch to do some astro-photography with this mount as well. Have no fear, it was designed with you in mind. The EQ6-R boasts a number of features to aid astrophotographers. The built in ST-4 Autoguider port turns this mount into an astrophotography powerhouse, allowing you to utilize most of today's best autoguiders. Using the integrated RS232 port, you can control the telescope from your computer and take advantage of today's most advanced astronomy software. With a weight capacity of 44 lbs, the EQ6-R can handily support an optical tube, imaging accessories and camera. Sky-Watcher includes an illuminated polar finderscope to aid the polar alignment process. The finderscope features a circular grid reticle for the northern hemisphere, consistent with todays popular polar alignment apps. For astronomers in the southern hemisphere, the constellation Octans is built into the reticle as well. Even without a clear view of Polaris, the EQ Pro can be polar aligned using our SynScan hand controller. Simply choose one of the visible stars listed and use the latitude adjustment screws to center it in the eyepiece.
Using the proprietary SynScan hand controller, the EQ6-R Pro 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 the supplied RS232 cable (USB adapter available), enabling computer control with most astronomy programs. For the astrophotographers looking to reduce Periodic Error, the SynScan hand controller has built in PEC training that can be configured while in the field!
The EQ6-R Pro comes standard with two 11 pound counterweights, a retractable counterweight bar, and a new ergonomic handle to help get a grip on the 38 pound head when transporting.
