Sky-Watcher EQ8-RH Pro Equatorial Mount with Pier Tripod
A high-capacity imaging platform with Renishaw encoder precision and a heavy-duty tripod for field or observatory use.
If your imaging ambitions require tracking accuracy, payload capacity, and reliability that lesser mounts just can’t deliver, the Sky-Watcher EQ8-RH Pro with included heavy-duty tripod is built to meet that challenge. Designed from the ground up for serious astrophotography and permanent or semi-permanent setups, the EQ8-RH Pro combines high-end performance with intuitive control—and now includes everything you need to get started, right out of the box.
The integrated Renishaw 11.8-million count absolute encoder on the right ascension axis is the star of the show, offering ultra-precise tracking accuracy and eliminating periodic error to the point where auto-guiding becomes optional for many focal lengths. It’s a feature typically reserved for premium observatory mounts, now in a system that’s accessible to advanced amateurs and institutions alike.
110-pound capacity, engineered for imaging
The EQ8-RH Pro is rated to carry up to 110 pounds (50 kg) of telescope and gear—not just for visual use, but for imaging as well. This isn’t one of those mounts that boasts a high theoretical payload but struggles once you hang a real astrograph on it. Long refractors, large SCTs or CDKs, multi-instrument rigs with filter wheels, rotators, focusers, and guide scopes—this mount takes them all in stride.
Driving that performance is a precision belt-driven transmission system, which helps reduce periodic error and provides smoother, quieter slewing. While some backlash is inherent—as it is in nearly all gear-driven mounts—it’s consistent and manageable through software guiding or modeling. The result is stable, repeatable tracking performance you can rely on, night after night.
Built-in Renishaw encoder: tracking without compromise
What sets the EQ8-RH Pro apart from nearly everything else in its price range is the Renishaw optical encoder on the right ascension axis. This encoder provides ultra-fine positional feedback—down to sub-arcsecond resolution—and enables the mount to correct itself in real-time without relying on an autoguider.
For many imaging setups, that means you can run unguided exposures of several minutes or more, especially when paired with accurate polar alignment. For guided setups, the encoder drastically reduces the corrections required and makes guiding smoother and more precise. If you're running an automated observatory, it adds a layer of reliability and repeatability that simplifies long-duration imaging projects.
Tripod included: field-ready stability
This version of the EQ8-RH Pro includes the Sky-Watcher EQ8 heavy-duty pier tripod, purpose-built to handle the mass and moment arm of serious instruments. With adjustable stainless steel legs and a wide stance, the tripod delivers excellent rigidity and damping—essential for consistent performance during long exposures, especially in the field.
Each leg features indexed height adjustments and vibration-suppressing feet. Setup and teardown are straightforward despite the mount’s size, and once everything is leveled and locked down, it stays put.
Control it your way
The EQ8-RH Pro is fully GoTo capable with the included SynScan hand controller, giving you access to over 42,000 celestial objects and a variety of alignment options. You can use the hand controller for visual observing or switch to direct PC control via USB using software like EQMOD, NINA, or other ASCOM-compatible planetarium programs.
For imaging workflows, the mount’s internal dual encoders let you manually reposition the telescope without losing alignment—perfect for balancing or making quick adjustments on the fly. It also supports periodic error correction (PEC), backlash compensation, and a variety of slew rates, from slow centering speeds to fast repositioning.
Imaging-ready features throughout
The EQ8-RH Pro is packed with thoughtful design touches that make it easier to run a clean and efficient setup:
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Threaded data and power ports minimize cable snags and prevent accidental disconnects
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RA-axis cable routing helps keep cords organized and clear of moving parts
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Built-in polar scope adapter allows optional use of a polar scope for field alignment
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Two 22-pound counterweights are included for balance with large payloads
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Tripod and accessory tray provide a complete out-of-the-box mounting solution
A complete solution for demanding astrophotography
Whether you’re setting up a semi-permanent imaging rig under dark skies or building out a full-scale backyard observatory, the EQ8-RH Pro with included pier tripod gives you the performance and reliability you need. Its blend of heavy-duty mechanics, encoder-driven precision, and flexible control options makes it a serious tool for imagers who expect their gear to keep up with their ambitions.
What’s included:
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EQ8-RH Pro equatorial mount head with Renishaw encoder
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Heavy-duty pier tripod
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Two 22-pound (10 kg) counterweights
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Counterweight shaft
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Dual Vixen/Losmandy-style dovetail saddle
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SynScan GoTo hand controller with cable
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Accessory tray
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DC power cable (12V input)
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Serial and USB cables
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Allen wrench kit
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User manual
