? Zwo EQ mount add on for Seestar S50

Glabella

We have heard there will be an EQ mount to support Seestar S50 when their EQ modification comes out. Are there any details on this mount? Would, perhaps, like to hold off buying a Skywatcher or equivalent. Thank you

Gordon

I have a related question. With the Seestar S50 mounted in equatorial mode on a standard tripod, will the setup be balanced enough not to tip over? I live at a 40° N latitude. Thank you.

starnet59

No, it will not be stable enough. You will need a tripod with much longer legs, the closer you are to the equator, the less stable it will be. Or use a secondary tripod to support the top of the S50. Something like this:

SubSkip

starnet59 I'm at 30° and need something like this. Did you create your own print or find one?
Thanks!

Support@Seestar

We already have physical objects, but using the original tripod will tip over, so we recommend using a large tripod. The specific operation is announced, do not replace the tripod, only need to add a Seestar head on the line.

Gordon

Support@Seestar
Because of obstacles in my imaging location, I have already abandoned the original tripod for a taller one. I have the S50 mounted on a tripod that’s height is approximately 30 inches. Would such an arrangement be stable enough to use the S50 at 40°N latitude in equatorial mode?

Shaggy

Support@Seestar

Do I understand you correctly that the original tripod will NOT work for EQ mode with a wedge???

Lasse

Support@Seestar

Gordon
a tripod like this is fine

starnet59

You can improve stability by making sure the S50 tilts toward a leg, rather than in between two. You can also try to shorten the opposite two legs slightly, which will make it even more stable, but then the wedge tilt will no longer match your latitude. At 40 degrees latitude you should be OK, but for even lower latitudes these extra steps can help.

Gordon

Thank you

Support@Seestar

Shaggy
No, you can use the original tripod, but you need to add a Seestar mount.

diegorodriguez

I am anxious to see how eq mode works. By providing a "blind" right ascension movement, adjusted in stacking phase? or by moving alt/az business as usual, based on registering stars and stack frames, just benefiting from almost no movement of the alt motor? A blind movement may allow for situations where stars are not always visible. Eg. spectroscopy, or a cloudy sky.

BobE

I’m ready to move to EQ mode. Is there a mount that ZWO recommends? I thought I saw on Facebook that ZWO might be offering one. I really don’t want to print or modify anything that I buy. Recommendations? TIA

LA3QMA

SubSkip I have tested the design of @starnet59 and it works for me. I only made a change to use a 3d printed nut for the tripod part. The bolt is also printed. So far its stuck an has not crashed to the ground :-)

starnet59

I not only made my own, I made 90 of them, for every latitude in steps of 1 degree. They are all freely available at https://www.printables.com/model/1228846-fixed-equatorial-wedge-for-zwo-seestar-s50

Support@Seestar

starnet59
This works, but it may require some professional work.