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I am posting here after a few months of frustration with my Skywatcher EQM35 Pro mount. Despite my best efforts, I cannot get the Dec axis to track properly under guiding. I am using a rig comprising Nikon 200mm f2 lens + ASI 6200MM camera + ZWO 30f4/120MM mini camera. Total weight 7kg. I have followed most of the internet videos out there about how to a) free up the Dec axis movement and b) adjust the Dec axis backlash. a) involves loosening the main nut behind the dec plate in the mount and b) requires removing the casings around the dec gears, loosening/tightening (carefully!) the Grubb screw and possibly one of the hex screws on the dec plate revealed by removing part of the Dec gear axis mechanism). I have experimented with both, and while the Dec axis now rotates more freely (so at least I can balance in Dec), all I have succeeded in doing in respect of backlash is to lose all the tiny screws that keep the plastic housings in place around the Dec gears. Note that these fixes were recommended to me by the astro-shop that sold me the mount. One fix I haven't done is down load the "new" firmware. I am not sure whether this is needed since a) the mount was purchased a few months after the firmware was released b) I don't use the hand controller to guide/track, but the ASIAir Pro. Besides the firmware requires a Windows machine and I am a Mac user (my Windows emulator no longer works under the most recent upgrade to MacOS) When calibrating the guiding (using ASIAIR) it either fails when it moves from RA to the Dec axis calibration, saying no movement was detected in clearing backlash or it moves off in the North direction under calibration, but fails to come back under the South movement. This becomes manifest during guiding when the Dec axis takes it into its head to move >8arcsec off and can't be brought back. So currently I have Dec axis guiding turned off, and limit myself to 180sec exposures. Even at a modest 200mm focal length, I still have to throw away 25% of the subs due to guiding errors. I know that options are very mixed on this mount, but I would really appreciate any help any AB users of this mount could provide. I really want to make this mount work. To help guide feedback, here are some questions. 1) Have others experienced these problems? 2) Am I on the right track with the fixes, and have I simply given up too early or not made sufficiently fine (or gross?) adjustments? 3) Do I really need to load the new firmware? 4) Am I asking too much of this mount in either load capacity or ability to track over several minutes? To a large extent, I am very disappointed by the product. I own and love my Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro and my Skywatcher Esprit 100 refractor, so this is not a complaint against Skywatcher as a whole. I also get that this is an enthusiast hobby, so some measure of fix-it-yourself is expected. Nevertheless, the EQM 35 Pro is marketed as an "entry-level" mount. In my view, entry-level mounts shouldn't required this level of intervention, or be so difficult to tune to be "fit for purpose". Unless, of course, that purpose doesn't include astrophotography. Thanks in advance for any help/insight you can provide. Brian |
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Brian - I am having similar issues with my EQM-35 Pro. I realize this is an older posting, but wonder if you ever figured out the problem(s). I ran across the following video on YouTube - (244) EQ3 Hyper Tune - YouTube - and it goes into amazing detail on how to replace the fiber "bearings" with thrust washers. I have all the parts in hand, and will likely take the plunge soon, unless a simpler solution presents itself. I am hoping you may have found that "simple" solution. Clear Skies! Martin |
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Thé DEC has always been challenging on my EQM. I have taken it completely apart 3 times now. The trouble is in the DEC for sure, either you are so tight you are binding or so loose that a direction change is 10 seconds. It doesn’t help that the whole DEC drive is held on by one bolt and you have to line it up with the ridge on the mount while holding and backlash on the drive gear steady and keep it from twisting while you tighten the bolt with your optional 3rd arm. I have found that running very off balance in DEC actually helps, if the mount is loose enough the scope will always pendulum to one side and guide more like the RA with constant pressure on the drive. For the RA, I use as much weight as I can, as close to the mount as I can for balance. Smaller weights are available for the SW mounts. Of course all of this only matters if you have ripped the mount apart and cleaned all of the glue off and used a good synthetic grease on all of the bushing surfaces. My guiding is adequate between 1-1.4 arc seconds. I get below 1 occasionally when the planets align and over 2 if it’s to windy. I am gathering the parts for a full belt mod with motor upgrade. I’ll be upgrading to the NEMA 17 motors used on the EQ6R and belts. Total cost is under $100 if you have access to a 3D printer. No software mods or major electronics work required. I have never updated my firmware. Like you I don’t use the handset. |
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Joe I feel your pain. You'll have to reveal your secret for growing a 3rd arm some day. Mounts are frustrating in general. The Star Adventurer, while it works well enough, could be made easier to use with proper RA and DEC dials on it. The GTI was what I almost bought, but found a good deal on the Eqm-35. The HEQ-5 and EQR-6 are beyond affordable for me, even used. So instead of souping up my Chevy, I get to work on the mount. At least gears an bearings are involved. Clue me in on your belt drive mod. I don't have a 3-D printer, but know people who do, so I can probably get the parts printed. I've got all the parts for improving bearings on my EQM-35. I'll let you know how that goes. |
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| https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/408724-eqm35-low-cost-belt-mod/ The printer files are late in the thread. I'm waiting for parts on this on, likely do it over Christmas holidays. |
