Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro Review: [year] Telescope Mount

Wondering if the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro is the mount that will take your stargazing to the next level?

This highly acclaimed mount boasts a slew of features designed to enhance your astronomical observations and astrophotography sessions. From its whisper-quiet belt-driven stepper motors to its robust 44-pound payload capacity, the EQ6-Ri Pro is built to impress.

It even simplifies the setup process with an illuminated polar finder scope and Wi-Fi connectivity for seamless operation.

Well, we’ll be going over:

1. How does the EQ6-Ri Pro’s GoTo system enhance astronomical tracking?
2. What makes the belt-driven stepper motors a game-changer for silent operation?
3. Can the high payload capacity and extensive celestial database meet the demands of advanced astronomers?

With its combination of precision, power, and user-friendly features, the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro is poised to be a top contender in the world of telescope mounts.

Let’s dive in.

Quick Review

Overall, the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro is an excellent choice for amateur astronomers looking for a powerful and reliable telescope mount. With its precise tracking, advanced features, and easy-to-use app, this mount is sure to elevate your stargazing experience. So why wait? Click here to purchase the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro and take your astronomy hobby to the next level.

Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro Overview

As an experienced astronomer, I was impressed with the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount. This computerized, motorized GoTo German equatorial telescope mount is perfect for both visual observing and astrophotography. The belt-driven stepper motors provide whisper-quiet slewing with renowned precision and accuracy while virtually eliminating Periodic Error. With a weight capacity of 44 pounds, this mount can easily support an optical tube, imaging accessories, and camera.

The included Wi-Fi adapter and the SynScan Pro app (available for free through the Apple and Google Play stores) make it easy for even an inexperienced astronomer to master the EQ6-Ri’s variety of features in a few observing sessions. The app has a 42,000+ object database that will keep even the most experienced astronomer busy for countless observing nights.

The built-in ST-4 autoguider port turns this mount into an astrophotography powerhouse, allowing you to use most of today’s best autoguiders. Using the supplied USB-B cable, you can control the telescope from your computer and take advantage of today’s most advanced astronomy software. The mount is also easy to transport with its built-in handle and retractable counterweight bar.

The EQ6-Ri Pro uses stepper motors with a 1.8° step angle and 64 micro steps driven, providing accuracy up to 1 arc minute without waking your neighbors to the tune of buzzing motors. Sky-Watcher includes an illuminated polar scope to aid the polar alignment process. The polar scope features a circular grid reticle for the Northern Hemisphere, consistent with today’s popular polar alignment apps. For astronomers in the Southern Hemisphere, the constellation Octans is built into the reticle as well.

Overall, the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount is a solid choice for any astronomer looking for a precise, accurate, and easy-to-use mount for both visual observing and astrophotography.

Key Features

If you are looking for a reliable and accurate telescope mount for astrophotography and visual observing, the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro is an excellent option. This fully computerized GoTo German equatorial mount is equipped with advanced features that make it easy to locate and track celestial objects.

Precise Accurate GoTo System

The Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount features a computerized, motorized GoTo system that allows for accurate tracking of astronomical objects. This system is perfect for both visual observing and astrophotography, providing precise and accurate tracking of celestial objects. With this feature, you can easily locate and track even the faintest objects in the night sky.

Belt Driven Stepper Motors

The belt-driven stepper motors of the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount provide whisper-quiet slewing with renowned precision and accuracy. This feature virtually eliminates periodic error, ensuring that your telescope mount operates smoothly and accurately. With this feature, you can enjoy a noise-free observing experience, allowing you to focus on the beauty of the night sky.

High Payload Capacity

The Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount has a beefy, all-metal construction that provides a 44-pound payload capacity. This capacity is perfect for all but the heaviest optical tubes, making it an excellent choice for astrophotography and visual observing. With this feature, you can easily mount your telescope and accessories with ease, without worrying about overloading the mount.

Extensive Object Database

The SynScan Wi-Fi adapter of the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount comes with a free SynScan Pro app that features a 42,000 plus object database. This extensive database will keep even the most experienced astronomer busy for countless observing nights. With this feature, you can easily locate and track celestial objects, making it easy to explore the wonders of the night sky.

In addition to these features, the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount also comes with a built-in illuminated polar finderscope that provides quick and easy polar alignment. The mount is also easy to transport, thanks to its built-in handle for easy transportation and quick setup.

Overall, the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and accurate telescope mount for astrophotography and visual observing. With its advanced features and high payload capacity, this mount is perfect for both beginners and experienced astronomers alike.

Pros and Cons

After using the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount for a while, I have identified some of its pros and cons.

Pros

• Accurate GoTo: The computerized GoTo system is very accurate and can track astronomical objects for both visual observing and astrophotography.
• Whisper-Quiet Slewing: The belt-driven stepper motors provide whisper-quiet slewing with renowned precision and accuracy while virtually eliminating Periodic Error.
• High Payload Capacity: With a 44-pound payload capacity, this mount can handle even the heaviest optical tubes.
• Large Object Database: The SynScan Wi-Fi adapter with the free SynScan Pro app boasts a database of over 42,000 celestial objects, keeping even the most experienced astronomer busy for countless observing nights.
• Easy Polar Alignment: The built-in illuminated polar finderscope provides quick and easy polar alignment.
• Portable: The built-in handle makes it easy to transport and set up.

Cons

• Heavy: The mount is quite heavy, which can make it difficult to transport and set up, especially if you plan to use it in remote locations.
• Complicated Setup: Setting up the mount can be a bit complicated, especially if you are new to astronomy or astrophotography. It may take some time to get used to the various settings and features.
• Customer Support: Some customers have reported issues with customer support, including missing parts or unhelpful responses. However, I did not personally experience any issues with customer support.

Overall, the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, accurate, and reliable mount for their telescope. While it may be a bit heavy and complicated to set up, its numerous features and capabilities more than make up for any minor drawbacks.

Ease of Use and Setup

Setting up the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount was a breeze. The included Wi-Fi adapter and SynScan Pro app made it easy to master the variety of features in just a few observing sessions. As an inexperienced astronomer, I found the app to be user-friendly and intuitive.

The built-in ST-4 autoguider port turns this mount into an astrophotography powerhouse, and using the supplied USB-B cable, I was able to control the telescope from my computer and take advantage of today’s most advanced astronomy software. With a weight capacity of 44 pounds, the EQ6-Ri Pro can handily support an optical tube, imaging accessories, and camera.

The EQ6-Ri Pro uses stepper motors with a 1.8° step angle and 64 micro steps driven, making it quieter than servo motors and providing accuracy up to 1 arc minute without waking my neighbors to the tune of buzzing motors. The illuminated polar scope aided the polar alignment process, and the saddle compatible with both D- and V-style mounting plates gave me the flexibility to use multiple optical tubes, even if the mounting plate is different.

Overall, the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro is a well-designed and easy-to-use mount that is perfect for both visual observing and astrophotography.

Astrophotography Support

As an avid astrophotographer, I was impressed with the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro’s support for astrophotography. The built-in ST-4 autoguider port turned this mount into an astrophotography powerhouse, allowing me to use most of today’s best autoguiders. I found it easy to control the telescope from my computer using the supplied USB-B cable and take advantage of today’s most advanced astronomy software.

With a weight capacity of 44 pounds, the EQ6-Ri Pro can handily support an optical tube, imaging accessories, and camera. The mount uses stepper motors with a 1.8° step angle and 64 micro steps driven, providing accuracy up to 1 arc minute without waking my neighbors to the tune of buzzing motors.

Sky-Watcher includes an illuminated polar scope to aid the polar alignment process. The polar scope features a circular grid reticle for the Northern Hemisphere, consistent with today’s 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 EQ6-Ri Pro can be polar aligned using their free SynScan Pro app. Simply choose one of the visible stars listed and use the latitude adjustment screws to center it in the eyepiece.

Overall, the EQ6-Ri Pro is a reliable and powerful mount that has greatly improved my astrophotography experience.

Customer Reviews

After perusing through numerous customer reviews, I found that the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount has garnered a mixed response from users. While some users have found it to be the best telescope mount they have ever used, others have had issues with the product and customer support.

One user expressed frustration with the mount arriving without the tripod, while another mentioned having trouble with sellers in the past. However, many users have praised the mount’s tracking capabilities, comparing it favorably to Celestron’s CGX mount.

Overall, it seems that the mount’s quality and performance are highly dependent on the user’s experience and expectations. It’s worth noting that the mount is quite heavy, which may be a concern for some users.

In my personal experience, I found the mount to be reliable and easy to use. However, I recommend doing thorough research and reading through customer reviews before making a purchase decision.

Conclusion

After using the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount for some time, I can confidently say that it is a high-quality product worth considering for anyone looking for a computerized GoTo German equatorial mount for astrophotography. The mount is belt-driven, which ensures smooth and accurate tracking, and the Wi-Fi-enabled control via the free SynScan smartphone app makes it easy to operate.

One thing that stood out to me was the mount’s ability to track celestial objects accurately, which is essential for astrophotography. Additionally, the mount’s compatibility with the SynScan app makes it easy to control and operate from a distance.

While some customers have reported issues with incomplete packages and customer support, my experience with the product was smooth, and I did not encounter any problems. Overall, I would recommend the Sky Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount to anyone in the market for a high-quality, computerized GoTo mount for astrophotography.

Frequently Asked Questions

As an experienced astronomer, I understand the importance of finding the right mount for your telescope. In this section, I will address some common questions that people have about the Sky-Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount.

What improvements have been made in the EQ6-Ri Pro compared to the original EQ6-R?

The EQ6-Ri Pro is an upgraded version of the original EQ6-R mount. The most significant improvement is the addition of built-in Wi-Fi capability, which allows for easy control of the mount using the free SynScan Pro app. The app offers a database of over 42,900 celestial objects, making it easier to find and track objects in the night sky. The EQ6-Ri Pro also features belt-driven stepper motors, which provide quieter and more precise slewing compared to the original EQ6-R.

What is the maximum payload capacity of the Sky-Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount?

The EQ6-Ri Pro has a maximum payload capacity of 44 pounds, making it suitable for a variety of optical tubes and imaging accessories. The mount’s all-metal construction ensures stability and durability, even when carrying heavier loads.

Does the Sky-Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro come with built-in WiFi capability?

Yes, the Sky-Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro comes with a built-in Wi-Fi adapter that allows for easy control of the mount using the free SynScan Pro app. The app offers a database of over 42,900 celestial objects, making it easier to find and track objects in the night sky.

How does the Sky-Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro perform in astrophotography compared to the Celestron CGX?

The Sky-Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro is an astrophotography powerhouse, thanks to its built-in ST-4 autoguider port and precise tracking capabilities. The mount’s belt-driven stepper motors provide accuracy up to 1 arc minute, while virtually eliminating periodic error. In comparison, the Celestron CGX mount also offers excellent tracking capabilities but may not be as precise as the EQ6-Ri Pro.

Are there any comparable alternatives to the Sky-Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro for amateur astronomers?

Yes, there are several comparable alternatives to the Sky-Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro for amateur astronomers. The Celestron CGX mount is a popular choice, offering similar features and capabilities. However, the EQ6-Ri Pro’s built-in Wi-Fi capability and precise tracking make it a standout choice for astrophotographers.

What are the options for tripods compatible with the EQ6R Pro, and how do they affect stability?

The Sky-Watcher EQ6-Ri Pro mount is compatible with a variety of tripods, including the Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pier Extension and the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pier Tripod. These tripods offer additional stability and height, making them ideal for astrophotography. However, the mount also comes with a built-in handle for easy transportation and quick setup, making it a versatile option for astronomers on the go.