FIRST LIGHT
Pointing accuracy can be refined using the hand controller’s sub-menu, although for visual observing this was not really necessary.
For long-exposure astrophotography you can use the handset to perform periodic error correction (which can be retained for future use) along with additional alignments to improve both pointing accuracy and tracking. Our own astrophotography setup doesn’t require the snap port, but the option of having it is useful – now incorporated onto Sky-Watcher mounts as standard, it offers a way of controlling the camera via the SynScan hand controller if you don’t have a remote control.
After mounting a Canon EOS 50D DSLR and an Equinox 80ED refractor, we took a series of one-minute exposures of comet 41P/ TuttleGiacobini-Kresak and of galaxy pair M81/M82 in Ursa Major on separate nights, and obtained good results on both image runs. We also hooked up our Wi-Fi controller to the handset and used SkySafari Pro 5 to control the mount wirelessly, undertaking another tour of the sky with good results.
We can see the EQ6-R becoming the staple mount of choice for those wanting to upgrade from EQ3 and EQ5 mounts if they wish to stick with a familiar setup and delve into the realm of astrophotography.