Why should you get the Sky-Watcher HEQ-5 mount?

What is the point of a mount?

    A telescope is a very important part of astrophotography, but the mount can hold an even more important role. If you have a telescope, you need to know where and how to point it. That is where a mount comes in, this mount will hold your telescope steady while you point it somewhere, whether it is on earth or in space. 

The two main types of mounts.

    The Earth rotates, this makes the stars look like they are moving across the sky, when they are actually stationary. There are two types of mounts, one that counters the earth rotation and one that does not. The one that counters the Earth's rotation is called an Equatorial mount, or EQ for short. The other one is called Altitude-Azimuth, or Alt-Az for short.  

Goto mounts

    If you put motors, and a small computer chip on a mount, it can become a GOTO mount. In these mounts it is programed to have a database of space objects and where the object is in the sky according to location and time. The mount will move and go to the object and will track it as the earth rotates. 

What is the problem with Alt-Az mounts?

    An Alt-Az mount is not good for astrophotography for many reasons. First, this type of mount moves and tracks in very small steps that look like a straight line with just your eyes. These steps make the stars look like steps in some of your exposures as the telescope amplifies the size of the stars. This also distorts the object you are trying to photograph through the telescope such as a nebula or star cluster.

Bad tracking of an alt az mount (with long exposure, more than 15 seconds):

Why do EQ mounts fix it?

    First it counters the Earth's rotational axis and rotation. This allows for more accurate Goto and tracking compared to a motorized Alt-Az. It also moves in one swift motion, like a line, not very small steps. So it allows a lot longer exposures. ( 15 seconds vs. 3-4 minutes). This makes it a lot easier to figure out if my scope is facing the correct object because I can capture it in a longer exposure. 

A similar object but with an EQ mount:

Sky-Watcher HEQ-5

    A great example of a EQ mount is the Sky-Watcher HEQ-5. What are some pros of this mount?

Pros:

•  This mount does not go in steps, so it is a lot better for astrophotography.
• Equatorial mounted, this allows for long exposures (3-4 minutes).
• counters the Earth’s rotational axis, so the GOTO and tracking will be a lot better.
• Compared to others at this price range this mount is one of the most recommended mounts for beginners.
• Compatible with ASCOM, this allows the mount to be connected to a laptop or a mini PC for more accurate GOTO.
• Sky-Watcher, the brand that makes these mounts is a reputable brand and very well known for astrophotographers.
• This mount has thousands of positive reviews and is recommended for astrophotographers of any skill level.

Cons:

• The payload capacity is 30 pounds, but for good tracking it is around 20 pounds, so it would not be a good mount for anyone using something bigger than an 8 inch newtonion telescope.
• Even though the value for money with this mount is good, the price is still not achievable for everybody, at around 1,500 USD. 

Is this mount worth the investment?

    In short, yes this mount is worth the money. In the reviews David says, “I find that the mount is steady, doesn’t wobble, and tracks excellently. A sturdy recommended mount. I’m well pleased.” This shows how this mount is a sturdy mount and that this mount would be a great mount for astrophotography due to it tracking and goto capabilities.