Advice on Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro and Starwave 80ED-R setup & missing parts (Beginner gifted a setup)

Good luck Phil! It looks like Tony gave you the advice you need on your questions. I just wanted to compliment you on your choice of colleagues! :)

Tony Gondola · Apr 6, 2026, 03:09 PM

That’s an amazing gift!

Mounting the main scope is easy. The mounting rail is already attached to the tube. Once you get the mount setup, the tube rail slots onto the top of the mount, secure by turning the two large black knobs.

That bracket will work for mounting the guide scope but You’ll eventually want something more secure.

Since you’re new to all this I would advise taking it slow and learning step by step and please do it during the day until you learn your way around.

There are tons of videos on YouTube so it’s time to start learning. The curve will be steep as astrophotography is a complex undertaking. You’ll get there, just take your time.

Two last things. You don’t have to mount the mini-pc to the scope. It will be perfectly happy attached to a mount leg or even on a table next to the scope. That’s how I do it.

You didn’t mention any software to drive the mount. I would suggest Green Swamp Server for that task.

On power, you basically need 12V DC. There are power boxes on the market that are designed just for this sort of thing. If you are going to be portable that’s what you’ll need. If it’s just your backyard then line to 12V power adapters will be fine. Just make sure you have a 6 amp supply or better for the mount.

This is really helpful thank you.

I’m going to take it in stages for sure. All pretty much during the day so i can see what i’m doing.

The bit i’m really stuck on is actually powering the mount. Do i need something like this? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/10micron-mount-accessories/10micron_2457577A.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20038846920&gbraid=0AAAAApFAqdy3LEG83ua4n5NR2mXfaR_MC&gclid=CjwKCAjw1tLOBhAMEiwAiPkRHq2vNM3MQ_kfCvikpHJLb2_3hKppkPV9QOs0GOOZhVNCwSiJA7FPxhoCvzQQAvD_BwE

And this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/220V-12V-Adapter-72W-Refrigerator-Black/dp/B0FHK21ZYP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1C0S1Y30AU5QX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VYwvM5eDCnThKLkG6ILunyscEool98TOj1nUJ2oB4aYZsK7PYzCmLz7mPvl4hMruRuO42ytdA25dqCHObZ2IHyCr8E7hs2S8NtFwPd2KsX2jeNRKRkw3BVK-UJEi0JyLNUwNfqqg8Cib9g3xPVoUICSLqKNuXHwevlrd0ZXNHRlqQOlzfIGgHSicw8cxpj-FNfryPTxau_WdYl2CPNv-UgEkeGntq27TX181iz1lR-t7y9C5mZlTy3Cua81Aj1q1IJ2jofN6gQ6JElsGTHOrKHt3xJ0_AyyUgyhavUzxSM0.nnEP_qJPAlkBadQdZVT4V0kQQ1HcBt9a-iQGGN2tdeI&dib_tag=se&keywords=uk%2Bplug%2Bcigarette%2B6amp&qid=1775556646&s=electronics&sprefix=uk%2Bplug%2Bcigarette%2B6am%2Celectronics%2C236&sr=1-1&th=1

The cigarette lighter attachment really puts me off.

I’ll look at some tutorials as well thanks :)

Brian Puhl · Apr 7, 2026, 11:08 AM

I would very highly advise against that finder bracket. For a guide scope ideally you want two points of attachment (with separation). Usually this means mounting it to a dovetail and then mounting it to your scope. Without it, you will encounter flexure between the guide scope and the main scope, leading to unexplainable trailing in your exposures. It could be caused by temperature differences in the metal, or just the weight of a cable, shifting. Stability is key here.

Thank you Brian. What would you recommend?

Phil Ward · Apr 7, 2026, 11:54 AM

Brian Puhl · Apr 7, 2026, 11:08 AM

I would very highly advise against that finder bracket. For a guide scope ideally you want two points of attachment (with separation). Usually this means mounting it to a dovetail and then mounting it to your scope. Without it, you will encounter flexure between the guide scope and the main scope, leading to unexplainable trailing in your exposures. It could be caused by temperature differences in the metal, or just the weight of a cable, shifting. Stability is key here.

Thank you Brian. What would you recommend?

Doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but the top of your scope rings will have holes to mount another rail or dovetail. Find one that fits your scope, and mount some basic rings. Personally I run losmandy D plates on the top and bottom of all my scopes. Gives me lots of surface to mount the miniPC and hubs, etc. I don’t run guide scopes anymore but this is where I’d put them.

Basic rings like this, size them accordingly.
📷 image.png

To make things easier, you can get a basic vixen rail to mount the rings to, then mount the whole thing to the losmandy, but it’s a bit overkill if you don’t have to.

JTSAN · Apr 7, 2026, 02:25 PM

When I first started using my EQ6-Ri I had an issue where the light on the mount would start flashing. The problem was the voltage to the mount. The Sky-Watcher spec indicates a maximum voltage of 16 volts. I had been using a 12V supply but decided to switch to a higher-voltage supply and the issue went away. If your mount stars flashing when the mount is moving to a target, you should upgrade the supply voltage to it. Most inexpensive 12V supplies drop their voltage to 11 volts or less load. FWIW, here is what I purchased. It was a 15V 4A supply and the mount has been working flawlessly for the past 3 years.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083LX7CHV?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_5

The important part of this is the power supply needs to supply enough amps. I’ve never had a problem with my 12V, 20 amp supply. I would not recommend a higher voltage supply. Get 12V but make sure the amperage is high enough.

I think the ideal voltage for an EQ6 is 13.8V, 5 amps. The acceptable range is 12v to 16v. As long as your power supply provides a voltage in that range and can deliver up to 5 amps you shouldn’t have any problems. The reason for my comment is I’ve seen a lot of people have problems with electronics because they are providing the correct voltage but not enough amperage. It’s a common mistake.

Hi Phil

I’m personally using something like this with a power source like this to power mine and find it works quite well.

Hadi Zaheer · Apr 11, 2026, 11:53 AM

Hi Phil

I’m personally using something like this with a power source like this to power mine and find it works quite well.

This is exactly what i need :D thank you

Phil Ward · Apr 11, 2026, 02:22 PM

Hadi Zaheer · Apr 11, 2026, 11:53 AM

Hi Phil

I’m personally using something like this with a power source like this to power mine and find it works quite well.

This is exactly what i need :D thank you

Just for reference, I've personally got a 12v 5A power supply rather than the one I linked. The 13.8v 4A one I linked seems to be a new one that's replaced those ones at FLO. Alternatively I’ve recently been grabbing the 12v 10A ones that Pegasus astro do which are working well with the rest of my gear.

I'm still relatively new to all this so hopefully someone more experienced might be able to chime in if there's potential for issues with that particular combination of adapter/power supply :)

Dale Ghent · Apr 14, 2026, 05:49 AM

No mention of which ASCOM driver you’re going to use for the EQ6. Your choices are:

1. GSS (Green Swamp Sever)

2. EQMOD

3. Sky-Watcher’s own SynScan app+driver

Those are listed in my own order of preference. If you choose to go with EQMOD, please review the configuration guide for it in the NINA documentation. I don’t actually use any of these drivers as I don’t own a Sky-Watcher/Synta mount. However that’s what I’ve come to abide by after years of doing NINA support. GSS and EQMOD are both fine, provided EQMOD is correctly configured.

What do these tools do?
I’m currently going to be running NINA and PHD2. Is there something additional i need?

Hadi Zaheer · Apr 14, 2026, 12:55 PM

It's the way you get your mount to communicate with Nina. I would second the green swamp server drivers as well!

Cool thank you