Hey everyone!
I am currently looking at going for a proper Astrophotography setup as apposed to my little DSLR lens and Ioptron Skyguider Pro setup. First things first is the choice of mount. I am tossing up between a Skywatcher EQ5 Pro or the Ioptron CEM25P, both with Goto functionality etc etc. These two are likely the best for my budget (18 year old university student, gotta have some balance ;) ). As I live in New Zealand my true options for Astro equipment are pretty limited if I want to buy in the country. Here are the links to the mounts from the stores I am looking at:
-Skywatcher EQ5 Pro:
https://www.scopeuout.co.nz/products/sky-watcher-eq5-pro-go-to-telescope-tripod-and-mount-with-synscan-technology?variant=39906280012&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpPHoBRC3ARIsALfx-_L9QPHiwCauHWTWZwoHkOvO1T9w_hWMupY4l1MdGBsTmnXMhw1motoaAu0REALw_wcB
-Ioptron CEM25P EQ Mount:
https://www.astronz.nz/shop/item.aspx/ioptron-cem25p-goto-eq-mount/172/
Prices (In NZD) point toward the Ioptron being the cheaper of the two, however only by $50 which isnt really a problem (Dont think it includes shipping either). Looking at the specs (Although a lot of them I dont quite understand what im looking for) I would guess it points toward the Ioptron but I could be completely wrong. When it comes to payload capacities I probably wont go bigger than a 7kg telescope, not that I would go that big of a scope in the near future.
I will say I am leaning toward the CEM25P at the moment as I like some of the features (I.e how quiet it is wont annoy the neighbors
! And I quite like that Z-shape design).
The telescope I have look at mounting on the top of these is:
-Skywatcher 130mm f/5:
https://www.scopeuout.co.nz/collections/telescopes/products/skywatcher-130mm-dual-speed-astrophotography-reflector-telescope-ota-onlyAgain, my choice in telescopes are quite limited as I want to keep it within the country (Avoiding expensive customs payments). My end goal is to be able capture images of a variety of galaxies and nebulae in my southern skies, I am hoping this scope will have enough to achieve that. Looking at other images on this site, using that scope it seems near on perfect for what I would use it for!
Anyone who knows what specifications I should be looking for, or anyone with experience in either of these mounts, your input would be absolutely appreciated! Even some insight on my scope choice would be awesome too!
Cheers!
I am currently looking at going for a proper Astrophotography setup as apposed to my little DSLR lens and Ioptron Skyguider Pro setup. First things first is the choice of mount. I am tossing up between a Skywatcher EQ5 Pro or the Ioptron CEM25P, both with Goto functionality etc etc. These two are likely the best for my budget (18 year old university student, gotta have some balance ;) ). As I live in New Zealand my true options for Astro equipment are pretty limited if I want to buy in the country. Here are the links to the mounts from the stores I am looking at:
-Skywatcher EQ5 Pro:
https://www.scopeuout.co.nz/products/sky-watcher-eq5-pro-go-to-telescope-tripod-and-mount-with-synscan-technology?variant=39906280012&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpPHoBRC3ARIsALfx-_L9QPHiwCauHWTWZwoHkOvO1T9w_hWMupY4l1MdGBsTmnXMhw1motoaAu0REALw_wcB
-Ioptron CEM25P EQ Mount:
https://www.astronz.nz/shop/item.aspx/ioptron-cem25p-goto-eq-mount/172/
Prices (In NZD) point toward the Ioptron being the cheaper of the two, however only by $50 which isnt really a problem (Dont think it includes shipping either). Looking at the specs (Although a lot of them I dont quite understand what im looking for) I would guess it points toward the Ioptron but I could be completely wrong. When it comes to payload capacities I probably wont go bigger than a 7kg telescope, not that I would go that big of a scope in the near future.
I will say I am leaning toward the CEM25P at the moment as I like some of the features (I.e how quiet it is wont annoy the neighbors

The telescope I have look at mounting on the top of these is:
-Skywatcher 130mm f/5:
https://www.scopeuout.co.nz/collections/telescopes/products/skywatcher-130mm-dual-speed-astrophotography-reflector-telescope-ota-onlyAgain, my choice in telescopes are quite limited as I want to keep it within the country (Avoiding expensive customs payments). My end goal is to be able capture images of a variety of galaxies and nebulae in my southern skies, I am hoping this scope will have enough to achieve that. Looking at other images on this site, using that scope it seems near on perfect for what I would use it for!
Anyone who knows what specifications I should be looking for, or anyone with experience in either of these mounts, your input would be absolutely appreciated! Even some insight on my scope choice would be awesome too!
Cheers!