Orion EQ-2 Equatorial Telescope Mount
by Orion
Our Price: $199.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: PC Accessory
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Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: OrionBrand: Orion
Edition: Personal Computers
Publisher: Orion
Studio: Orion
Music Label: Orion
Product features:
- Equatorial telescope mount and tripod provides stable support and easy one-handed manual tracking of celestial objects for any small telescope or spotting scope weighing up to 9 lbs.
- Features dual setting circles and slow-motion controls, latitude scale and counterweight
- Includes aluminum tripod with hinged center brace and handy accessory tray
- Accepts optional Orion EQ-2M electronic drive for convenient autotracking
- Mount and tripod weighs 18 lbs.
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Orion EQ-2 Equatorial Telescope Mount
Customer Review: Good Solid Mount, Poor Quality Control and Customer Service
Summary: 3 Stars
The Orion EQ-2 Mount is solid, quick dampening mount, quite able to support the 80mm ED Celestron Spotting telescope. It is a far better bargain than any other solid equatorial mount for small refractors.
I have ordered many products from Orion and had always been happy with them.
However, the company no longer checks on older models like this before reshipping them from China. There is a fair amount of assembly required, but no instructions for parts that should have come fully assembled. A bolt across from the declination slow motion control was left 3/8 inches unscrewed, the RA setting circle was assembled off by about four degrees, and the protective plastic covering was left on the setting circles and can only be removed by a much as you can tear away.
I emailed to Orion for instructions, once with three questions, and once with my order number a photo showing a number by each item I was questioning. I never received a reply from customer service beyond the automated acceptance of the email.
Orion does have an 800 number for customer service that I tried next several times. The results were getting a very friendly person who was not familiar with the equipment. Suggestions about the bolt and setting circle ranged from leaving the unscrewed bolt alone, to screw it in, to "I'll get back to you" or "Someone more knowledgeable will call you." No one ever did.
There was also a problem getting the right adapter to hold the telescope to the mount. Amazon incorrectly lists an "Orion 1/4"-20 Adapter for Orion Mounts" when it only fit one mount, not the EQ-2. Orion shipped this wrong adapter anyway, and I had to pay return postage and the correct item postage to Orion, about $11 together, though they did refund the extra $1.25 postage originally added to my order for the wrong adapter. I suggest ordering the tube rings instead, or at least the 1/4-20 adapter listed for the EQ2.
Since I still recommend the mount, I should complete the story by telling you that screwing the bolt in completely has done no harm, and though it's not difficult to add or subtract the four degree error, setting circles are not accurate enough to bother using anyway. Also, using their electronic drive on this equatorial mount tracks targets better than my goto telescope does with its two axis motors.
Description of Orion EQ-2 Equatorial Telescope Mount
Put practically any small telescope or spotting scope atop this sturdy equatorial mount and enjoy easy one-handed tracking of celestial objects. The EQ-2 head is larger, stronger, and more stable than its predecessor, and has an improved latitude adjuster. Features dual setting circles and slow-motion controls, latitude scale, and counterweight. Aluminum tripod with hinged center brace includes improved accessory tray. Add optional EQ-2M electronic drive for convenient autotracking. Weighs 18 lbs.Digital Cameras and Photo Categories
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