Orion EQ-3M R.A. Drive

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Brand and Model:	Orion EQ-3M R.A. Drive
Price ($USD):	$55
Type:	single axis drive
Description:	This is the single axis drive for the Orion Astroview mount and similar Celestron CG4 and Synta EQ3 mounts.

Vote Highlights

Orion EQ-3M R.A. Drive

Installed on Astroview Mount.

- Quiet Operation
- Great Price

The drive powered by 4 D Cells, though I've hooked mine up to a 6v sealed lead acid unit.

With rough polar alignment, this drive allows me to finally do decent digi-cam imaging of the planets.

Only complaint - I wish there was a quick-disconnect or 16x speed option.

Overall Rating: 9
Performance:9 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date: 03/27/2007 01:13:53 pm PDT
By: canuck
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=549088

Reply Replies: 0

Orion EQ-3M R.A. Drive

Made for Orion's current Astroview mount, but it's also
an exact fit for my 7 year old Celestron CG4 mount. If your tripod or mount shakes when you touch the manual slo-mo controls, get one of these inexpensive drives to avoid touching the whole set-up. Easy installation, tracks very accurately for casual observing and, just as importantly, doesn't add any vibrations of its own to the mix. The unit starts tracking at the sidereal rate when switched on and features higher speeds of 2X and 8X for centering objects in the eyepiece (it's not meant for slewing around the sky). The motor is inaudible. There are enough lights on the hand controller to see what you're doing, and the batteries (4 D cells) last a decent time. The only improvement I'd wish for would be a little faster, say 16X, speed. Overall, it's a product that does what it's supposed to at a reasonable price. It's brought a whole new level of comfort to my observing.

Overall Rating: 10
Performance:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 03/28/2006 12:21:53 am PDT
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.116.139)
Link to this vote: http://excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=499698

Reply Replies: 0

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