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Requesting feedback on CQ350 Pro Mount Sky-Watcher CQ350 · Gina Knight · ... · 30 · 1137 · 2

mollycule 1.20
Molly Wakeling
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David Russell:
Molly Wakeling:
- The infuriating thing about this mount is that the USB-B from the hub, the hub 12V power in, the mount USB, the hand controller connection, and the mount 12V power in are all located on the RA axis, which means they move.

This is especially silly with the hand controller because it literally yanks the controller out of its cradle when it slews in RA.

Hi Molly. I have been hoping Skywatcher would redesign this aspect of the Mount.

perhaps a V2 version will be released sometime soon.

Whats your thoughts on this mount and design Vrs a CEM70 ioptron, which is a viable alternative ?

They could do what the Paramounts do and have those connections at the base of the mount -- the Paramount has a square base, which makes that easy, but if they keep it round, you can have a flat inset or box that sticks out or something. It looks like that's what the CEM70 does too. They may have to add some height at the bottom to not be too close to the beautiful giant altitude knob, or they could slightly decrease the size of the knob.
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MaksPower 1.20
MaksPower
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@Molly there's an easy solution to the handset - on the round cover over the end of the RA axis, apply a Velcro adhesive tab. Likewise on the handset. Its so obviously the right place for the handset I'm surprised Synta didnt do this themselves.
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mollycule 1.20
Molly Wakeling
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MaksPower:
@Molly there's an easy solution to the handset - on the round cover over the end of the RA axis, apply a Velcro adhesive tab. Likewise on the handset. Its so obviously the right place for the handset I'm surprised Synta didnt do this themselves.

The different kinds of tape I've tried to hold the powered USB 3 jumper already don't stick well and that's holding less weight. I don't think the HC would stay there for very long  I don't use it anyway. I could probably also just find a longer cable or use an extension cable.
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cratervanawesome 2.11
Michael Gorman
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I just ordered a CQ350. I have a concrete pier and observatory dome. I've been using a Rowan Belt modded and hyper tuned HEQ5 Pro for years with all my scopes(WO GT71, EdgeHD 8, WO P68).  I'm really excited to upgrade to this level of mount, it'll be a forever piece of hardware for me. My little HEQ5 got me a long way, but it has been near its limits with the EdgeHD 8 setup.
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GVAstrogirls 3.31
Gina Knight
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Michael Gorman:
I just ordered a CQ350. I have a concrete pier and observatory dome. I've been using a Rowan Belt modded and hyper tuned HEQ5 Pro for years with all my scopes(WO GT71, EdgeHD 8, WO P68).  I'm really excited to upgrade to this level of mount, it'll be a forever piece of hardware for me. My little HEQ5 got me a long way, but it has been near its limits with the EdgeHD 8 setup.


Michael Gorman:
I just ordered a CQ350. I have a concrete pier and observatory dome. I've been using a Rowan Belt modded and hyper tuned HEQ5 Pro for years with all my scopes(WO GT71, EdgeHD 8, WO P68).  I'm really excited to upgrade to this level of mount, it'll be a forever piece of hardware for me. My little HEQ5 got me a long way, but it has been near its limits with the EdgeHD 8 setup.

Hope it works out really well for you!
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cratervanawesome 2.11
Michael Gorman
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Mount arrived. My pier plate adapter from Dan's Pier plates was ordered but there is lead time on those so i can't get it fully setup in the observatory yet, and didn't get a tripod. 

I did however start testing things out indoors. I felt a tiny bit of backlash which i when ahead and adjusted out.  This thing is such a step up from my HEQ5 as far as feel and overall size goes. The Clutch lock system is a work of art. The Altitude adjustment knob is improved so much over the common Push/Pull bolts. 

I did run into the shitty USB Saddle Hub issues. They don't provide a 5v power adapter for the cable, they also don't explain where in the chain it needs to be. I sort of assumed it from was hub->PC but after sourcing a 5v power adapter for it, that didn't result in a working USB-3 connection to the camera on the other side.  What ended up working was the active cable going from camera to hub. Then the ZWO cables they ship with their cameras from hub to PC. I tried a short and newer cable from Hub to PC and didn't have luck getting a consistent connection, so its still a bit of headache. I've heard someone had a guide on how to open it up and replace the internal wiring and that seems to fix everything. I may do that in the future after I'm sure I won't need to deal with warranty issues.
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