Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount without Tripod

EQ8-R mount head without tripod

The EQ8-R is a heavy-duty GoTo German equatorial mount rated for a 50 kg astrophotography payload excluding counterweights. This is the mount configuration without a tripod.

Drive and tracking

The 0.9° hybrid stepper motors use 256 microsteps and 435:1 worm drives. Maximum slewing speed is 3.7°/s. Sidereal, solar and lunar tracking, selectable autoguide rates and 200-segment permanent PEC are documented.

RA encoder

The standard EQ8-R does not include the Renishaw high-resolution RA encoder fitted to the EQ8-RH. Its motor-drive resolution must not be described as an encoder accuracy.

Installation and connections

The head weighs 25.8 kg; the counterweight rod weighs 2.6 kg and the documented counterweights are two 10 kg units. Provide a compatible tripod or permanent pier separately. Latitude adjustment covers 15–65° and azimuth adjustment ±10°. Internal auxiliary power/USB connections help route telescope cables.

Power and control

Use the manual’s 11–16 V DC, 55 W supply specification, with higher voltage preferred within that range. SynScan hand control and SynScan Pro provide GoTo operation with a 42,000+ object catalogue.

Sky-Watcher manufacturer documentation

Compatibility notes

Exact R/RH and tripod distinction retained. Encoder values apply only to RH and are distinct from motor resolution and pointing accuracy. Manual weights exclude different components as labelled.

Additional specifications