EQ8-R with pier tripod The EQ8-R is a heavy-duty GoTo German equatorial mount rated for a 50 kg astrophotography payload excluding counterweights. This listing includes the pier tripod.
Manufacturer model: EQ8-R with pier tripod · Specifications checked against manufacturer data on 2026-11-04
The EQ8-R is a heavy-duty GoTo German equatorial mount rated for a 50 kg astrophotography payload excluding counterweights. This listing includes the pier tripod.
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.
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.
The head weighs 25.8 kg; the counterweight rod weighs 2.6 kg and the documented counterweights are two 10 kg units. The pier tripod weighs 29.4 kg and adjusts from 800 to 1100 mm. Latitude adjustment covers 15–65° and azimuth adjustment ±10°. Internal auxiliary power/USB connections help route telescope cables.
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
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.
| Counterweight rod weight (kg) | 2.6 |
|---|---|
| Tripod included | Yes |
| Worm gear ratio | 435 |
| Drive counts per revolution | 44544000 |
| Ra encoder | No high-resolution Renishaw RA encoder |
| Tripod height range | 800–1100 mm |
Data sheet
EQ8-R with pier tripod The EQ8-R is a heavy-duty GoTo German equatorial mount rated for a 50 kg astrophotography payload excluding counterweights. This listing includes the pier tripod.
Manufacturer model: EQ8-R with pier tripod · Specifications checked against manufacturer data on 2026-11-04
