About this product
Model: omegon_polar_wedge_42
Part Number: 74423
Omegon Polar Wedge
The Omegon EQ platform is a tracking system for your Dobsonian telescope.
Dobsonian telescopes have many advantages, but tracking can be challenging. Especially for a beginner, it is sometimes tricky to slew and tilt the telescope slowly and evenly in the right direction to compensate for the Earth's rotation.
If you place the Dobson telescope on the EQ platform, the earth's rotation is compensated by a motor. Now, you can enjoy observing objects even at high magnification without them moving out of view too quickly. This also makes observing together with family and friends much more manageable.
Advantages
- Battery-powered tracking system for Dobsonian telescopes
- Suitable for telescopes up to 30kg (approx. 10" / 254mm aperture)
- Quick setup and easy operation
- Light as a feather (3.5 kg) but robust
- Different versions for different latitudes
Tracking and Alignment
The platform tracks the telescope for one hour before it has to be reset to the original position by hand. The motor requires a standard 9-volt battery.
The EQ platform must be roughly aligned to the north for polar alignment. But unlike an equatorial telescope mount, the latitude does not need to be set. Instead, different versions of the EQ platform are available to cover many latitudes. Check your latitude and round to the nearest 5° to order the correct variant:
- 40° Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece
- 45° France, Italy, Croatia, Romania
- 50° France, Belgium, Germany, Poland
- 55° Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Poland
Exact polar alignment is challenging to achieve with an EQ platform. A small drift of the observation objects through the field of view is a consequence. A simple fine adjustment of the motor speed can minimise this drift.
It fits almost any Dobsonian:
The platform can support a telescope up to 30kg. The base of the telescope must have three feet. The distance between the feet must not exceed 45 cm. Almost every Dobsonian up to an aperture of 254 mm (10") meets these criteria.
Note: Push-to systems (based on encoders) cannot be combined with the EQ platform. (e.g. Omegon Push+ or Orion IntelliScope).
What's in the box
- Motor with mounting bracket and Hex key.
- top rocking plate
- bottom support plate
(Not included in delivery: 9 volt block battery and Phillips screwdriver)
Specifications
| Load Capacity | 30kg |
| Battery Powered | Yes |
| Designed For | Dobsonian Telescopes |
| Latitude Range | 37° - 57 |
| Total Weight | 3.5kg |
| Overall size LxWxH (cm) | 58 x 46 x 10 |
| Material | Wood |
| Battery Type | 9V-Block (6LR61, 6F22) |
Customer reviews
| Average Rating (1 Review): | |
Not cheap but a great purchase 16 September 2024 | David
We have had this tracking platform for a few months now and it has really aided our viewing. As a couple we share our viewing and having the scope stay on target as we swap has very much improved our experience. I also like to sketch and this has been areal boom. You have to adjust the speed occasionally but that is just the turn of a button.
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