New BTO StellarDrive EQM-35 Pro

The New StellarDrive EQM35 - Built to Order


The Sky-watcher EQM35 can be transformed into an amazing portable GOTO astro-imaging platform, with a full 11kg payload. This makes taking photos with a DSLR easy, but add that to either a 150PDS Newtonian, RC6 or 80mm APO refractor, and it outperforms a stock HEQ5.

It's set a new benchmark by being circa 0.5 ArcSec RMS guided. For what was an entry-level mount, that is EQ6-R's playground, but it weighs much less.

This is a fully re-engineered mount, with improved tolerances on a number of components, as well as an improved bearing setup for the DEC axis. It's makes dual-axis dithering very reliable, which is sometimes a real issue on some scope setups on what is considered an entry level mount.

Capable of imaging either guided or unguided, with the above setups, it is a great way to get into serious astro-imaging on a budget. The StellarDrive EQM35 is completely reworked to provide sub-arcesecond guided imaging for hours and unguided from 3-10 minutes, if you want to just image with a camera. a small telescope,and no computers! We had one customer who apologised for try as he might, he could 'only' get 12 mins unguided with his 70mm APO Refractor, but not 14 minutes...!

So, if you're thinking which is the best for tracking out of the EQ3, EQ5 or EQM35, well, it's this one. It's purely down to the fact that the RA, has a larger gear ring, which translates into reduced periodic error. If you have an EQ3 or EQ5 already then check out what we can do to improve those. We can also rebuild your existing EQM35 mount too!

YouTube's Astrobiscuit recently sold his StellarDrive 5 (HEQ5 circa 2006, 0.6 ArcSec RMS) for a lighter StellarDrive EQM35. See it feature in future videos as his new travel mount setup.

As a portable EQ imaging mount, we believe it's a far more viable propostion than any harmonic drive, costing three times as much. Firstly, it will run unguided very consistently and therefore doesn't need extra items such as a guidescope/camera and a small mini-PC to drive it. Secondly, you'll still need a tripod and counterweight, and with a 3.28kg head weight, it won't eat into your baggage allowance like a bigger mount would. One could also argue this is also better than the wifi tracker mounts such as the AZ-GTi (EQ Mode) and the Star Adventurer GTI, which have half the payload and still need another wifi device to drive them.

Is the StellarDrive EQM-35 the ultimate travel imaging mount?

Well, it's one of the most popular mounts we rebuild and ship worldwide, so there's a clue.


UK only shipping for all New BTO Mounts £9.95 - please choose this option at checkout.