StellarDrive™ EQM-35

StellarDrive™EQM-35 - £289.00
(Stated price is for upgrade/tune to customers own mount)

Why upgrade to a StellarDrive™ EQM-35 Mount?

StellarDrive EQM-35 Spec - Imaging Payload 11kg  Guided 0.5 ArcSec RMS, unguided up to 10 mins* with 300mm Lens/DSLR 5 Mins* 70mm APO Refractor and 5 mins* 130/150mm PDS Reflector.
* With 13.8v power, correct counterweights, precise Polar Alignment and balance.

For customers outside the UK please email - sharon@darkframe.co.uk  for 2 way courier costs (collect & return)

This new hybrid of an EQ3-2 and also EQ5 could be the ultimate portable GOTO mount in our eyes. With its larger RA Gearing, it provides the lowest periodic error in its class. Boasting an full 11kg payload for imaging, it knocks on the door of the HEQ5, of perhaps being the sweetest of all of Sky-watchers mounts. Use it as a straight EQ mount, and revel in its highly consistent tracking. For us, the StellarDrive 3P best is on price, but not performance. The EQM-35 is usually much better stock wise to an EQ3-2 or EQ5 out-of-the-box. Unlike any DIY build, our mounts run for 5-7 years, before needing any relubrication.

Real world upgrade via StellarDrive.

A Stock EQM-35 will normally track 1.1.-1.7 ArcSec RMS, with a maximum imaging payload circa 7kg. A StellarDrive EQM-35 translates to a very useful 0.5-0.64 ArcSec RMS, with a maximum of 11 kg. So, in fact, much like a belt drive but otherwise stock HEQ5. This is all customer supplied data.

Check out how your existing mount compares in our performance charts.

Also, with more care in adjusting the worm-gears and motor drive train, they can often be made to run smoother and quieter, which also benefits better tracking and periodic error reduction. Mounts do need servicing and can be tuned, like any mechanical device. No-one as yet has designed a truly maintenance free mount!

Single 900s test guided frame tuned standard hypertuned HEQ5 Reference Mount.

StellarDrive EQM-35 Notes:

Ideal Telescope match: Skywatcher 130/150 PDS Newtonian (2-4mins unguided), 70-80mm Doublet Refractor for 5-8+ min unguided tracking. 70-300mm Zoom lens/DSLR, upt to 10 mins unguided.

The EQM-35 SynScan mount typically runs at circa 15-25 arcsecs from new unguided in independent tests and is said to be sweeter than the NEQ6 for astro-imaging. Once tuned our mounts treack around 0.5-0.7 arcsecs guided (stock is circa 1.5 ArcSec RMS) is often reported by our customers in independent tests. Also your EQM-35 mount will run smoother and much quieter, and balance far better too.

Our StellarDrive upgrade means you can track longer, and more reliably for better longer exposure times. Unguided with a 150P to circa 3-5 minutes with practice, and up to 5-10 minutes guided with a 80mm APO Refractor/150PDS for hours. The key with this diminutive mount is precise balance to get the best imaging. The sweet spot is circa 7 Kg, but will image up to 11kg. Works really well with a 130PDS or 70/80mm triplet for portable deep sky work, without a PC or guiding. 

The worm-gear shaft just spins with with our new upgraded, treated bearings. These reduce the end-float, and provide a very solid feel to the mount which in turn virtually eliminates the well known rocking motion in both RA/DEC. The mount is a very reliable platform, and can outperform a stock HEQ5 at 11kg guided.

Work includes:

Every Mount is examined externally for any damage and owner notified for any extra-parts (replacement Sky-Watcher EQ bolts for example).

The Mount is stripped back in both axis to component level, inspected for damage or wear, and degreased and ultrasonically cleaned where applicable. Bearings are then replaced with low friction and super smooth worm-gear bearings, that really do improve the responsiveness of this mount. All bearings are checked and spun before fitting. Over and above our standard rebuild extra work includes:

• New DEC thrust bearing for better dithering
• Sleeve crown rings are lathe super-finished, to create exeptional balance and fluidity
• reworked transfer spur gears for reduced harmonics. 
• Surface work on internal castings (where needed).
• Our custom lubricant package, currently to Bonneville v6.3.5
• Red Ergo levers

Owners are notified for any extra-parts (at cost) and time if required, if there is a need of repair, as other costs may be incurred.

Mount is reassembled using upgraded dampening greases and oils which operate in all temperatures from -30ºC to +125ºC (we use them in our Export Service and our own products so have been customer tested at these temperatures for over three years!).

The Mount is then bench tested and adjusted to remove backlash in the worm gear, and to ensure the operation of the mount is as cohesive as it can be.

GoTo Handset and Mount are checked for Firmware updates and updated to the latest version as required and also tested for operation.

In the case of axis repairs and tuning we carry out a load test on every mount with either an 72mm APO Reflector or 150mm ƒ5 Reflector - and adjusted so to ensure the mount is performing as it should under real-world conditions. 

The mount builds are videoed/photographed during evaluation, disassembly and rebuild, with a soundwave check to confirm drivetrain signature for our own purposes only. All work carried out is now covered by our 24 month limited warranty.


E&OE - Mount Build Specification and components used subject to change without notice. Example EQ mount tracking performance is not guaranteed, and is subject to the age and condition of the Donor Mount supplied for rebuild.