{"id":59021,"date":"2024-05-13T14:18:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T14:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/9d49c71d-79e4-4bbf-adeb-6c688c81ba04"},"modified":"2024-05-13T15:08:24","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T15:08:24","slug":"heavy-duty-the-sturdy-sky-watcher-cq350-pro-mount-and-tripod-offer-a-staggering-35kg-load-capacity","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/heavy-duty-the-sturdy-sky-watcher-cq350-pro-mount-and-tripod-offer-a-staggering-35kg-load-capacity\/","title":{"rendered":"Heavy duty! The sturdy Sky-Watcher CQ350 Pro mount and tripod offer a staggering 35kg load capacity"},"content":{"rendered":"

This heavy-duty combo makes smooth work of moving big payloads <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Monday, 13 May 2024 at 14:18 PM<\/p>

\n\n

The centre-balanced equatorial mount has been around for a few years and has proven to be a popular and sturdy option for those looking for high load capabilities without the weight of traditional equatorial mounts.<\/p>

To this end, Sky-Watcher has now launched its first foray into this type of equatorial mount, with the CQ350 Pro. \u00a0<\/p>

Our first impression when the CQ350 Pro arrived was that clearly this is a sizeable mount \u2013 three large boxes were delivered.<\/p>

Unboxing and setting up the CQ350<\/strong><\/h2>

Opening the first box, we found the mount head held firmly encased in thick foam, with a counterweight bar and accessories.<\/p>

The tripod, which weighs in at 15kg, was securely packaged in a separate box, and a pair of 10kg counterweights and an optional polar scope were enclosed in the third.<\/p>

We were disappointed to see that the CQ350 Pro does not ship with a carry case, so if you are looking to transport the mount to dark-sky areas, this needs to be taken into consideration. \u00a0<\/p>

Setting up the CQ350 Pro was straightforward enough, with the mount attaching to the tripod via the threaded connection underneath, in addition to two Allen bolts that have a dual function, holding the mount in place while also locking down the left\/right declination adjustment.<\/p>

Adjusting the altitude proved to be very easy, thanks to the oversized green metal knob that controls the movement in both directions. <\/p>

\"cq350<\/figure>

Power supply<\/strong><\/h2>

The CQ350 Pro mount is powered from a cigarette lighter-style 12V plug that screws securely to the mount, removing the risk of accidental disconnections.<\/p>

One thing to note is that the power supply and handset connection, plus the USB and power hubs, are situated on the counterweight side of the mount.<\/p>

This results in the sockets pointing skywards during use, which was a little concerning given the moisture and dew we have to contend with in the UK, particularly during the autumn and winter.<\/p>

Using the supplied USB cable, we were easily able to connect our laptop and control the mount.<\/p>

The polar scope attached firmly to the front of the mount using two small screws.<\/p>

We did notice that once this is attached, it slightly hinders access to the RA control and USB\/power pass-through.<\/p>

We also noted that the polar scope can only be used with the left eye, due to its close proximity to the mount body.<\/p>

\"cq350<\/figure>

Polar alignment<\/strong><\/h2>

Once skies were dark, polar alignment<\/a> was nice and straightforward and we were pleased to note that when tightening everything down we didn\u2019t push the alignment out.<\/p>

After completing a three-star alignment, we slewed to a few different targets and were please to confirm that it hit each one with spot-on accuracy.<\/p>

While slewing we did note that the handset cable kept getting tangled around the counterweight, one issue that is arguably due to its central connection location.<\/p>

\"cq350<\/figure>

Astrophotography<\/strong><\/h2>

Switching out our eyepiece, we proceeded to connect our camera and test out the USB hub and power pass-through system.<\/p>

The supplied USB cable for the hub needs to be powered to enable cameras to work at their best.<\/p>

The main problem we encountered while using the hub was due to its location, as we found running cables from the front of the mount back to the camera left them dangling and risked them snagging.<\/p>

\"cq350
The mount\u2019s flawlessly smooth performance helped capture this refined North America Nebula in just 6x 15\u2019 exposures in Ha, and 6x 15\u2019 in OIII. Image taken using a William Optics GT81 refractor, Starlight Xpress SXVR H694 mono camera and Astrodon filters. Credit: Chris Grimmer<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Slewing over to Cygnus<\/a> and switching on our guider, we were pleased to see a smooth guide graph, with only light corrections required.<\/p>

Once we were happy everything had settled, we set about running a series of 15-minute exposures on the North America Nebula<\/a> in both Ha and OIII.<\/p>

During this multi-hour imaging session, the CQ350 Pro didn\u2019t miss a beat and performed flawlessly, as was evidenced by the perfect stars in the resulting images. \u00a0<\/p>

\"cq350
Precision guiding meant sharp stars in the Soul Nebula from 4x 15\u2019 Ha and 4x 15\u2019 OIII exposures. Image taken using a William Optics GT81 refractor, Starlight Xpress SXVR H694 mono camera and Astrodon filters. Credit: Chris Grimmer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

This new mount performed well at all its core functions, and was only really let down a little by some poor design choices when it comes to cable management.<\/p>

Overall, though, the CQ350 Pro is a great addition to Sky-Watcher\u2019s range, offering exactly the kind of solid quality at a decent price we have come to expect from them.<\/p>

\"cq350<\/figure>

CQ350 Balance and load capacity<\/strong><\/h2>

The trusty equatorial mount is a staple for anyone looking to do long-exposure astrophotography and the design has stood the test of time.<\/p>

However, a few years ago a new design came to market that promised higher load capabilities but with the advantage of a less bulky and lighter mount head.<\/p>

This new design has the appearance of a \u2018Z\u2019 on its side, rather than the traditional \u2018T\u2019, and shifts the centre of gravity of the mount, placing the bulk of the weight or pivot point above the tripod or pier. \u00a0<\/p>

Sky-Watcher\u2019s CQ350 Pro builds on this design, offering a substantial load capacity of 35kg from a mount weighing just 18.5kg (without counterweights).<\/p>

Compare this to the smaller Sky-Watcher EQ6R, which only has a 20kg load capacity but weighs in at 17.3kg, and you can see the strength in the design.<\/p>

The reduced mount weight means the CQ350 Pro is semi-portable, as it can be easily lifted on and off a tripod.<\/p>

However, we wouldn\u2019t recommend trying to move both mount and tripod together.<\/p>

\"cq350<\/figure>

CQ350 Pro 5 best features<\/strong><\/h2>

Large knobs\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>

The large, CNC-machined metal knobs on the altaz adjusters, clutches and dovetail plate are a nice inclusion. These large knobs make adjustments easy, even when wearing gloves and with cold fingers. All the adjusters are finished in green, making them easy to locate in the dark.<\/p>

Tripod<\/strong> \u00a0<\/h3>

The CQ350 Pro can be supplied with Sky-Watcher\u2019s new 2.7-inch-diameter-legged tripod. With a solid steel head and stainless steel legs, it weighs in at 15kg and stands 77.5cm tall, extending to 1 metre if required. This is a solid and robust tripod, easily able to carry the heaviest of setups.<\/p>

Losmandy\/Vixen mount\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>

The Sky-Watcher CQ350 Pro is equipped with a heavy-duty, multi-use mounting plate suitable for all telescopes and accessories. This solid, full-metal bracket accepts the smaller, Vixen-style dovetail as well as the larger Losmandy plates found on larger and heavier telescopes.<\/p>

Hand controller<\/strong><\/h3>

The CQ350 Pro is supplied with Sky-Watcher\u2019s SynScan hand controller, which will be familiar to anyone who has used a Sky-Watcher mount before. The large screen and rubbery buttons make using the hand controller easy and the menu options are very intuitive, with step-by-step instructions when performing alignment routines.<\/p>

USB 3.0 hub<\/strong><\/h3>

Located under the mounting plate is a four-port USB 3.0 hub, controlled by connecting a powered USB cable to a port on the side of the mount head. This hub is wired through the middle of the mount into the hub in the mounting plate, removing the risk of dangling cables.<\/p>

Vital stats<\/strong><\/h2>