StellarDrive 6GT (AZEQ6GT)

DARKFRAME StellarDrive 6GT - £699.00
(Stated price is for upgrade/tune to customers own mount)

Our StellarDrive™ rebuild is the ultimate iteration of a tuned AZEQ6GT mount. So far.

The AZEQ6GT share many components with the excellent EQ6-R, but is fundementally different in a number of ways. The clutch system and the architecture of the mount is better for larger payloads. This is due to the ability of the needle roller bearings to working in a different way to the EQ6-R.

The handling of larger OTA's over 8" (200mm) aperture means that it can be dampened for longer, and the geometry of the mount is different to the NEQ6/EQ6-R models, so balancing will feel different. Add in our new BoDai-Global Latitude Lock, and this helps tracking even further, by stabilsing the mounts' base to prevent any rocking/float movement under load, and being effectively a differencial screw, more precise adjustment for precise polar alignment can be achieved.

Check out how our StellarDrive™ 6GT mounts compares in our performance charts.

Our tuning methodology provides a more detailed approach, using higher performance lubricants that help your mount perform better, and which have been tested extensively over several years. 

As part of the StellarDrive™  6GT rebuild, we also include new stainless steel bolts and screws to make your mount factory fresh.
 

StellarDrive™ 6GT Series Notes:

The stock AZEQ6GT mount typically runs at 20-30 arcsecs from new unguided in independent tests. Once tuned and rebuilt our mounts run circa ±7.5 arcsecs, and circa 0.3-0.55 arcsecs RMS guided is often reported by our customers under load. Also the mount will run smoother, and more precisely so plate-solving can be just a few pixels out. In PHD2, your StellarDrive 6GT mount is up to four times as responsive to PHD guide commands over stock. This agility is part of the reason why it works so well with SCT's Backlash is virtually eliminated, which also improves pointing accuracy, and reduced axis tracking amplitude, typically ±0.25 ArcSec. 

The AZ EQ6 GT is even better engineered as a StellarDrive, and customer tests have shown this to run 30-60 mins but is largely unwarranted the UK, unless you're narrowband imaging, or running long focal lengths. Check out our testimonials page, for examples of our work. Again StellarDrive™ will improve guiding on payloads such as the Meade LX200 10" and Celestron C11 tested to 22kg meaning 25Kg is possible. It is reliable enough to leave running unattended for dusk-to-dawn imaging, when correctly setup.

A StellarDrive™ 6GT Mount also comes with product badges and a Upgrade Certificate and unique serial number. 

StellarDrive 6GT baseline Performance:

Upgrading the worm gear bearings to Hybrid-ceramic items reduce the rotational noise floor over the stock bearings Tuned mounts run typically at circa 3 arcseconds RMS, and can be autoguided to consistently perform sub-arcsecond tracking, especially when allied to a QHY Polemaster, and well driven via PHD2. We will advise you of the new settings as a basis to get the most out of your rebuilt mount.

We have HEQ5, NEQ6, AZEQ6GT and now EQ8 Reference mounts that are utilised to constantly improve our Zero Drop Frame tuning methodology, and demonstrate the benefits of enhancing the mount. That's the point, you can do more imaging with our mounts.

E&OE - Mount Build Specification and components used are 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.