Gear Database

Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro

Sky-Watcher

Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro is a German equatorial GoTo mount for guided astrophotography rigs.

mount $$$ Backyard imaging Deep sky Refractors
Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro

Best Current Offer

Cloud Break Optics logo
Cloud Break Optics
In stock
$1,625.00

Other retailers

Specifications

Mount

Mount type
German equatorial GoTo mount
Modes
Equatorial
Drive system
DC servo, stepper motors
Slew rate
up to 3.4°/sec (800X)

Capacity

Payload
13.7 kg / 30.2 lb
Mount weight
10 kg / 22 lb mount head; 5.6 kg / 12.3 lb tripod
Payload-to-weight ratio
1.4:1

Tracking

Drive
1.8° stepper motors with 64 microsteps
Transmission
Gear drive, 705:1 gear ratio
Resolution
0.144"
Max slew speed
Up to 3.4°/s (800×)
Tracking rates
Sidereal, solar, lunar

Setup

Dovetail saddle
Vixen-style dovetail
Counterweights
2 × 5.1 kg / 11.2 lb counterweights
Counterweight shaft
Stainless steel, 18 mm diameter, 21.5 cm length
Polar scope
Included polar scope

Control

Power
11-15V DC, 2A, tip positive
Controller
SynScan hand controller
Object database
42,900+ objects
Guide port
ST4-compatible autoguider port

Specifications

Tripod / pier
Adjustable height, steel tripod legs, accessory tray

Astrophotography Fit

A general-purpose GoTo mount that should be chosen by realistic imaging payload, not headline capacity alone.

Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro is a premium German equatorial GoTo mount for computerized tracking and guiding. Rated payload: 13.7 kg / 30.2 lb.

For long-exposure astrophotography, use a conservative imaging payload. The telescope, camera, guide hardware, dew heaters, dovetails, and cables all count, and guiding performance matters more than the catalog payload number.

Best paired with

  • Autoguided refractors or corrected reflectors within conservative payload limits
  • Stable tripod or pier and balanced counterweights
  • Computer or hand-controller workflow with good polar alignment

Not recommended for

  • Payloads at the rated maximum for imaging
  • Users who need an airline-portable rig above all else
  • Long focal length work without guiding and careful balance

Where To Buy

Some links on this page are affiliate links. Prices and availability are pulled automatically from each retailer and updated daily.

Retailer Price Availability View Offer
Cloud Break Optics logo
Cloud Break Optics
Cloud Break Optics
$1,625.00
In stock
Updated 5/10/2026
View Offer - $1,625.00
Mile High Astronomy logo
Mile High Astronomy
Mile High Astronomy
$1,625.00
In stock
Updated 5/13/2026
View Offer - $1,625.00
Astronomics logo
Astronomics
Astronomics
$1,625.00
Out of stock
Updated 5/13/2026
View Offer - $1,625.00