Dual EQ and AZ mounts

The Hybrid Revolution: Why Choose When You Can Have Everything? In traditional astronomy, you often had to make a hard choice: do you choose the intuitive speed of a Alt-Azimutal setup for visual observing, or do you go for the photographic precision of a Equatorial mount? With the rise of the Dual EQ and AZ mounts on Telescoop.nl, that choice is a thing of the past. These hybrid systems are mechanical masterpieces that transform from an ‘up-down’ system to a fully pole-star-aligned imaging rig with a simple adjustment of the mount head.

For the serious amateur astronomer, this offers unparalleled advantages. During the day or a short evening session, use the mount in the AZ mode for quick alignment and stable observation. Planning a night of deep-sky shooting, however? Then tilt the axis to EQ mode. This not only saves space and money for a second mount, but also allows you to utilize the familiar accuracy of your GoTo system in both disciplines.

The New Standard: Strain Wave and Hybrid Swings Within our range of Dual mounts, we see the absolute dominance of Strain Wave Gearing (SWG)., also known as harmonic drive. Brands such as iOptron Have with the HAE series (such as the HAE29, HAE43 and the mighty HAE69) set the bar extremely high.

• SWG Technology: Mounts such as the iOptron HAE29B Dual SWG iMate use components from robotics. They are featherweight, but can carry huge payloads without the need for counterweights in AZ mode. This makes them the ultimate hybrid for the traveling photographer.

• Classic Hybrid Workhorses: The Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 GT and the AZ-EQ5 GT remain the favorites for the fixed mount in the backyard. These mounts use a stable worm gear drive with encoder technology (Freedom Find), allowing you to move the telescope manually without losing your GoTo alignment.

• Compact Hybrids: For the lighter setups, the iOptron SkyHunter a marvel of portability. Despite its small size, it offers full GoTo functionality in both EQ and AZ modes, making it perfect for small APO refractors.

Smart Integration and Operation Many of the modern Dual mounts on Telescoop.nl, such as the Bresser Nebula-series, are equipped with integrated WiFi modules. This allows you to control the mount directly via your smartphone or tablet. The software understands what mode the mount is in and adapts the search and tracking logic directly to it. In combination with accessories such as the iPolar electronic pole finder, the switch from visual viewing to photographic tracking has become a matter of minutes.

At Telescoop.nl, we understand that your passion for stargazing is multi-faceted. That's why we selected this category based on mechanical reliability when switching between modes. A Dual mount is an investment in the future of your hobby; it is the only platform that will grow with you whether you focus on planets, nebulae or landscapes.