New to astrophotography?
Are you ready to upgrade from your manual AZ or EQ mount?
Not ready to spend a fortune?
The Orion Sirius EQ-G is a GoTo system at the entry-level price range for high-quality mounts.
If you’re ready to dip your toes into the imaging field and want to learn how to take better photos, the Sirius can help you get there without going broke.
Zooming in…
✔️ Best Feature: PEC & backlash compensation
❌ Worst Feature: Training mount
👌 Ideal For: Visual, Astrophotography, Beginners
- Mount Design: Computerized Equatorial
- Mount Weight: 33.5 lbs (15.2 kg) incl. tripod
- Tripod Weight: 33.5 lbs (15.2 kg) incl. mount
- Load Capacity: 30 lbs (14 kg)
- Tripod Leg Diameter: 1.75” (44.5 mm)
Our Verdict: The Sirius EQ-G is an excellent starter mount for any beginner looking to get into the GoTo and astrophotography field. The Sirius will train you in learning the essentials and benefits of imaging with a computerized GEM mount. You’ll also be better prepared for an upgrade when that day comes.
Who is the Orion Sirius EQ-G Best Suited to?
The Sirius EQ-G is a favorite mount for those who are new to GoTo and astrophotography. Its easy-to-use and comes at a price point that won’t break the bank especially if you’re not sure if you will stick to the hobby in five years time.
This is an equatorial telescope mount that is designed for beginners to get started in imaging with. Intermediates and advanced users may be attracted to its low price tag and portability, but ultimately, they may find the gears and low payload capacity to be a deterrent for their needs and heavy loads.
How Does the Orion Sirius EQ-G Perform?
The EQ-G is a work horse. It tracks pretty good with high-precision micro stepper motors to provide quiet and precise performance. It lacks a belt drive, but it can be installed after the fact if you want to make that investment into it.
Even so, the mount offers features to compensate for the errors in guiding. Since it is an entry-level astro-imaging mount, it will take some time to learn its limitations. It’s good for a few minutes of unguided exposures, an astrophotography setup of no more than 15 lbs, and for ultimate portability with its compact and lightweight build.
Features & Benefits
PEC & Backlash Compensation
These two features are a must-have in the Sirius EQ-G mount. Why? While the Sirius has high-precision, micro stepper motors, it still incorporates gears to drive the two axes which introduces significant backlash and slop. This will become apparent during guiding and can turn those stars into trails as it exposes the errors and interruptions to exposure duration.
To help to correct for this backlash, the mount offers Periodic Error Correction and Backlash Compensation. These features help the mount “remember” where the backlash between the gear teeth occurs so that it can provide the necessary amount of correction and compensation during guiding.
SynScan Hand Controller
The Sirius equatorial mount comes with the SynScan hand controller that is often used with Orion and Sky Watcher GoTo setups. It offers a 42,900 object database, guided sky tours, and more.
However, if you’re serious about imaging, you’ll eventually want direct to computer control and to take advantage of other software for things like image processing. Fortunately, the Sirius has the capability to allow you to connect to the hand controller, mount, or completely bypass the hand controller for true direct to mount guiding.
Dual-Width Saddle
While the older model only had a Vixen-style saddle, the upgraded version offers versatility.
The Sirius EQ-G now accommodates any telescope with a Losmandy or Vixen-style dovetail setup. You’re not limited to only one type here, so it’s likely that it will fit any telescope you already own or will buy.
Limitations
Training Mount
This is what I would call a training mount as it’s similar to the Sky Watcher HEQ5 mount that offers very similar features. It’s a light-duty rig that gets you into entry-level astrophotography without a hefty upfront cost, and it provides the necessary features you need to eventually make an informed decision when it comes time to upgrade.
How long this mount will last you will depend on your dedication to the hobby, effort and time into learning the many astrophotography configurations, and how much you’re willing to spend.
The Sirius EQ-G is one of the best starter mounts for astro-imaging, and at some point, you may have to upgrade for a heavier payload capacity and belt-driven system.
Popular Questions
Does the Sirius Mount come with a Polar Scope?
The Sirius EQ-G equatorial mount comes with a built-in, illuminated polar scope in the mount housing. It has a clock-face-style dual-hemisphere reticle for accurate polar alignment no matter where in the world you are.
What is the Largest OTA that you can put on the Orion Sirius Mount?
The payload capacity is 30 lbs, and you can use loads up to 30 lbs for visual use. However, you must take into account the additional weight of accessories like eyepieces, tube extensions, dew shields, finder scopes, etc.
What is the Latitude Range of the Sirius EQ-G?
The Sirius EQ-G has a latitude range of 14-70 degrees.
How Many Counterweights are Included with the Orion Mount?
The Sirius EQ-G mount comes with one 11 lb counterweight. With the counterweight attached to the mount system, the entire setup weighs 44.5 lbs.
Conclusion
The Sirius EQ-G is a tried-and-tested system that has proven true to its claims. It’s a workhorse, excellent for beginners, and provides the basic essentials needed to get into the astrophotography field.
Even with its possible backlash and tracking errors, it’s can be improved with the mount’s features and guiding will help to improve overall performance. If you’re on a budget, it will be tough to find a mount of equal performance and quality at this price point.
The Sirius EQ offers serious value to the observer who is looking to do more.
