Question 1

would this hold a Orion Space Probe 130ST EQ Equatorial Reflector Telescope

Accepted Answer

Yes, the SkyView Pro mount has a payload capacity of 20 lbs. The 130ST optical tube weighs less than 7 lbs.

Question 2

whould this mount hold an Orion 8945 SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope?

Accepted Answer

No, that would not be recommended. The weight of the optical tube exceeds the weight limit of the mount.

Question 3

Will I need to purchase additional counterweights for an 18 pound 180mm mak cass?

Accepted Answer

Probably not ... I have a Celestron 8" SCT and just use the 2 weights that came with the SkyView Pro

Question 4

Would this hold a Skyquest XT6??

Accepted Answer

The SkyQuest XT6 is a Dobsonian telescope rig.  You would have to make a few modifications to the mounting system to adapt a SkyQuest XT6 optical tube assembly to a GEM, but the XT6 weighs in at 13.5 lbs. and the SkyView Pro is rated for up to a 20 lbs. payload. So technically you could, provided you make some changes.   To adapt an XT6 to mount on a GEM, you must remove the rocker points from the tube and add a pair of tube rings with an appropriately long Vixen rail to make a cradle.  You may have a little difficulty finding tube rings in the right size, however; I had to have a pair custom made by High Point Scientific in order to adapt an old Case Astrola model A, which has a similar aperture to the SkyQuest XT6, to the SkyView Pro.  It wasn’t cheap, but I wanted a more stable mount than the original “plumber’s nightmare” that shipped with it.

Orion 9829 SkyView Pro Equatorial Telescope Mount

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