RAKing
Postmaster
Reged: 12/28/07
Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula
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Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: NHRob]
#2691104 - 10/10/08 01:12 PM
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Btw, what height pier are you using?
I am thinking of 48" high, 6" pier.
My pier started as a 42 inch, but I trimmed it down to 40 inches for my TV-102. I like to sit down while I'm observing, plus I'm only 5'10" tall.
The 48 inch height sounds like a great starting spot for the longer refractors. You can trim a little off the height, but you have to be careful about the length of the braces. I had to move the eyebolts up a little in order to shorten mine.
Hope yours works well for you. 
Ron
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EricCCD
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/14/04
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Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: insinu8]
#2691109 - 10/10/08 01:16 PM
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Wow, that's what I have been looking for. And now, thanks to Eric's news, I'll wait patiently until next week and then contact ATS to see if I can get a hold of one of those adapters. Maybe they could make one for my G-11 tripod?
Glad to be of help! I haven't used any of their products yet, but when I heard they closed I was still saddened at the loss of options. So I was glad to hear they're back in business!
Quote:
I had no idea the EM-400 was so, uh...complicated. Sounds like maybe I'll stick to my guns and wait for my pennies to keep breeding while I watch for that e-mail about the AP900GTO...
I don't know about complicated. I have opposite extremes (Tak EM200, AP 1200), so I kinda have a perspective on both  (assuming the setup for the EM200 and EM400 are similar. I'm pretty sure the AP1200 and 900 are similar as well):
Cables: less complicated with the Takahashi EM's: for me, it's power, hand controller, autoguider and computer (if I'm imaging). If visual, it's just power and hand controller. The cables are plug in. For the AP, it's twist/screw in, with a Y-cable from GTO box to the RA and Dec axis. Then power, hand controller, autoguider, computer.
Power? Takahashi provides an 110/220VAC-24V converter. More expensive, though.
GOTO: The AP runs circles around Tak here. No doubt about it.
Portability/luggability: The AP900's components are individually lighter (I believe) than my EM200! So with a bit more setup time I can have a bigger mount set up! The EM400's heaviest component still tops 40 pounds.
Overall, I'll agree with Luke that the AP900 is more portable than the EM400, but the setup time of the EM400 tops the AP900.
Still a tough call.
Eric
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insinu8
sage
Reged: 01/22/08
Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
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Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: EricCCD]
#2709345 - 10/20/08 06:37 PM
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UPDATE:
Steve @ ATS is on the job! Looks like he'll be creating an adapter so I can use my Atlas on a 6" A-P pier. I'm going to order the pier today and hope it arrives around about the same time as the TEC and the adapter. Still no update on the TEC shipping 
Does anyone think a 48" pier would be too tall for this OTA? I'm 5' 10" and I don't want to have to use a step ladder. I could get a 42" one, but I don't want to have to lie on the ground to look at things near zenith.
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RAKing
Postmaster
Reged: 12/28/07
Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula
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Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: insinu8]
#2709485 - 10/20/08 07:51 PM
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UPDATE:
Steve @ ATS is on the job! Looks like he'll be creating an adapter so I can use my Atlas on a 6" A-P pier. I'm going to order the pier today and hope it arrives around about the same time as the TEC and the adapter. Still no update on the TEC shipping
Does anyone think a 48" pier would be too tall for this OTA? I'm 5' 10" and I don't want to have to use a step ladder. I could get a 42" one, but I don't want to have to lie on the ground to look at things near zenith.
Glad to hear you're getting that adapter.
I think the 48 incher is probably best for the TEC. I use a 42 inch (actually cut down to 40 inches) for my TV-102 and that TEC is a monster by comparison.
Figure about 16 - 17 inches from the top of the pier to the scope saddle with your Atlas. You will most likely need a small step when the scope is near the horizon. I use a small plastic step and kick it next to the pier when I don't need it. But I can lower the seat on my Starbound chair enough to use it for objects at zenith. I used to crawl around on my knees looking at the stars when I was younger. Four operations later - I don't do that anymore. 
Ron
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insinu8
sage
Reged: 01/22/08
Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
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Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: RAKing]
#2736542 - 11/05/08 03:09 PM
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Hey Ron,
I got my 6x48" AP pier the other day. Jesus, it's bigger than I thought it'd be! I'm very impressed with the way it assembles and sits rock solid.
Now I'm just waiting for the ATS adapter (and the TEC) to try this out.
I've noticed you and I are starting to have a similar set of gear. Good choice on the XT10i!
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RAKing
Postmaster
Reged: 12/28/07
Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula
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Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: insinu8]
#2736607 - 11/05/08 04:00 PM
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I bet that pier is big - your TEC 160 is going to be big, too. 
I guess great minds think alike sometimes when it comes to astro equipment.  I wish I could handle something that big, but age and infirmaties are catching up to me and I'll have to let you travel that road without me. 
Don't forget to post some pictures when you get this equipment all set up. I think it's going to be awesome.
Take care,
Ron
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Nebhunter
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/04/03
Loc: Frostbite Falls
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Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: insinu8]
#2750417 - 11/13/08 07:13 PM
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One area of concern not mentioned here is the saddle - stock Vixen. The Tec uses Losmandy compatible D series. Are you going to use the stock Vixen and those skinny dovetails?
I upgraded my EQ6 with the ADM conversion to the Losmandy D. Huge difference with the conversion. It will hold my Tec 140 with field flattener, and a heavy Pentax 67 film camera hanging off the end of everything. An Orion F11 guidescope with ADM rings rides on top of that. Total weight is about 40 lbs, but the torque from the length of the this set up is significant. Visually - no problem without the camera and Orion. I can focus with some shakes, but it quickly settles out. I am, and have done astro work with this set up. It's not a happy marriage, but just barely works - for now.
Get that G11 tripod or pier, put the ADM saddle plate on it and it should work very well on the EQ6,
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insinu8
sage
Reged: 01/22/08
Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
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Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: Nebhunter]
#2751923 - 11/14/08 04:10 PM
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It's funny you would mention this. I did contact ADM about getting a Losmandy D saddle for the Atlas and ended up getting their Dual saddle instead. You never know when you might want to swap OTA's on the fly. The Atlas is going onto the A-P pier once the adapter arrives (maybe next week!)
I also bought the same dual saddle for my DM-6. I like having choices The DM-6 rides proudly on my G-11 tripod. What a beast!
My heavier OTA's all have Losmandy D dovetails now and the smaller, lighter ones still have the Vixens.
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Svezda
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/01/07
Loc: Texas
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Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: insinu8]
#2802451 - 12/13/08 05:02 AM
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UPDATE:
Steve @ ATS is on the job! Looks like he'll be creating an adapter so I can use my Atlas on a 6" A-P pier. I'm going to order the pier today and hope it arrives around about the same time as the TEC and the adapter. Still no update on the TEC shipping
Does anyone think a 48" pier would be too tall for this OTA? I'm 5' 10" and I don't want to have to use a step ladder. I could get a 42" one, but I don't want to have to lie on the ground to look at things near zenith.
If anything it is too short. I am also 5'-10" and have the exact same setup! TEC160ED, 48" ATS, AP900. It is great for almost all viewing but you will be on the ground for about 10% and on the very lowest setting on an observing chair with capability for ultra low positions like my Starbound for about 20%. I'd go with a 54" ATS pier if I could do it again, or maybe a 56-60" if they'd do a custom length. I may get an extension, in fact. It's not a big deal but whenever Jupiter gets way up in the sky again someday (will it ever get there?) I will need an extension since I spend hours motionless at the eyepiece observing Jupiter, especially, and it is exhausting if I can't get comfortable. You might need a stepladder with the 54" but only for super low altitude stuff only 5-10deg above the horizon. -Jason A.
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Yedgy
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/22/08
Loc: Phoenix, AZ, USA
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Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: Svezda]
#2805469 - 12/14/08 08:14 PM
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Wow, am I glad I found this thread! I've been looking for a stable field pier/adapter for my Atlas but haven't had much luck finding one until now--and at a reasonable price, no less! Now I just need to figure out what height is best for me.
Thanks, folks!
Tony
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insinu8
sage
Reged: 01/22/08
Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
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UPDATE - Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: Yedgy]
#3032456 - 04/08/09 04:34 PM
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I just completed assembly of the Atlas + AP 48" pier + ATS adapter. It took longer than expected due to some mis-communication between myself and ATS about the dimensions of the adapter (it had to be re-made).
Even so, there were some tweaks I had to make (one worked well, the other I'm not too happy about. That's what happens sometimes when you have "custom" work done)
While all of this was going on, I've been using my DM-6 + G-11 for the TEC and loving it. It's a solid mount and very easy to set-up and use. I admit, I haven't been using the sky commander I ordered with it (It's still in the box) but I've not felt it was necessary.
I DID, however, mount my NP127is onto the newly assembled Atlas+AP pier and took some pictures which I will post in the next day or two. It looks pretty nice so far!
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Mike Clemens
Frozen to Eyepiece
Reged: 11/26/05
Loc: Alaska, USA
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UPDATE - Re: Mount for TEC160ED
[Re: insinu8]
#3032907 - 04/08/09 08:36 PM
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pictures
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insinu8
sage
Reged: 01/22/08
Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
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Re: UPDATE - Re: Mount for [TEC160ED] - NP127is
[Re: Mike Clemens]
#3043518 - 04/14/09 01:49 PM
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pictures
Ask, and ye shall recieve:
Yes, I know...it's not the TEC160ED...
I've been laid up sick for a couple of days and haven't had the energy to swap the OTA's on the mount/pier. But I will, and will post a pic of the lovely TEC+Atlas+Pier as soon as I'm not feeling so poorly.
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Mike Clemens
Frozen to Eyepiece
Reged: 11/26/05
Loc: Alaska, USA
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Re: UPDATE - Re: Mount for [TEC160ED] - NP127is
[Re: insinu8]
#3044075 - 04/14/09 07:09 PM
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we'll let the TeleVue slide since yer sick : ) get well !
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