Charlie Hein
Postmaster
Reged: 11/02/03
Posts: 7961
Loc: 26.06.08N, +80.23.08W
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Starting a new thread... the previous versions of this thread can be found here and here.
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"He's dead, Jim - I'll get his wallet, you get his tricorder." - Leonard "Bones" McCoy
Weston CSC:
Edited by Charlie Hein (04/26/09 06:19 PM)
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Myles
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/25/06
Posts: 595
Loc: Seattle, Washington
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Stellarvue TSL5 with a DiscMount DM-4 on top of it.
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Seattle, WA
LB10", SV115T, SV80ED
35Pan, 27Pan, 14XW, 10XW, 7XW, 5XW, 3.5XW
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antilles72
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/06/07
Posts: 1648
Loc: Rhode Island
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WO EZ Touch
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Royston
Royston's Cosmic Log
Royston Kane Photography
Orion 80ED
WO Eazy Touch
Orion Scenix 10x50
Bushnell Sky Chief III 60mm F/15
William Optics 16mm UWAN
Orion Sirius Plossl 10mm, 20mm, 25mm
B/TMB Planetary 4mm
Sony Alpha A100
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charles genovese
super member
Reged: 02/04/06
Posts: 132
Loc: Madisonville Louisiana
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My Franken mount. C8 on a Vixen GP with Meade LXD 75 drives on a homade pier. Here is the perfect grab and go. And the telescope is good too.
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Graystar
member
Reged: 04/19/09
Posts: 91
Loc: Brooklyn, NY
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My brand new Orion Skyview Pro...in pieces! It was a brand new floor model. When I got it I found the RA axis seized. Normally I'd return something that doesn't work for a new one, but I had read that giving these mounts an overhaul does wonders for its operation, and I'm the type of person that would perform such a task.
The RA axle and worm (the seized parts) are going to be repaired by the seller, and with the removal of the old gunk, deburring of the worm, good grease, and a careful adjustment, it should actually be better than new, so I'm not terribly upset at the moment...but check back in a couple weeks when the axle get back :P
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Warning! I'm a newbie...I don't know anything!
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PJ Anway
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/04/03
Posts: 1136
Loc: Michigan's U.P.
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Here is my Losmandy G-9. Sold back in the early to mid 90's, you don't see many of these.
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PJ
_________________
Lookum Observatory
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scopemankit
super member
Reged: 01/27/09
Posts: 136
Loc: south africa
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Here's my old home-mde mount for my 12"cass. It's been going for 14 years with only 1 change of stepper motor. The drive program used is Mel's "Scope" (I use only 1 channel as the dec is driven by a small dc motor.
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Chris
Cape Town
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waassaabee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/26/07
Posts: 2692
Loc: Central California Coast
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Quote:
My Franken mount. C8 on a Vixen GP with Meade LXD 75 drives on a homade pier. Here is the perfect grab and go. And the telescope is good too.
Mighty fine mount you got there Charles!! What telescope...?
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Gary
34N 120W
-My kingdom for blue squares!-
WO Megrez 90FD/TV 0.8x FR/FF
AT8RC
mini Borg 50/Q-Guide/PHD
CGEM
Canon 350D Hap Griffin Baader mod - o.o
My Friend Flickr
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rwiederrich
Goldfinger
Reged: 11/17/05
Posts: 8306
Loc: Bremerton Washington
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My retro fitted Cave OB series mount with 2.5" stainless shafts. I freshly painted the newly finished saddle/tube rings that will hold my 10"f/16 refractor.
Rob
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www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.
www.vimeo.com/6014031
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Darenwh
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/11/06
Posts: 1220
Loc: Covington, GA
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Nice but I think you are going to need a longer peir....
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Daren
Covington, GA
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rwiederrich
Goldfinger
Reged: 11/17/05
Posts: 8306
Loc: Bremerton Washington
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Quote:
Nice but I think you are going to need a longer peir....
Oh yeah Daren...I keep it on that short pier to roll it around with the tube in its rings...so I can work on it.
The GEM and saddle alone will be mounted on a permenent steal pier in an OB. I wouldn't be able to even look over the trees if I left the 12" X 14ft scope fixed in this arrangement.... 
Rob
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www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.
www.vimeo.com/6014031
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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Orion Skyview AZ with TV-85 and Meade 80mm triplet:
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Rudy Nix
member
Reged: 03/19/08
Posts: 63
Loc: Hollister,CA
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Here's a picture of my LX200 10 SCT with the fork mount and then on an Atlas EQ-G, and my wide field setup on the EQ-G. I decided to take the 10" sct off the fork mount so that I could switch easily between scopes for astrophotography.
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40157
Loc: montana
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Here's my AstroTech Voyager!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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beachchairbill
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/06/08
Posts: 504
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Here is a picture of my new Astrowood P-Mount
Beachchairbill
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Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/23/05
Posts: 1855
Loc: Virginia
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Oh my, Elvis is finally in the building. Just got the mount a few days ago. All I can say so far is that it was worth the wait. Can't wait to give a scope a ride.
Astro-Physics Mach 1 GTO on AP/Baader wood tripod with A-P accessory trays....
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Hooville
AP 105EDF f/6 Traveler; AP 140 EDF StarFire f/7.5; TV 76 f/6.3 with Solarscope SF70 filter; Solarscope Solarview 50; Coronado CaK 70; Orion XT-10; Baader Mk V & ZAO II's; Half-Hitch Mk II; Astrotrac TT320X, pier & wedge; AP Mach1GTO; PGR Flea 2
Edited by Doug D. (05/18/09 11:07 AM)
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dweller25
sage
Reged: 08/30/07
Posts: 249
Loc: 53.6°N - UK
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Here is my trusty GP-DX with the SkySensor 2000PC system.
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Be true to your teeth and they will never be false to you.
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GeorgeNC
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/26/07
Posts: 1119
Loc: Land of the Sky, North Carolin...
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Got a new CGEM last week, but last night was first clear skies to give it a trial. Worked great! Aligned it roughly north - did the 2 + 4 alignment, then the polar alignment routine on Arcturus. Everything was spot on. Imaged M53 - it was close to the meridian so I could check out the tracking across the meridian.
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Celestron C11 on CGE Mount
Stellarvue 80mm Nighthawk II
W.O. Flt110 on CGEM
Canon 40D (Hap Griffin modified)
Orion StarShoot Autoguider
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jmasin
sage
Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 489
Loc: Murphy, TX (DFW)
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my humble setup awaiting the sun to say goodnight...
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Cheers,
Jon
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Orion Atlas 8" (203mm f/4.9 on Atlas EQ-G)
Tasco 60mm (~35 years old and still kicking!)
Nikon D300, 80, 70 & many lenses
http://www.pbase.com/jmasin/astro
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pferendzo
member
Reged: 02/10/08
Posts: 90
Loc: St Louis
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I'm refurbishing my 10" newt (Orion) and I'm trying to decide if I should repurpose my Atlas from primary use with my refractors and CATs to an equatorial for the 10" newt. My viewing is from the SE to SW, not that great of an arc. Do you find the 10" comfortable to use on the Atlas, or is it a bit of pain?
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jmasin
sage
Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 489
Loc: Murphy, TX (DFW)
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Pferendzo,
That is actually the 8" newt, not the 10". That said, I have no issues with it. The dovetail bar on top helps alot, it is a very good carry handle and also gives someplace to grab while putting it on and taking it off. I have mounted my camera & 500mm lens on top of the 8" on the top dovetail bar and the Atlas seemed to handle it fine.
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Cheers,
Jon
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Orion Atlas 8" (203mm f/4.9 on Atlas EQ-G)
Tasco 60mm (~35 years old and still kicking!)
Nikon D300, 80, 70 & many lenses
http://www.pbase.com/jmasin/astro
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turbo399
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 226
Loc: Michigan
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My LXD750 with 10" DSO and CGE with TMB 130SS, sadly I am parting company with both mounts to make way for my new CGE Pro, which I hope will be arriving this thursday!! 
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TMB 130SS F7 Refractor
TMB 80SS F6.3 Refractor
Celestron C14
10" F5 Astrograph/Newt
Stellarvue 80ED Nighthawk NGD
Vixen 80ED
Celestron CGE PRO Mount
QHY8
Canon 450D modified
Orion Autoguider
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryhancock/
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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Orion Skyview AZ mount with 16 inch extension seen here with a new NP-101 mounted on it.
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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jbury
journeyman
Reged: 02/02/09
Posts: 6
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Celestron CGEM with a C9.25 and Orion 80mm ED.
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Celestron CGEM 925
Orion 80mm ED
Meade Lightbridge 16"
Photos (Flickr)
Edited by jbury (05/27/09 07:32 PM)
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1541
Loc: New Hampshire
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OK. Now for something COMPLETELY different!
My iOptron Mini Tower on an EQ wedge with a 1975 C8 w/ Moonlight two speed focuser, 8 x 50 finder and sliding CW. All held in place on a Losmandy D style dovetail and saddle plate. Note the new and larger CW shaft to allow use of the Losmandy CW!!
Steve
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Stephen Forbes - President
Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC
61 Valhalla Farm Road
Hillsboro, NH 03244
Web: http://TrapeziumTelescopes.com
Email: Stephen.Forbes@TrapeziumTelescopes.com
Phone: 1.603.325.0619
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/ iOptron GOTONOVA
102mm f/7 refractor on iOptron Mini Tower
1975 Celestron Orange Tube C8 on Equatorial Mini Tower
1978 RV-6 on iOptron Mini Tower
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1541
Loc: New Hampshire
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Post deleted by Charlie Hein
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Stephen Forbes - President
Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC
61 Valhalla Farm Road
Hillsboro, NH 03244
Web: http://TrapeziumTelescopes.com
Email: Stephen.Forbes@TrapeziumTelescopes.com
Phone: 1.603.325.0619
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/ iOptron GOTONOVA
102mm f/7 refractor on iOptron Mini Tower
1975 Celestron Orange Tube C8 on Equatorial Mini Tower
1978 RV-6 on iOptron Mini Tower
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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I guess that puts the capacity of the MiniTower questions to rest!  
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Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1541
Loc: New Hampshire
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Post deleted by Charlie Hein
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Stephen Forbes - President
Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC
61 Valhalla Farm Road
Hillsboro, NH 03244
Web: http://TrapeziumTelescopes.com
Email: Stephen.Forbes@TrapeziumTelescopes.com
Phone: 1.603.325.0619
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/ iOptron GOTONOVA
102mm f/7 refractor on iOptron Mini Tower
1975 Celestron Orange Tube C8 on Equatorial Mini Tower
1978 RV-6 on iOptron Mini Tower
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Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1541
Loc: New Hampshire
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How about a 25 pound 1965 4" f/15 refractor with a 15 pound 6" MAK?
Steve
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Stephen Forbes - President
Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC
61 Valhalla Farm Road
Hillsboro, NH 03244
Web: http://TrapeziumTelescopes.com
Email: Stephen.Forbes@TrapeziumTelescopes.com
Phone: 1.603.325.0619
6" f/15 Jaegers refractor on GOTO GEM
5.1" f/8 Burgess on CG-5 w/ iOptron GOTONOVA
102mm f/7 refractor on iOptron Mini Tower
1975 Celestron Orange Tube C8 on Equatorial Mini Tower
1978 RV-6 on iOptron Mini Tower
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EddWen
sage
Reged: 04/26/08
Posts: 367
Loc: Here or There
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Here's what you need to prevent "shutter shudder" when using a DSLR on a 3.5 Questar ;-)
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Edd Weninger
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**** Lightshield Observatory SoCal ****
Nexstar 11 GPS Questar 3.5
A-P 900 A-P Traveler
**** Blackdog Observatory Arizona ****
A-P 155EDF A-P 1200GTO Coronado SolarMax 90
Orion ED80 Baader Mk V bino-viewer
CGE STV Canon 18x50IS
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GolfSierra
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 24
Loc: Kansas
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Losmandy GM8 with dual SV80BV and SV110ED refractors.
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TSA102 SV110 SV80 AT66 MN56
PST
Canon XTi,SSII,SSAG
GM8 LXD75
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Eddgie
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/01/06
Posts: 2700
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More attractive than the factory blue I think... Tripod Spreader was also modified so that the legs would not have the gigantic spread of the standard tripod. Easy modification and raised the saddle so that I don't have to even extend the legs when using my 6" f/8 refractor.
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Celestron C14, CGE (Big Al)
Astro-Physics 6" f/8 (Buffy)
Televue 101 (No name, but I call it my Widescreen HD Space TV)
The night sky is my mistress. She seduces me away from all other lovers.
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Eddgie
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/01/06
Posts: 2700
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Just the mount....
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Celestron C14, CGE (Big Al)
Astro-Physics 6" f/8 (Buffy)
Televue 101 (No name, but I call it my Widescreen HD Space TV)
The night sky is my mistress. She seduces me away from all other lovers.
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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The Casady Tandem16 arrived and I am now waiting for clear skies to test this out.
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Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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Orion Skyview AZ
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Starlighter
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/03/07
Posts: 4490
Loc: Sunny California
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Great mount and scope. Terrific view!
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Celestron C4-R 102mm achromat
Celeston Nexstar 6SE SCT
Meade 80mm APO Triplet
Televue NP-101
Televue TV-85
Vixen A70Lf
Vixen A80Mf
William Optics 66mm Zenithstar Patriot
Celestron CG4 EQ mount
Orion Skyview Pro AZ mount
Vixen Portamount
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Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Celestrons BEST mount to date......The CGEPro
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Bobby
StonyHill Observatory
Skywatcher EQ6 Pro (On it's way)
AT 130 F/6 Prototype
Royce 10" f/4 Astrograph (Under Construction)
Self Modded 40D
70-200 F2.8 L IS
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
Astronomy Technologies Yahoo Group
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Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Ready to go.......Wish I was
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Bobby
StonyHill Observatory
Skywatcher EQ6 Pro (On it's way)
AT 130 F/6 Prototype
Royce 10" f/4 Astrograph (Under Construction)
Self Modded 40D
70-200 F2.8 L IS
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
Astronomy Technologies Yahoo Group
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nik hodges
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/20/07
Posts: 755
Loc: UK
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my new rig waiting to find a home (moving house to dark skies at the moment)
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AP900gto3
Flurostar 110/TAK TOA 0.75 reducer
Megrez 80mm triplet apo/moonlight focuser
8" LX200R/AP CCDT67 reducer/moonlight focuser
StarlightXpress SXVF-H16 camera/trutek filter wheel
DSI Pro II
Maxim DL/Maxpoint/PEMPro/CCDAP4/Sky6Pro/AdobePS3E
http://www.pbase.com/njh542/images2009
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LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 9050
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
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My new 1200 arrived! Here it is loaded up with a few refractors.
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"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Wow!
That's just awesome Luke!
Are you using a Casady Tandem bar?
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Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 9050
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
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With all the saddles and plates I've got, I just made my own. 
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"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
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tim53
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/17/04
Posts: 1435
Loc: Highland Park, CA
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Okay, here's one of mine:
Mint Super Polaris I bought off craigslist a couple months ago and added an iOptron Gotonova kit to. No mods of the mount required whatsoever - just the gotonova plastic motor covers.
Here it is with my also recently acquired TV NP101is, which also required no modifications to either the mount or the rings holding the OTA.
Looks like it came from a store like that, in fact.
-Tim.
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"We`re just waiting looking skyward as the days come down.
Someone promised there`d be answers, if we stayed around."
-Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, "The Romance of the Telescope"
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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Finally got a nice day to put this together.
Balance is not a problem at all.
This arrangement eliminates the need for 1 18lb counterweight!
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Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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BarrySimon615
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/01/04
Posts: 1279
Loc: New Orleans, LA
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Here is my Light Speed Telescopes "Wagon" mount. Available in about 2000 to 2002, it was made by Charles Riddell (Half Hitch Mounts). Payload capacity is about 60 lbs and it is encoder equipped.
Barry Simon
Edited by BarrySimon615 (06/08/09 01:43 PM)
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BarrySimon615
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/01/04
Posts: 1279
Loc: New Orleans, LA
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Here is another shot giving more a sense of how bit this is. I am 5' 9".
Barry
Edited by BarrySimon615 (06/08/09 01:45 PM)
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BarrySimon615
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/01/04
Posts: 1279
Loc: New Orleans, LA
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Wagon Mount with closeup of "eyepiece caddy".
Barry
Edited by BarrySimon615 (06/08/09 01:53 PM)
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BarrySimon615
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/01/04
Posts: 1279
Loc: New Orleans, LA
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Here is a homemade mount, an English cross-axis. I got the idea for this way back in the early 80's from a small drawing in "All About Telescopes" by Sam Brown. The cross-axis mount was invented in 1824. Using common galvanized plumbing pipe I designed this mount to work in an open box with a board tilted and off-set 30 degrees from vertical supporting the lower end of the right ascension axis and the inside of the box top at the same offset supporting the upper end of the right ascension axis. When not in use, everything fits inside the box. In addition the telescope tube has enough height above the box top so as to not be obstructed in any way by the box.
My mount was featured in the column - "Gleanings for ATM's" in the October, 1983 issue of SKY & TELESCOPE. Unfortunately the mount was sold years ago, but I still have the scope. In truth this setup was a bit cumbersome in this size. Someday I would like to make a smaller version, perhaps suitable for something like an AstroTech 66. In an updated version a smaller box could be attached to a tripod.
Here is a picture of the original mount I made before painting.
Barry Simon
Edited by BarrySimon615 (06/08/09 02:52 PM)
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BarrySimon615
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/01/04
Posts: 1279
Loc: New Orleans, LA
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Another shot of the English cross-axis. The scope is a 4.25" f/4.1 (Edmund optics) with a traditional 5" diameter tube.
Edited by BarrySimon615 (06/08/09 02:55 PM)
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Mark Jenkins
sage
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 437
Loc: Wisconsin
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That's cool Barry!
Was it adjustable for proper polar alignment??
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Astro-Physics 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF 'Gran Turismo'
TEC MC200/15.5
Astro-Physics AP Mach1 GTO
EarthWin PFS-B
Canon EOS 50D Hap Modified
DFK21AU04.AS
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BarrySimon615
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/01/04
Posts: 1279
Loc: New Orleans, LA
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Altitude adjustment - tilt of the bottom board and the lid - with the bottom attachment being tilted 30 degrees from vertical, the ra axis is angled at 30 degrees which is what we need for my location in New Orleans.
Azimuth adjustment - kick the box with your shoe - we are not talking rocket science here!
Barry
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Jimmy2K63
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/26/09
Posts: 1184
Loc: Kentucky
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But...But...But...it couldn't possibly work. It's not a CGEM or an Atlas or a Tak and it's got that thing in there that looks like a wheel wrench. :-)
Very nice mount Barry. Loved Gleaning's. I once built the barn door for astrophotographers I saw there - little manually guided mount with threaded rod, couple of boards, piano hinge, you may remember. Too bad I don't have any pictures of it. You may remember the Edmund's books about mounts and so forth - think Sam Brown wrote them. Lots of good ideas for homemade mounts in there.
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http://astronomyguy63.blogspot.com/
LXD75 SN6-UHTC
Cave Astrola 10" f/5
Garrett 15x70/FarSight
Canon XS (1000D)
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drg
journeyman
Reged: 05/01/09
Posts: 8
Loc: Georgia, USA
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CG5 Equatorial GoTo
Edited by drg (06/14/09 01:16 PM)
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lenny arsenault
journeyman
Reged: 06/09/09
Posts: 6
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I will try and post pictures of one of my starliner mounts in restoration. Lenny
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gnowellsct
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/24/09
Posts: 729
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AP900QMD on ATS pier
--------------------
"Aperture will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no aperture."
featuring selected astrojunk:
bunch o' widefield eyepieces
bunch o' narrowfield eyepieces
couple o' Barlows
couple o' scopes
couple o' mounts
couple o' tripods
and a pier 'n' stuff
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gnowellsct
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/24/09
Posts: 729
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|
G11 on Berlebach tripod
--------------------
"Aperture will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no aperture."
featuring selected astrojunk:
bunch o' widefield eyepieces
bunch o' narrowfield eyepieces
couple o' Barlows
couple o' scopes
couple o' mounts
couple o' tripods
and a pier 'n' stuff
Edited by gnowellsct (07/23/09 11:59 AM)
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Mike Clemens
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/26/05
Posts: 4255
Loc: Wasilla, Alaska 61N
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LOVE THE QMD on the ATS!!!
--------------------
historius apochromaticus
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tbone0168
member
Reged: 04/23/09
Posts: 55
Loc: Long Island, New York
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|
Orion 120 ST f/5 on a date with CGEM and Black and Decker....
--------------------
Orion StarQuest XT8 Classic
Orion Apex 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain
Orion 120 f/5 ST Refractor
Orion 80mm f/5 ST Refractor
Meade 80AZ-ADR
Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager III
Meade DeepSky Color Imager II
Orion StarShoot Autoguider
CGE Mount
Astro Tech Voyager Mount
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars
Explore Scientific 14mm
Meade Series 5000 8.8mm Ultrawide
Orion Stratus 3.5mm
A seven year old son who is a budding astronomer
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MeadeMan
member
Reged: 08/25/08
Posts: 73
Loc: West Sussex, UK
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|
Meade 5000 series 127mm and 80mm ED APO's on a Tele optic Giro 2 Deluxe and Berlebach Uni 18 tripod.
--------------------
Chromatic aberration? I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about. I only use the finest triplets!
Meade 8" LX200 R
Meade 5000 series 127mm ED APO Triplet
Meade 5000 series 80mm ED APO Triplet
Meade 5000 UWA 30mm/18mm/14mm/8.8mm/6.7mm/5.5mm/4.7mm
Meade 5000 Plossl 40mm/32mm/26mm/20mm/14mm/9mm/5.5
Meade 5000 2x TeleXtender
Meade 5000 5x TeleXtender
William Optics FLT 98mm Special Edition
EQ6 Pro
Berlebach UNI 24 Tripod
Giro 2 Deluxe
SynScan EQ6 Pro
Canon 450d DSLR
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tbone0168
member
Reged: 04/23/09
Posts: 55
Loc: Long Island, New York
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|
Orion 127 Mak and Astro Tech Voyager....travelling light tonight....
Edited by tbone0168 (07/31/09 07:18 PM)
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 5063
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
|
|
My Motley Trio. 
--------------------
Jim
Genesis SDF-f/5.4 FS-102-f/8
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Project Galileo
sage
Reged: 11/14/07
Posts: 405
Loc: Douglas County, Colorado
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|
Here is my re-powder coated and hypertuned LXD75 on a permanent 9 inch concrete pier using 3/4 inch mounting bolts and a pier plate from Dan's. The peacock slate tile was left over from the kitchen remodel.
--------------------
Orion XT10i
Meade LXD55 LXD75 AR-6
TeleVue Binoviewers with Seibert 1x/1.3x/1.7x OCA
Minolta 10x50 Binoculars
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Project Galileo
sage
Reged: 11/14/07
Posts: 405
Loc: Douglas County, Colorado
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|
The new finish looks wet and deep. It has a hammered texture too.
--------------------
Orion XT10i
Meade LXD55 LXD75 AR-6
TeleVue Binoviewers with Seibert 1x/1.3x/1.7x OCA
Minolta 10x50 Binoculars
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Project Galileo
sage
Reged: 11/14/07
Posts: 405
Loc: Douglas County, Colorado
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|
It all sits nicely in the center of the yard. I keep the ota in the garage on a custom wall mount and simply carry it out, set it in the rings, turn it on and tell Autostar what day and time it is.
--------------------
Orion XT10i
Meade LXD55 LXD75 AR-6
TeleVue Binoviewers with Seibert 1x/1.3x/1.7x OCA
Minolta 10x50 Binoculars
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Project Galileo
sage
Reged: 11/14/07
Posts: 405
Loc: Douglas County, Colorado
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|
It is parked after use to keep it's alignment and PEC from use to use and kept under this Telegizmo's 365 cover.
--------------------
Orion XT10i
Meade LXD55 LXD75 AR-6
TeleVue Binoviewers with Seibert 1x/1.3x/1.7x OCA
Minolta 10x50 Binoculars
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 5063
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Sweet! 
--------------------
Jim
Genesis SDF-f/5.4 FS-102-f/8
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Harold925
member
Reged: 07/11/09
Posts: 38
Loc: Near Charleston, S.C. Cluster
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Here's my new CGEM, w/o the C925 attached. No custom pier yet, but I have nice turf.
--------------------
Harold
Celestron CGEM, C-9.25 XLT
Orion XT8i
Celestron SkyMaster 9x63
Many Accessories
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Orion4211
sage
Reged: 09/13/05
Posts: 312
Loc: North New Jersey
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Your LXD-75 mount is amazing. Love the set up!
--------------------
"The heavens are telling the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1
---
Scopes: Meade AR5, Celestron 8" SCT, Astro Tech 80/560 ED doublet, PST
Mounts: LXD-75 GOTO, Orion EQ-1,
EP: TV Plossl 32mm and 15mm; Meade 5k 18mm UWA; ; Burgess 9mm SWA; TMB planetary 4mm, 6mm, 9mm; Astro Tech Titan 26mm, 38mm, UO abbe ortho 12.5mm
TV 2x Barlow
Burgess Binoview w/ 2 binolite 20mm
Meade LPI
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MeadeMan
member
Reged: 08/25/08
Posts: 73
Loc: West Sussex, UK
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Quote:
Here is my re-powder coated and hypertuned LXD75 on a permanent 9 inch concrete pier using 3/4 inch mounting bolts and a pier plate from Dan's. The peacock slate tile was left over from the kitchen remodel.
Now that is a 'sweeet' arrangement!
10 out of 10 from the powder coat to the pier....I love it.
--------------------
Chromatic aberration? I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about. I only use the finest triplets!
Meade 8" LX200 R
Meade 5000 series 127mm ED APO Triplet
Meade 5000 series 80mm ED APO Triplet
Meade 5000 UWA 30mm/18mm/14mm/8.8mm/6.7mm/5.5mm/4.7mm
Meade 5000 Plossl 40mm/32mm/26mm/20mm/14mm/9mm/5.5
Meade 5000 2x TeleXtender
Meade 5000 5x TeleXtender
William Optics FLT 98mm Special Edition
EQ6 Pro
Berlebach UNI 24 Tripod
Giro 2 Deluxe
SynScan EQ6 Pro
Canon 450d DSLR
Edited by Charlie Hein (08/14/09 08:51 AM)
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Taylor
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/10/05
Posts: 558
Loc: Federal Way, WA
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Quote:
It all sits nicely in the center of the yard. I keep the ota in the garage on a custom wall mount and simply carry it out, set it in the rings, turn it on and tell Autostar what day and time it is.
Simply amazing work you did there. Best looking LXD75 on the planet!
--------------------
Some OTAs, a mount, some eyepieces, and some cameras
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Tom Andrews
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/25/07
Posts: 1004
Loc: Homebase - Albuquerque, NM, cu...
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That's simply the best looking paint job I have ever seen on astronomy equipment.
--------------------
Tom
The Secret To Life:
Focus on what you have, not on what you don't;
Focus on what you can do, not on what you can't.
************************************************
2007 Discovery 12.5" PDHQ Split-Tube Dob w/manual setting circles/Telrad/Zhummel 8x50 RACI finder scope (*For Sale*)
Coulter Odessey 8" Dob
Celestron C11-SGT
Garrett Optical 15x70 Gemini Binoculars on homemade Parallelogram w/Setting Circles
The Albuquerque Astronomy Society (TAAS)
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ratdog11
sage
Reged: 04/26/08
Posts: 201
Loc: surprise arizona
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Doc, nice set-up man! I also like your website........ done professionally and with taste.
--------------------
---------
Greg
---------
FSQ106/STL11K/EM200
TV127is/CGE/QHY8
CPC1100/HyperStar 3/Canon40D
Whole bunch of other stuff
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alpal
sage
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 204
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EQ6 mount with 8" Newtonian.
--------------------
Location: Melbourne Australia.
8" f6 custom built Newtonian with
EQ6 Pro mount.
Takahashi LE 5mm eyepiece & 2 x Tak. Barlow.
Williams Optics Eyepieces - 2" 40mm & 25mm, 1.25" 15mm & 9mm.
Saxon 11 x 70 binos.
Set of 11 Hirsh Optics 1.25" filters.
Set of 4 Orion 2" filters.
Antares 1.25" ALP filter.
+ One cheap 4.5" Newt. complete with eyepieces.
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ducatirob
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/15/05
Posts: 638
Loc: SW Ohio
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Nice set up. 
Rob
--------------------
C6-R /Atlas EQ
Meade AR-5
Meade 90mm refractor
C-8SE
10x50 binoculars
15x70 binoculars
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alpal
sage
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 204
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Thanks Rob, (if you are referring to me?)
All I need is an astro camera & I'll be able
to post photos of space & not mounts!
--------------------
Location: Melbourne Australia.
8" f6 custom built Newtonian with
EQ6 Pro mount.
Takahashi LE 5mm eyepiece & 2 x Tak. Barlow.
Williams Optics Eyepieces - 2" 40mm & 25mm, 1.25" 15mm & 9mm.
Saxon 11 x 70 binos.
Set of 11 Hirsh Optics 1.25" filters.
Set of 4 Orion 2" filters.
Antares 1.25" ALP filter.
+ One cheap 4.5" Newt. complete with eyepieces.
|
tbone0168
member
Reged: 04/23/09
Posts: 55
Loc: Long Island, New York
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CGEM and company..... 
Edited by tbone0168 (08/12/09 09:21 AM)
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tbone0168
member
Reged: 04/23/09
Posts: 55
Loc: Long Island, New York
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Again......
--------------------
Orion StarQuest XT8 Classic
Orion Apex 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain
Orion 120 f/5 ST Refractor
Orion 80mm f/5 ST Refractor
Meade 80AZ-ADR
Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager III
Meade DeepSky Color Imager II
Orion StarShoot Autoguider
CGE Mount
Astro Tech Voyager Mount
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars
Explore Scientific 14mm
Meade Series 5000 8.8mm Ultrawide
Orion Stratus 3.5mm
A seven year old son who is a budding astronomer
Edited by tbone0168 (08/12/09 09:23 AM)
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tbone0168
member
Reged: 04/23/09
Posts: 55
Loc: Long Island, New York
|
|
And again......
--------------------
Orion StarQuest XT8 Classic
Orion Apex 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain
Orion 120 f/5 ST Refractor
Orion 80mm f/5 ST Refractor
Meade 80AZ-ADR
Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager III
Meade DeepSky Color Imager II
Orion StarShoot Autoguider
CGE Mount
Astro Tech Voyager Mount
Celestron SkyMaster 15X70 Binoculars
Explore Scientific 14mm
Meade Series 5000 8.8mm Ultrawide
Orion Stratus 3.5mm
A seven year old son who is a budding astronomer
Edited by tbone0168 (08/12/09 09:25 AM)
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ThomasB
newbie
Reged: 02/15/07
Posts: 3
Loc: Eastern Iowa
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A work in progress. My old (but not as old as me) Cave-Astrola mount. The SV102 rides nicely on top. The mount sits upon a 50 inch tall steel pedestal. Weighs a ton!
Cheers,
Tom
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skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 596
|
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Hi,
Been meaning to post to this thread for so long - apologies..,
Here's my Losmandy G11+Gemini out for a midnight stroll 
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alpal
sage
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 204
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This is a close up of my NEQ6 Pro mount.
The full pic is a few posts back on this thread.
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turbo399
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 226
Loc: Michigan
|
|
Quote:
My LXD750 with 10" DSO and CGE with TMB 130SS, sadly I am parting company with both mounts to make way for my new CGE Pro, which I hope will be arriving this thursday!!
CGE PRO with TMB's
Here is my new mount complete with TMB 130SS F7, TMB 80SS (I use as guide scope with Orion Auto Guider) taken when I was using a Canon 450D for imaging. For mobility I added a set of JMI wheelie bars.
--------------------
TMB 130SS F7 Refractor
TMB 80SS F6.3 Refractor
Celestron C14
10" F5 Astrograph/Newt
Stellarvue 80ED Nighthawk NGD
Vixen 80ED
Celestron CGE PRO Mount
QHY8
Canon 450D modified
Orion Autoguider
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryhancock/
|
turbo399
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 226
Loc: Michigan
|
|
Getting ready for a session, it just clears the top of the door when I drag it out of the kitchen
--------------------
TMB 130SS F7 Refractor
TMB 80SS F6.3 Refractor
Celestron C14
10" F5 Astrograph/Newt
Stellarvue 80ED Nighthawk NGD
Vixen 80ED
Celestron CGE PRO Mount
QHY8
Canon 450D modified
Orion Autoguider
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryhancock/
|
turbo399
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 226
Loc: Michigan
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The Pro goes 20 degrees past meridian before doing a meridian flip, but the TMB 130SS OTA comes horribly close to the electronics pier!!
--------------------
TMB 130SS F7 Refractor
TMB 80SS F6.3 Refractor
Celestron C14
10" F5 Astrograph/Newt
Stellarvue 80ED Nighthawk NGD
Vixen 80ED
Celestron CGE PRO Mount
QHY8
Canon 450D modified
Orion Autoguider
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryhancock/
|
turbo399
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 226
Loc: Michigan
|
|
No more wheeling the Pro in and out of the house each session. The dawn of a new day in it's new home with Venus rising!!
--------------------
TMB 130SS F7 Refractor
TMB 80SS F6.3 Refractor
Celestron C14
10" F5 Astrograph/Newt
Stellarvue 80ED Nighthawk NGD
Vixen 80ED
Celestron CGE PRO Mount
QHY8
Canon 450D modified
Orion Autoguider
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryhancock/
|
turbo399
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 226
Loc: Michigan
|
|
The CGE Pro Mount in it's final resting place....a big lump of concrete!!
--------------------
TMB 130SS F7 Refractor
TMB 80SS F6.3 Refractor
Celestron C14
10" F5 Astrograph/Newt
Stellarvue 80ED Nighthawk NGD
Vixen 80ED
Celestron CGE PRO Mount
QHY8
Canon 450D modified
Orion Autoguider
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryhancock/
|
turbo399
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 226
Loc: Michigan
|
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After my last imaging session, The TMB 130SS needs a rest. Time to load the 10" DSO
Clear Skies
Terry
--------------------
TMB 130SS F7 Refractor
TMB 80SS F6.3 Refractor
Celestron C14
10" F5 Astrograph/Newt
Stellarvue 80ED Nighthawk NGD
Vixen 80ED
Celestron CGE PRO Mount
QHY8
Canon 450D modified
Orion Autoguider
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryhancock/
|
alpal
sage
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 204
|
|
Terry - you have an impressive setup.
I hope to be able to do astrophotos one day too
but I feel I have spent enough for now.
--------------------
Location: Melbourne Australia.
8" f6 custom built Newtonian with
EQ6 Pro mount.
Takahashi LE 5mm eyepiece & 2 x Tak. Barlow.
Williams Optics Eyepieces - 2" 40mm & 25mm, 1.25" 15mm & 9mm.
Saxon 11 x 70 binos.
Set of 11 Hirsh Optics 1.25" filters.
Set of 4 Orion 2" filters.
Antares 1.25" ALP filter.
+ One cheap 4.5" Newt. complete with eyepieces.
|
turbo399
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 226
Loc: Michigan
|
|
Thanks alphal
I see you are from Melbourne, my home town!! I miss my visits to the Grampians and the pollution free skies...."Omega Centauri" *sighs*
Terry
--------------------
TMB 130SS F7 Refractor
TMB 80SS F6.3 Refractor
Celestron C14
10" F5 Astrograph/Newt
Stellarvue 80ED Nighthawk NGD
Vixen 80ED
Celestron CGE PRO Mount
QHY8
Canon 450D modified
Orion Autoguider
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryhancock/
|
starquester
sage
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 466
Loc: Three Rivers, MI U.S.A>
|
|
Hi terry,
Very nice set up and a cool Flip Top Observatory.
Nice job,
Alan
--------------------
Alan D. Otterson
Windy Ridge Observatory
41-58.966N
85-43.069W
Alan Otterson
Founder&Owner
A Yahoo Observatory Group
Flip Top & Clamshell & Rubbermaid Observatories
http://tinyurl.com/yz9ckk
The Nikon D40 Astrophotography Group
http://tinyurl.com/5j8qw2
A Yahoo Astrophotography Group
|
alpal
sage
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 204
|
|
A very impressive setup - that TMB 130 is worth a fortune.
--------------------
Location: Melbourne Australia.
8" f6 custom built Newtonian with
EQ6 Pro mount.
Takahashi LE 5mm eyepiece & 2 x Tak. Barlow.
Williams Optics Eyepieces - 2" 40mm & 25mm, 1.25" 15mm & 9mm.
Saxon 11 x 70 binos.
Set of 11 Hirsh Optics 1.25" filters.
Set of 4 Orion 2" filters.
Antares 1.25" ALP filter.
+ One cheap 4.5" Newt. complete with eyepieces.
|
rwiederrich
Goldfinger
Reged: 11/17/05
Posts: 8306
Loc: Bremerton Washington
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I'v got a short video of my homemade mount.
http://www.vimeo.com/6014031
Rob
--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
A great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/HomemadeRefractorTelescopes/ My homemade refractor group.
www.vimeo.com/6014031
|
turbo399
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 226
Loc: Michigan
|
|
Quote:
A very impressive setup - that TMB 130 is worth a fortune.
Thanks guys, you know what, some folks have many thousands of dollars tied up in the likes of ski boats or guns. My hobby...these days my only hobby is astrophotography, to do it right isn't cheap. What I have didnt come cheaply yes but comparitively speaking to some of the other rigs around here, it's small.
Now when I place my 10" on the CGE PRO, I can only just close the roof...lol
Cheers and Clear Skies
Terry
BTW Nice F15 Refractor Rob!!
--------------------
TMB 130SS F7 Refractor
TMB 80SS F6.3 Refractor
Celestron C14
10" F5 Astrograph/Newt
Stellarvue 80ED Nighthawk NGD
Vixen 80ED
Celestron CGE PRO Mount
QHY8
Canon 450D modified
Orion Autoguider
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryhancock/
Edited by turbo399 (08/18/09 05:11 PM)
|
CounterWeight
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/05/08
Posts: 1290
Loc: PDX chronoplast
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|
Terry,
Thanks for pics of the CGE-Pro 'in situ' and 'et al'... Nice obs! That concrete base looks HUGE and very safe. CGE pro mount looks correspondingliy LARGE. I can see they really 'beefed up' the connectors and lots of knobs instead of allen heads... both great improvements. How did you attach the 'pro' to the pier?
--------------------
- 
CGE (Frankenmount mod.)
Onyx 80ED, Tak FS-128 #02058, TEC APO160ED #030
CCD: Orion SSPDSCIv2, SSI3, SSAG
diags, ep's, tubes, filters, Binocs
My CN Image Gallery
Experience is a difficult teacher, it gives the test first, and gives the lesson later
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alpal
sage
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 204
|
|
That concrete is good.
I saw the base of the 24" F5 Newtonian at the Tikorangi
Observatory , New Plymouth , New Zealand.
It had 40 tons of concrete in it's base.
It was owned by a " Mr Whelan "
but I don't know what happned to it.
--------------------
Location: Melbourne Australia.
8" f6 custom built Newtonian with
EQ6 Pro mount.
Takahashi LE 5mm eyepiece & 2 x Tak. Barlow.
Williams Optics Eyepieces - 2" 40mm & 25mm, 1.25" 15mm & 9mm.
Saxon 11 x 70 binos.
Set of 11 Hirsh Optics 1.25" filters.
Set of 4 Orion 2" filters.
Antares 1.25" ALP filter.
+ One cheap 4.5" Newt. complete with eyepieces.
|
turbo399
sage
Reged: 12/21/07
Posts: 226
Loc: Michigan
|
|
Jim
Thanks, the CGE PRO mount is similar to the CGE but in my opinion better finished, the DEC and RA cables are a vast improvement on the ever plagued CGE cables, it should have been recalled!! the connection points even have a nice screw on plug to keep out moisture. The pro is one very sturdy mount and if I was to make a decision again to buy one in this class, it would be between the Pro and the MI 250, costing over $2,000.00 more
The mount is attached to the pier via a 1" thick round aluminum plate I had water jet cut, drilled and tapped for the electronics pier connection, bolted down to the to levelling plate and sleeved inside the electronics pier which is bolted through to the aluminum plate. It was important that the aluminum plate be perfectly flat so not to upset the level.
The concrete in hindsite was a bit of overkill at 24" diameter and was worried that it would fowl with the TMB when viewing zenith or doing a meridian flip, it comes close but its fine......pheww
Clear skies
Terry
--------------------
TMB 130SS F7 Refractor
TMB 80SS F6.3 Refractor
Celestron C14
10" F5 Astrograph/Newt
Stellarvue 80ED Nighthawk NGD
Vixen 80ED
Celestron CGE PRO Mount
QHY8
Canon 450D modified
Orion Autoguider
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryhancock/
Edited by turbo399 (08/19/09 04:11 PM)
|
DeanS
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 941
Loc: Nicholasville, Kentucky
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|
Here is a quick pic of my new AP900 set up next to the AP1200. Just got it yesterday and set it up last night in time for clouds. Did get lucky enough to site polaris, align and do a few gotos on bright stars.
Sorry for the bad iPhone pic, will get some better ones with the roof off during the daytime.
--------------------
AP1200GTO AP900GTO
TOA-150 Tak E160
C9.25 Tak FS60C
SXV-H9 ST2000XM STV
8" LX200GPS
Meade 12" Lightbridge
Moonlite Focusers
www.doghouseastronomy.com
|
RichfromRoch
member
Reged: 01/30/08
Posts: 69
Loc: Rochester, NY
|
|
Stellarvue SV90/Pan 24 on a UA Unistar Light/KB Systems KB1A Field Tripod
Edited by RichfromRoch (08/28/09 02:18 PM)
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Phil Cowell
sage
Reged: 05/24/07
Posts: 376
Loc: Southern Tier NY
|
|
Quote:
The pro is one very sturdy mount and if I was to make a decision again to buy one in this class, it would be between the Pro and the MI 250, costing over $2,000.00 more
I went through the same decision earlier this year and picked up the Pro as well. The MI250 is a very nice mount, I just don't like the goto system is has. That was the reason I went with the Pro.
Phil
--------------------
If it'll fit on a sig you don't have enough
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alpal
sage
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 204
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Wow - those Stellarvue telscopes are impressive.
Look at this link for their SV160 model
http://www.stellarvue.com/160.html
You can't even get on the waiting list till next year
to buy one.
--------------------
Location: Melbourne Australia.
8" f6 custom built Newtonian with
EQ6 Pro mount.
Takahashi LE 5mm eyepiece & 2 x Tak. Barlow.
Williams Optics Eyepieces - 2" 40mm & 25mm, 1.25" 15mm & 9mm.
Saxon 11 x 70 binos.
Set of 11 Hirsh Optics 1.25" filters.
Set of 4 Orion 2" filters.
Antares 1.25" ALP filter.
+ One cheap 4.5" Newt. complete with eyepieces.
|
RichfromRoch
member
Reged: 01/30/08
Posts: 69
Loc: Rochester, NY
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Thanks. This is my grab-and-go setup, and the SV90 is a great performer, especially for low-power sweeps of the sky. Then there are the color-free views of the Moon and Jupiter. The Unistar Light is at its limit with the SV90, but it would easily handle an 80mm or smaller scope. I eventually may look for a mount with more beef. The new KB Systems tripod is very steady, despite weighing only 7.5 pounds. Vibration times are in the one to three second range.
Rich
Rochester, NY
Edited by RichfromRoch (08/29/09 01:50 PM)
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Steve40
member
Reged: 10/15/06
Posts: 24
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Here's my AP1200 with a couple cheap refractors on it.
Steve
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DeanS
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/12/05
Posts: 941
Loc: Nicholasville, Kentucky
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Very nice, but if you ever want to upgrade and get rid of one of those cheap dime store scopes, just let me know
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AP1200GTO AP900GTO
TOA-150 Tak E160
C9.25 Tak FS60C
SXV-H9 ST2000XM STV
8" LX200GPS
Meade 12" Lightbridge
Moonlite Focusers
www.doghouseastronomy.com
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Steve40
member
Reged: 10/15/06
Posts: 24
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Thanks! As soon as Walmart starts stocking those sweet Christmas scopes, I'll be in touch!
Steve
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Panza
sage
Reged: 09/26/07
Posts: 275
Loc: Lillehammer, Norway
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Here's my 900GTO. It just arrived yesterday. I am very happy. I was totally worth the wait and $$$$.
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10" LX200R
Astro Physics 900GTO
Losmandy G-11 (For sale)
Astro-Physics 2" MaxBright Diagonal
Some TV Eyepieces
Canon 1D Mk2 and 5D with EF lenses.
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Panza
sage
Reged: 09/26/07
Posts: 275
Loc: Lillehammer, Norway
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1 more:
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10" LX200R
Astro Physics 900GTO
Losmandy G-11 (For sale)
Astro-Physics 2" MaxBright Diagonal
Some TV Eyepieces
Canon 1D Mk2 and 5D with EF lenses.
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 8647
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
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Sure is pretty! More pictures once you get the scopes mounted.
David
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Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein
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Steve40
member
Reged: 10/15/06
Posts: 24
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Great---you'll love it!
On the GTO control box, are those little purple things covers to protect the RS 232 sockets?
Steve
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chuckscap
sage
Reged: 07/18/09
Posts: 214
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO USA
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My Orange C14 on it's original fork mount on my deck in Colorado Springs ... Spring 2005
Chuck
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Panza
sage
Reged: 09/26/07
Posts: 275
Loc: Lillehammer, Norway
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Quote:
Great---you'll love it!
On the GTO control box, are those little purple things covers to protect the RS 232 sockets?
Steve
Yes, they are just plastic covers. I don't have a laptop so they will be left on.
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10" LX200R
Astro Physics 900GTO
Losmandy G-11 (For sale)
Astro-Physics 2" MaxBright Diagonal
Some TV Eyepieces
Canon 1D Mk2 and 5D with EF lenses.
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Steve40
member
Reged: 10/15/06
Posts: 24
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Hi again!
Did those covers come with the mount? I ask because I don't use those ports, and would like to keep them clean and protected.
Thanks,
Steve
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Panza
sage
Reged: 09/26/07
Posts: 275
Loc: Lillehammer, Norway
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Yes they did.
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10" LX200R
Astro Physics 900GTO
Losmandy G-11 (For sale)
Astro-Physics 2" MaxBright Diagonal
Some TV Eyepieces
Canon 1D Mk2 and 5D with EF lenses.
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saturn5
member
Reged: 09/02/07
Posts: 43
Loc: Idaho
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Here is a picture of my Orion 90mm f/10 refractor setup that i use on my car roof at lunch time at work [graveyard] to look at the planets and moon. It's just in the first stage as i have a lot of work still to do to make it look nice. Setup weight is about 10 pounds. Why home made you ask. Well i want to keep every thing cheap price wise, in case the setup gets stolen from my car's trunk. I plan on hooking up a slow motion control or motor drive on the R.A. axis. In between the two wood disk is a lazy susan. And the legs are 1/2 inch metal conduit pipe with "u" shaped clamps to hold on the lower two legs.
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chuckscap
sage
Reged: 07/18/09
Posts: 214
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO USA
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Mewlon 250 on a Vixen Sphinx SXW ... a tad undermounted ...
Chuck
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sgcullen
journeyman
Reged: 05/17/07
Posts: 5
Loc: Rodeo, NM USA
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Here is my RCOS Professional Series Equatorial Fork Mount (.61m RCOS Ritchey-Chretien telescope on board)...
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 8647
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
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Quote:
Here is my RCOS Professional Series Equatorial Fork Mount (.61m RCOS Ritchey-Chretien telescope on board)...
Welcome. Now that's a dandy. Is your setup at a remote site or is this magnificent pile of hardware in your backyard? Really nice!
David
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Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein
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alpal
sage
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 204
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To Steve40
Those Starfire telescopes are hardly cheap LOL.
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Location: Melbourne Australia.
8" f6 custom built Newtonian with
EQ6 Pro mount.
Takahashi LE 5mm eyepiece & 2 x Tak. Barlow.
Williams Optics Eyepieces - 2" 40mm & 25mm, 1.25" 15mm & 9mm.
Saxon 11 x 70 binos.
Set of 11 Hirsh Optics 1.25" filters.
Set of 4 Orion 2" filters.
Antares 1.25" ALP filter.
+ One cheap 4.5" Newt. complete with eyepieces.
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alpal
sage
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 204
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sgcullen - that setup must have cost a fortune!
You make me feel like a cheapskate.
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Location: Melbourne Australia.
8" f6 custom built Newtonian with
EQ6 Pro mount.
Takahashi LE 5mm eyepiece & 2 x Tak. Barlow.
Williams Optics Eyepieces - 2" 40mm & 25mm, 1.25" 15mm & 9mm.
Saxon 11 x 70 binos.
Set of 11 Hirsh Optics 1.25" filters.
Set of 4 Orion 2" filters.
Antares 1.25" ALP filter.
+ One cheap 4.5" Newt. complete with eyepieces.
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sgcullen
journeyman
Reged: 05/17/07
Posts: 5
Loc: Rodeo, NM USA
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LOL...don't feel like a cheapskate...I just go overboard on things. This is actually in my backyard, but we have a pretty big backyard in a very remote area in New Mexico. There is also a 12.5" RC and, coming soon, an ASA N8 newtonian astrograph.
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 8647
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
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Do you have need for a 58 year old son? That has to be the neatest looking backyard observatory I've ever seen. You must be quite proud!!
David
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Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein
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Tech Hiker
member
Reged: 07/29/09
Posts: 18
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Here is my mount.
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Tom
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Tech Hiker
member
Reged: 07/29/09
Posts: 18
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And a better picture of the head.
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Tom
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mikey cee
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 3508
Loc: bellevue ne.
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If I didn't know better I'd say that looks like Merritt Reservoir!  Mike
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7x35 and 10x50 sears tower binocs, 3" f/10 edmunds reflector, 2.4" f/11.7 manon refractor, 6" f/8 jaegers refractor, "The 8 Ball" 8" f/13.3 brandt refractor, 3" f/15.8 sans&streiffe refractor, 3.1" f/15 selsi refractor(towa 339), 2.4" f/15 sears refractor, selsi 30x30mm spyglass, criterion 5-draw 25x45x75x spyglass(1957), 4.25" f/14.8 tasco 20te.
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alpal
sage
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 204
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wow sgcullen - I have never seen anything as good as that
owned by an amateur.
Most universities couldn't afford what you have.
I hope you allow research to be done there?
--------------------
Location: Melbourne Australia.
8" f6 custom built Newtonian with
EQ6 Pro mount.
Takahashi LE 5mm eyepiece & 2 x Tak. Barlow.
Williams Optics Eyepieces - 2" 40mm & 25mm, 1.25" 15mm & 9mm.
Saxon 11 x 70 binos.
Set of 11 Hirsh Optics 1.25" filters.
Set of 4 Orion 2" filters.
Antares 1.25" ALP filter.
+ One cheap 4.5" Newt. complete with eyepieces.
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Tech Hiker
member
Reged: 07/29/09
Posts: 18
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Quote:
If I didn't know better I'd say that looks like Merritt Reservoir! Mike
Ah, you've been there. Nice dark skies.
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Tom
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Taylor
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/10/05
Posts: 558
Loc: Federal Way, WA
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My freshly arrived CGEM:
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Some OTAs, a mount, some eyepieces, and some cameras
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soupaman
member
Reged: 07/26/09
Posts: 58
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New G11. Yay! I think.
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Starmaster 14.5
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soupaman
member
Reged: 07/26/09
Posts: 58
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Kinda hard to expose at night.
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Starmaster 14.5
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Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/23/05
Posts: 1855
Loc: Virginia
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Chomping to test out the new pier and wedge with my Astrotrac but weather only good for photographing the mount - not the sky.
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Hooville
AP 105EDF f/6 Traveler; AP 140 EDF StarFire f/7.5; TV 76 f/6.3 with Solarscope SF70 filter; Solarscope Solarview 50; Coronado CaK 70; Orion XT-10; Baader Mk V & ZAO II's; Half-Hitch Mk II; Astrotrac TT320X, pier & wedge; AP Mach1GTO; PGR Flea 2
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John Downing
member
Reged: 08/27/09
Posts: 34
Loc: Anaheim, CA
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This is my new set-up in my partially finished but useable roll-off observatory. AP900GTO, Meade 10" f6.3 (yes, an old one), Optec NGF-S, Stellarvue 105APO Triplet. A dream of over a decade to have my own observatory and a permanent mounting for my equipment. The rewards are wonderful and I have just started using it.
The obs. has fold-down sides (2') on three walls and is located near Julian, Ca. (San Diego County) at 4,000' elevation.
John
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La Ventana a las Estrellas
Roll off Roof Obs. Julian, CA
Meade 10" f6.3 SCT
Stellarvue SV105APO
Optec TCF-S
SBIG ST-7 w/CFW
Canon 40D
AP 900GTO
The Sky, CCD Soft, Nebulosity, T-Point, Pulse Guide.
Edited by John Downing (09/13/09 02:48 PM)
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johnmarkw
member
Reged: 07/29/09
Posts: 12
Loc: Virginia
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Posted in SCT forum as well. New CGEM with used C 9.25 OTB.
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Mark W.
C 9.25
CGEM
Agena 35mm SWA
Baader Hyperion 8 - 24
Nikon D700
Nikon 180mm f2.8
Nikon 105VR f2.8
Nikon 50mm F2
Nikon 20mm f2.8
Edited by johnmarkw (09/14/09 02:41 PM)
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courtierr
newbie
Reged: 04/22/09
Posts: 1
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Rob Courtier
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Paul Romero
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/05/05
Posts: 757
Loc: Reno, NV
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Hello,
Guys,
This is the day after I received my totally cool MI-250 back from the manufacturer. The refurb service is advertised at www.mountaininstruments.com. My mount is 9 years old and I am the 4th owner, but you wouldnt know it from looking at it!
BTW, I took this photo to show moi and my new mount, but whats really amazing is all the 'big boxes' built recently around my house. (Sarcasm inteded)..hopefully they will put a high intensity floodlamp up soon!
cheers from the Biggest Little City ...er just Big City,
Paul
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Good As New MI-250 Refurb
'nough said
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Paul Romero
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/05/05
Posts: 757
Loc: Reno, NV
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And Another:
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Good As New MI-250 Refurb
'nough said
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Paul G
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/08/03
Posts: 2268
Loc: Freedonia
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