You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Telescope Specific Forums >> Meade ACF/RCX / LX / GPS Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Anonymous Unregistered Has anybody modified LX200 tripod for easy line up       #105098 - 05/10/04 01:47 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Has anybody modified their tripod for easier line up of scope? Im using a 10"LX200 GPS, as a new owner of this thing I have discovered the pain of putting the scope on the tripod, after a bit of jiggling around I got it on, I was thinking about it and say their has got to be a better way, I can only wonder how the 12" and 14" people do it without 2 people, I have a friend who is a tool maker and I am thinking about hitting him up for a modification. Post Extras:       stuart super member Reged: 11/09/03 Posts: 121 Loc: Australia Re: Has anybody modified LX200 tripod for easy line up [Re: ]       #105122 - 05/10/04 04:23 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I got a peterson mounting assistant for my 10 Inch lx200, this has made such a difference mounting the scope .Its basically a metal plate that attachs to the tripod by 3 bolts {the tripod has the holes for the bolts so you dont have to drill or anything} it has 3 yellow rubber guide pegs that form a footprint for the base of the OTA.The plate is also oversized so its much more visible when your carrying the OTA , I found trying to attach the tube beforehand it was hard to judge where i was supposed to place it , even when i got it right i was too nervous to take both hands off so trying to reach under and tighten the bolt was a uncomfortable experiance.With the plate attached the Ota feels secure as your tightening the bolt, the first night i tried about ten times just practising and i had no problems at all , the instructions are clearly explained . Post Extras:       Grizz Carpal Tunnel Reged: 04/24/03 Posts: 2176 Loc: Waldwick,New Jersey USA Re: Has anybody modified LX200 tripod for easy line up [Re: ]       #105132 - 05/10/04 06:22 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The mounting assistant is nice. There is also a cheaper way. Its called "The Springy Thingy" You can buy it or make one yourself. Instead of trying to explain how it works I'll point you here-----> Springy Thingy -------------------- Craig LX200GPS 10" UHTC SMT ETX90EC Orion ED80 APO Meade LPI Canon 10d Meade DSI My Photo Gallery Post Extras:       melvy professor emeritus Reged: 10/17/03 Posts: 710 Loc: Shoreline WA Re: Has anybody modified LX200 tripod for easy line up [Re: Grizz]       #106410 - 05/12/04 06:56 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Oh man that is a pain (in the back) I was going to make something, but then I got a wedge. I leave the wedge on the tripod 100% of the time now. Mounting the scope to the wedge is very easy compared to the AltAz. -------------------- WO Megrez 80 SAPO WO 66 SD APO TMB SS 130 APO C8 XLT SCT Losmandy GM-8 w/Gemini Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini Discmount DM6 SBIG ST-2000XM/AO7 Marc Elvy Post Extras:       Anonymous Unregistered Re: Has anybody modified LX200 tripod for easy line up [Re: melvy]       #106624 - 05/13/04 03:29 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Im going to go with 2 aluminum plates, 1 bolted to scope and the other on the tripod base held down by tripod bolt, holes in center of both plates, will be counter sank and have 4 holes on outside of plates to bolt both plates together, will post pic when done. Post Extras:       Astrodave Pooh-Bah Reged: 05/28/04 Posts: 1194 Loc: Manassas Park, Va. USA Re: Has anybody modified LX200 tripod for easy line up [Re: Grizz]       #118345 - 06/03/04 10:03 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Have any of you that use either the scopesaver or mounting assistant needed to replace the stock tripod mounting bolt with a longer one from scopestuff due to the bolt not being long enough to thread into the lx200 with the MA or SS attached? I am leaning heavily towards the MA but would like to know if i will need to replace the stock bolt with a longer one from scopestuff. Thanks in advance. -------------------- Northern Virginia Post Extras:       David N member Reged: 11/11/03 Posts: 85 Loc: Portland, OR Re: Has anybody modified LX200 tripod for easy line up [Re: Astrodave]       #125200 - 06/11/04 10:13 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I've been real satisfied with this Locator Plate from DigitalAstronomy.com for my LX200 - 8" Factory bolt works fine. ............David -------------------- 10" Orion Dob 8" LX200-C 8" String "Suitcase" Dob 20" String Dob Post Extras:       Astrodave Pooh-Bah Reged: 05/28/04 Posts: 1194 Loc: Manassas Park, Va. USA Re: Has anybody modified LX200 tripod for easy line up [Re: David N]       #127171 - 06/15/04 01:15 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   David: I assume this plate works with the lx200gps as well as the lx200? Thanks. -------------------- Northern Virginia Post Extras:       David N member Reged: 11/11/03 Posts: 85 Loc: Portland, OR Re: Has anybody modified LX200 tripod for easy line up [Re: Astrodave]       #127253 - 06/15/04 03:55 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I don't know for sure. Mine is an 8" classic. According to their website, they work on ALL LX200 models. Locator Plate They also make a deluxe model - a take-off on the pizza pan design. ............David -------------------- 10" Orion Dob 8" LX200-C 8" String "Suitcase" Dob 20" String Dob Post Extras:       Hawkeye super member Reged: 06/10/04 Posts: 140 Loc: Melbourne, Australia Re: Has anybody modified LX200 tripod for easy line up [Re: David N]       #129044 - 06/17/04 11:28 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I added the 'springy thingy' to the tripod for my 10" LX200GPS and the factory bolt fits without any problem. -------------------- 10" LX200GPS UHTC Oberwerk 15 x 70 Canon 40D Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 2 registered and 8 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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