Peter in Reno
super member
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 188
Loc: Reno, NV
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I finally ordered and received Atlas EQ-G GoTo mount from Orion and Celestron 11" OTA from Woodland Hills Camera and Telescope. The mount arrived in two days and the scope arrived in three days. Both on-line stores offer very friendly service.
I was able to easily setup the mount and scope. Lining up to Polaris with a neat Polarfinder software took me less than five minutes. After three star alignment, using supplied 40mm Celestron eyepiece, every DSO was found in FOV the first time using GoTo like M-57, M-27, M-13, M-8. The DSO objects stayed in field of view for 15 minutes. I can't believe how easy and transportable a huge 11" SCT is.
Two minor complaints. I really don't like the narrow dovetail plate. As I was balancing the scope in Declination direction, the two screws easily made nasty marks on the soft aluminum dovetail plate. I looked at ADM Losmandy saddle and plate and not only the saddle is longer and wider but it looks like it will grip the Losmandly dovetail plate better and not leave screw marks on dovetail plate. I think I will order Losmandy's style saddle and plate from ADM.
http://www.admaccessories.com/ADM%20Products/EQG-SAD.htm
http://www.admaccessories.com/ADM%20Products/DC8.htm
I e-mailed ADm and they said they have dovetail plate for C-11 OTA. The above link is for C-8 OTA.
My second complaint is that it's extremely difficult to raise the latitude adjustment screw especially when the scope and 33 pounds counter weight is mounted on Atlas mount. Lowering the latitude was much easier. With 33 pounds counter weight and scope, I can understand the pressure on raising latitude adjustment screws. Any suggestion about how to easily raise the latitude adjustment screw when lining up to Polaris or declination drift alignment? Maybe replace the stock latitude screws with a much larger handle/grip? Do you know anyone make anything like this?
Overall I am very please with my new toy.
Peter
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Celestron 11" OTA with ADM Losmandy dovetail
Orion EON 80mm
Orion Short Tube 80mm with ADM mini-dovetail and clam shell tube rings
Orion StarShoot Pro CCD camera
Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Nagler 31mm
Ethos 13mm and 8 mm
2" William Optics diagonal
Atlas EQ-G with 1" CW shaft from Telescope Stability Systems, ADM Losmandy saddle.
Edited by Peter in Reno (08/07/08 03:09 AM)
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Zebra24601
Postmaster
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 7397
Loc: San Gabriel Valley, CA 91770
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Congratulations on the new acquisitions.
The Vixen-standard dovetail is definitely skinny for the weight and torque it needs to handle. I check and retighten the screws regularly to be sure it doesn't come undone and convert my OTA into a really large paperweight.
Mine actually came with a Losmandy-standard dovetail; I had to swap it out for a Vixen-standard.
Assuming you're not going to be observing anywhere too far from home, you should be able to set the altitude adjustment just once for your latitude. Then, as long as you level your tripod when you set up (before mounting the OTA and counterweights, of course), your altitude adjustment should not need to be changed.
The only other alternative that comes to mind is to have someone pushing the front of the OTA up as you're twisting the latitude adjustment screws!
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Zebra24601
Meade 8" SCT w/UHTC * Celestron 100ED * Celestron C11 * Barska 15x70 binoculars
Meade LXD55 mount * Orion Sirius goto mount * Bushnell Voyager 4.5" Compact Reflector
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kaaikop
sage
Reged: 07/13/08
Posts: 467
Loc: Ste-Therese, Canada
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Congrats on the new toys!
There was another thread on the altitude screws just recently:
Thread
Hope that helps and clear skies!
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Benoit, RASC Montreal
-C 9.25XLT on EQ6 Pro / ED80SF on Portamount
-Plossls, Radians, Naglers, LVW's & Orthos.
-a pair of 7x50's
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yg1968
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/26/04
Posts: 1745
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Congratulations on the new scope! Good choice of scope and mount.
To answer, your question, this company makes replacement altitude bolts (they ship internationally at a reasonable price):
http://www.axio35.dsl.pipex.com/astrodev/Synta%20cables.htm
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RAKing
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 819
Loc: Clouds-ville, Virginia
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Peter,
Congrats on your new toys. May they bring you years of enjoyment. 
Order the ADM saddle and get the wider dovetail. I have done absolutely no scientific research on this, but think they helped my mount a lot -- plus I sure felt a lot better when that big tube rolled over in RA. 
There has been a lot of talk about the latitude screws. I hated them and could not use them with my arthritis. So I simply replaced them with a couple of stainless 10mm bolts and use a 3/8 drive ratchet and socket (17mm, IIRC) to make my adjustments. My advice is to do your polar alignment before you load up the OTA. I mount one counterweight (to pre-load the head), then do my polar alignment. After that's done, I finish loading the counterweights and mount the OTA. It's a small PITA, but no big deal.
Enjoy,
Ron
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Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.
Orion XT10i / Moonlite CR2 -- The New "Time Machine"
"Hi Def" TV-102
C925-CF SCT
Ethos and Naglers
GM-8 GEM / A-P Portable Pier
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Peter in Reno
super member
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 188
Loc: Reno, NV
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Quote:
So I simply replaced them with a couple of stainless 10mm bolts and use a 3/8 drive ratchet and socket (17mm, IIRC) to make my adjustments.
That's a great idea. I thought I was going to lose my hand while trying to raise the latitude. 
Peter
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Celestron 11" OTA with ADM Losmandy dovetail
Orion EON 80mm
Orion Short Tube 80mm with ADM mini-dovetail and clam shell tube rings
Orion StarShoot Pro CCD camera
Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Nagler 31mm
Ethos 13mm and 8 mm
2" William Optics diagonal
Atlas EQ-G with 1" CW shaft from Telescope Stability Systems, ADM Losmandy saddle.
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Peter in Reno
super member
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 188
Loc: Reno, NV
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I think I will do polar alignment without OTA and use one 11lbs counter weight from now on. I am concerned about striping the threads in the mount under full load (OTA & 33lbs weights). It was not too bad raising the latitude adjustment without load. I think 10mm bolt plus 3/8" drive ratchet/socket is a good solution.
Peter
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Celestron 11" OTA with ADM Losmandy dovetail
Orion EON 80mm
Orion Short Tube 80mm with ADM mini-dovetail and clam shell tube rings
Orion StarShoot Pro CCD camera
Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Nagler 31mm
Ethos 13mm and 8 mm
2" William Optics diagonal
Atlas EQ-G with 1" CW shaft from Telescope Stability Systems, ADM Losmandy saddle.
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RAKing
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 819
Loc: Clouds-ville, Virginia
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Peter,
I have changed my method slightly. I use the 17mm 3/8" socket, but now drive it with a smaller 1/4" drive bar. I still have plenty of leverage and it's easier to carry in the case. The picture shows the new tool.
CAUTION: The latitude lugs on the Atlas mount are pretty soft and you could break them if you use too much leverage and/or have too much load. Using a single counterweight is fine, but I wouldn't load everything before setting the latitude.
Ron
--------------------
Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.
Orion XT10i / Moonlite CR2 -- The New "Time Machine"
"Hi Def" TV-102
C925-CF SCT
Ethos and Naglers
GM-8 GEM / A-P Portable Pier
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Peter in Reno
super member
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 188
Loc: Reno, NV
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That's a nice pier. What brand and where did you get it? Can you rough rotate around the pier without rotating the pier itself? If that's the case, I won't have to rotate the tripod anymore if the initial polar alignment is to too far off for the fine adjustment alt-az screws.
Or is your pier permanently mounted?
Peter
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Celestron 11" OTA with ADM Losmandy dovetail
Orion EON 80mm
Orion Short Tube 80mm with ADM mini-dovetail and clam shell tube rings
Orion StarShoot Pro CCD camera
Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Nagler 31mm
Ethos 13mm and 8 mm
2" William Optics diagonal
Atlas EQ-G with 1" CW shaft from Telescope Stability Systems, ADM Losmandy saddle.
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RAKing
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 819
Loc: Clouds-ville, Virginia
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Quote:
That's a nice pier. What brand and where did you get it? Can you rough rotate around the pier without rotating the pier itself? Or is your pier permanently mounted?
Peter,
Thanks. That is an Astro-Physics Portable Pier. I had a custom adapter made so I could mount the Atlas on it.
I'm not sure I understand your question - but my adapter is fastened to the pier with the three hand screws and the Atlas is bolted to the adapter. There is a peg for azimuth adjustment, just like on a regular tripod. So I think my answer is no, I do not want the mount to spin around - I want it to be solid. It's no problem to rotate the whole pier. I don't have much trouble finding north and can usually get things aligned quickly.
The pier is actually lighter than the stock Atlas tripod, which makes it easier to move if necessary. The legs are longer and the pier is much more stable, but it breaks down easily for travel.
--------------------
Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.
Orion XT10i / Moonlite CR2 -- The New "Time Machine"
"Hi Def" TV-102
C925-CF SCT
Ethos and Naglers
GM-8 GEM / A-P Portable Pier
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Wmacky
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/24/07
Posts: 547
Loc: Middleburg Fl US
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Hey, that OTA looks like one from a CPC? MY year old OTA has the old style "flat" rear casting. Has this been changed?
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William
C-11 SCT
EON 80ED
CGE
Canon 40D
Phillips SPC900
SS Autoguider
Scopebuggy
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Peter in Reno
super member
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 188
Loc: Reno, NV
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Quote:
I'm not sure I understand your question - but my adapter is fastened to the pier with the three hand screws and the Atlas is bolted to the adapter. There is a peg for azimuth adjustment, just like on a regular tripod. So I think my answer is no, I do not want the mount to spin around - I want it to be solid. It's no problem to rotate the whole pier. I don't have much trouble finding north and can usually get things aligned quickly.
I meant whether you can rotate and lock the adapter up to 360 degrees without rotating the pier. I don't like the idea of initial setting/leveling the tripod/pier during the day before polar alignment and if it's not accurately lined up to the NCP, then I have to rotate the tripod/pier and re-check the level, etc. I prefer to level the tripod/pier and not worry about rotating the tripod/pier later if it's not initially lined up near the NCP. Yes, the fine adjustment alt-az screws help but if the initial NCP alignment is too far off, then I have to rotate the tripod/pier which I am trying to eliminate.
Because now I have a pretty big and heavy scope as well as total of 33 pounds of counter weight, it's much easier to line up to NCP without the OTA and counter weights. With OTA and counter weights, it's really hard on latitude adjustment screws. It's much easier to rotate the mount instead of tripod when aligning to NCP. It's okay if I use the scope/mount in my backyard since I know exactly where the NCP is but if I travel long distance then it's more difficult to accurately line up to NCP initially. In other words, I am looking for the least path of resistance. Doesn't everybody else want the same thing?
Peter
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Celestron 11" OTA with ADM Losmandy dovetail
Orion EON 80mm
Orion Short Tube 80mm with ADM mini-dovetail and clam shell tube rings
Orion StarShoot Pro CCD camera
Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Nagler 31mm
Ethos 13mm and 8 mm
2" William Optics diagonal
Atlas EQ-G with 1" CW shaft from Telescope Stability Systems, ADM Losmandy saddle.
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RAKing
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 819
Loc: Clouds-ville, Virginia
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Peter,
I guess we have slightly different priorities and there is nothing wrong with that. I carry a compass with me when I travel and can get well within the azimuth adjustment as a rule, but don't mind shifting the pier if necessary.
I don't worry much about leveling the base of the mount - maybe that is my path of least resistance.  "Close" is fine and only helps to minimize the interaction between the latitude and azimuth screws when you are doing your polar alignment. After the RA axis is lined up with the NCP, the mount doesn't care what's happening down below. You could be on the side of a cliff for all it cares.
I am more interested in "rock solid" and feel the Portable Pier gives that to me.
Please don't let any of my preferences get in your way. You have a wonderful combination of astro gear and I hope you enjoy it for many years. 
Take care,
Ron
--------------------
Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.
Orion XT10i / Moonlite CR2 -- The New "Time Machine"
"Hi Def" TV-102
C925-CF SCT
Ethos and Naglers
GM-8 GEM / A-P Portable Pier
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Peter in Reno
super member
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 188
Loc: Reno, NV
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Ron,
What are the three knobs near top of the pier for? I thought if you loosen the knobs, you could rotate the mount instead of the pier.
Peter
--------------------
Celestron 11" OTA with ADM Losmandy dovetail
Orion EON 80mm
Orion Short Tube 80mm with ADM mini-dovetail and clam shell tube rings
Orion StarShoot Pro CCD camera
Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Nagler 31mm
Ethos 13mm and 8 mm
2" William Optics diagonal
Atlas EQ-G with 1" CW shaft from Telescope Stability Systems, ADM Losmandy saddle.
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RAKing
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/28/07
Posts: 819
Loc: Clouds-ville, Virginia
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Quote:
What are the three knobs near top of the pier for? I thought if you loosen the knobs, you could rotate the mount instead of the pier.
Those knobs hold the adapter to the pier.
There are three holes in the top of the pier and A-P designed this for their mounts to drop right into place. They also sell a Losmandy adapter so you can use the G8 or G11.
I had to get a custom adapter turned with the cuts for the Atlas. The adapter has three threaded holes that line up with the holes in the pier. I use the plastic knobs for a "tool free" setup.
You could drill more holes around the top of the pier if you wanted more "swivel" room. I prefer the counterweight to be over a leg, so I'm happy with it as is.
Ron
--------------------
Time spent looking at the stars is added to your life.
Orion XT10i / Moonlite CR2 -- The New "Time Machine"
"Hi Def" TV-102
C925-CF SCT
Ethos and Naglers
GM-8 GEM / A-P Portable Pier
|
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