surfindogg
member
Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 73
Loc: Not quite darkest Dorset, UK.
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I thought I would run these past the forum and see if there was any interest.
The only problems I have with my ETX [105] is mounting the scope on the deluxe field tripod in the dark and if I set it up indoors, it is a little difficult to get it through my narrow back door.
Therefore two ideas:-
1. A system to allow the scope to be mounted on the tripod almost blindfold.
2. A way to make the tripod foldable for easy transport.
If such things were available to buy at a reasonable cost how many would consider a purchase, and what would be reasonable price wise?
Let me know what you think or if this is a complete non-starter.
I ran the brief ideas past Pete of Petersons Engineering [SkyDivision], to see what he thought and thought I would do a bit of market research on the forum.
Thanks in advance for any comments.
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Whasup? Oh pretty stars.
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1_old_dog
sage
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 357
Loc: Smoky Mnts
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Since tripods are already foldable, what do you have in mind?
OD
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http://chu65nang67.us/nam/vietnam.html
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surfindogg
member
Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 73
Loc: Not quite darkest Dorset, UK.
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With my tripod I have to unscrew the knob even with the legs set to the shortest length to get the mounted scope through my door. I know this is particular to me but wondered if a more easily collapsable tripod would be popular. I lost count of the times I have dropped springs etc.
The idea I had would allow the legs to fold in and out easily and be locked tight when open with a simple twist lock thingy. I am no engineer, as you might have have guessed.
Perhaps I am just lazy, but with the weather in the UK being what it is, any time saved setting up is more time seeing.
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Whasup? Oh pretty stars.
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 5374
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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The leg spreadr doesn't bother me, I just sit down and unscrew the knob, rotate the spreader, and put the knob back on; actually I find it kinda relaxing at the end of the night. However, if it did bother me I'd consider replacing the leg spreader with a set of lightweight chains. To help position the ETX on the mount in the dark you might add a set of index marks that you can feel in the dark that line up when the ETX is in the right orientation; my Velcro patches do that for me.
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-John
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Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I & II), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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yock1960
super member
Reged: 06/22/08
Posts: 172
Loc: SW Ohio, USA
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I think that for easy transportability, especially with a folding tripod, you lose stability. I know that when I changed from the lightweight tripod that came with my ETX-80 BB to an #884, it got a little more difficult to get out the door, but short of going to a pier or a really overkill tripod, it's not going to get much more stable.
Folding joints are just a place for the whole thing to wiggle!
Steve
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Discovery 6" Dobsonian
ETX80 Backpack Edition + Meade #884 Tripod
Astronomiser ASTSC1C
Meade DSI II
Televue Powermate 2.5x
Gallery
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surfindogg
member
Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 73
Loc: Not quite darkest Dorset, UK.
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My idea would be for the 884 tripod, so keeping the stability but improving the ease of use. I think however, that I am just being lazy!!
The ETX series are pretty easy to get set up. I think my personal circumstances are unique because I allow them to be an excuse to take my small refractor out instead. Being a purely visual type and not having got into imaging, I tend to reserve the ETX for excellent nights of seeing.
Any further comments welcome are though as I am thinking of getting one or both gadgets made up for myself to see how useful they might be.
Thanks for your responses so far.
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Whasup? Oh pretty stars.
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1_old_dog
sage
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 357
Loc: Smoky Mnts
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AH HA! I haven't seen an #884 so I googled it. I understand what you're talking about now.
Yup I can see the probs a person might have navigating through a doorway with this tripod.
keep us updated on your solution.
OD
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http://chu65nang67.us/nam/vietnam.html
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violini
member
Reged: 10/03/08
Posts: 24
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
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It's very easy to mount the scope on 883 tripod. For 884 tripod, my suggestion would be: attach a 1/4" pin on the center hole of the motor drive base and drill the same sized hole at the center of the mounting plate of the tripod. Once the scope is on top of the mounting plate, rotate the scope to line up the 2 holes. I am sure it can be done in the dark.
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Own two poor man's Questar:ETX90 RA
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seeker372011
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/05/04
Posts: 783
Loc: Sydney , Australia
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I keep my 884 in the garage..carry it out to the patio, mount the ETX where it is lighted and its easy enough to carry the assembly out to the back yard even in the dark
so I am not sure if its a all that great a selling point..sorry !
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ETX 70,ED 80 on a CG5 Mount;Orion Star Shoot Deep Sky Imager,Canon 300D modded;20 x 80 LW Obies;PST;10 inch GSO dob
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surfindogg
member
Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 73
Loc: Not quite darkest Dorset, UK.
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You guys are totally right. There are easier ways to do everything if you just think about it. The locating pin idea is just perfect and I could set up outside the back door with the light on on switch it off when I'm done. Sometimes I think I am trying to be too clever for my own good! ; )
Thanks for your suggestions.
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Whasup? Oh pretty stars.
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yock1960
super member
Reged: 06/22/08
Posts: 172
Loc: SW Ohio, USA
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Quote:
I could set up outside the back door with the light on on switch it off when I'm done.
I sometimes use a headlamp, literally! It mounts on your head has two light intensities and a rechargeable battery pack. Got it from a Hunting/Outdoor outfitter (Cabela's), but I'm sure there are others like it. It frees your hands for other things and it helps me chase off the critters without killing myself too! 
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Discovery 6" Dobsonian
ETX80 Backpack Edition + Meade #884 Tripod
Astronomiser ASTSC1C
Meade DSI II
Televue Powermate 2.5x
Gallery
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rcd47
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 220
Loc: East Texas, USA
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A few years ago, I felt the same way about my 114GT. I wanted to be out the back door and set up quickly & easily. This is what I did. Of course then it wouldn't fit in the closet anymore.  IMO, the Celestron (or Tasco, in my case) has an easier way to attach the mount to tripod or pier than my ETX anyway.
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Randy
Edmund Astroscan
Meade ETX125PE
Skywatcher 102mm F5 & Alt/Az Mount
Orion ST80/Mini EQ1
Tasco Starguide 114/Celestron Hand Paddle
Pentax 10x50 Binoculars
Philips SPC 900NC
Stellacam EX
Edited by rcd47 (10/11/08 12:12 PM)
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Odin
super member
Reged: 03/21/07
Posts: 128
Loc: Ont, Cdn
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Woww... Nice Rig............ I need me one of these.. any drawings to Post ??? 
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*=== Life Is Great Under The STARS ===*
LX90 8" EMC
Rigel Quickfinder
ETX125PE UHTC
60mm Refractor Meade Digital Series
Meade Electronic Eyepiece
32mm,26mm,15mm,9.7mm series 4000 Super Plossl
2x Barlow
10x50 Tasca Binoculars
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rcd47
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 220
Loc: East Texas, USA
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Quote:
Woww... Nice Rig............ I need me one of these.. any drawings to Post ???
Thanks! Sorry, I don't have any drawings. It's basically just a 4" steel pipe welded to a T made from channel. The top part is 1x2" wood stock arranged to fit the mount in place of the tripod, then attached to a wooden circle. The battery box at the bottom is just some scrap lumber. Wiring goes from battery box to top and has a power switch with two 12v outlets at the circle bottom. Luckily, I have a nice brother-in-law that was willing to do the welding.  If I ever did it again, I'd leave off the threaded adjusters. I never use them anyway.
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Randy
Edmund Astroscan
Meade ETX125PE
Skywatcher 102mm F5 & Alt/Az Mount
Orion ST80/Mini EQ1
Tasco Starguide 114/Celestron Hand Paddle
Pentax 10x50 Binoculars
Philips SPC 900NC
Stellacam EX
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surfindogg
member
Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 73
Loc: Not quite darkest Dorset, UK.
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Wheely pier. What a great idea. Now I sure I have an old sack truck lurking somewhere............ 
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Whasup? Oh pretty stars.
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