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Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#3026598 - 04/05/09 09:17 PM

I'm like a kid in the candy shop... or the night before Christmas..

I spent all day today measuring, thinking about the mounting on my pier, etc...

frankly...

Can't WAIT...

Yikes, is it always like this? ... a world class mount, world class waiting and anticipation?

Guess, I'm answering Daleen's email tomorrow, huh?

That would be good news for those below me on the Mach1GTO list, I guess...

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3026649 - 04/05/09 09:42 PM

So...

I have a Dan's Pier plate for my CGE (to adapt to my Pier)... what is needed (from those of you w/ MI250) to connect from a pier to the base...

I've browsed Larry's site, but am hoping I don't have to "drill" my pier top surface... anyone else upgraded from CGE to MI-250? Thoughts?

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

Jason Glass
sage

Reged: 06/27/05

Loc: 36°33'9.19"N, 86°40'7.36"W

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3026754 - 04/05/09 10:52 PM

Hi Dave,

I'm including a spare MI-250 azimuth plate (courtesy of Bobby from our deal), so all you have to do is drill it to match the holes in your Dan's plate and bolt them together, swapping it with the plate that's on the mount right now. You can leave your Dan's plate and the plate that's installed on the mount unaltered and factory-fresh for resale.

You could alternatively drill the spare MI-250 plate to engage your j-bolts directly.

Call me in the morning!

Post Extras:

Jason Glass
sage

Reged: 06/27/05

Loc: 36°33'9.19"N, 86°40'7.36"W

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Jason Glass]
#3026786 - 04/05/09 11:12 PM

Hi Dave,

I just found the technical drawings at Dan's Pier Plate website. Just give the word and I'll precisely drill and counterbore the spare plate in my machine shop. It will only take a couple of hours to do it right and you'll be all ready to rock, right out of the box.

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Jason Glass]
#3027055 - 04/06/09 04:21 AM

Cool Jason! Talk about service!

Note: I have the "CGE Adapter Plate" from the CGE Adapter Kit only ... I.e I do NOT have the 8" Pier Top Base Kit (i.e. that bottom plate they show...)

My Pier holes are arranged in an equalateral triangle around that center hole you see in the diagram

So, my current pier top is a 12" square steel plate with holes arranged for Meade pattern, and the holes precisely align to the 4 needed for that CGE Adapter Plate...

Ideally, I'd be able to either:
a) re-use it - not sure how THAT would work, or
b) sell it when I sell the CGE...

I'll drop you a line this AM at some point (after 8:30 and hopefully before noon!)

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3027142 - 04/06/09 07:13 AM

Another question, MI-250ers!

I'm getting ready to put up the CGE rig for sale, and wanted to know if the MI250 can directly take the ADM Side-by-Side setup, or if it needs the ADM CGE SBS adapter?

I know the CGE needed it because otherwise it would be 90 degrees "off" when setting the limit switches...

Does the MI250 have a similar limitation, or can I "go direct" for side by side...??

Thanks again and clear enough skies

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f29pc
professor emeritus

Reged: 05/23/05

Loc: Maine

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3027168 - 04/06/09 07:43 AM

Dave, you don't need the ADM CGE SBS adapter. The ADM SBS will mount directly on to the MI 250. THe MI 250 does not have limit switches.
Paul

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Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: f29pc]
#3027227 - 04/06/09 08:36 AM

Perfect, thanks Paul... Now I can sell the CGE SBS at same time as the CGE!

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

Jason Glass
sage

Reged: 06/27/05

Loc: 36°33'9.19"N, 86°40'7.36"W

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3027346 - 04/06/09 09:55 AM

Quote:

My Pier holes are arranged in an equalateral triangle around that center hole you see in the diagram

So, my current pier top is a 12" square steel plate with holes arranged for Meade pattern, and the holes precisely align to the 4 needed for that CGE Adapter Plate...

Ideally, I'd be able to either:
a) re-use it - not sure how THAT would work, or
b) sell it when I sell the CGE...

Hi Dave,

All I need to know is the diameter of the bolt circle on your base plate and how thick the plate is. Unfortunately, the diagram doesn't show that dimension.

You mention that the bolt pattern is Meade. Is it LX200 pattern? If so, I can measure my own LX200 tripod head for the dimensions (2.563"R).

You can most likely sell the adapter with your CGE and be done with it.

Edited by Jason Glass (04/06/09 10:28 AM)

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Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Jason Glass]
#3027900 - 04/06/09 02:32 PM

Just so everyone knows... I've made the decision

I even copied my Wife on the email I sent back to Daleen saying "no" to a brandy new AP mount

She is totally down with buying a better/more capable mount for less money, used... Likes the "used" concept!

Had great chat with Jason this AM, monies happen this PM, measurements so he can custom drill me a mounting plate happen this PM...

Did I mention what a great guy Jason is to deal with? He's customizing the mounting plate for MY pier needs!

Folks, I'm now officially beside myself with glee anticipating an MI-250 arriving here at WSO in the not too distant future. How cool is THAT?

I guess the Weather "Czars" must already know, 'cause the clouds started rolling in just after I finished finalizing with Jason this AM! And now it looks to be a week of solid clouds and rain on their way!

Ah well... It'll be worth it.

Besides... I'll need the time to memorize the Gemini Manual!

clear enough skies!

Post Extras:

Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Jason Glass]
#3027937 - 04/06/09 02:48 PM

yep - Jason... they are 2.563" On center... (eyeballing it with my calipers they were slightly over 2.56 anyways!)...

I'm emailing you the other info.

Thanks again!

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Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3042018 - 04/13/09 05:40 PM

Well... it arrives TOMORROW... and just look at my CSC for TONIGHT...

yep - tomorrow night is gonna stink... but I don't have the mount TONIGHT...

curse you, the curse!

Sheesh... it's in Shrewsbury MA (about 15 miles from here), getting all lonely and such, and I've got such good skies tonight, and... and...

It is so hard to wait!

clear enough skies

Edited by Bowmoreman (04/13/09 05:47 PM)

Post Extras:

David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3042245 - 04/13/09 07:55 PM

Hey David...you're about to join a club that has some really terrific members!

Can't wait to see some pictures of the new hardware.

David

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Trebor777
Hazy

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3042765 - 04/14/09 02:57 AM

Quote:

Well... it arrives TOMORROW... and just look at my CSC for TONIGHT...

yep - tomorrow night is gonna stink... but I don't have the mount TONIGHT...

curse you, the curse!

Sheesh... it's in Shrewsbury MA (about 15 miles from here), getting all lonely and such, and I've got such good skies tonight, and... and...

And that's why I'm happy I got your CGE. You care enough to think about if your mount in lonely.

I got a case coming for the CGE on Friday. Not the $300 one from Celestron, the $166 one from cases4less. The case is about the same size as the one specifially for the CGE, but it's 1" higher - which means it'll hold the new eyepiece tray I'm making for it.

I've had one clear night since last Thursday and it was windy. 16mph - gusts up to 40mph. Wasn't even worth it to go out - the story of us observstory-less people...

Congrats on your MI250..and speaking of weather. The M/Tues/W after NEAF - RAIN, RAIN & more RAIN...probably followed by WIND and clouds!

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bdjeep
sage

Reged: 01/29/07

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Trebor777]
#3043094 - 04/14/09 09:39 AM

Congrats on the new mount. You didn't miss much last night. High clouds moved in from the south/east by 8pm despite the CSC prediction. With all the damage that will be done to people's wallets at NEAF, you may have to wait until summer to try it out.

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Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: bdjeep]
#3043378 - 04/14/09 12:30 PM

Yep - noticed that Brian... they started coming in while I was playing catch with the boys - Little League is starting up and since I'm a coach, I gotta be limber TOO

Debated doing visual with my Dob, but wasn't feeling 100% and decided sleep was better!

Sheesh, this wait is killing me. Per UPS 157# of Mount gear was loaded on the Truck in Chelmsford and out for "Local Delivery" at 5:09AM...

My poor baby, sitting all cooped up in that nasty truck all day long (under blue skies of course!)... My usual delivery time is around 14:30... we'll see.

I'll need the hand truck to get some of it out back to WSO!

Of course, tonight will also be cloudy (even though yesterday and today were both crystal blue during the day)!!!

Enjoy NEAF! I can't go....

I have a little league practice I hafta do, and a "honey do" list a mile long after this last winter...

clear enough skies

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Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: Bolton, MA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3043913 - 04/14/09 05:37 PM

Yippee!!!!

The MI250 has arrived! I've only unpacked 2 of the 4 boxes so far (had to get back in and get my financial stuffs to my accountant - ugh), but:

1) First off, Jason, sir! You did a fabulous job of packing this! all components shrink/saran wrapped to protect finish, then bubble wrapped individually, then packed in a box with HARD foam, cut to fit. Then THAT box wrapped again with bubble, inside an outer shipping box... Everything is in perfect condition!!!

This is a MODEL of proper packaging! Well done (wish I could give you 7 stars!)

2) This sucker is seriously well made! The counterweights are beautiful! This is heavy! It is a machining work of art!

I hope to get out back later tonight after dinner, etc, and at least get it initially physically setup... As you may imagine, just unpacking it is time consuming (but THAT is OK by me!)...

Eventually (tomorrow?) photos to follow!

clear enough skies

Post Extras:

f29pc
professor emeritus

Reged: 05/23/05

Loc: Maine

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3044428 - 04/14/09 10:49 PM

Congrats on the mount!!!! I'll be working nights till NEAF, call if you need any help. You got the cell.
Have fun, Paul

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David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3044432 - 04/14/09 10:53 PM

Quote:

Yippee!!!!

The MI250 has arrived! I've only unpacked 2 of the 4 boxes so far (had to get back in and get my financial stuffs to my accountant - ugh), but:

1) First off, Jason, sir! You did a fabulous job of packing this! all components shrink/saran wrapped to protect finish, then bubble wrapped individually, then packed in a box with HARD foam, cut to fit. Then THAT box wrapped again with bubble, inside an outer shipping box... Everything is in perfect condition!!!

This is a MODEL of proper packaging! Well done (wish I could give you 7 stars!)

2) This sucker is seriously well made! The counterweights are beautiful! This is heavy! It is a machining work of art!

I hope to get out back later tonight after dinner, etc, and at least get it initially physically setup... As you may imagine, just unpacking it is time consuming (but THAT is OK by me!)...

Eventually (tomorrow?) photos to follow!

clear enough skies

I told ya'! Larry is an artist. Someday, after your astro bank account is flush again, you need to send it to Larry to get all of the updates. I think he's charging $2000 for the upgrades, but it would make your mount more user friendly AND have more capacity.

However, get the thing mounted and enjoy. It's nothing but tracking nirvana.

David

Post Extras:

Nebhunter
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/04/03

Loc: Frostbite Falls

Re: OK, I've been tapped! Need help deciding!! new

[Re: Bowmoreman]
#3044509 - 04/14/09 11:35 PM

Methinks pouring a wee dram of Bowmore would be in order! Maybe wear a kilt to boot.

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