Telescope Reviews: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3)

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Charlie Hein
Postmaster

Reged: 11/02/03

Loc: 26.06.08N, +80.23.08W

Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3)
#3066411 - 04/25/09 02:25 PM

Starting a new thread... the previous versions of this thread can be found here and here.

Edited by Charlie Hein (04/26/09 06:19 PM)

Post Extras:

Myles
professor emeritus

Reged: 03/25/06

Loc: Seattle, Washington

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3069239 - 04/26/09 09:02 PM Attachment (1606 downloads)

Stellarvue TSL5 with a DiscMount DM-4 on top of it.

Post Extras:

antilles72
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/06/07

Loc: Rhode Island

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Myles]
#3075471 - 04/29/09 05:06 PM Attachment (1296 downloads)

WO EZ Touch

Post Extras:

charles genovese
sage

Reged: 02/04/06

Loc: Madisonville Louisiana

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3083274 - 05/03/09 06:24 PM Attachment (1556 downloads)

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.

Post Extras:

Graystar
super member

Reged: 04/19/09

Loc: Aiken, SC

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3083624 - 05/03/09 09:21 PM

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

Post Extras:

PJ Anway
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/04/03

Loc: North Coast

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3083728 - 05/03/09 10:18 PM Attachment (1359 downloads)

Here is my Losmandy G-9. Sold back in the early to mid 90's, you don't see many of these.

Post Extras:

scopemankit
sage

Reged: 01/27/09

Loc: south africa

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: PJ Anway]
#3086885 - 05/05/09 03:56 PM Attachment (1187 downloads)

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.

Post Extras:

waassaabee
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/26/07

Loc: Central California Coast

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: charles genovese]
#3087143 - 05/05/09 06:52 PM

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...?

Post Extras:

rwiederrich
Goldfinger

Reged: 11/17/05

Loc: Always Dark skies of Belfair W...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: scopemankit]
#3088628 - 05/06/09 02:23 PM Attachment (1163 downloads)

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

Post Extras:

Darenwh
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/11/06

Loc: Covington, GA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: rwiederrich]
#3088656 - 05/06/09 02:44 PM

Nice but I think you are going to need a longer peir....

Post Extras:

rwiederrich
Goldfinger

Reged: 11/17/05

Loc: Always Dark skies of Belfair W...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Darenwh]
#3088704 - 05/06/09 03:10 PM

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

Post Extras:

Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: rwiederrich]
#3099541 - 05/11/09 11:52 PM Attachment (968 downloads)

Orion Skyview AZ with TV-85 and Meade 80mm triplet:

Post Extras:

Rudy Nix
member

Reged: 03/19/08

Loc: Hollister,CA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3105694 - 05/14/09 10:32 PM Attachment (932 downloads)

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.

Post Extras:

csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Rudy Nix]
#3106328 - 05/15/09 09:33 AM Attachment (897 downloads)

Here's my AstroTech Voyager!

Post Extras:

beachchairbill
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 11/06/08

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: csa/montana]
#3107501 - 05/15/09 09:47 PM Attachment (829 downloads)

Here is a picture of my new Astrowood P-Mount

Beachchairbill

Post Extras:

Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/23/05

Loc: Virginia

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: beachchairbill]
#3108947 - 05/16/09 04:05 PM Attachment (1081 downloads)

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....

Edited by Doug D. (05/18/09 11:07 AM)

Post Extras:

dweller25
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 08/30/07

Loc: Lancashire, UK

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Doug D.]
#3110820 - 05/17/09 04:08 PM Attachment (759 downloads)

Here is my trusty GP-DX with the SkySensor 2000PC system.

Post Extras:

GeorgeNC
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 03/26/07

Loc: Land of the Sky, North Carolin...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3115140 - 05/19/09 05:05 PM

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.

Post Extras:

jmasin
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/22/08

Loc: Murphy, TX (DFW)

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: GeorgeNC]
#3122571 - 05/23/09 10:36 AM Attachment (1151 downloads)

my humble setup awaiting the sun to say goodnight...

Post Extras:

pferendzo
super member

Reged: 02/10/08

Loc: St Louis

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: jmasin]
#3122720 - 05/23/09 12:20 PM

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?

Post Extras:

jmasin
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/22/08

Loc: Murphy, TX (DFW)

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: pferendzo]
#3124137 - 05/24/09 09:40 AM

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.

Post Extras:

turbo399
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/21/07

Loc: Michigan

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3127542 - 05/26/09 03:43 AM Attachment (658 downloads)

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!!

Post Extras:

Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3129222 - 05/26/09 09:36 PM Attachment (544 downloads)

Orion Skyview AZ mount with 16 inch extension seen here with a new NP-101 mounted on it.

Post Extras:

jbury
Vendor - ObserverPro

Reged: 02/02/09

Loc: Oregon, USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3130922 - 05/27/09 07:29 PM Attachment (595 downloads)

Celestron CGEM with a C9.25 and Orion 80mm ED.

Edited by jbury (05/27/09 07:32 PM)

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: jbury]
#3131103 - 05/27/09 09:05 PM Attachment (765 downloads)

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

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) *DELETED* new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#3131122 - 05/27/09 09:16 PM

Post deleted by Charlie Hein

Post Extras:

Mark Jenkins
sage

Reged: 06/25/08

Loc: Wisconsin

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#3131581 - 05/28/09 03:06 AM

I guess that puts the capacity of the MiniTower questions to rest!

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) *DELETED* new

[Re: Mark Jenkins]
#3131986 - 05/28/09 11:04 AM

Post deleted by Charlie Hein

Post Extras:

Telescopeman54
Vendor - Trapezium Telescopes & Services, LLC.

Reged: 08/17/07

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#3131992 - 05/28/09 11:06 AM Attachment (664 downloads)

How about a 25 pound 1965 4" f/15 refractor with a 15 pound 6" MAK?

Steve

Post Extras:

EddWen
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 04/26/08

Loc: Here or There

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Telescopeman54]
#3132008 - 05/28/09 11:15 AM Attachment (604 downloads)

Here's what you need to prevent "shutter shudder" when using a DSLR on a 3.5 Questar ;-)

Post Extras:

GolfSierra
member

Reged: 12/27/08

Loc: Michigan

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: EddWen]
#3132253 - 05/28/09 01:12 PM Attachment (512 downloads)

Losmandy GM8 with dual SV80BV and SV110ED refractors.

Post Extras:

Eddgie
Postmaster

Reged: 02/01/06

Repainted Meade LXD 750 new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3132424 - 05/28/09 02:34 PM Attachment (574 downloads)

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.

Post Extras:

Eddgie
Postmaster

Reged: 02/01/06

Close-up new

[Re: Eddgie]
#3132429 - 05/28/09 02:35 PM Attachment (501 downloads)

Just the mount....

Post Extras:

Mark Jenkins
sage

Reged: 06/25/08

Loc: Wisconsin

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: GolfSierra]
#3132451 - 05/28/09 02:43 PM

The Casady Tandem16 arrived and I am now waiting for clear skies to test this out.

Post Extras:

Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3132460 - 05/28/09 02:48 PM Attachment (461 downloads)

Orion Skyview AZ

Post Extras:

Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: GolfSierra]
#3132461 - 05/28/09 02:48 PM

Great mount and scope. Terrific view!

Post Extras:

Strgazr27

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3132655 - 05/28/09 04:42 PM Attachment (616 downloads)

Celestrons BEST mount to date......The CGEPro

Post Extras:

Strgazr27

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#3132657 - 05/28/09 04:43 PM Attachment (547 downloads)

Ready to go.......Wish I was

Post Extras:

nik hodges
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 04/20/07

Loc: UK

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Strgazr27]
#3136069 - 05/30/09 03:38 PM Attachment (552 downloads)

my new rig waiting to find a home (moving house to dark skies at the moment)

Post Extras:

LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: nik hodges]
#3140513 - 06/01/09 07:20 PM Attachment (645 downloads)

My new 1200 arrived! Here it is loaded up with a few refractors.

Post Extras:

Mark Jenkins
sage

Reged: 06/25/08

Loc: Wisconsin

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: LLEEGE]
#3141047 - 06/02/09 01:16 AM

Wow!

That's just awesome Luke!

Are you using a Casady Tandem bar?

Post Extras:

LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mark Jenkins]
#3141280 - 06/02/09 07:25 AM

With all the saddles and plates I've got, I just made my own.

Post Extras:

tim53
Postmaster

Reged: 12/17/04

Loc: Highland Park, CA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: LLEEGE]
#3142398 - 06/02/09 07:31 PM Attachment (624 downloads)

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.

Post Extras:

Mark Jenkins
sage

Reged: 06/25/08

Loc: Wisconsin

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tim53]
#3148231 - 06/06/09 01:35 AM

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!

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mark Jenkins]
#3152372 - 06/08/09 01:41 PM Attachment (556 downloads)

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)

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3152376 - 06/08/09 01:44 PM Attachment (543 downloads)

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)

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3152378 - 06/08/09 01:47 PM Attachment (389 downloads)

Wagon Mount with closeup of "eyepiece caddy".

Barry

Edited by BarrySimon615 (06/08/09 01:53 PM)

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3152461 - 06/08/09 02:50 PM Attachment (561 downloads)

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)

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3152465 - 06/08/09 02:53 PM Attachment (425 downloads)

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)

Post Extras:

Mark Jenkins
sage

Reged: 06/25/08

Loc: Wisconsin

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3152514 - 06/08/09 03:34 PM

That's cool Barry!

Was it adjustable for proper polar alignment??

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mark Jenkins]
#3152575 - 06/08/09 04:07 PM

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

Post Extras:

Jimmy2K63
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/26/09

Loc: Milky Way, Spiral Arm, G2 Star...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3155509 - 06/10/09 10:21 AM

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.

Post Extras:

drg
journeyman

Reged: 05/01/09

Loc: Georgia, USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3162414 - 06/14/09 01:14 PM Attachment (470 downloads)

CG5 Equatorial GoTo

Edited by drg (06/14/09 01:16 PM)

Post Extras:

lenny arsenault
member

Reged: 06/09/09

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: pferendzo]
#3232935 - 07/22/09 06:49 PM

I will try and post pictures of one of my starliner mounts in restoration. Lenny

Post Extras:

gnowellsct
Postmaster

Reged: 06/24/09

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: lenny arsenault]
#3234170 - 07/23/09 11:53 AM Attachment (407 downloads)

AP900QMD on ATS pier

Post Extras:

gnowellsct
Postmaster

Reged: 06/24/09

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: gnowellsct]
#3234182 - 07/23/09 11:59 AM Attachment (424 downloads)

G11 on Berlebach tripod

Edited by gnowellsct (07/23/09 11:59 AM)

Post Extras:

Mike Clemens
Frozen to Eyepiece

Reged: 11/26/05

Loc: Alaska, USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: gnowellsct]
#3242413 - 07/28/09 12:53 AM

LOVE THE QMD on the ATS!!!

Post Extras:

tbone0168
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/23/09

Loc: Long Island, New York

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3249386 - 07/31/09 07:05 PM Attachment (410 downloads)

Orion 120 ST f/5 on a date with CGEM and Black and Decker....

Post Extras:

MeadeMan
super member

Reged: 08/25/08

Loc: West Sussex, UK

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tbone0168]
#3249403 - 07/31/09 07:15 PM Attachment (350 downloads)

Meade 5000 series 127mm and 80mm ED APO's on a Tele optic Giro 2 Deluxe and Berlebach Uni 18 tripod.

Post Extras:

tbone0168
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/23/09

Loc: Long Island, New York

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tbone0168]
#3249406 - 07/31/09 07:17 PM Attachment (350 downloads)

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

Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tbone0168]
#3250426 - 08/01/09 12:11 PM Attachment (463 downloads)

My Motley Trio.

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Project Galileo
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/14/07

Loc: Jefferson County, Colorado

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tbone0168]
#3250816 - 08/01/09 05:20 PM

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.

Post Extras:

Project Galileo
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/14/07

Loc: Jefferson County, Colorado

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Project Galileo]
#3250821 - 08/01/09 05:23 PM

The new finish looks wet and deep. It has a hammered texture too.

Post Extras:

Project Galileo
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/14/07

Loc: Jefferson County, Colorado

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Project Galileo]
#3250824 - 08/01/09 05:25 PM

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.

Post Extras:

Project Galileo
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/14/07

Loc: Jefferson County, Colorado

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Project Galileo]
#3250833 - 08/01/09 05:28 PM

It is parked after use to keep it's alignment and PEC from use to use and kept under this Telegizmo's 365 cover.

Post Extras:

Jim7728
Postmaster

Reged: 04/10/05

Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Project Galileo]
#3251093 - 08/01/09 08:19 PM

Sweet!

Post Extras:

Harold925
super member

Reged: 07/11/09

Loc: Near Charleston, S.C. Cluster

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Jim7728]
#3252852 - 08/02/09 06:53 PM Attachment (431 downloads)

Here's my new CGEM, w/o the C925 attached. No custom pier yet, but I have nice turf.

Post Extras:

Orion4211
professor emeritus

Reged: 09/13/05

Loc: North New Jersey

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Harold925]
#3257248 - 08/06/09 08:56 AM

Your LXD-75 mount is amazing. Love the set up!

Post Extras:

MeadeMan
super member

Reged: 08/25/08

Loc: West Sussex, UK

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Project Galileo]
#3258217 - 08/06/09 07:37 PM

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.

Edited by Charlie Hein (08/14/09 08:51 AM)

Post Extras:

Taylor
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 07/10/05

Loc: Owasso, OK

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Project Galileo]
#3258292 - 08/06/09 08:19 PM

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!

Post Extras:

Tom Andrews
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 01/25/07

Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: MeadeMan]
#3258492 - 08/06/09 10:27 PM

That's simply the best looking paint job I have ever seen on astronomy equipment.

Post Extras:

ratdog11
sage

Reged: 04/26/08

Loc: surprise arizona

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Tom Andrews]
#3259276 - 08/07/09 11:27 AM

Doc, nice set-up man! I also like your website........ done professionally and with taste.

Post Extras:

alpal
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Melbourne Australia.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: ratdog11]
#3260679 - 08/08/09 04:32 AM

EQ6 mount with 8" Newtonian.

Post Extras:

ducatirob
professor emeritus

Reged: 06/15/05

Loc: SW Ohio

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: alpal]
#3260711 - 08/08/09 06:07 AM

Nice set up.

Rob

Post Extras:

alpal
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Melbourne Australia.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: ducatirob]
#3264358 - 08/10/09 08:53 AM

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!

Post Extras:

tbone0168
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/23/09

Loc: Long Island, New York

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: alpal]
#3268341 - 08/12/09 09:19 AM Attachment (346 downloads)

CGEM and company.....

Edited by tbone0168 (08/12/09 09:21 AM)

Post Extras:

tbone0168
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/23/09

Loc: Long Island, New York

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tbone0168]
#3268351 - 08/12/09 09:22 AM Attachment (296 downloads)

Again......

Edited by tbone0168 (08/12/09 09:23 AM)

Post Extras:

tbone0168
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/23/09

Loc: Long Island, New York

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tbone0168]
#3268354 - 08/12/09 09:23 AM Attachment (267 downloads)

And again......

Edited by tbone0168 (08/12/09 09:25 AM)

Post Extras:

ThomasB
newbie

Reged: 02/15/07

Loc: Eastern Iowa

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3269059 - 08/12/09 06:03 PM Attachment (351 downloads)

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

Post Extras:

skybsd
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/01/08

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: ThomasB]
#3269117 - 08/12/09 06:50 PM Attachment (336 downloads)

Hi,
Been meaning to post to this thread for so long - apologies..,

Here's my Losmandy G11+Gemini out for a midnight stroll

Post Extras:

alpal
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Melbourne Australia.

NEQ6 Pro mount new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3274811 - 08/15/09 08:02 PM

This is a close up of my NEQ6 Pro mount.
The full pic is a few posts back on this thread.

Post Extras:

turbo399
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/21/07

Loc: Michigan

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: turbo399]
#3276897 - 08/17/09 12:03 AM Attachment (356 downloads)

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.

Post Extras:

turbo399
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/21/07

Loc: Michigan

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: turbo399]
#3276905 - 08/17/09 12:07 AM Attachment (402 downloads)

Getting ready for a session, it just clears the top of the door when I drag it out of the kitchen

Post Extras:

turbo399
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/21/07

Loc: Michigan

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: turbo399]
#3276911 - 08/17/09 12:11 AM Attachment (352 downloads)

The Pro goes 20 degrees past meridian before doing a meridian flip, but the TMB 130SS OTA comes horribly close to the electronics pier!!

Post Extras:

turbo399
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/21/07

Loc: Michigan

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: turbo399]
#3276949 - 08/17/09 12:33 AM Attachment (356 downloads)

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!!

Post Extras:

turbo399
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/21/07

Loc: Michigan

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: turbo399]
#3276954 - 08/17/09 12:37 AM Attachment (384 downloads)

The CGE Pro Mount in it's final resting place....a big lump of concrete!!

Post Extras:

turbo399
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/21/07

Loc: Michigan

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: turbo399]
#3276962 - 08/17/09 12:42 AM Attachment (359 downloads)

After my last imaging session, The TMB 130SS needs a rest. Time to load the 10" DSO

Clear Skies
Terry

Post Extras:

alpal
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Melbourne Australia.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: turbo399]
#3277299 - 08/17/09 07:56 AM

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.

Post Extras:

turbo399
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/21/07

Loc: Michigan

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: alpal]
#3277546 - 08/17/09 11:10 AM

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

Post Extras:

StarWrangler
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/03/04

Loc: Three Rivers, MI U.S.A>

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: turbo399]
#3277881 - 08/17/09 02:03 PM

Hi terry,

Very nice set up and a cool Flip Top Observatory.

Nice job,

Alan

Post Extras:

alpal
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Melbourne Australia.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: StarWrangler]
#3278403 - 08/17/09 06:42 PM

A very impressive setup - that TMB 130 is worth a fortune.

Post Extras:

rwiederrich
Goldfinger

Reged: 11/17/05

Loc: Always Dark skies of Belfair W...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: alpal]
#3278459 - 08/17/09 07:17 PM

I'v got a short video of my homemade mount.

http://www.vimeo.com/6014031

Rob

Post Extras:

turbo399
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/21/07

Loc: Michigan

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: alpal]
#3280205 - 08/18/09 05:10 PM Attachment (302 downloads)

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!!

Edited by turbo399 (08/18/09 05:11 PM)

Post Extras:

CounterWeight
Postmaster

Reged: 10/05/08

Loc: Cloudyopolis, OR.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: turbo399]
#3280336 - 08/18/09 06:18 PM

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?

Post Extras:

alpal
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Melbourne Australia.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: CounterWeight]
#3281554 - 08/19/09 09:34 AM

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.

Post Extras:

turbo399
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/21/07

Loc: Michigan

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: alpal]
#3282218 - 08/19/09 03:52 PM

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

Edited by turbo399 (08/19/09 04:11 PM)

Post Extras:

DeanS
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/12/05

Loc: Central Kentucky

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: turbo399]
#3285557 - 08/21/09 09:03 AM Attachment (395 downloads)

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.

Post Extras:

RichfromRoch
super member

Reged: 01/30/08

Loc: Rochester, NY

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: DeanS]
#3300085 - 08/28/09 02:13 PM Attachment (310 downloads)

Stellarvue SV90/Pan 24 on a UA Unistar Light/KB Systems KB1A Field Tripod

Edited by RichfromRoch (08/28/09 02:18 PM)

Post Extras:

Phil Cowell
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/24/07

Loc: Southern Tier NY

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: turbo399]
#3300235 - 08/28/09 03:38 PM

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

Post Extras:

alpal
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Melbourne Australia.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: RichfromRoch]
#3300794 - 08/28/09 08:22 PM

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.

Post Extras:

RichfromRoch
super member

Reged: 01/30/08

Loc: Rochester, NY

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: alpal]
#3301984 - 08/29/09 01:41 PM

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)

Post Extras:

Steve40
member

Reged: 10/15/06

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3303410 - 08/30/09 08:58 AM Attachment (444 downloads)

Here's my AP1200 with a couple cheap refractors on it.

Steve

Post Extras:

DeanS
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/12/05

Loc: Central Kentucky

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Steve40]
#3303469 - 08/30/09 09:47 AM

Very nice, but if you ever want to upgrade and get rid of one of those cheap dime store scopes, just let me know

Post Extras:

Steve40
member

Reged: 10/15/06

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: DeanS]
#3303495 - 08/30/09 10:08 AM

Thanks! As soon as Walmart starts stocking those sweet Christmas scopes, I'll be in touch!

Steve

Post Extras:

Panza
sage

Reged: 09/26/07

Loc: Lillehammer, Norway

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Steve40]
#3307356 - 09/01/09 01:22 AM Attachment (385 downloads)

Here's my 900GTO. It just arrived yesterday. I am very happy. I was totally worth the wait and $$$$.

Post Extras:

Panza
sage

Reged: 09/26/07

Loc: Lillehammer, Norway

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Panza]
#3307357 - 09/01/09 01:24 AM Attachment (331 downloads)

1 more:

Post Extras:

David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Panza]
#3307689 - 09/01/09 08:28 AM

Sure is pretty! More pictures once you get the scopes mounted.

David

Post Extras:

Steve40
member

Reged: 10/15/06

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Panza]
#3308979 - 09/01/09 06:52 PM

Great---you'll love it!

On the GTO control box, are those little purple things covers to protect the RS 232 sockets?

Steve

Post Extras:

chuckscap
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/18/09

Loc: Colorado Springs, CO USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: pferendzo]
#3310028 - 09/02/09 08:16 AM

My Orange C14 on it's original fork mount on my deck in Colorado Springs ... Spring 2005

Chuck

Post Extras:

Panza
sage

Reged: 09/26/07

Loc: Lillehammer, Norway

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Steve40]
#3310541 - 09/02/09 12:43 PM

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.

Post Extras:

Steve40
member

Reged: 10/15/06

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Panza]
#3311844 - 09/02/09 10:52 PM

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

Post Extras:

Panza
sage

Reged: 09/26/07

Loc: Lillehammer, Norway

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Steve40]
#3312525 - 09/03/09 09:42 AM

Yes they did.

Post Extras:

saturn5
super member

Reged: 09/02/07

Loc: Idaho

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Panza]
#3313470 - 09/03/09 06:25 PM Attachment (271 downloads)

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.

Post Extras:

chuckscap
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/18/09

Loc: Colorado Springs, CO USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: saturn5]
#3317344 - 09/05/09 05:29 PM

Mewlon 250 on a Vixen Sphinx SXW ... a tad undermounted ...

Chuck

Post Extras:

sgcullen
journeyman

Reged: 05/17/07

Loc: Rodeo, NM USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: chuckscap]
#3317644 - 09/05/09 09:06 PM Attachment (419 downloads)

Here is my RCOS Professional Series Equatorial Fork Mount (.61m RCOS Ritchey-Chretien telescope on board)...

Post Extras:

David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: sgcullen]
#3317717 - 09/05/09 10:16 PM

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

Post Extras:

alpal
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Melbourne Australia.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Steve40]
#3317804 - 09/05/09 11:24 PM

To Steve40
Those Starfire telescopes are hardly cheap LOL.

Post Extras:

alpal
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Melbourne Australia.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: sgcullen]
#3317809 - 09/05/09 11:26 PM

sgcullen - that setup must have cost a fortune!
You make me feel like a cheapskate.

Post Extras:

sgcullen
journeyman

Reged: 05/17/07

Loc: Rodeo, NM USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: alpal]
#3317986 - 09/06/09 03:06 AM Attachment (367 downloads)

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.

Post Extras:

David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: sgcullen]
#3318484 - 09/06/09 12:52 PM

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

Post Extras:

Tech Hiker
member

Reged: 07/29/09

Loc: Columbus Nebraska USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#3321043 - 09/07/09 08:40 PM

Here is my mount.

Post Extras:

Tech Hiker
member

Reged: 07/29/09

Loc: Columbus Nebraska USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Tech Hiker]
#3321046 - 09/07/09 08:41 PM

And a better picture of the head.

Post Extras:

mikey cee
Postmaster

Reged: 01/18/07

Loc: bellevue ne.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Tech Hiker]
#3321462 - 09/08/09 02:31 AM

If I didn't know better I'd say that looks like Merritt Reservoir!

Mike

Post Extras:

alpal
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Melbourne Australia.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: sgcullen]
#3321664 - 09/08/09 08:17 AM

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?

Post Extras:

Tech Hiker
member

Reged: 07/29/09

Loc: Columbus Nebraska USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: mikey cee]
#3322802 - 09/08/09 07:42 PM

Quote:

If I didn't know better I'd say that looks like Merritt Reservoir! Mike

Ah, you've been there. Nice dark skies.

Post Extras:

Taylor
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 07/10/05

Loc: Owasso, OK

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Tech Hiker]
#3324525 - 09/09/09 05:12 PM Attachment (299 downloads)

My freshly arrived CGEM:

Post Extras:

soupaman
super member

Reged: 07/26/09

Loc: Not sure

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Taylor]
#3328570 - 09/11/09 07:11 PM Attachment (297 downloads)

New G11. Yay! I think.

Post Extras:

soupaman
super member

Reged: 07/26/09

Loc: Not sure

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: soupaman]
#3328578 - 09/11/09 07:14 PM Attachment (276 downloads)

Kinda hard to expose at night.

Post Extras:

Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/23/05

Loc: Virginia

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: soupaman]
#3330130 - 09/12/09 04:26 PM Attachment (260 downloads)

Chomping to test out the new pier and wedge with my Astrotrac but weather only good for photographing the mount - not the sky.

Post Extras:

John Downing
member

Reged: 08/27/09

Loc: San Diego, CA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3331605 - 09/13/09 02:18 PM Attachment (314 downloads)

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

Edited by John Downing (09/13/09 02:48 PM)

Post Extras:

johnmarkw
member

Reged: 07/29/09

Loc: Virginia

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: John Downing]
#3333485 - 09/14/09 02:37 PM Attachment (268 downloads)

Posted in SCT forum as well. New CGEM with used C 9.25 OTB.

Edited by johnmarkw (09/14/09 02:41 PM)

Post Extras:

courtierr
newbie

Reged: 04/22/09

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: johnmarkw]
#3338160 - 09/16/09 09:06 PM

Rob Courtier

Post Extras:

Paul Romero
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 04/05/05

Loc: Reno, NV

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: courtierr]
#3343503 - 09/19/09 04:43 PM Attachment (352 downloads)

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

Post Extras:

Paul Romero
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 04/05/05

Loc: Reno, NV

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Paul Romero]
#3343506 - 09/19/09 04:46 PM Attachment (266 downloads)

And Another:

Post Extras:

Paul G
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/08/03

Loc: Freedonia

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Paul Romero]
#3346274 - 09/21/09 08:39 AM Attachment (216 downloads)

My 900 GTO.

Post Extras:

Bart
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/28/06

Loc: Somewhere near Charlottesville...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Paul G]
#3358726 - 09/26/09 09:43 PM

Perhaps the ultimate grab & go mount. Small, lightweight, portable and best of all, you can carry it in your shirt pocket.

Post Extras:

Falcon-
Post Laureate

Reged: 09/11/09

Loc: Gambier Island, BC, Canada

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Bart]
#3359881 - 09/27/09 02:56 PM Attachment (265 downloads)

My new CG-5, sitting near where a pier will grow! Ok... well it is ALREADY on a pier, but soon enough there will be a *pier* though my pier.

And yes... that is a Galileoscope mounted.

Post Extras:

seethat?
member

Reged: 03/12/09

Loc: NOVA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Falcon-]
#3361731 - 09/28/09 01:04 PM

Here is my 100mm over 120mm.
CA squared. Double howizter.
ALT-AZ Astroview mount.

Post Extras:

seethat?
member

Reged: 03/12/09

Loc: NOVA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: seethat?]
#3361733 - 09/28/09 01:06 PM Attachment (323 downloads)

Dugh! The pic.

Post Extras:

SteveG
Post Laureate

Reged: 09/27/06

Loc: Seattle, WA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: seethat?]
#3364573 - 09/29/09 07:19 PM Attachment (322 downloads)

Man those AP & Losmondy mounts are machined works of art!

Here's my 22 year old Super Polaris - the surveyors tripod is the best upgrade in the world for these smaller mounts. I made the custom eyepiece tray which also improved the rigidity.

Post Extras:

BRisley
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/04/06

Loc: SW Florida

All my Mounts new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3369852 - 10/04/09 01:26 AM Attachment (435 downloads)

Here is a shot of all my scopes.
In the front is the Dob that I am in the process of finishing. I picked up the 8" OTA for free (along with an Edscorp 25mm ortho, an RKE 8mm, a brand new Celestron 25mm SMA and a 20mm LER plossl). I threw the mount together from scraps and an 18" tabletop from Lowe's. Have a 2" focuser coming, added a finder I had laying around. A friend in the club says he has some ebony star I can have so I will be fine tuning things shortly. Made the mount low so I could use it in a chair and it also is a great height for kids! Optics are great!
In the middle is a pedestal mount I made for the C-8 fork I have the C-90 and 80mm Cometron mounted on. If I can find metal pipe the right size, I will replace the PVC I have on it to make it sturdier.
Need a bigger garage!

The club kids me in that when I come to a public star party, no one else has to bring scopes!
Brian

Post Extras:

Timber
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/08/08

Loc: SW foothills of Mt. St. Helens

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3382776 - 10/10/09 08:30 PM Attachment (417 downloads)

I should have posted this here rather than a new thread.

I have to thank George and Dave and John for their efforts in this.

After several long trips and a couple of trades I have been blessed with a NEW, UNUSED, Byers Series II mount. The mount was built in 1999 and has never had anything mounted on it, absolutely pristine, it is just GORGEOUS, a true work of art, thank you Ed Byers.

The pics show it alongside my AP-1200 for comparison.

When my obs ever gets finished the AP-1200 will have a TOA-130 and a FSQ-106 on it and the Byers will have a C-14 currently being modified with a Carbon Fiber tube, spectacular. I won't care if it rains, I will just sit and look at the artwork

Richard

Post Extras:

Timber
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/08/08

Loc: SW foothills of Mt. St. Helens

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Timber]
#3382780 - 10/10/09 08:32 PM Attachment (305 downloads)

Another view

Post Extras:

Timber
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/08/08

Loc: SW foothills of Mt. St. Helens

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Timber]
#3382782 - 10/10/09 08:33 PM Attachment (277 downloads)

and another

Post Extras:

David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Timber]
#3382986 - 10/10/09 11:03 PM

Richard...from one mount geek to another, that is a gorgeous piece of hardware!

David

Post Extras:

Timber
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/08/08

Loc: SW foothills of Mt. St. Helens

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#3383041 - 10/11/09 12:01 AM

Hi David,

Thanks, I moved both mounts into my Family Room and I'm looking at them, the AP is nice but the Byers is just a gorgeous piece of art.

Richard

Post Extras:

snommisbor
sage

Reged: 06/15/09

Loc: Cedar Park, TX

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Timber]
#3385634 - 10/12/09 04:17 PM

Here is my CGEM with my new ADM hardware. Definitely a worthwhile upgrade.

Post Extras:

astrobug BE
journeyman

Reged: 04/23/07

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: snommisbor]
#3399505 - 10/20/09 03:11 AM Attachment (287 downloads)

Here is my new toy, a Vixen SXD mount with a Orion Optics 150mm f5 PV1/8

Post Extras:

Antonio P.
journeyman

Reged: 10/23/09

Loc: Cúllar Vega- Granada , Spain

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: astrobug BE]
#3407857 - 10/24/09 10:02 AM Attachment (255 downloads)

Here's my CG-4 mount ....

Post Extras:

deSitter
Still in Old School

Reged: 12/09/04

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Timber]
#3417457 - 10/29/09 12:36 AM

Quote:

and another

Man that thing belongs on a battleship.. what a monster!

Unlike the Paramount, that thing is really beautiful to look at as well.

-drl

Post Extras:

AJT12
sage

Reged: 09/19/09

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: pferendzo]
#3423498 - 11/01/09 10:34 AM Attachment (342 downloads)

This is my primary setup.

Edited by AJT12 (11/01/09 10:36 AM)

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: AJT12]
#3427309 - 11/03/09 12:14 PM Attachment (242 downloads)

TSA 102 on a recently acquired (used) TAK EM10.

Barry Simon

Edited by BarrySimon615 (11/03/09 12:19 PM)

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3427325 - 11/03/09 12:24 PM Attachment (245 downloads)

Another mount I always liked for small scopes was what I will call the "Mayflower" alt-azimuth for lack of a better label. I used to see these in old catalogs with Mayflower 60 mm scopes as well as with other brand labeled scopes such as Bushnell and Selsi. What set them apart was the very long fork arms plus the fact that the altitude bearings connected to a tube cradle, not to the telescope tube itself. This allowed for better balancing of the telescope tube and overall better ergonomics and function. Here are some photos -

Barry Simon

Edited by BarrySimon615 (11/03/09 12:37 PM)

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3427356 - 11/03/09 12:38 PM Attachment (187 downloads)

Here is another photo of basically the same mount. This one however was blue and sold as part of the Bushnell Sky Chief Jr.

Barry Simon

Edited by BarrySimon615 (11/03/09 12:40 PM)

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3427368 - 11/03/09 12:43 PM Attachment (220 downloads)

I don't think any compendium of telescope mounts could be complete unless a photo or two of a Unitron equatorial mount was included. Here is a photo of my #142 mount. The scope on top is a modified Unitron tube cut down appropriately for an Edmund 3" f/11 objective in place of the original 3" f/16.

Barry Simon

Edited by BarrySimon615 (11/03/09 12:44 PM)

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3427378 - 11/03/09 12:47 PM Attachment (188 downloads)

Here is a scaled down version of the #142, it is the #128 mount supplied with the 60 mm tube assembly as the #128 equatorial system.

Barry Simon

Edited by BarrySimon615 (11/03/09 12:58 PM)

Post Extras:

BarrySimon615
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/04

Loc: New Orleans, LA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3427416 - 11/03/09 01:07 PM Attachment (221 downloads)

Finally, here is a picture of the larger #152 mount, sold with the 4" equatorials. Upscaled version of the smaller #142 and the #128, but with additional features including tapered roller bearings of the polar axis and radial and thrust bearings as part of the driving worm. In addition the tripod mounted version of the 4" Unitron mount had a screw in "flashlight" that shined down on the accessory tray. The way this was done seemed pretty cool at the time before the advent of all the advanced electronics of today. Unitron telescopes and mounts have become highly collectable, yet they still are very functional. For anyone wanting to learn how to use setting circles the old fashioned way - no digital readout, no encoders, Unitron is a great way to go.

Barry Simon

Edited by BarrySimon615 (11/03/09 01:10 PM)

Post Extras:

Mike C
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/05/08

Loc: Cornwall, UK

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3434490 - 11/07/09 11:27 AM Attachment (267 downloads)

I've been debating on CloudyNights about getting one of these for months, asking lots of questions and getting lots of advice. Thanks to everyone. Anyway, after a long but not unexpected wait, it arrived on Wednesday. I know you've seen plenty of them before, but here's my new G11 (and 18-year old C8). I can also use the G11 with the Meade 127mm ED.

I haven't tried it out yet, as the weather's been very showery for about 10 days; I've also yet to sort out a power supply.

Regards.

Post Extras:

PJ Anway
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/04/03

Loc: North Coast

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mike C]
#3438256 - 11/09/09 02:34 PM Attachment (235 downloads)

Here is my newly refurbished Takahashi EM-100 mount.

Post Extras:

Frank C
Vendor - star-watcher.org

Reged: 02/02/06

Loc: Pennsylvania

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3449274 - 11/15/09 11:35 AM Attachment (306 downloads)

Here is mine!
Loving it....

Post Extras:

Adam E
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 06/29/09

Loc: Orlando, FL

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: snommisbor]
#3449360 - 11/15/09 12:26 PM

Here's my CGEM getting ready for some Jupiter imaging.

Stock with the exception of an ADM Saddle.

Edited by Adam E (11/15/09 04:17 PM)

Post Extras:

imargazi
member

Reged: 12/11/08

Loc: Firestone, CO, USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: AJT12]
#3464994 - 11/24/09 12:41 AM

This is my setup from the other night while imaging in 17 degrees ... luckily I can control most of it from the warmth of my living room.... except for the running outside periodically to warm the optics to keep the frost away.

Post Extras:

Maurice Toet
member

Reged: 07/05/08

Loc: Sweet Lake City, Netherlands

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3478111 - 12/01/09 04:35 PM Attachment (279 downloads)

Astro-Physics Mach1 GTO.

Post Extras:

Jim7728
Postmaster

Reged: 04/10/05

Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Maurice Toet]
#3487342 - 12/06/09 08:12 PM Attachment (194 downloads)

Another manual alt/az. AT Voyager head on a modified GP half-piller with HAL 120 tripod.

Post Extras:

David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: imargazi]
#3487510 - 12/06/09 09:59 PM

Quote:

This is my setup from the other night while imaging in 17 degrees ... luckily I can control most of it from the warmth of my living room.... except for the running outside periodically to warm the optics to keep the frost away.

Pretty neat...a cooled DSLR!

David

Post Extras:

David Rosenthal
Imager Extraordinaire

Reged: 06/23/06

Loc: NJ

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: David Pavlich]
#3495427 - 12/11/09 07:52 AM

Here is my self-hypertuned Atlas with my new AT8IN and Tak FS-60C.

Post Extras:

guyroch
Vendor (BackyardEOS)

Reged: 01/22/08

Loc: 3rd rock from the sun, Canada

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mark Jenkins]
#3527021 - 12/29/09 01:41 AM

Barry, This is what I call out-of-the-box. Awesome mount!

Post Extras:

plyscope
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 11/23/06

Loc: Perth, West Australia

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: guyroch]
#3529032 - 12/30/09 06:27 AM Attachment (177 downloads)

Vixen Porta grab and go.

Post Extras:

jwaldo
Smart Mime

Reged: 04/26/04

Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: plyscope]
#3532049 - 12/31/09 05:24 PM

New LXD75 with ZS66:

Post Extras:

waassaabee
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/26/07

Loc: Central California Coast

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: pferendzo]
#3533241 - 01/01/10 10:25 AM

My CGEM with the AT8RC and miniBorg 50 guider.

Post Extras:

akman1955
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/07/09

Loc: Alaska, USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BarrySimon615]
#3542971 - 01/06/10 10:20 AM

Barry, i never tire of looking at unitron mounts. Some nice setups you have there! thanks for sharing..

john

Post Extras:

Mr.Burns
member

Reged: 01/01/10

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3561621 - 01/14/10 11:32 PM Attachment (234 downloads)

Here we have the ISOstatic mount. I don't see too many of these around. Does anybody know if are worth anything? I am going to get a new mount to replace this.

Post Extras:

m4ilm4n
member

Reged: 02/20/06

Loc: shadows of the Blue Ridge

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mr.Burns]
#3601137 - 02/02/10 09:53 PM Attachment (172 downloads)

Here's my new Atlas undergoing the first load test - 8in Newt with a piggybacked 80ED.

Edited by m4ilm4n (02/02/10 09:57 PM)

Post Extras:

emag
member

Reged: 04/06/08

Loc: Pensacola Florida

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3611728 - 02/07/10 11:06 PM Attachment (153 downloads)

One of my mounts. Old C-8 wedge and tripod reconfigured as a camera platform. The scope's new home is a CG-5.

Post Extras:

polaristom
sage

Reged: 12/17/07

Loc: Alaska

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: emag]
#3616121 - 02/10/10 02:13 AM Attachment (226 downloads)

I just sold everything and upgraded. Here is the new set-up.

Post Extras:

coopfore1
super member

Reged: 11/23/05

Loc: il

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: polaristom]
#3616140 - 02/10/10 02:38 AM Attachment (192 downloads)

CGEM and ATLAS

Post Extras:

Jim7728
Postmaster

Reged: 04/10/05

Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Jim7728]
#3616469 - 02/10/10 10:05 AM

Quote:

Another manual alt/az. AT Voyager head on a modified GP half-piller with HAL 120 tripod.

Update: Just wanted to say the FS-102 was a bit much for that setup, a shorter length ota would be a better match. Should have tested before posting.

Post Extras:

Joe F Gafford
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/15/06

Loc: Denver, Colorado, US

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Jim7728]
#3623117 - 02/13/10 06:32 PM Attachment (236 downloads)

Here's what happens when you forget the counterweights. I got good images of the Lagoon Nebula and the lunar occultation of Venus at sunrise that time!
Joe.

Post Extras:

Harold925
super member

Reged: 07/11/09

Loc: Near Charleston, S.C. Cluster

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: coopfore1]
#3623239 - 02/13/10 08:02 PM

Hello CS Gary,

Very nice observatory and equipment you have. Is that an AT111EDT mounted on your Atlas mount? If not, which is it? Everything looks great.

Post Extras:

rwiederrich
Goldfinger

Reged: 11/17/05

Loc: Always Dark skies of Belfair W...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Joe F Gafford]
#3647788 - 02/25/10 09:49 PM Attachment (205 downloads)

Here is my *remade* and heavely modified Cave Observatory series large mount with 2.5" shafts.

Upgrades include a new Byers drive.....side reinforcing plates on the DEC RA junction..and on the alt and RA base.

I rebuilt the saddle with reinforced steel strapping and I built the 12" tube rings and brackets from rolled steel.

Just finished designing and building the new sector drive and fork....It sits with a new coat of paint too.

Last thing to do is build the 12v reduction drive motor for the sector drive. This thing has to hold and run my 10"f/15 around so it needed the upgrades. Its as rigid as anything now.

Rob

Post Extras:

rwiederrich
Goldfinger

Reged: 11/17/05

Loc: Always Dark skies of Belfair W...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: rwiederrich]
#3647798 - 02/25/10 09:56 PM Attachment (221 downloads)

Other side.

Rob

Post Extras:

tidroplane
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/02/06

Loc: Everett, Wa. USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: rwiederrich]
#3647841 - 02/25/10 10:14 PM Attachment (248 downloads)

Here is my G-11 with AT111EDT and AT80EDT waiting for dark...

Post Extras:

StarWrangler
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/03/04

Loc: Three Rivers, MI U.S.A>

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: rwiederrich]
#3648634 - 02/26/10 11:12 AM

Hey Rob,

Great job,

Looks like it was suppose to be their
from the Factory.

Alan

Post Extras:

Jim7728
Postmaster

Reged: 04/10/05

Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: StarWrangler]
#3665454 - 03/07/10 11:56 AM Attachment (215 downloads)

Gibralter 5 head with dsc's on Vixen tripod and half piller.

Post Extras:

rwiederrich
Goldfinger

Reged: 11/17/05

Loc: Always Dark skies of Belfair W...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: StarWrangler]
#3667976 - 03/08/10 04:06 PM Attachment (181 downloads)

Quote:

Hey Rob,

Great job,

Looks like it was suppose to be their
from the Factory.

Alan

Thanks Alan.... I try to make my mods as professional looking as possible..though I am no professional.

Here are some updates to that mount.

A new drive motor for the sector drive for the DEC. Made from planitary gears from an old drill motor and a windshield wiper motor.

Post Extras:

RobertED
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/11/03

Loc: Johnston, RI

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: rwiederrich]
#3668027 - 03/08/10 04:37 PM Attachment (198 downloads)

Here's my Atlas with a newly added ADM dovetail saddle....'works for me!!'

Post Extras:

WayneJ
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/20/09

Loc: West Chester, PA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: RobertED]
#3668338 - 03/08/10 06:47 PM Attachment (237 downloads)

My new CGE Pro and C14 XLT

My dream scope on a mount that is truly proving itself worthy of carrying the legendary C14!

Wayne

Edited by WayneJ (03/08/10 06:47 PM)

Post Extras:

Luke Skywalker
member

Reged: 04/22/08

Loc: Sudbury, Ontario

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: WayneJ]
#3668379 - 03/08/10 07:13 PM

Hey WayneJ, I see on your picture that you are only using 2 counter weights and not 3 like indicated in the owner's manual.

Post Extras:

WayneJ
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/20/09

Loc: West Chester, PA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Luke Skywalker]
#3668558 - 03/08/10 09:07 PM

One of the counterweights was damaged when it arrived, so it's being replaced. In the meantime, the bottom weight is actually a 35lb weight off an old mount. It's well balanced, but not pretty

Post Extras:

RobertED
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/11/03

Loc: Johnston, RI

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: WayneJ]
#3671145 - 03/09/10 11:03 PM

Awesome Rig!!, WayneJ!!!

Post Extras:

mattyfatz
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/27/06

Loc: Boise Idaho

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: RobertED]
#3672433 - 03/10/10 02:05 PM

Great setup Wayne. Will you use it for Photography? ,,, maybe a Hyperstar?

Post Extras:

chuckscap
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/18/09

Loc: Colorado Springs, CO USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: mattyfatz]
#3673579 - 03/10/10 11:16 PM

Here's a picture of my used Parallax HD 150 I bought from Mark at Teton Telescopes, who was great to deal with, the stainless pier and Newtonian telescope are still Marks, Ijust bought the mount ...

It's with Joe at Parallax Instruments being checked out, stripped and repainted, and he's making one of his lovely portable piers for it. After that's done, I'm upgrading it to Gemini L4 with Maxon motors. I'll definitely post pictures of it on my deck when it's done with my Mewlon 250 on it ...

Chuck

Post Extras:

WayneJ
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/20/09

Loc: West Chester, PA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: mattyfatz]
#3674452 - 03/11/10 11:45 AM

Quote:

Great setup Wayne. Will you use it for Photography? ,,, maybe a Hyperstar?

Thanks Robert and Mattyfatz

Yes, this will be used almost exclusively for planetary astrophotography. You can see one of the first light images here...

By the way, I'll be posting some impressions of the CGE pro in a few weeks.. after I've had time to enjoy getting acquainted with it and putting it through more rigorous paces. Already, though, I can say that with some basic calibration and using the PEC (and two runs through the calibration and polar alignment routines), I was imaging at F/55 (about 19.5 meter focal length) on a 1/3" chip with a 30" FoV and the mount held the target dead-center with only slight corrections between 9-12 minute RGB imaging runs.

Wayne

Post Extras:

RobertED
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/11/03

Loc: Johnston, RI

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: WayneJ]
#3675016 - 03/11/10 04:02 PM Attachment (188 downloads)

Here's a shot of my Atlas with the C-11 and new dovetail and saddle parts from ADM...

Post Extras:

rogercelliott
sage

Reged: 09/19/08

Loc: Redding, CA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3675614 - 03/11/10 09:21 PM Attachment (216 downloads)

Here's my monster mash. The mounting is homebuilt with Optic-Craft drives (6" dia.). Did all the work myself which included some machining. If I had been able to take more time in Machine Shop classes I would have done something very different! But it is solid and tracks very well with little or no correction with good polar alignment.
Fafnir bearings, 1.5" RA axle and 1" Dec axle. The cool unique part is that the legs for the pier are easily removed by yanking up in the pier after removing a single bolt on each leg.

Edited by rogercelliott (03/11/10 09:25 PM)

Post Extras:

rogercelliott
sage

Reged: 09/19/08

Loc: Redding, CA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: rogercelliott]
#3675618 - 03/11/10 09:24 PM Attachment (177 downloads)

Close up of the RA axle:

Post Extras:

Takaholic
member

Reged: 01/12/10

Loc: Burnaby, Canada

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: rogercelliott]
#3694449 - 03/20/10 08:42 PM Attachment (177 downloads)

Modified NEQ5

Post Extras:

bbyrd
sage

Reged: 10/08/06

Loc: north carolina

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Takaholic]
#3696393 - 03/21/10 07:31 PM Attachment (153 downloads)

Here is my Voyager with Ken Dauzat Right Angle Adapter for Porta & Voyager Mounts.

Post Extras:

charles genovese
sage

Reged: 02/04/06

Loc: Madisonville Louisiana

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: bbyrd]
#3709044 - 03/27/10 07:23 PM Attachment (190 downloads)

Cave observatory "binocular mount"

Post Extras:

charles genovese
sage

Reged: 02/04/06

Loc: Madisonville Louisiana

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: charles genovese]
#3709047 - 03/27/10 07:25 PM Attachment (245 downloads)

10" f/4.5 is a little overmounted

Post Extras:

Deep13
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/25/05

Loc: NE Ohio

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: charles genovese]
#3709069 - 03/27/10 07:37 PM

Quote:

Cave observatory "binocular mount"

LOL

Post Extras:

niteskystargazer
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/05/09

Loc: 41-43'-28" N 87-42'-39" W

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: charles genovese]
#3712451 - 03/29/10 12:25 PM

Charles Genovese,

, that's some Binocular Mount.

,

Tom

Post Extras:

rwiederrich
Goldfinger

Reged: 11/17/05

Loc: Always Dark skies of Belfair W...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: charles genovese]
#3713195 - 03/29/10 06:50 PM

Quote:

Cave observatory "binocular mount"

I wish I had 3 of those counterweights..I only have one.

You need a bigger scope for that mount.....

Rob

Post Extras:

charles genovese
sage

Reged: 02/04/06

Loc: Madisonville Louisiana

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: rwiederrich]
#3713675 - 03/29/10 10:23 PM

Oh I have the 16" f/6 that came with it(and a 16" f/4.5 I need to make rotating rings for)but I havn't gotten around to restoring the OTA. primary looks OK (needs recoating) but I just can't get into yhe 175# OTA with a 55# 3 1/2" thick piece of glass. ( have 200# of counterweights)

Post Extras:

rwiederrich
Goldfinger

Reged: 11/17/05

Loc: Always Dark skies of Belfair W...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: charles genovese]
#3714296 - 03/30/10 09:15 AM

Quote:

Oh I have the 16" f/6 that came with it(and a 16" f/4.5 I need to make rotating rings for)but I havn't gotten around to restoring the OTA. primary looks OK (needs recoating) but I just can't get into yhe 175# OTA with a 55# 3 1/2" thick piece of glass. ( have 200# of counterweights)

The science professor who gave me mine kept the 16" scope and converted it into a Dob. I'd shure love to get a hold of a 3.5" thick 16" mirror for my new project...weight isn't an issue.

I'm using my heavely modified Cave OB series GEM for my homemade 10"f/15 refractor....

Rob

Post Extras:

charles genovese
sage

Reged: 02/04/06

Loc: Madisonville Louisiana

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: rwiederrich]
#3715892 - 03/30/10 11:18 PM

Rob- interested in the Cave mirror? I would consider selling the OTA or parts

Post Extras:

ottovonrotton
super member

Reged: 01/01/09

Loc: Where is Port Perry?

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: charles genovese]
#3720801 - 04/02/10 01:21 PM Attachment (278 downloads)

The Human Mount.........

Post Extras:

skybsd
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/01/08

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: ottovonrotton]
#3720844 - 04/02/10 01:35 PM

Now THAT'S what I call value for money!

Regards,

skybsd

Quote:

The Human Mount.........

Post Extras:

chuckscap
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/18/09

Loc: Colorado Springs, CO USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: skybsd]
#3733509 - 04/08/10 08:48 PM

My new mount ...

Chuck

Post Extras:

skybsd
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/01/08

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: chuckscap]
#3733906 - 04/09/10 02:23 AM

Hello Chuck,
That's the Parallax Instruments 150 you were refitting with Gemini, is it not?

Looks great.

How successful was the Gemini refit?

Regards,

skybsd

Post Extras:

chuckscap
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/18/09

Loc: Colorado Springs, CO USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: skybsd]
#3734050 - 04/09/10 05:56 AM

Yes, thanks! My Mewlon 250 is going to be too small lol need a bigger scope! That tiny thing bolted to the top of the saddle plate is a 12" Robin Casady dovetail saddle. The Gemini with Maxon motor retrofit is back ordered. I ordered it about a month ago, it's still 3 months out.

Two more pictures with my Mewlon 250 on it. Either the pier's too high or I definitely need a bigger scope!

Chuck

Edited by chuckscap (04/09/10 05:18 PM)

Post Extras:

dbjohnso67
newbie

Reged: 04/18/10

Loc: Illinois

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3770314 - 04/26/10 08:14 PM Attachment (154 downloads)

Just a pic of the R200SS on the Atlas

Post Extras:

guyinthesky
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/13/07

Loc: western ma.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: dbjohnso67]
#3776480 - 04/29/10 08:19 PM Attachment (158 downloads)

losmandy gm-8 on 8" cement pier.

Post Extras:

guyinthesky
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/13/07

Loc: western ma.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: guyinthesky]
#3776496 - 04/29/10 08:24 PM Attachment (138 downloads)

another gm-8 pic.

Post Extras:

nemo129
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/03/10

Loc: WMass

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: guyinthesky]
#3776506 - 04/29/10 08:29 PM

John,
Do you cary the gm-8 out for each observing session, or just cover it over during non-use?

Post Extras:

skybsd
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/01/08

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: guyinthesky]
#3777030 - 04/30/10 02:12 AM

Hello,
Nice set up there..,

Love the skies in the background, too!

Regards,

skybsd

Post Extras:

guyinthesky
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/13/07

Loc: western ma.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: nemo129]
#3777889 - 04/30/10 01:16 PM

Quote:

John,
Do you cary the gm-8 out for each observing session, or just cover it over during non-use?

hi, i have rollaway shed and pier. its a tiny one, 36x32 base. it all 2x4 construction/insulated with pink styro. i built it for my cg5 and scope, and now with the gm-8 the scope wont fit. im hoping when i get the g-11 it will clear the roof or i will have to buy taller wheels! i only carry in the scope and ep/cam box . john

Post Extras:

nemo129
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/03/10

Loc: WMass

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: guyinthesky]
#3777946 - 04/30/10 01:42 PM

John,
Thanks, it was not clear from your pictures that you have an enclosure for the pier...great sky shots though!!
Did your G-11 show up yet? I bet that will keep you busy for a while!

Post Extras:

guyinthesky
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/13/07

Loc: western ma.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: nemo129]
#3779897 - 05/01/10 03:18 PM Attachment (193 downloads)

yes! it came today

im all tingling with excitement, got it on the pier, but also waiting for the clouds to show up. i bought the stock g-11, once im sure everything works i will transfer the gemini from the gm8 to the 11. anyone need a g11 tripod? it would be nice to sell to to a local astronomer cheap instead of ebay. here is a pic of them side by side. john

Post Extras:

nemo129
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/03/10

Loc: WMass

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: guyinthesky]
#3780414 - 05/01/10 10:11 PM

John,
Nice picture...the G11 is just a bit beefier!

I am not sure my CGEM would fit on a Losmandy tripod, but I agree it would be better to do a local deal and skip the shipping and eBay experience.
Lots of clouds here tonite...they chased me in last night after a decent first light on my new refractor..it would be a nice finder for your TEC 140!!

Post Extras:

BKBrown
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/23/09

Loc: Northern Virginia, USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: guyinthesky]
#3780547 - 05/01/10 11:53 PM

Quote:

yes! it came today im all tingling with excitement, got it on the pier, but also waiting for the clouds to show up. i bought the stock g-11, once im sure everything works i will transfer the gemini from the gm8 to the 11. anyone need a g11 tripod? it would be nice to sell to to a local astronomer cheap instead of ebay. here is a pic of them side by side. john

Hi John,
Please PM me and let me know how much you would like for the tripod, I'm interested. Clear Skies, BrianB

Post Extras:

Mike Clemens
Frozen to Eyepiece

Reged: 11/26/05

Loc: Alaska, USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BKBrown]
#3780605 - 05/02/10 12:57 AM

That little puck under the Mewlon250 looks like a real "weak link" in the chain.

Post Extras:

chuckscap
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/18/09

Loc: Colorado Springs, CO USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mike Clemens]
#3781303 - 05/02/10 12:20 PM

Actually the Tak "hockey puck" is very solid, my deck is the weak link in the chain. I'm bolting the "portable" pier to my patio below. I'll also get a much better view of the South and Western skies (away from the city).

Regards,

Chuck

Post Extras:

Wes James
Postmaster

Reged: 04/12/06

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: chuckscap]
#3781414 - 05/02/10 01:16 PM Attachment (249 downloads)

Here's my Trapezium-modified iOptron MiniTower on a Berlebach tripod, eliminating the weak spot in the popular little iOptron mount- the tripod.
Mounted on it are an iOptron 152 Mak- and my homemade Carton-lensed 100mm f/13 refractor.

Post Extras:

skybsd
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/01/08

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Wes James]
#3781455 - 05/02/10 01:37 PM

Hello Wes,
Wow!

Talked about "armed and ready" - That's one "dangerous" looking set up, there

Which Berlebach tripod have you got under there?

Regards,

skybsd

Post Extras:

kw6562
Authoritative Ignoramus

Reged: 06/25/08

Loc: MA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: skybsd]
#3794780 - 05/08/10 10:46 PM

I just replaced an LXD75 with an Atlas on my pier. The pier adapter was based on a design I found online, and it was made for me by a machinist at work as a (very generous) favor. The scopes are a Meade 8" SCT and an f/6 100mm refractor which is mostly used as a guidescope. A 3/4" aluminum plate holds 2 ADM Vixen-style saddles. Weight is about 36 lbs. which is a little close to the 40 lb. spec but this mount has ceramic bearings and may be underrated. I think I've got it balanced well (note the forward weight on the refractor). In any event I don't plan on adding anything else right now. So far the difference between it and the 75 is outstanding (the 75 is rated at 30 lbs. and I had it configured with about 27 lbs., so the margin is similar). The Cloudy Nights forums have been of great value to me in building this setup - I appreciate all of the comments from the community.

Post Extras:

kw6562
Authoritative Ignoramus

Reged: 06/25/08

Loc: MA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: kw6562]
#3794782 - 05/08/10 10:47 PM Attachment (254 downloads)

Whoops, forgot the pic....

Post Extras:

Takaholic
member

Reged: 01/12/10

Loc: Burnaby, Canada

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3803945 - 05/13/10 06:40 PM Attachment (257 downloads)

Just got this yesterday, Max Load.

Post Extras:

drksky
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/01/09

Loc: Bloomington, IL

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Takaholic]
#3804021 - 05/13/10 07:10 PM Attachment (234 downloads)

Not just the mount, but the whole imaging set-up. Man, is that LED on the SSAG bright, or what?

Post Extras:

plyscope
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 11/23/06

Loc: Perth, West Australia

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Takaholic]
#3804028 - 05/13/10 07:16 PM

The Max Load looks great, I want one!

Post Extras:

BKBrown
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/23/09

Loc: Northern Virginia, USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: jmasin]
#3804187 - 05/13/10 08:41 PM Attachment (207 downloads)

Here is my newly upgraded Atlas equatorial head on a Losmandy HD tripod...the "Atlosmandy" hybrid. This thing is rock solid and I have no worries about imaging with a C11 in this configuration. Thanks for looking!
Clear Skies, BrianB

Post Extras:

ion
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/26/08

Loc: Bortle Scale 2

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BKBrown]
#3818173 - 05/20/10 06:07 PM

Post Extras:

saadabbasi
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 08/23/09

Loc: 29N

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: ion]
#3818391 - 05/20/10 08:17 PM

My humble setup.

Post Extras:

gwmorris
member

Reged: 05/18/10

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3824596 - 05/23/10 08:13 PM Attachment (233 downloads)

Just got my Particle Wave Technologies Pinnacle portable pier (7"). Just a quick shot with most everything mounted.

Gary

Post Extras:

skybsd
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/01/08

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: gwmorris]
#3825097 - 05/24/10 03:10 AM

Hello Gary,
Fantastic set-up there!

Congrats on the new pier!

Regards,

skybsd

Post Extras:

eric_zeiner
Phoenix's Dad

Reged: 12/09/06

Loc: Georgia USA 34 31'57.18N 83 53...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: skybsd]
#3827610 - 05/25/10 10:13 AM Attachment (189 downloads)

Here is my "Turco" Model II Crutch Tripod and Alt/Az Mount with my Orion 100mm f/6 on it. I completed the tripod and mount project back on 30 March and the whole project less the scope cost me right around $100.00 It is very sturdy, the wood part is made of solid cherry that has been screwed, glued and doweled and I figure it will easily hold 50#. My inspiration for this was from Ed Turco, a long time CN member and ATM'er.

Post Extras:

eric_zeiner
Phoenix's Dad

Reged: 12/09/06

Loc: Georgia USA 34 31'57.18N 83 53...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: eric_zeiner]
#3827621 - 05/25/10 10:17 AM Attachment (169 downloads)

Here is another

Post Extras:

skybsd
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/01/08

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: eric_zeiner]
#3827946 - 05/25/10 12:45 PM

Hello Eric,
Looks great to me..,

Excellent job, there!

Regards,

skybsd

Post Extras:

eric_zeiner
Phoenix's Dad

Reged: 12/09/06

Loc: Georgia USA 34 31'57.18N 83 53...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: skybsd]
#3828020 - 05/25/10 01:19 PM

Quote:

Hello Eric,
Looks great to me..,

Excellent job, there!

Regards,

skybsd

Thanks!!!

Post Extras:

10000rpm
super member

Reged: 07/18/09

Loc: Equatorial Singapore

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: eric_zeiner]
#3843458 - 06/02/10 08:39 PM

Hey Eric,

Niiiice! Are those tripod legs originally crutches?

Post Extras:

Preston Smith
The Travel Scope Guy

Reged: 04/24/05

Loc: Eureka, Pa

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: 10000rpm]
#3847350 - 06/04/10 07:07 PM Attachment (252 downloads)

Here's my airline transportable ASGT system that works great with my lightweight, 11 pound, Stellarvue SV115T refractor.

The tripod and aluminum tube pillar fit in my checked baggage and the ASGT and counterweight fit into a carry on case that has enough padding that it can be checked as a second bag. The scope fits into a carry on bag as well.

It's actually quite stable for a "travel" GEM mount.

Post Extras:

nofxrx
Vendor (HyperCams & Mods)

Reged: 07/12/05

Loc: Palm Bay,Florida

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Preston Smith]
#3855727 - 06/09/10 02:12 PM Attachment (251 downloads)

Here is/are my new "baby(s)"..
A used, but well loved, Atlas that has ben HyperTuned, and has a ton of upgrades..
Riding on top is my new(to me) M10 OTA!!!
I cant wait for first light. I am still waiting for one more CW(7#) for the M10, and I am also waiting for my friend to send me a "copy" of theSky6!!!!! EQMOD seems a bit confusing now..but so did the ol Magellan, and even the NexStar systems...Iw ill get used to it in due time...
I have several weeks to do my research since I am waiting for my pier adapter to be made along with some SS/CW's..
It is great having a friend that owns a C&C machine!!!

Post Extras:

eric_zeiner
Phoenix's Dad

Reged: 12/09/06

Loc: Georgia USA 34 31'57.18N 83 53...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: 10000rpm]
#3856405 - 06/09/10 08:30 PM

Quote:

Hey Eric,

Niiiice! Are those tripod legs originally crutches?

Sorry for taking so long to respond but yes those are indeed aluminum crutches that I got for free from a local thrift shop.

Post Extras:

10000rpm
super member

Reged: 07/18/09

Loc: Equatorial Singapore

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: eric_zeiner]
#3857208 - 06/10/10 10:34 AM Attachment (248 downloads)

Here's mine which I posted in another post. Made with garden stepping stone cemented to a flower pot which is concrete filled and so too is the 5 inch PVC tube for the pier.

The mounting plates were fabricated by a machinist friend and they hold a CG5 mount.

Post Extras:

WirelessDude
sage

Reged: 01/02/08

Loc: San Tan Valley, AZ, USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3865733 - 06/15/10 04:29 AM Attachment (264 downloads)

My permanent and portable gear...

Foreground: Mach1 on 54" Portable Pier w/Televue NP127is (setup is ~7 feet to the tip of the dew shield!) - ready for visual use for the first time. I have a Meade 12" LX200R(ACF) that will be used on it as well...

Background: AP1200 on 32" Portable Pier w/Meade 14" LX200R(ACF) + Meade Series 5000 80ED Triplet APO + CCD gear inside SkyShed POD (took 5x 18-lb CWs to balance the payload and is remotely operated!)

Clear skies!

Post Extras:

skybsd
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/01/08

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: WirelessDude]
#3865745 - 06/15/10 05:04 AM

Talk about nailing your AP colours to the mast!

Nice!

Regards,

skybsd

Post Extras:

darylf96
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 08/28/04

Loc: Danville, California

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3875020 - 06/20/10 02:09 AM Attachment (215 downloads)

This is my G-11 with Sky Commander DSC unit. The scope is the Orion Eon 120mm Apo. The mount tracks beautifully. Polar alignments are dead on using the polar alignment scope. The mount is capable of unguided, long-exposure imaging. I can watch a movie and return to the scope to find my star dead-center in my 12mm illuminated reticle. The G-11 is a solid, smooth, and pretty mount. For those new to astronomy, these mounts can be purchased used at very reasonable prices. I purchased mine through Astromart and it was in pristine condition. The mount is extremely well made and will last a lifetime if cared for properly. I adapted a Meade heavy-duty field tripod to the mount and it works great. I use an inexpensive piece of luggage with wheels and pull-handle that carries the mount, all accessories and electronics, as well as the counter weight shaft (in background in photo). Kudos to Losmandy!

Post Extras:

BKBrown
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/23/09

Loc: Northern Virginia, USA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: darylf96]
#3875342 - 06/20/10 10:40 AM

That is one beautiful rig Daryl! And on that tripod it must be rock steady...
Clear Skies, BrianB

Post Extras:

Erwin Kats
member

Reged: 06/20/10

Loc: ijmuiden,holland

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BKBrown]
#3877354 - 06/21/10 12:06 PM

i couldn't login on my old username so here under my own name ( o no

)
since 3/4 weeks i got my new mount

Post Extras:

darylf96
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 08/28/04

Loc: Danville, California

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: BKBrown]
#3881054 - 06/23/10 03:20 AM

Thanks, Brian! Yeah, I thought of purchasing the Losmandy tripod, but it is pretty expensive and I see no reason to go that route. The Meade HD, with the leg spreader, is about as solid as one can get. Plus it allows for more height adjustment and fine adjustment for leveling.

Post Extras:

darylf96
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 08/28/04

Loc: Danville, California

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Erwin Kats]
#3881058 - 06/23/10 03:25 AM

Erwin:

That is a nice looking mount. One I have not seen before.

Daryl

Post Extras:

bilgebay
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/06/08

Loc: Türkiye - Istanbul and Marmari...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Erwin Kats]
#3881975 - 06/23/10 03:23 PM

Erwin, the mount looks beautiful and very high quality....enjoy it!

Can you please share your impressions with us ?

Cheers

Sedat

Post Extras:

Datapanic
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/17/09

Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: bilgebay]
#3882007 - 06/23/10 03:38 PM Attachment (215 downloads)

This is a restored Classic Mount designed and built by Mr. Maynard Clark sometime in the 70's. This 8" f/8 Newtonian won a Merit Award at RTMC in 1980 for Excellent Craftsmanship. See my sig for the story.

The legs and pier column were made by Cave Optical Co, the rest is all original. It is mostly aluminum, highly polished.

Post Extras:

Erwin Kats
member

Reged: 06/20/10

Loc: ijmuiden,holland

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: bilgebay]
#3882031 - 06/23/10 03:51 PM

Quote:

Erwin, the mount looks beautiful and very high quality....enjoy it!

Can you please share your impressions with us ?

Cheers

Sedat

sure i can, it starts here

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3879590/page/1/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

Dan,
that mount looks awesome !

regards, Erwin

Edited by Erwin Kats (06/23/10 03:53 PM)

Post Extras:

darylf96
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 08/28/04

Loc: Danville, California

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Erwin Kats]
#3882914 - 06/24/10 01:31 AM

Erwin:

No doubt, direct drive is the future. Very nice. If I did not love my wife, I would buy one! We hope you enjoy it for all of us who buy our stuff used, but love it just the same. Astronomy is such a blast. I think we sometimes will go hungry to buy the next wide-field eye piece.

Regards

Daryl

Post Extras:

EricJD
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/24/07

Loc: Chesapeake VA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Datapanic]
#3896788 - 07/01/10 10:23 AM

Quote:

This is a restored Classic Mount designed and built by Mr. Maynard Clark sometime in the 70's. This 8" f/8 Newtonian won a Merit Award at RTMC in 1980 for Excellent Craftsmanship. See my sig for the story.

The legs and pier column were made by Cave Optical Co, the rest is all original. It is mostly aluminum, highly polished.

Wow that's beautiful.

Post Extras:

kbastro
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/20/08

Loc: Running from Clouds

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: EricJD]
#3896904 - 07/01/10 11:26 AM Attachment (192 downloads)

This is one of 2 mounts that I use. the Losmandy Titan I also have a Byers Cam Trak (under the titan)
On the Titan is a 5"apo, 3"apo (triplet) and a 80mm equinox apo.

The Titan is very accurate and has a very very low P.E. and I use ECU to control the mount.

Edited by kbastro (07/01/10 11:32 AM)

Post Extras:

kbastro
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/20/08

Loc: Running from Clouds

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: kbastro]
#3896922 - 07/01/10 11:38 AM Attachment (149 downloads)

Here is the 2nd mount I use... an EQ-6 which is a very good grab and go setup offering very good goto and nice weight handling and though it is not as P.E. free as my titan mount, it still churnes up some very nice pictures! and is quite capable of holding 30# of ota & accessories and like the Titan I also use ECU to control this mount

Post Extras:

tim53
Postmaster

Reged: 12/17/04

Loc: Highland Park, CA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: kbastro]
#3915174 - 07/11/10 01:34 PM Attachment (165 downloads)

I posted this in the classics forum, but it belongs here!

I had made an adapter plate to bolt my Tak NJP mount onto my Celestron Nexstar tripod. I mostly did this to allow me to use my Newts on the NJP without having to use a ladder (tall Tak tripod), but I figured it would be handy for taking to my dark sky site in SW Utah.

Well, I broke the tripod head on the Celestron tripod when I tried to drag the fully assembled scope a foot across the concrete pad to allow viewing Polaris through the polar finder. Fully assembled scope included orange C-8 with TV NP101IS piggyback on it. Luckily for me, the tripod didn't break completely, so the scopes didn't topple onto the concrete!

For a couple nights, I just used my Meade 2045/LX3, but quickly wanted goto and aperture back. So, I looked around the old farm site and found a section of irrigation pipe. Bought a few bolts and lag screws, had a spare 4x4 laying around, and cobbled this together, which has been christened, the "John Deere Pier":

-Tim.

Post Extras:

tim53
Postmaster

Reged: 12/17/04

Loc: Highland Park, CA

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tim53]
#3915183 - 07/11/10 01:40 PM Attachment (156 downloads)

The Deere Pier was so easy to make that I brought home the other two pipe sections that I found to make 1 or 2 more for home/field use!

I ruminated over how to easily construct a 3-legged base for this, to avoid rocking tendencies, but decided that the 4-legged base was the easiest to make strongest. All I used was a circular saw to notch the 4x4's at the center, and a claw hammer to hog out the waste in the cut. It rocked a little after I was finished, but I managed to find a spot on the pad that was uneven in just the right way to hold the pier steady.

For the next 1 or 2 of these, I'll put casters with brakes and leveling screws. And, if I really want it to look "John Deere", I'll repaint the piers green and the legs bright yellow!

-Tim.

Post Extras:

old_dog_zero_one
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 07/30/07

Loc: Schenectady, NY, USA, Earth,So...

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tim53]
#3919937 - 07/13/10 08:53 PM Attachment (191 downloads)

Just received today! My new (to me), used, Celestron CG-5 mount!

Of course it's going to rain here for at least through the weekend!

Post Extras:

ion
professor emeritus

Reged: 04/26/08

Loc: Bortle Scale 2

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#3941633 - 07/24/10 03:16 PM

Post Extras:

tomo
professor emeritus

Reged: 06/14/10

Loc: Shelby Twp, Mi

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: ion]
#4004890 - 08/25/10 08:30 AM Attachment (197 downloads)

Overloaded and loving it.....

Edited by tomo (08/25/10 08:30 AM)

Post Extras:

Avi
professor emeritus

Reged: 12/19/09

Loc: San Tan Valley, Arizona

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tomo]
#4005162 - 08/25/10 11:11 AM

CG5 mounted on my huge steel/concrete pier

Bolting on the 8" reflector and ST80 this week!

Post Extras:

donnie3
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/15/04

Loc: bartlesville oklahoma

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Avi]
#4008295 - 08/26/10 09:07 PM Attachment (149 downloads)

MAN!!!that cg5 mount is a real work horse. i have the none goto version and its really been a solid mount. ive never put that much weight on it. im thinking real seriously about getting the goto. have you had any problems with its goto setup. ive got mine on a table top i built. thanks, don

Post Extras:

Lightning
super member

Reged: 07/04/10

Loc: Canberra, Australia

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: donnie3]
#4010754 - 08/28/10 02:35 AM Attachment (143 downloads)

Well, here's my offering. EQ-3 mount (haven't seen one so far in this thread, though the CG5 is basically just this with a computer and black plastic housing) with home-made solid aluminium dovetail and sewer pipe clamshell. That's holding a Celestron 102mm F/5 achromat that I really love and an Olympus binoviewer originally from an AX-70 photomicroscope that I bought surplus from my work for very little. I really love the binoviewer too, but I hate the angle it's on. Unfortunately to put a 2" diagonal on I need to chop the back end off the scope to get to focus. Maybe this summer I'll build a new focuser...

Post Extras:

hori58
member

Reged: 08/19/09

Loc: Bacska Serbia

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Charlie Hein]
#4010973 - 08/28/10 09:18 AM Attachment (205 downloads)

HOME MADE ALT-AZ

Post Extras:

Lightning
super member

Reged: 07/04/10

Loc: Canberra, Australia

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: hori58]
#4012129 - 08/28/10 09:10 PM

That's awesome Hori! What kind of motors power the axes? Looks brilliant. I'm very tempted to try making an astrographic mounting instead of a GEM, so I can track passed the meridian (which yours would be with an equatorial wedge under it).

Post Extras:

Bob Myler
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 05/18/06

Loc: St Louis, MO

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Lightning]
#4014324 - 08/29/10 11:39 PM

Welcome to Cloudy Nights, Hori. You too, Lightning. Impressive work. Kinda looks like one of those high tech robotic arms at an automotive assembly plant. Would you please share with us how this mount functions?

Post Extras:

DoctorNoodle
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 07/14/07

Loc: Lawn Guyland, NY

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Bob Myler]
#4014970 - 08/30/10 10:34 AM

Hori58, I'm unable to stop looking at your photo! There's a certain beauty about home-built equipment that can go beyond functionality and enter the realm of the artistic. Is it your own design? Did you machine the parts yourself? Whether you did or not, that's one great-looking mount!

Post Extras:

PhilCo126
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/14/05

Loc: coastline of Belgium

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: DoctorNoodle]
#4033367 - 09/08/10 07:52 AM

Superb mount Hori58

Does it work as good as it looks?

Post Extras:

rzep8
member

Reged: 09/11/10

Loc: Flemington, NJ

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: PhilCo126]
#4041518 - 09/11/10 09:30 PM Attachment (146 downloads)

Hi All! Brand new to the site.
Finally got my venerable old 812 to be autoguided. Who sez you can't teach an old mount new tricks

Edited by rzep8 (09/11/10 09:38 PM)

Post Extras:

ThorBob
super member

Reged: 11/22/06

Loc: Nova Scotia

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! new

[Re: rzep8]
#4056485 - 09/18/10 11:37 AM

My good ole HEQ-5 on its new Berlebach Planet tripod. One wonderful chunk of wood!

Thor

Post Extras:

lunar
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/03/10

Loc: NY, United Sates

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! new

[Re: ThorBob]
#4056511 - 09/18/10 11:49 AM

That looks very professional! The views have got to be incredible!

Post Extras:

Lightning
super member

Reged: 07/04/10

Loc: Canberra, Australia

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! new

[Re: lunar]
#4058071 - 09/19/10 04:34 AM

Love the tripod Thorbob! The HEQ5 looks like a really nice mounting.

Post Extras:

nik hodges
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 04/20/07

Loc: UK

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! new

[Re: Lightning]
#4058120 - 09/19/10 05:54 AM Attachment (170 downloads)

my beloved AP900, now permanently installed in my obsv

Post Extras:

jmclaugh2001
super member

Reged: 02/27/06

Loc: Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! new

[Re: nik hodges]
#4061650 - 09/20/10 06:28 PM Attachment (136 downloads)

Just an old Meade mount on a homemade tripod.

John

Post Extras:

Bob Myler
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 05/18/06

Loc: St Louis, MO

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! new

[Re: jmclaugh2001]
#4064888 - 09/22/10 12:42 AM

Old maybe - but well matched! Nice tripod.

Post Extras:

roc.ls1864
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 08/16/10

Loc: Blue Ridge Mtns. of Virginia.

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! new

[Re: Bob Myler]
#4065544 - 09/22/10 10:54 AM Attachment (136 downloads)

my new fangled old parts camera system mount

I call this the "SMUDGE-SSSW" for:

Sturdily Mounted User Driven German Equatorial- Sexy in a Scientifical Sorta Way!!!

Post Extras:

tclehman1969
super member

Reged: 05/18/10

Loc: SF Bay Area, California

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: hori58]
#4068765 - 09/23/10 06:31 PM

Incredible, Hori! Nice work!

Post Extras:

tclehman1969
super member

Reged: 05/18/10

Loc: SF Bay Area, California

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tclehman1969]
#4068777 - 09/23/10 06:36 PM

I just have to ask, in a humorous sort of way, but why is it that nearly all pictures of German Eq. Mounts have the scope tubes pointing north? I never see them "posed" for pictures as they would appear when in use.

Anyway, just curious:-)

Post Extras:

Mr. Bill
Postmaster

Reged: 02/09/05

Loc: Northeastern Cal

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tclehman1969]
#4068843 - 09/23/10 07:08 PM Attachment (208 downloads)

Here's mine...a canniblized G11 turned into a Giro-style alti az mount on a pedestal. It supports my 10 inch with rock solid mounting.

Post Extras:

Mr. Bill
Postmaster

Reged: 02/09/05

Loc: Northeastern Cal

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mr. Bill]
#4068849 - 09/23/10 07:11 PM Attachment (157 downloads)

Another...

Post Extras:

lunar
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/03/10

Loc: NY, United Sates

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mr. Bill]
#4069118 - 09/23/10 09:37 PM

Very nice!

Post Extras:

LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: tclehman1969]
#4069128 - 09/23/10 09:43 PM

Quote:

I just have to ask, in a humorous sort of way, but why is it that nearly all pictures of German Eq. Mounts have the scope tubes pointing north? I never see them "posed" for pictures as they would appear when in use.

Anyway, just curious:-)

"Home position"

Post Extras:

jmclaugh2001
super member

Reged: 02/27/06

Loc: Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mr. Bill]
#4069463 - 09/24/10 02:07 AM

Very nice Mr. Bill. I have an Orion 8inch set up almost the same way. Do you find it more comfortable to use when the tube is bottom heavy? Less movement up top at the eyepiece when you're sitting down.

John

Edited by jmclaugh2001 (09/24/10 09:50 AM)

Post Extras:

Mr. Bill
Postmaster

Reged: 02/09/05

Loc: Northeastern Cal

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: jmclaugh2001]
#4070005 - 09/24/10 11:10 AM

Quote:

Very nice Mr. Bill. I have an Orion 8inch set up almost the same way. Do you find it more comfortable to use when the tube is bottom heavy? Less movement up top at the eyepiece when you're sitting down.

John

Hi John

Rarely sit down while using. As shown, tube is balanced and just matches my standing eye height when pointed at zenith. Very comfortable to use in that position in spite of the dreaded "Dobson hole."

Post Extras:

Mr. Bill
Postmaster

Reged: 02/09/05

Loc: Northeastern Cal

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mr. Bill]
#4070086 - 09/24/10 11:38 AM Attachment (171 downloads)

Well, I had one G11 axis left over.....here's a homemade "cube" alt azimuth that is mounted on a G11 tripod with a 12 inch pier extension. That's my TMB 130 onboard.

Post Extras:

Mr. Bill
Postmaster

Reged: 02/09/05

Loc: Northeastern Cal

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mr. Bill]
#4070092 - 09/24/10 11:40 AM Attachment (159 downloads)

Exploded parts view....

Bought another saddle. The shafts are 1 1/4 inch so a couple of 2 inch to 1 1/4 ep adapters function perfectly as bearings.

Sheet Teflon bought from Kerr-McMaster. Box made from oak.

Edited by Mr. Bill (09/24/10 04:08 PM)

Post Extras:

lunar
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/03/10

Loc: NY, United Sates

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mr. Bill]
#4070805 - 09/24/10 04:24 PM

Good job! That's a great innovation.

Post Extras:

jmclaugh2001
super member

Reged: 02/27/06

Loc: Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Re: Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3) new

[Re: Mr. Bill]
#4073789 - 09/26/10 03:10 AM