· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article    Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Forum Archives · Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Mounts Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 waassaabee Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/26/07 Posts: 2710 Loc: Central California Coast CGEM w/AT8RC Balance       #3426460 - 11/02/09 11:03 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   With the majority of the weight in the rear of the AT8RC, and extension/camera hanging off the back, it puts the scope at the end of the dovetail. My miniBorg50/QGuider doesn't add much counterweight to the front, so I was wondering if it would behoove me hang some weight off the front end. When I balance during setup, everything seems fine, and tracking up to 60 degrees or so is good. But an hour or so from zenith and guiding starts gettin jiggy... Suggestions? Tips or tricks... -------------------- Gary 34N 120W -My kingdom for blue squares!- WO Megrez 90FD/TV 0.8x FR/FF AT8RC mini Borg 50/Q-Guide/PHD CGEM Canon 350D Hap Griffin Baader mod - o.o My Friend Flickr Post Extras:       blueman Vendor Blue Sky Accessories Reged: 07/20/07 Posts: 1435 Re: CGEM w/AT8RC Balance [Re: waassaabee]       #3426662 - 11/03/09 12:31 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi, I used a 1.5 lb steel block that I mounted at the front of the upper plate on my guide scope, ST80. It definitely helped and the guide scope added to the counter weight. You can also use an Ankle weight and strap it to the front of the OTA. Blueman -------------------- 14.5" Starmaster with ServoCat and Argo Navis AT 8" RC TV NP101 f/5.4 APO Telvue .8 Focal Reducer WO 80mm f/6 APO Televue .8 focal reducer SBig ST2000xm with CFW-9 filter wheel Astrodon Gen2 filters RGBL Baader HA,O-III, H-Beta, S-II Filters Losmandy G-11 Gemini Auto-guided Post Extras:       Billydee super member Reged: 01/23/08 Posts: 186 Loc: Winter Haven, FL Re: CGEM w/AT8RC Balance [Re: blueman]       #3426707 - 11/03/09 01:08 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   You have a Losmandy dovetail that runs the length of the bottom of the AT8RC. I would expect the front 10 inches are not in use. You need to get a dovetail accessory adapter for a Losmandy D-plate dovetail. This slips over the V shaped dovetail and until tightened can be positioned for balance. They have holes to mount rings and accessories. Here is a link for a Losmandy one that costs $45 and is 11 oz. You would hang it on the bottom of your OTAs dovetail and add the needed weight to it with 1/4-20 screw(s) and move it to get your balance. I'm sure you can find other brands that are less expensive and would do the job. Link = http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/LR9U6B1PVMKS8MQ86B8UEBQW85/product_id/DA It is nice looking and does the job. I also acts as a safety catch for the OTA if it slips in your mount. Luck, Bill Edited by Billydee (11/03/09 01:11 AM) Post Extras:       Charlie Hein Postmaster Reged: 11/02/03 Posts: 7971 Loc: 26.06.08N, +80.23.08W Re: CGEM w/AT8RC Balance [Re: Billydee]       #3426919 - 11/03/09 07:08 AM Attachment (4 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   When I was checking out the AT8RC at this past WSP I hung a big camera lens off the front for counterbalance. You could do the same type of thing with just the truck and some inexpensive weights... -------------------- "He's dead, Jim - I'll get his wallet, you get his tricorder." - Leonard "Bones" McCoy Weston CSC: Post Extras:       mclewis1 Thread Killer Reged: 02/25/06 Posts: 3961 Loc: New Brunswick, Canada Re: CGEM w/AT8RC Balance [Re: Charlie Hein]       #3427023 - 11/03/09 09:09 AM Attachment (8 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   You can simply mount the autoguider the same way Charlie has that wide field setup mounted ... like this. -------------------- Mark C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager 25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should Post Extras:       J_D_Metzger Pooh-Bah Reged: 05/13/04 Posts: 1477 Loc: Tucson, AZ Re: CGEM w/AT8RC Balance [Re: mclewis1]       #3427218 - 11/03/09 11:18 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Check out the Losmandy DWS or DDWS counterweight systems... -------------------- Clear skies, J.D. 32°15'16.96"N 110°47'39.24"W Celestron C11 & C6 Explore Scientific 127ED, TeleVue TV-76 Celestron CGEM, iOptron MiniTower, Vixen Porta Canon 10x30 IS Binoculars Post Extras:       waassaabee Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/26/07 Posts: 2710 Loc: Central California Coast Re: CGEM w/AT8RC Balance [Re: J_D_Metzger]       #3427892 - 11/03/09 05:18 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Survey says..... I need a counterweight! Time to call ADM... -------------------- Gary 34N 120W -My kingdom for blue squares!- WO Megrez 90FD/TV 0.8x FR/FF AT8RC mini Borg 50/Q-Guide/PHD CGEM Canon 350D Hap Griffin Baader mod - o.o My Friend Flickr Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 9 registered and 6 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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