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pftarch
sage
Reged: 09/21/07
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Anyone used binoviewers on a Giro III?
#4297614 - 01/07/11 01:37 AM
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I recently purchased a Giro III AltAz mount with the twin arms. I have it mounted to a solid surveyors tripod. It works fine with my AT80EDT and a single eyepiece, but I have been ruined by my binoviewers and I hate looking through just one eye now. My problem is one of balance. I use binos in an Earthwin power slide and the only way I can get it to balance in altitude is to have to the binos sticking out of the side of the scope, parallel to the ground. If I load them in a "normal" (sticking up from the back of the scope) position as you move the scope in altitude the balance point constantly changes. I can minimize (but not eliminate) the variable balance issue by cranking down hard (and I mean HARD) on the altitude tension control, but then I lose the buttery smooth motion of the mount. I was wondering if anyone here had a solution to this issue. I would imagine that this problem would also occur on the ES Twilight mount, the Orion SV altar, and the WO EZ Touch, and I'm hoping that someone here has an answer (i.e. a reasonably priced counterweight system). The mount is VERY well made and VERY smooth when it is balanced, and I REALLY want to make it work with the binos.
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Re: Anyone used binoviewers on a Giro III?
[Re: pftarch]
#4297816 - 01/07/11 07:34 AM Attachment (33 downloads)
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Did you try using a longer universal type dovetail bar that would allow the ota to be mover further up on the altitude axis for better balance with the binoviewers?
I had the same situation with my Lunt-60 and binoviewers, but solved it by attaching the above linked type of dovetail bar .
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midnite4blues
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/21/05
Loc: Denville, NJ
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Re: Anyone used binoviewers on a Giro III?
[Re: Jim7728]
#4297904 - 01/07/11 08:46 AM
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Like Jim, I attach a dovetail bar to my scope (Onyx 80ED) when I want to use binoviewers on my DSV-1 alt-az mount. I balance it with the scope pointed up 30-45 degrees (or more depending on where the specific targets are that I want to view that night). The balance point is usually just under where the focuser meets the scope. I do need to keep the alt tension a little tighter than normal due to the changing balance point that results from move the scope up and down, but its not that bad.
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ckwastro
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/05
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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Re: Anyone used binoviewers on a Giro III?
[Re: pftarch]
#4307617 - 01/11/11 04:23 PM
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Quote:
My problem is one of balance. I use binos in an Earthwin power slide and the only way I can get it to balance in altitude is to have to the binos sticking out of the side of the scope, parallel to the ground. If I load them in a "normal" (sticking up from the back of the scope) position as you move the scope in altitude the balance point constantly changes. I can minimize (but not eliminate) the variable balance issue by cranking down hard (and I mean HARD) on the altitude tension control, but then I lose the buttery smooth motion of the mount.
I have a similar issue with my f/7 Stowaway on the GIRO III. I don't have a shifting balance point, but the rig is too back-heavy with the BV in place. I use the AP 8" Dovetail saddle, and I have the tube rings all the way back against the focuser body (OTA as far forward as it will go). I also slide the OTA all the way forward in the saddle, and it still won't balance in altitude - still back-heavy. I cannot use a longer dovetail plate as it begins to interfere with the focuser with the OTA that far forward in the saddle.
My solution was to wrap a soft 1.5 lb ankle-weight around the extended dew shield. It's not pretty but it works. The scope balances in altitude with no tension. If the longer saddle plate will work for you, I'd go that route, but if not, you will need some extra front-end weight to get it to balance without cranking down the altitude tension knob.
Edited by ckwastro (01/11/11 04:27 PM)
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