Telescope Reviews: My $15 Side By Side CGEM Modification

I fellow RASC member showed me the light, in that, how to fix my balance issue. My guidescope was piggybacked on top of my scope, making it very top heavy and I could not balance Dec dynamically, at all!

I went to "Metals R Us" (yes thats really the name) here in town and picked up a sheet of 1/4" thick x 13.5" Long x 12" Wide aluminium stock. I weights about 3 lbs, which I will cut some off later to lighten it a bit. This sheet cost $15 Canadian.

When I got home I picked up my trusty old broom (My wife seems to think I don't use it much). I set the guidescope on one end and the scope with all AP accessories mounted. I moved the two around to find the balance point on the broom stick handle. I marked this spot with a pencil and used a square to draw a line. This marks the centre spot for my D Series dovetail, I then marked the spots where the scope and guidescope mount will go and measured for the holes and started drilling. After which I discovered my math was off a bit for a few of the holes, no big deal just make new ones

After alls said and done I can now perfectly balance my scope with my guidescope. As you can see I will need a right angle finder! :|

Enjoy everyone!

Halifax-20110329-00073 by AstroJeff, on Flickr

Halifax-20110329-00081 by AstroJeff, on Flickr

Halifax-20110329-00080 by AstroJeff, on Flickr

Halifax-20110329-00078 by AstroJeff, on Flickr

Halifax-20110329-00075 by AstroJeff, on Flickr