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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

Pages: 1

jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

DM-6

#5236558 - 05/23/12 11:34 PM

Ok, so what's the heaviest/biggest scope folks out there have mounted on a DM-6. Mine arrives Friday and I've aggressive plans for it. I had Tom send the counterweight shaft as well. I've heard folks have even mounted C-14's on them.

Joe

Post Extras:

john 127
super member

Reged: 01/17/08

Loc: Napa, CA

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: jmiele]
#5236635 - 05/24/12 01:06 AM

I have no trouble getting good motion with my Mewlon 250 mounted to it

John

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mistyridge
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/28/05

Loc: Loomis, CA

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: john 127]
#5236686 - 05/24/12 02:16 AM

I have had my DM-6 for a few years, never tried a heavy scope. I use my C8HD and SV115/SV70 combo. I thought of trying out my C11 but need a short wide base tripod and/or counter weight.

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zombie1210
sage

Reged: 12/26/09

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: mistyridge]
#5236696 - 05/24/12 02:34 AM

Meade 10 inch SCT.

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jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: zombie1210]
#5236851 - 05/24/12 08:24 AM

Really a 10 inch mead....what's that weight in at? Are you using the CW bar and weights?

Mike, I'm going to put it on my AP Eagle with the legs at 48" spread. That's a very wide stance. I hope.

John, The Mewlon 250 is about 30 lbs? Correct?

I would think the most heavy so far would be the Mead 10"?

Joe

Edited by jmiele (05/24/12 01:29 PM)

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johnnyha
Postmaster

Reged: 11/12/06

Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: jmiele]
#5237190 - 05/24/12 12:29 PM

I think Tom Peters uses a TEC180. You have one key factor nailed and that's the tripod.

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jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: johnnyha]
#5237303 - 05/24/12 01:28 PM

I agree. The AP Eagle is a well engineered piece. Tom uses an old G-11 tripod that is also very stable. However, when the AP is on concrete at a 48" leg spread, it feels like a pier buried 6 foot deep.

I have the 180 to try but also something even more heavy. I'm a bit nervous about it. Once I mount it I will post a pic. Don't want to say until I have a picture. I have heard of 75 lbs SCT setups on these using the cw shaft and a bit of weight. IDK, seem a bit frightening to me. The AP 8" extensions are back ordered, but I also purchased one of Tom's 8" extensions. It's all on the truck for delivery today.

Joe

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tonyt
sage

Reged: 09/02/09

Loc: Australia

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: jmiele]
#5237840 - 05/24/12 06:37 PM

The DM-6 will handle just about any ota you want to put on it when used with the CW shaft; the limiting factor is how much friction you are willing to tolerate in the altitude axis, the motion getting more stiff as weight and diameter of the optical tube increases. Personally I found it ok with a C11 but I think shifting a C14 in altitude might become tiresome. To exert the same amount of sideways force as a C11 you'd need a 7" refractor of about 65 pounds so most refractors would be ok. The extra leverage of a heavy but long refractor would help to counter stiffness in altitude.

With a CW shaft the azimuth axis stays silky smooth and light in action regardless of the load.

Tony

Edited by tonyt (05/24/12 06:46 PM)

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jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: tonyt]
#5237936 - 05/24/12 07:46 PM

What about a Mewlon 300

you said ANY.... lol

Joe

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tonyt
sage

Reged: 09/02/09

Loc: Australia

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: jmiele]
#5238140 - 05/24/12 10:33 PM

Quote:

What about a Mewlon 300 you said ANY.... lol

Joe

The thick aluminium plates and stainless steel hardware would hold a balanced Mewlon 300 just fine, but the altitude motion would be too heavy I suspect.

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john 127
super member

Reged: 01/17/08

Loc: Napa, CA

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: jmiele]
#5238189 - 05/24/12 11:07 PM

Joe,

I forgot to mention that like Tom, I use a G-11 tripod/portable pier. It's rock stable for the DM6 with the 30lb Mewlon 250. It should really be considered a portable pier

John

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johnnyha
Postmaster

Reged: 11/12/06

Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: john 127]
#5238345 - 05/25/12 02:23 AM

I actually just got my Berlebach Planet two days ago and my Eagle pier extension and the DM-6 AP adapter came today. I wanted a setup that I could put just about anything on, you never know what you might end up with.

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mistyridge
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/28/05

Loc: Loomis, CA

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: johnnyha]
#5238361 - 05/25/12 02:45 AM

I could use the tripod from my G11 to Use my C11. Do I ned a counter weight?

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tonyt
sage

Reged: 09/02/09

Loc: Australia

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: mistyridge]
#5238396 - 05/25/12 05:25 AM

Quote:

I could use the tripod from my G11 to Use my C11. Do I ned a counter weight?

No CW needed, unless you want a lighter azimuth action. Personally I preferred to use a CW with the C11 - it's a matter of personal preference.

Post Extras:

jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: tonyt]
#5238503 - 05/25/12 07:45 AM

Tony,
Agreed, Tom said he doesn't sell many of the CW kits as they are not really needed. Only for extreme cases. A C-11 should go nicely on the DM-6. I will add however, that when going heavy some do use the CW shaft with no weights and use it to have smooth movement in Az. Like a handle.

It did arrive and is most beefy. I was very surprised with the size of it. It is well designed and built. Tom obviously takes pride in the product he is sending out the door.

Johnny,
I'm waiting for new Eagle extensions to come in. You're right, this is a setup you can chuck most anything up on. And do it quickly.

Joe

Post Extras:

mountain monk
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 11/06/09

Loc: Grand Teton National Park

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: jmiele]
#5239455 - 05/25/12 06:13 PM

That was my thinking when I got the Planet and the DM-6: you can put anything on it. It's a great combination.

Dark skies.

Jack

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Tamiji Homma
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 02/24/07

Loc: California, USA

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: jmiele]
#5240783 - 05/26/12 02:12 PM

Hi Joe,

I use Intes Micro MakNewt MN-86 on DM-6/Losmandy FHD tripod. With binoviewer, the setup weights about 45lb.

I don't find a need of counter-weight with FHD tripod but I feel bit scary when I use Berlebach Planet tripod with the scope, top heavy.

Tammy

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jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: DM-6 new

[Re: Tamiji Homma]
#5241394 - 05/26/12 10:02 PM Attachment (25 downloads)

Wonderful Tammy! Well, apparently you can put a Mewlon 300 on a DM-6. And, it moves like butter in both axis. I think it is easier to move in Alt than the TEC 180 due to the weight being more on axis.

Joe

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jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: DM-6 new