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Mike Loffland
Web Guru (Astronomics)
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 2080
Loc: Norman, Oklahoma
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Optec Libra Alt-Azimuth Dovetail Adjustment Plate - an Early Adopters Perspective
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Whenever I’m about to do something...I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would... I do not do that thing.
- Dwight Schrute, The Office
Meade Telescopes
Celestron Telescopes
Telescopes
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EricCCD
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/14/04
Posts: 1639
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An entertaining read and a nice review!
I, too, have fallen victim to the "variable Losmandy standard": "Losmandy-compatible" plates not fitting "Losmandy-compatible" saddles. More often than not, it's been the plates being too big for an actual Losmandy saddle.
I'll be interested in your long-term experience with the Libra as an imaging platform (imaging with the TMB).
Eric
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7331Peg
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 718
Loc: North coast of Oregon
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Sehr gut, Herr Dave!
Well written and a pleasure to read!
Also glad to see the discussion about the "un-standard" standards.
John
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Bowmoreman
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 3989
Loc: Bolton, MA
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Thanks, guys... too bad I've not had any more time with it the last 2+ weeks; our skies have been pretty poor, and the few nights that were ok, I had other things I couldn't avoid...
I'm anxious to see how stable it is for imaging directly, that will be the "next test"...
I'm pretty sure, from its build quality and solidity, that it will be way more solid and non-flexing than the old rings were, but the proof will be in the actually DOING it!
Clear enough skies
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Dave
Imaging: MI-250+ADM/SBS/Optec Libra: C11Hyperstar,TMB80SS
Visual: XT10i RTP
TV: 31T5,22T4,17T4,12T4,13Ethos,8Ethos;2x Powermate,Paracorr, 1.6X Antares, Hyperion8-24Zoom
Cameras: Mallincam Color Hyper Plus, QHY8
Guider: SBIG STV eFinder
Key Add-ons: Gerbings Heated clothes, WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO#90), Speco 9"Monitor
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ned_l
sage
Reged: 03/12/07
Posts: 200
Loc: north carolina
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Nice article. I tend to agree that high end gear makes a more enjoyable experience. Can you possibly show pictures of your completed setup with the telescopes mounted? I admit I am confused why you want to mount the 2 scopes orthogonal to each other. Or is it that you are mounting them both orthogonal to another axis?
Hope your skies clear.
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8" Orion Newtonian w/ Sky View Pro mount
Feather Touch focuser
Stellarvue 102 ED
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Bowmoreman
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 3989
Loc: Bolton, MA
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I want my two OTS such that they are 90 degrees orthogonal to the SBS bar setup... i.e. 100% inline/parallel with each other... As precisely as possible, but ALSO flexible enough to:
1) purposely move the TMB relative to the C11 for when I want to guide in a slightly diffrent area, etc... and
2) take the TMB off to use as "grab and go" - making the subsequently necessary RE-alignment, as fast, easy and accurate as possible.
That is the reason underlying the purchase of the Libra - all else being equal. After all, to get solid and permanently aligned, one could always use shims...
I'll try and get out for a "photo shoot" sometime soon (I'm lazy and it's raining like crazy right now!) 
Clear enough skies
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Dave
Imaging: MI-250+ADM/SBS/Optec Libra: C11Hyperstar,TMB80SS
Visual: XT10i RTP
TV: 31T5,22T4,17T4,12T4,13Ethos,8Ethos;2x Powermate,Paracorr, 1.6X Antares, Hyperion8-24Zoom
Cameras: Mallincam Color Hyper Plus, QHY8
Guider: SBIG STV eFinder
Key Add-ons: Gerbings Heated clothes, WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO#90), Speco 9"Monitor
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ned_l
sage
Reged: 03/12/07
Posts: 200
Loc: north carolina
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Thanks Dave,
That clears it up for me, though I would still like a picture or 2.  I understand why you want to make the adjustments as easy and accurate as possible. I struggle with keeping my finder scope well aligned every time I move my set up. This adjustment plate looks like a great idea to me. I would not use it for a finder, but I think your use is right on.
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8" Orion Newtonian w/ Sky View Pro mount
Feather Touch focuser
Stellarvue 102 ED
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Thomas44
super member
Reged: 10/26/09
Posts: 101
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Good article. The pros and cons are very helpful.
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www.redlaser.co.uk
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Bowmoreman
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 3989
Loc: Bolton, MA
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Here are a couple of pictures of the final setup... too bad I've not been able to USE anything for weeks now, huh? (was supposed to be clear last night but clouded up right during dinner!)...
clear enough skies
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Dave
Imaging: MI-250+ADM/SBS/Optec Libra: C11Hyperstar,TMB80SS
Visual: XT10i RTP
TV: 31T5,22T4,17T4,12T4,13Ethos,8Ethos;2x Powermate,Paracorr, 1.6X Antares, Hyperion8-24Zoom
Cameras: Mallincam Color Hyper Plus, QHY8
Guider: SBIG STV eFinder
Key Add-ons: Gerbings Heated clothes, WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO#90), Speco 9"Monitor
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Bowmoreman
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 3989
Loc: Bolton, MA
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another
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Dave
Imaging: MI-250+ADM/SBS/Optec Libra: C11Hyperstar,TMB80SS
Visual: XT10i RTP
TV: 31T5,22T4,17T4,12T4,13Ethos,8Ethos;2x Powermate,Paracorr, 1.6X Antares, Hyperion8-24Zoom
Cameras: Mallincam Color Hyper Plus, QHY8
Guider: SBIG STV eFinder
Key Add-ons: Gerbings Heated clothes, WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO#90), Speco 9"Monitor
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Bowmoreman
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 3989
Loc: Bolton, MA
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and from the other side
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Dave
Imaging: MI-250+ADM/SBS/Optec Libra: C11Hyperstar,TMB80SS
Visual: XT10i RTP
TV: 31T5,22T4,17T4,12T4,13Ethos,8Ethos;2x Powermate,Paracorr, 1.6X Antares, Hyperion8-24Zoom
Cameras: Mallincam Color Hyper Plus, QHY8
Guider: SBIG STV eFinder
Key Add-ons: Gerbings Heated clothes, WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO#90), Speco 9"Monitor
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Bowmoreman
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 3989
Loc: Bolton, MA
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Just a quick update... about 6 nights ago I was able to get out for the only time over the last 4 weeks now...
And, discovered that the Optec Libra has held PERFECT alignment with my original alignment.
Perhaps not a big deal, but no small thing either, in my estimation. After all, that was one the main points of this device - solidity and repeatability.
An other side benefit that I didn't mention before, but probably should; in my use case - a side by side setup with a very large scope (C11/Hyperstar) on one side, and a relatively smaller one (TMB80SS) on the other - the side to side balance/spacing is a bit "off center" shall we say?
With the Optec Libra added, the additional mass makes things a bit more centered at the optimal balance point.
In my case that means that when I'm imaging or viewing up towards the NW-EW quadrant, it means that my C11 OTA is not as close to the floor as it was before, yielding me more "crawl room" underneath.
Now, if my opservatory were bigger, this wouldn't matter a bit; but since it isn't (I don't have the width for a C14 if that helps draw the picture more clearly), this additional room makes it far easier for me to "go underneath" so as to get to the side of the observatory where I have my EPs and the STV guider setup.
Ultimately, I'll have everything setup for total remote operation, and this will matter less...
Again, though, this thing truly is SOLID; I truly believe it's 11.5Kg/25# rating; I've no doubt a C9.25 would be no problem directly attached to it.
clear enough skies
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Dave
Imaging: MI-250+ADM/SBS/Optec Libra: C11Hyperstar,TMB80SS
Visual: XT10i RTP
TV: 31T5,22T4,17T4,12T4,13Ethos,8Ethos;2x Powermate,Paracorr, 1.6X Antares, Hyperion8-24Zoom
Cameras: Mallincam Color Hyper Plus, QHY8
Guider: SBIG STV eFinder
Key Add-ons: Gerbings Heated clothes, WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO#90), Speco 9"Monitor
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 8655
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
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I have to disagree...way to wordie.  Just kidding, Dave! Very good review and an easy read with good descriptions of the hardware. 
David
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Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein
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