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Post a picture of your mount!! (Part 3)

Started by Charlie Hein , Apr 25 2009 01:25 PM
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3151 replies to this topic

#851 tybee

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 11:45 AM

I've been working on getting my Wide Sky Optics Millennium Mount converted to Gemini. I've finally got it up and running. Still have a little dress up work to do but it's set up in the observatory and has had first light.

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#852 David Pavlich

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 12:30 PM

That mount has an interesting design, Tybee. Motors and gearboxes at the bottom of the axes, not in the conventional positions. How's it performing for you?

David

#853 tybee

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 01:14 PM

First light was very satisfying! I worked on fine tuning the polar alignment and within a short period I had it within 2' of the pole. I did a quick modeling in Gemini and everything I pointed to on both sides of the meridian was close to center in a 9mm reticle eyepiece. Thats over 330x with this OTA!

I did notice it took much less weight to counterbalance the OTA on this mount than on the G11. I attribute that to the DEC gear at the lower end of the head contributing to the counterbalancing weight. And the worm is on the front of the DEC axis rather than the rear so the motors are safely out of the way and the mount can't crash into itself as on the G11. That's a big plus!

This thing handles this heavy 12” OTA as easily as the G11 handled a C8. I've got a C14 to mount on it and I expect it to be able to handle it and about an extra 30lbs with ease.

The periodic error on these mounts are around 5 arc second out of the box. I'm expecting less than 2 arc seconds after PEC training. I've yet to test any of that.

#854 detector

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 06:26 PM

nice set up looks great , glad to see you back at it

#855 tybee

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 08:09 PM

Thanks Mike, It's good to be back! I've been having some fun again.

#856 Ed D

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Posted 21 November 2013 - 08:44 PM

My home-made alt-az mount on a construction tripod, ready for a bit of afternoon solar bino viewing. All of the materials were salvaged and everything made by me, except for a few screws and washers (not seen in the photo).

Ed D
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#857 Ed D

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Posted 21 November 2013 - 08:48 PM

It also works great with my little Vixen.

Ed D

#858 Ed D

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Posted 21 November 2013 - 08:51 PM

Do Dob bases count? Yep, mostly made from stuff kept out of the landfill.

Ed D

#859 ngc2289

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Posted 21 November 2013 - 09:58 PM

That is really a nice looking mount you made there ED D.

#860 NHRob

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Posted 22 November 2013 - 10:25 AM

Hi Ed,
Nice mount!
Hey, I have the same tripod as you. What do you do about spreaders for the legs?
I have a chain between the legs to keep them from spreading out. However, I'd like also to keep them from collapsing in while I am moving the tripod.

#861 Ed D

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Posted 22 November 2013 - 06:28 PM

Hi Rob,

I use a fabric strap that essentially does the same thing your chain does. The legs on my tripod are tight enough that they don't fold up much when I lift the tripod to rotate it, and I usually fold the legs when I lift it to move to another spot. I have thought about making a spreader, something that would be easy to use. If I ever come up with an idea I'll post it here and/or the ATM forum.

Ed D

#862 mikey cee

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Posted 09 December 2013 - 12:16 AM

Time for a newbie's update. Here's my 3" pillow block mount that carries my 10" F/11 R30/R35 Istar. Not only highly accurate but extremely jiggle free and buttery smooth all rolled into one! :grin: Mike

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#863 Jeff B

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Posted 12 December 2013 - 04:23 PM

Always impressive Mike. Getting ready for Jupiter and Mars?

My latest addition.

Jeff

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  • 6249430-1100 assembled.jpg

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#864 Polaris41N

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Posted 13 December 2013 - 12:59 AM

Here's my home setup:

iOptron iEQ45 on an 8" reinforced concrete pier, top plate and mount adapter by Dan's Pier-Top Plates. Astro-Tech AT111EDT (Yes, that's the factory paint, supposedly the only one done in red!), SBIG STF-8300C camera, Orion "Magnificent Mini" autoguider package.

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#865 Mkofski

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Posted 13 December 2013 - 01:02 AM

Great looking setup!

#866 mikey cee

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Posted 13 December 2013 - 01:27 AM

Always impressive Mike. Getting ready for Jupiter and Mars?

My latest addition.

Jeff

Dang it Jeff you have any money left over for an OTA!? Some people get all the breaks. :foreheadslap: Mike

#867 Agatha

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Posted 13 December 2013 - 10:27 AM

David,

What a beautiful setup. I always wondered where that single AT 111 ended up. I remember the pictures from NEAF that year.

Oh yeah...great looking mount. :grin:

Best,

#868 Polaris41N

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Posted 13 December 2013 - 01:40 PM

Thanks for the comment! You are correct, this is the scope that was at NEAF. A member of our club bought it, then shortly thereafter passed away. A friend of mine bought it from the estate. About a year ago that friend decided he wanted a TMB and found one on AstroMart, I think. Then he decided to sell me the AT. Now, I think he regrets it. We are all of the opinion that this scope, since it was the first one displayed, has particularly good optics that were chosen to impress. It certainly does a good job for me!

Dave

#869 Jeff B

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Posted 13 December 2013 - 03:30 PM

Always impressive Mike. Getting ready for Jupiter and Mars?

My latest addition.

Jeff

Dang it Jeff you have any money left over for an OTA!? Some people get all the breaks. :foreheadslap: Mike


Funny you should ask Mike. It's an APM/TMB 175 F8 triplet.

Jeff

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#870 dkbender

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Posted 18 December 2013 - 02:28 PM

ES ED152CF on the AP900...

Posted Image

#871 famax

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Posted 18 December 2013 - 07:28 PM

Here is mine : 10micron gm 1000 hps
At sirène observatory, south of france :
Posted Image


Posted Image
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#872 Derrickh24

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Posted 18 December 2013 - 07:35 PM

Dave,
Beautiful setup!
It looks like you share a love for my other hobby as well....judging by what looks to be total sweetness in the audio rack!

Derrick

#873 Derrickh24

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Posted 18 December 2013 - 07:39 PM

Here is mine : 10micron gm 1000 hps
At sirène observatory, south of france :
Posted Image

That second photo is just gorgeous!!

Posted Image


#874 famax

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Posted 22 December 2013 - 08:12 AM

Thanks DErrick, this night was a magic one in the observatory site(summer night , 18°c , no wind, unbeleivable seeing...)

#875 power1001

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Posted 22 December 2013 - 02:23 PM

Here is my new ES AR102 with Twilight 1 mount I got for wide field viewing and satellite scanning. I got the pan handle from Manny Myles. What a difference it makes! So much easier to scan the sky. I also made a combination IPHONE / red dot sight / green laser mount that slides on the extra long Vixen plate of this scope with a ADM Accessories dovetail adapter.
Posted Image Posted Image
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