17 replies to this topic

[rflinn68]

First of all, a big thanks goes out to Dave Yates @ TPI (www.tpiastro.com) for the custom pier adapter. He was able to send me a custom top to fit the EQ8 to my Starizona pier adapter designed for CGEM/Atlas mounts. It worked out perfectly except for the top being 1/2" thinner than the original top. With the 2" long bolts holding the standoffs in place, it didnt quite tighten down before the bolts butted against each other. This took me about 10 minutes to remedy and I was in business.

 

Testing is now underway after a bit of down time here. I'd highly recommend Dave to anyone needing anything like this. He can also fix you up with a ground up build and was a pleasure to deal with. Here's a few pics of the new gear.

 

 

 

 

 

[rflinn68]

 

[anismo]

Wow.. That is a beast. Very nice look there.. with black and silver.

[rflinn68]

It is indeed a beast. The head without counterweight shaft is 55 lbs by itself. I might someday get the adapter anodized, but thats very low on my to-do list. If you buy the mount without tripod, you dont get counterweights.

 

The Losmandy counterweights fit the 1.25" bar perfectly. I bought a 21 lb and an 11 lb from Astronomics. I thought about buying a 7 lb for the Star71, but will probably just mount it piggyback on the 107mm. If I buy anymore weights, I'll probably just get another 21 lb. Depends on what I end up going with on a long focal length scope.

[torsinadoc]

Congrats on the new mount. It looks like a beast.  Have you had a chance to try it out?  

[terry59]

Nice looking setup Rich

[Footbag]

Nice!  Looks like you're ready to use it.  

[rigel123]

That looks awesome!

[rflinn68]

Thanks guys

 

Alan, I did finally get to try it out last night. I had mixed results and need more testing. Seeing was awful and is forecast to remain awful at least another week or so. Still had guiding as low as 0.38" or so, but as high as 0.76" for a stretch. Mostly ran around .50" for the night which isnt bad for a first night out.

[TimN]

That really does look big Richard. Congratulations! Thats excellent guiding for the first time out. Actually its good any time. Makes sense piggybacking - makes life easier. Looking forward to those first images.

[Goofi]

Congrats Richard ... now you need a bigger scope to go on that mount 

[rflinn68]

Thanks Tim & Goofi  I'm excited with the possibilities. I'm still not ready to sell my Atlas Pro though. Hopefully the new mount will be as reliable for me as the Atlas Pro has been. If so, I'll feel comfortable enough to sell the Atlas which will help towards getting a new long focal length scope. At present, however, I'd like to keep it as a backup. It just may take me a few more months to save up for the new scope.

[tolgagumus]

Richard, your observatory looks very good. I just watched the video on Orion's website, the guy said it comes with two counter weights and then underneath it says counter weights are not included. I would have been very annoyed if I bought it based on that video. Also in the video they say it comes with the carrying case. Did you get one? I would call and complain. 

[rflinn68]

Thanks Tolga.

 

No case anymore. I think they included one at first, but not anymore. If you get the whole thing with tripod and all, it does include two 22lb counterweights. I thought about getting it all, but didnt need the tripod and felt it was not worth the extra $700. The 22 lb'ers is all thats available from Orion/Skywatcher. They are identical to the one I had on my CGEM DX. The Losmandy weights are the same size and are offered in 21, 11, and 7 lb. The 21 lb Losmandy is also quite a bit cheaper than the Orion/Skywatcher/CGEM DX 22 lb weight.....but still high for a chunk of steel with a hole drilled in the center. Dont even get me started on the price of counterweights.

 

If I ever want a tripod for some reason I'd probably get one of these.

[rflinn68]

I discovered what I think is a design flaw in this mount. Both motors are external and both are on the same side of the mount. The mount always wants to fall to the west.

 

I've been wanting to load up my scopes all at once anyway, so ordered the ADM side by side saddles. I paid an extra $19 for the 18" bar (standard bar is 15") because I wanted to be sure I had enough space between scopes when I get my long focal length scope. If I go with the truss RC, then I need extra room. I believe the 10" truss to be 15"-16" wide on the primary mirror end, and of course the 12" would be even more if I decided to go that big. My thinking is a 10" mirror would sit in a 12" tube, plus the extra width for the carbon fiber truss poles on each side. There's a 21" bar option for another $29, but felt the 18" should be all I need....plus I worry I wont be able to open the roof if I go that route!!

 

I wanted to mount my 10" Meade SCT, but need to buy another 21 lb weight first. Everything seems to be balanced nicely now with the C8 on one side and the 107mm on the other. Plan is to piggyback the Star71 on the 107mm, and put a 10" truss RC or 12" newt in the C8's place. Then I think I can slide the bigger scope closer to center and still get my roof open with the RA axis laid over. If not, I'll have to shorten up my pier adapter, but really want to avoid that if possible.

 

For now the C8 has a 2" diagonal with an ES82 14mm eyepiece in it. Hope I remember how to look in those things.   Now to get that other counterweight ordered.....

 

 

[kraegar]

That is one very nice setup! 

[rflinn68]

Thanks Tony

[Goofi]

Good luck with this, Richard ... great to see both scopes mounted!!