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An Idea Please! Problem Using AZ GTI at Low Latitude in EQ Mode

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#1 kel123

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Posted 01 November 2019 - 10:18 AM

I ran into a problem when I tried to use the mount at low latitude near the equator. The recommended skywatcher adventurer latitude wedge went all the way down and the body of the mount was hitting the base of the latitude wedge.

Another problem was that knob of of the wedge is stopping the mount from rotating in RA but that can be easily solved by replacing the knob with a low profile one or simply changing the head of the knob to a smaller one.. 

 

However, I have been racking my brain about the solution to the problem the body of the mount hitting the wedge of the base. I think one possible solution is to find a quick release plate that can further push the mount out of the body of the wedge but there seem not to be a ready made one capable of doing it. 

 

IMG_20191101_1603035.jpg IMG_20191101_1601232.jpg

 

 

Please does anyone have an idea of how to resolve this?

 

Thanks



#2 CChristakis

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Posted 01 November 2019 - 10:31 AM

I ran into a problem when I tried to use the mount at low latitude near the equator. The recommended skywatcher adventurer latitude wedge went all the way down and the body of the mount was hitting the base of the latitude wedge.

Another problem was that knob of of the wedge is stopping the mount from rotating in RA but that can be easily solved by replacing the knob with a low profile one or simply changing the head of the knob to a smaller one.. 

 

However, I have been racking my brain about the solution to the problem the body of the mount hitting the wedge of the base. I think one possible solution is to find a quick release plate that can further push the mount out of the body of the wedge but there seem not to be a ready made one capable of doing it. 

 

attachicon.gif IMG_20191101_1603035.jpgattachicon.gif IMG_20191101_1601232.jpg

 

 

Please does anyone have an idea of how to resolve this?

 

Thanks

This may help.  I am using it for a different reason but I just purchased a Feisol PB-70 Panning Base.  I wanted the ability to use the AZ GTI in manual mode without having to deal with the not that great AZ Clutch Lock.  I haven't received mine yet so I can't give you any additional feed back.  But thread below has details on someone else using the base the way I want to use it.

This may provide enough space.  Should give you about 1.38" additional space.

https://www.adorama.com/fepb70.html

https://www.cloudyni...n-for-tight-az/
 

 


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#3 kel123

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Posted 01 November 2019 - 10:54 AM

This may help.  I am using it for a different reason but I just purchased a Feisol PB-70 Panning Base.  I wanted the ability to use the AZ GTI in manual mode without having to deal with the not that great AZ Clutch Lock.  I haven't received mine yet so I can't give you any additional feed back.  But thread below has details on someone else using the base the way I want to use it.

This may provide enough space.  Should give you about 1.38" additional space.

https://www.adorama.com/fepb70.html

https://www.cloudyni...n-for-tight-az/
 

Thanks but I don't that solution will suffice.   The precision of a latitude scale is still very important as I can use it for wide field astrophotography. The body rubs against the base of the wedge from anything between 0-10 degrees latitude. trying to use it between 5 and 7 degrees.  



#4 NearVision

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Posted 01 November 2019 - 12:33 PM

Would it be possible to use/create a fixed wedge under your current latitude adjustable wedge to make it think you were at a higher latitude? Something of about 20 or 25 degrees?

So long as it's solid your current wedge would still give you the fine tuning you need. I'm thinking take a block of wood and cut an angle then drill a few holes for mounting bolts as a trial.


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#5 kel123

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Posted 01 November 2019 - 01:06 PM

Would it be possible to use/create a fixed wedge under your current latitude adjustable wedge to make it think you were at a higher latitude? Something of about 20 or 25 degrees?

So long as it's solid your current wedge would still give you the fine tuning you need. I'm thinking take a block of wood and cut an angle then drill a few holes for mounting bolts as a trial.

The problem is the wedge itself. It rubs against the base of the wedge. The wedge has a kind of budge at the base where the body of the mounts rubs against.

 

There are two solution I am currently considering. I can get a piece of metal and place it between the mount and the quick release place, further pushing away from the base of the wedge. 

 

Another solution is to take the wedge to a machinist to slice off a part of that bulge on the base and give the mount some milliliters of clearance. But I have to consider whether any of the options will affect stability.  

 

I noticed that the white and green latitude wedge which skywatcher is now selling is a little narrower at the base and gives the mount some clearance. 



#6 kel123

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Posted 05 February 2020 - 08:44 AM

Any more?



#7 Ripwords

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Posted 08 December 2020 - 05:17 AM

Hi, i just got my setup yesterday, and where i live my latitude is only 3 degrees. To solve the mentioned issue, my dealer removed the bolt holding the wedge, and flipped the wedge as shown in this pic, you'll have to switch the sticker to the opposite side if you plan to use the sticker too

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#8 Ripwords

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Posted 08 December 2020 - 05:18 AM

Also, the bolt that is blocking the az gti mount has to be replaced too, as shown in the previous picture



#9 kel123

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Posted 08 December 2020 - 05:40 AM

Hi, i just got my setup yesterday, and where i live my latitude is only 3 degrees. To solve the mentioned issue, my dealer removed the bolt holding the wedge, and flipped the wedge as shown in this pic, you'll have to switch the sticker to the opposite side if you plan to use the sticker too


Thanks for this very valuable information. I am not close to my wedge right now as I am traveling. I guess the latitude scale should still be accurate. Right?

#10 Ripwords

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Posted 10 December 2020 - 08:32 AM

Well the sticker wasn’t meant to be super accurate in the first place, it’s just an estimate, however you can first use the bubble levels on the tripod to level the tripod, and use another spirit level to make sure the wedge is perfectly levelled. Then u can reapply the sticker at perfect 0 degrees.

#11 Briggs007

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Posted 20 February 2021 - 03:33 AM

I had the same problem. I'm in 2 degrees latitude. I also tried flipping the pinion gear of the wedge. But it made the center of gravity very far off center.

 

I decided to 3d print an extension to the wedge.

 

See details here https://blog.rossbri...w-latitude.html

 

I hope it helps!


Edited by Briggs007, 20 February 2021 - 03:35 AM.

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#12 kel123

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Posted 20 February 2021 - 05:56 AM

I had the same problem. I'm in 2 degrees latitude. I also tried flipping the pinion gear of the wedge. But it made the center of gravity very far off center.

I decided to 3d print an extension to the wedge.

See details here https://blog.rossbri...w-latitude.html

I hope it helps!


I just went through your blog. That was quite an engaging solution. Well done. How do you think it will perform for precise polar alignment for astrophotography? I mean, hope the material will remain firm throughout an imaging section? And what maximum load capacity can it carry?

#13 Ripwords

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Posted 20 February 2021 - 11:16 AM

I had the same problem. I'm in 2 degrees latitude. I also tried flipping the pinion gear of the wedge. But it made the center of gravity very far off center.

I decided to 3d print an extension to the wedge.

See details here https://blog.rossbri...w-latitude.html

I hope it helps!



Yea the off centre problem isn’t that big of a deal but it is annoying as I need to consider the tripod leg positions when I use it. I would’ve loved to try your solution if I had a 3D printer

#14 kel123

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Posted 20 March 2021 - 10:10 PM

Yea the off centre problem isn’t that big of a deal but it is annoying as I need to consider the tripod leg positions when I use it. I would’ve loved to try your solution if I had a 3D printer


Have you tried imaging with yours?

#15 Ripwords

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Posted 21 March 2021 - 12:55 AM

Have you tried imaging with yours?


Yes! I’ve gotten 150 seconds unguided subs with my 72ED but it’s pretty rare to get no star trails at 150secs. With proper polar alignment I’ve gotten decent 120 second subs unguided too. I’ve been wanting to try guiding but AzGti has been giving me some crazy readings when attempting could just be the clouds making it difficult to guide since it’s been cloudy for awhile now

#16 kel123

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Posted 21 March 2021 - 01:03 AM

Yes! I’ve gotten 150 seconds unguided subs with my 72ED but it’s pretty rare to get no star trails at 150secs. With proper polar alignment I’ve gotten decent 120 second subs unguided too. I’ve been wanting to try guiding but AzGti has been giving me some crazy readings when attempting could just be the clouds making it difficult to guide since it’s been cloudy for awhile now


That's great. I was wondering if the off-centre configuration of the wedge could negatively impact on imaging because of balance issues.

#17 Ripwords

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Posted 21 March 2021 - 01:05 AM

That's great. I was wondering if the off-centre configuration of the wedge could negatively impact on imaging because of balance issues.


I think it definitely does but this is what I have to work with

#18 kel123

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Posted 21 March 2021 - 01:28 AM

Unfortunately, clouds and moisture in the air is worse for us at low latitudes as we are in the tropics. There is almost always some form of thin cloud .

#19 Ripwords

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Posted 21 March 2021 - 04:10 AM

Unfortunately, clouds and moisture in the air is worse for us at low latitudes as we are in the tropics. There is almost always some form of thin cloud .


It’s pretty bad, especially when you have light pollution to deal with too

#20 kel123

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Posted 22 March 2021 - 09:50 AM

51cNuMq0c7L._AC_SY1000_.jpg

I didn't know that Orion has its own version of this wedge. This one might be a better fit for lower latitudes. It doesn't have the Skywatcher wedge bulge that interferes with the RA movement. But the dovetail screw should also be changed to a smaller one. 


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#21 Jiro

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Posted 10 August 2021 - 05:09 AM

My solution is simpler as shown in the picture, using an L-bracket for a camera. For polar alignment, I adjust declination by extending/shortening a let of the tripod facing to the south, and azimuth by rotating the base loosing the three small screws (I know it is rough alignment).

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#22 kel123

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Posted 10 August 2021 - 10:44 AM

My solution is simpler as shown in the picture, using an L-bracket for a camera. For polar alignment, I adjust declination by extending/shortening a let of the tripod facing to the south, and azimuth by rotating the base loosing the three small screws (I know it is rough alignment).


I find it very difficult to wrap my head around this setup as an equatorial mount, even if you are exactly on the equator. There is no mechanism for for polar alignment adjustment and the orientation of the mount is perplexing to me. Do you actually operate this as an Alt-Az mount or an EQ mount?

#23 Ripwords

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Posted 10 August 2021 - 01:58 PM

My solution is simpler as shown in the picture, using an L-bracket for a camera. For polar alignment, I adjust declination by extending/shortening a let of the tripod facing to the south, and azimuth by rotating the base loosing the three small screws (I know it is rough alignment).


I mean if you’re able to get exposures > 1 minute for this setup then I can’t say no to this 😂 but otherwise this seems more like a workaround rather than a solution. But good work on working with what you have though

#24 Jiro

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Posted 17 August 2021 - 07:30 PM

I find it very difficult to wrap my head around this setup as an equatorial mount, even if you are exactly on the equator. There is no mechanism for for polar alignment adjustment and the orientation of the mount is perplexing to me. Do you actually operate this as an Alt-Az mount or an EQ mount?

Of course, I am using it as EQ mount. For polar alignment, you must know the polar alignment function without visual observation of the polar star (which is not possible in low altitude), using the polar alignment function of Synscan Pro application (advanced>Polar Alignment). There is no fine adjustment mechanism. However, polar alignment is practically accurate enough even for astrophotography by adjusting of polar latitude by adjusting length of on leg of tripod (facing to the south), and adjustment of polar azimuth by rotating mount base releasing the three small screws.

 

Probably "change of thinking" is required to accept this method.


Edited by Jiro, 17 August 2021 - 07:49 PM.

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#25 Jiro

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Posted 17 August 2021 - 07:33 PM

I mean if you’re able to get exposures > 1 minute for this setup then I can’t say no to this but otherwise this seems more like a workaround rather than a solution. But good work on working with what you have though

By using an autoguider like PHD2, the accuracy of the polar alignment is not a matter even for astrophotography of a long exposure more than 1 minutes.




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