3 replies to this topic

[wkight]

Hi all..

I know people have a wide variety of opinions on this subject but I find the hand controller for the ZWO AM3 mount to be rather useful and I like having it at the ready. 

 

Hanging it by its hand strap didn't work well because I'd have trouble in the dark removing it or putting it back on whatever I had hooked it to.   If I dropped it in the hammock then on occasion the joystick would get pushed one way or another and the mount would begin moving somewhere it shouldn't.

 

I happened to see some very nice 3D printed hand controller brackets on etsy but they were out of my price range.  I had a budget of $0 for this project.  I opted to make my own out of the top of a can of PB blaster and it worked surprisingly well.   PB Blaster happens to have a nice red cap without any internal structure, plus it was sitting there undefended on the shelf.   A few minutes with a Dremel tool and voila!   I secured it to the tripod leg with a length of velcro tape.  

 

Maybe it will inspire someone in need of a place to hang their hand controller.

 

Bill

 

 

[AstriImage]

I bought a 3D printed holder on Agena Astroproducts for my AM5 hand controller.  They have several options for different sizes of tripod legs.  Have had it about a year now and am very happy with it.  I just rotate it inwards when I fold and store my tripod in a bag I bought for it on Amazon.

[AlamoBob]

I had a budget of $0 for this project.

That seems incredulous, considering the value of the equipment you are attaching it to!  Good Job!

[wkight]

That seems incredulous

Well I totally blew all my fun money and then some on the ZWO kit...  I try to homebrew or repair all of my accessories before spending more money on them.   Nugsy (Cheapass-tro) and John Dreese (Reflactor) are my inspirations.