The perfect Mount 'spirit level'

[ballaratdragons]

Went on a search today for a spirit level small enough for my EQ6 mount Tripod today.

I found this perfect item at Home Hardware. It is a round spirit level measuring 35mm across, so it completely covers the central hole. It works a treat and only cost $7 :thumbsup:

Heaps bigger and more accurate than the ones they supply with the tripods.

It is an 'Empire' Bullseye Circular Level. Item number 3604

On the back of the packet it says for Cameras & Pool Tables.

Sorry for the bad pic but I don't have Macro.

[ballaratdragons]

Here is a link with a better pic of it:

http://www.nextag.com/Empire-Level-3604-Bull-60154094/prices-html

[ballaratdragons]

I just found the Empire Bullseye level advertised as a 'Meade' & 'Celestron' Tripod level, and labelled as a 'Meade Telescope accessory'. :lol:

http://www.atoztelescopes.com/store/scripts/prodView.asp?sku=427

[ving]

oh meade, thay are a silly bunch!

good find ken, hows teh mount going?

[ballaratdragons]

Pretty good thanks Ving. I've only had the opportunity to use it properly once so far, and that was a fair success.

I need to polar align it next time, but the V2.5 hand controller seems to work extremely well :thumbsup: and the bubble level will help heaps.

[ving]

cool :)
I use a short spirit level. I need leveling badly as my backyard is sooooo uneven :)

2.5 does work well hey :)

[ballaratdragons]

That's what I was originally going to buy. A short spirit level. But this works better. Gives every direction simultaneously :)

[ving]

then its a MUST BUY for me then :D

how much was it?

[ving]

dont worry i just loked it up... cheap as chips...

how does it go with the bolt that goes thru the center of teh mount tho ken?

[ballaratdragons]

The EQ6 bolt doesn't protrude up thru the hole when the head isn't on it, so no problems there. And the bubble level is wider then the hole so It can't fall into it.

Even if it did, it sits anywhere on the flat top of the tripod.

[spudrick]

Hey Ken thats the same one i just put on my new Dob Mount :)
Got it from Bunnings

[ballaratdragons]

Great minds think alike, Terry. :thumbsup:

So do we :lol:

[acropolite]

Just what the doctor ordered, the bubble in my wedge is gone, together with the fluid it existed in, hopefully it will fit straight in.:thumbsup:

[erick]

Got one from the local Bunnings on the way home. Life must be cheaper in the country - cost me $8.60 or so! I had a rubbish little spirit level I was going to use to level my "barndoor tracker" (when I get round to building it!) This will be better. Acropolite, at the same place they sell replacement tubes with fluid and one bubble (or more if you want to shake them up!) for spirit levels - maybe that's what you need?

[ballaratdragons]

Review of the Bubble level.

Well, I spent about an hour last Sunday moving my EQ6 Tripod all over the yard, and even out in the paddock, to practice levelling my mount using the bubble level.

It is sooooo easy.

Previously, I used it to level the EQ6 to look at the comet 2 weeks ago and the comet stayed in the FOV for over an hour of viewing at 9mm in the ED80. And that was with a very quick levelling coz I didn't want to miss the comet.

Now that I have practiced several times on differing slopes and lumps, I can happily say it's a piece of cake :thumbsup:

An excellent purchase!

[33South]

I agree Ken, I got one a couple of years back for my LX90, and now use it on the EQ6, its perfect.:thumbsup:

[danielsun]

Good find Ken! I'm gonna get me one tomorrow.;)