#321  
Old 25-06-2013, 06:45 PM
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h0ughy (David)
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Here's those pics of the polar scope you wanted Dave. It came with the mount and indeed weighs 900 grams. The slight imbalance doesn't seem to worry guiding on the mount for me. I've added a pic of maxim guiding through an OAG at about 1.2 meters. I'm still chasing power and frosting issues here.

I just realised, there are no dust caps for this polar scope
thanks Robin, wow no eyecaps!!? that's nasty! thanks for the happy snaps

hope you get your power problems sorted out
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  #322  
Old 25-06-2013, 06:59 PM
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acropolite (Phil)
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Hmm, I seem to remember someone posting about 3D printers, perhaps they could print a couple.
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  #323  
Old 25-06-2013, 09:35 PM
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Tandum (Robin)
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I don't need a 3d printer, I found the perfect dust caps for it. Fits like a glove
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  #324  
Old 25-06-2013, 09:58 PM
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I don't need a 3d printer, I found the perfect dust caps for it. Fits like a glove
well there are pluses and minuses for that argument
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  #325  
Old 26-06-2013, 12:33 AM
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Tandum (Robin)
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Gezzz mate, you may as well hang barbed wire off the thing
Would have the same effect in my tiny dome in the dark

On another front, I relayed the dec lock lever issue to my supplier who flicked it to tasco who replied, adjust the knob.

I also asked if there was a document/procedure/rumour on how to adjust the worm drives. Total silence.
Nothing like solid support from the local reps.


But I did get the Beemer running again tonight.
Note the hand polished exhaust, it used to be brown all over
Damn thing is stainless steel. It'll outlast me
Even the chrome heat shield is older than my son
They don't make em like that any more.
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  #326  
Old 26-06-2013, 08:10 AM
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h0ughy (David)
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Gezzz mate, you may as well hang barbed wire off the thing
Would have the same effect in my tiny dome in the dark

On another front, I relayed the dec lock lever issue to my supplier who flicked it to tasco who replied, adjust the knob.

I also asked if there was a document/procedure/rumour on how to adjust the worm drives. Total silence.
Nothing like solid support from the local reps.


But I did get the Beemer running again tonight.
Note the hand polished exhaust, it used to be brown all over
Damn thing is stainless steel. It'll outlast me
Even the chrome heat shield is older than my son
They don't make em like that any more.
Almost reminiscent of Kingswood Country, "cant take the BMW as I have just polished the exhaust"….i can EQeight to that
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  #327  
Old 26-06-2013, 11:03 AM
Poita (Peter)
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Based on the limited experience so far...
Is the EQ8 really a transportable mount - or one which is targeted for the observatory/ permanent slab?????
I'd love to know as well.
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  #328  
Old 26-06-2013, 11:26 AM
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AstroJunk (Jonathan)
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I'd love to know as well.
It's an observatory class instrument that is also perfectly suitable for field use by anyone capable of lifting a 30kg object without hurting themselves.

This mount isn't for wimps...
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  #329  
Old 26-06-2013, 12:26 PM
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OK i have sourced a hard case for the mount. just ordered

http://www.gtcases.com.au/p/explorer...ith-foam/10840

delivery was free.

They have another 6 in stock with 10 more coming in a couple of weeks.
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  #330  
Old 26-06-2013, 12:30 PM
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Got Balance!

Those who suggested the optional polar scope was the missing weight needed to balance out the east-heavy motors etc were on the money.
I didn't get a polar scope with mine so I rigged up a 250mm length of flat bar that I bolted on to the mount using the attachment points for the polar scope and I then attached my HitecAstro Mount Hub Pro to the flat bar. I now can achieve good balance in all 3 positions. Since this rig sits on a pier inside a roomy obs and I am in a warm room next door, the protruding bar won't bother me in the least. Though I can appreciate that is an obs like Tandum's, where all available room is taken up by a "12"Orion and an EQ8, it would be a total PITA.
If anyone wants a photo of this balance arrangement, let me know.
Peter
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  #331  
Old 26-06-2013, 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by pmrid View Post
Those who suggested the optional polar scope was the missing weight needed to balance out the east-heavy motors etc were on the money.
I didn't get a polar scope with mine so I rigged up a 250mm length of flat bar that I bolted on to the mount using the attachment points for the polar scope and I then attached my HitecAstro Mount Hub Pro to the flat bar. I now can achieve good balance in all 3 positions. Since this rig sits on a pier inside a roomy obs and I am in a warm room next door, the protruding bar won't bother me in the least. Though I can appreciate that is an obs like Tandum's, where all available room is taken up by a "12"Orion and an EQ8, it would be a total PITA.
If anyone wants a photo of this balance arrangement, let me know.
Peter
might as well post it Peter, someone may find it handy (cant believe this thread has has over 15000 hits)
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  #332  
Old 26-06-2013, 12:49 PM
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rustigsmed (Russell)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmrid View Post
Those who suggested the optional polar scope was the missing weight needed to balance out the east-heavy motors etc were on the money.
I didn't get a polar scope with mine so I rigged up a 250mm length of flat bar that I bolted on to the mount using the attachment points for the polar scope and I then attached my HitecAstro Mount Hub Pro to the flat bar. I now can achieve good balance in all 3 positions. Since this rig sits on a pier inside a roomy obs and I am in a warm room next door, the protruding bar won't bother me in the least. Though I can appreciate that is an obs like Tandum's, where all available room is taken up by a "12"Orion and an EQ8, it would be a total PITA.
If anyone wants a photo of this balance arrangement, let me know.
Peter

great to know, i thought i was going crazy
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  #333  
Old 26-06-2013, 12:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmrid View Post
Those who suggested the optional polar scope was the missing weight needed to balance out the east-heavy motors etc were on the money.
I didn't get a polar scope with mine so I rigged up a 250mm length of flat bar that I bolted on to the mount using the attachment points for the polar scope and I then attached my HitecAstro Mount Hub Pro to the flat bar. I now can achieve good balance in all 3 positions. Since this rig sits on a pier inside a roomy obs and I am in a warm room next door, the protruding bar won't bother me in the least. Though I can appreciate that is an obs like Tandum's, where all available room is taken up by a "12"Orion and an EQ8, it would be a total PITA.
If anyone wants a photo of this balance arrangement, let me know.
Peter
I do have the polar scope, which came as a freebie because I didn't order one . I don't think Skywatcher had designs on it being required for counter-balancing because they say explicitly that once polar aligned you should remove the polar scope. I presume that is because it would be very easy to knock.

Chris
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  #334  
Old 26-06-2013, 01:33 PM
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Originally Posted by h0ughy View Post
OK i have sourced a hard case for the mount. just ordered

http://www.gtcases.com.au/p/explorer...ith-foam/10840

delivery was free.

They have another 6 in stock with 10 more coming in a couple of weeks.
That case costs more than my entire 10" scope and mount
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  #335  
Old 26-06-2013, 01:40 PM
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might as well post it Peter, someone may find it handy (cant believe this thread has has over 15000 hits)
Fair enough. Here 'tis.

It balances just fine every which way with this thing in place. And I couldn't come close to balance without it - or something roughly similar.

Peter
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  #336  
Old 26-06-2013, 01:48 PM
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h0ughy (David)
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That case costs more than my entire 10" scope and mount
yeah not cheap but it means i can move it in the trailer
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  #337  
Old 26-06-2013, 02:00 PM
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Merlin66 (Ken)
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I'm sure it won't be long before ADM come out with a "SW mini-rail" balancing system for the EQ8!
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  #338  
Old 26-06-2013, 02:29 PM
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Fair enough. Here 'tis.

It balances just fine every which way with this thing in place. And I couldn't come close to balance without it - or something roughly similar.

Peter
well it does provide a stable platform for cable management
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  #339  
Old 26-06-2013, 05:51 PM
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h0ughy (David)
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Originally Posted by h0ughy View Post
OK i have sourced a hard case for the mount. just ordered

http://www.gtcases.com.au/p/explorer...ith-foam/10840

delivery was free.

They have another 6 in stock with 10 more coming in a couple of weeks.
wow so who else just bought one of these? - they had 6 in stock now they have none

i just went back to check sizing
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  #340  
Old 26-06-2013, 07:07 PM
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jcm (John)
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Thanks For All The Info

I would just like to give a big thanks for all the info that has been posted about the EQ8 mount by "iceinspace" members. This info has been very helpful to UK amateur astronomers as we will not get our EQ8 mounts till October. I have already found some steel plate in my junk box to counteract the out of balance problem.

John
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