Orientation of OTA on EQ6.

[Marios]

Hi Guys, a question for Newt and EQ owners, what is the best orientation for the OTA. I find more than often the OTA is being turned up side down so the EP is facing directly down or low angle.

Any tips for back pain free viewing.??

[guggle]

Hi Marios,

With the mount in the 'home position', I orient the eyepiece towards the ground, mainly so that I can get the balance right. If the eyepiece is out of reach, then I use a small three step step-ladder. It's not a bad way of doing it, but there's not really a good way either.

Cheers, Michael.

[raymo]

Have the tube rings just loose enough so that you can rotate the tube into a comfortable viewing position, ensuring that the tube doesn't slide
downwards when you do it. I have made up a bracket that stops that happening, so that I can just rotate the scope and not worry about it.
With the bracket in place I can leave the tube rings slackened slightly,
so that it only takes a second or two to put the eyepiece where I want it.
If you want a pic of the bracket I'll take one and post it for you.
raymo.

[guggle]

Hi raymo,

I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of the bracket..

Michael.

[Marios]

yes please post a pic of your solution.:eyepop:

Doesnt rotating the scope disturb the alignment of your scope while it is tracking?:question:

[raymo]

O.K. Firstly, with a sturdy mount like an HEQ5 or similar, careful rotation of the tube has no effect on tracking, and minimal effect on alignment.
If it does cause slight misalignment just centre the object with the hand
controller set to rate 2 or 3, and leave the tube rings a little slack, unless
you are going to do some imaging, in which case you will need to nip them up.
I never nip mine up if I'm not imaging.
The bracket is a readily available strip of mild steel 32mm wide by 3.2mm thick. As you can see in the pic it attaches to the screws in the
flat tops of the tube rings. The holes are slotted so that you can move
the bracket back and forth to accommodate balance changes caused by
using various cameras, guide scopes etc:The rear end of the bracket is
simply bent over about 25mm, and a small piece of Teflon stuck on the face that rubs on the rear end of the scope so it turns easily, and doesn't
rub the paint off of the scope. Some duct tape would do the job quite well
temporarily.I keep meaning to paint it black. but haven't got round to
it yet.
raymo

[raymo]

Two people asked for a pic of a mod I have done to my scope, which
I immediately took and posted. Both have posted on this forum since then, but neither of them has bothered to offer a simple thanks.
raymo

[Marios]

Because we are both ungrateful of your selfless effort.

Sorry Raymo, many thanks for the PIC....:thumbsup:

[guggle]

Many thanks Raymo, please forgive my ungratefulness :thumbsup:

[raymo]

No prob; I hope the mod is what you were looking for.
raymo