Is it easy/recommended to de-fork an SCT?

[lineout]

Hi all,

While I wait to pick up my new SW AZ-EQ6 GT mount & SW BD ED80 (only one more sleep!!!) I thought I'd pose another question. I currently have an 8 inch Meade SCT which I'm thinking of (one day) de-forking so I can mount it to my EQ mount.

My questions are:
a) should I given the EQ mount converts to Alt-Az
b) how do I?

As always thanks in advance.

Rene

[Merlin66]

Rene,
Mounting the 8"OTA on the new mount will improve the capabilities.
Better guiding and GOTO etc.
Over the years I've de-forked many Meade SCT's, primarily to gain more space and clearance around the rear cell for spectroscopes.
It's a straightforward job...just needs some care and attention.
I do have a write-up which may assist.
Drop me a email address and I'll send a copy.

[Mark_Heli]

Hi Rene,

When I bought the AZ-EQ6 last year, Bintel helped me to de-fork my LX90. They did a great job and it was all done in 15 minutes. Details in the posts below:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=120347
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=120417

The AZ-EQ6 is a great mount and the only down-side to the de-forking is that it takes slight longer to setup because I only use it in EQ mode.

Cheers,
Mark

[lineout]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for that. Like most people I'm a bit hesitant to de fork my lx90 but I can see that's the way I'll be going.

How do you find the 2 or 3 star polar alignment? Is it quick and accurate?

Rene

[Mark_Heli]

Hi Rene,

I think being hesitant to de-fork the scope is fair enough. I have to say that I was also hesitant. There are some good reasons to keep the fork mount - better for visual use, easy to setup, won't devalue the lX90 etc.

Given that you are getting the ED80 with the AZ-EQ6, you can see how that goes while you think through whether you really want to de-fork the SCT.

I control the mount from my PC using Eqmod & Stellarium (not via the Synscan handset). For alignment, I generally drift align because I have been doing basic astrophotography. It does take a bit of time, but gets quicker with practice. Maybe others can advise on alternate methods of alignment like the 2/3 star alignment.

Cheers,
Mark

PS - Congrats on getting the new equipment tomorrow.