iceman
04-02-2007, 08:19 PM
This EQ Platform was custom made by Round Table Platforms (http://www.roundtableplatforms.com), in about July 2005.
It's made for 33deg South, +/- 5deg. So make sure you're within 28-38deg latitude otherwise you might need to customise it in some way?
The top plate is approx 57cm wide, and would suit anything from 6", 8", 10" and probably a 12" dob. It has a variable speed controller for RA, no adjustment in DEC or autoguiding. It runs off 8 AA batteries, or 12V battery.
Simply plop it down facing South, base level, and put the scope on top. It will track for approx 45 minutes before needing a reset, which simply involves pulling it back to starting position.
I've used this platform for solar system astrophotography using my 10" dob (also for sale (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=17105)), and have also done widefield astrophotography with a tripod and camera sitting on top of the platform. It's not really designed for deep-space astrophotography as the tracking is not accurate enough.
When paired with my 10" dob, a 5x powermate and a webcam, this platform has helped to produce some amazing images of our solar system, see below for some examples:
Jupiter Animation (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/downloads/20060525-jupiter_anim.gif) (250k gif)
Jupiter Animation (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/downloads/20060612-jupiter_anim.gif) (250k gif)
Plato Mosiac (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/downloads/20060803-platomosaic-full.jpg) (600k jpeg)
Straight Wall Mosiac (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/downloads/20061001-strwall-arzachel-text-rp.jpg) (500k jpeg)
From these examples, you can see that the platform can track well enough for long focal length short exposure astrophotography.
Widefield example (with Canon350D + 18-55mm lens, on a fixed tripod, sitting on top of the platform):
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=11972&d=1146273610
Due to size, pickup only (Gosford, on the Central Coast of NSW. 1 hr north of Sydney). I'm happy to drive to about 2 hours outside Gosford to meet. I'm also happy to give you some tuition if you need it/would like it.
I'm selling it because I've bought an EQ6, for my imaging pursuits.
Price: AU$400, direct deposit. Paypal add 3%.
Enquiries via PM please.
Thanks for looking.
It's made for 33deg South, +/- 5deg. So make sure you're within 28-38deg latitude otherwise you might need to customise it in some way?
The top plate is approx 57cm wide, and would suit anything from 6", 8", 10" and probably a 12" dob. It has a variable speed controller for RA, no adjustment in DEC or autoguiding. It runs off 8 AA batteries, or 12V battery.
Simply plop it down facing South, base level, and put the scope on top. It will track for approx 45 minutes before needing a reset, which simply involves pulling it back to starting position.
I've used this platform for solar system astrophotography using my 10" dob (also for sale (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=17105)), and have also done widefield astrophotography with a tripod and camera sitting on top of the platform. It's not really designed for deep-space astrophotography as the tracking is not accurate enough.
When paired with my 10" dob, a 5x powermate and a webcam, this platform has helped to produce some amazing images of our solar system, see below for some examples:
Jupiter Animation (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/downloads/20060525-jupiter_anim.gif) (250k gif)
Jupiter Animation (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/downloads/20060612-jupiter_anim.gif) (250k gif)
Plato Mosiac (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/downloads/20060803-platomosaic-full.jpg) (600k jpeg)
Straight Wall Mosiac (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/downloads/20061001-strwall-arzachel-text-rp.jpg) (500k jpeg)
From these examples, you can see that the platform can track well enough for long focal length short exposure astrophotography.
Widefield example (with Canon350D + 18-55mm lens, on a fixed tripod, sitting on top of the platform):
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=11972&d=1146273610
Due to size, pickup only (Gosford, on the Central Coast of NSW. 1 hr north of Sydney). I'm happy to drive to about 2 hours outside Gosford to meet. I'm also happy to give you some tuition if you need it/would like it.
I'm selling it because I've bought an EQ6, for my imaging pursuits.
Price: AU$400, direct deposit. Paypal add 3%.
Enquiries via PM please.
Thanks for looking.