A few new mods to my GSO 12"

[iceman]

The GSO 12" had a habit of losing collimation when moving from shallow angles up to steep angles, as the springs holding the mirror weren't strong enough to resist the extra weight.

Plus, collimating was a PITA as you had to use a screwdriver on the collimation screw.

So I ordered a set of Bob's Knobs + replacement heavy duty springs, and they arrived yesterday. Put them in this morning, easy replacement. Definitely stronger springs and should hold collimation better, and the knobs mean no-tools collimation! Much easier.

I also got a new indoor/outdoor temperature sensor unit and put that on my (newly cleaned) mirror as well, since my old one was sold with the 10" scope.

So bit by bit I've started making the mods to this scope to make it feel more comfortable and take control of it, to get the most out of it and hopefully even better images.

[Astroman]

Where di you get the knobs from and do they sell for Skywatchers?

Good job on the mods though Mike.

[astronut]

Mike,
You'll notice on your first collimation with the new equipment, that it's lightyears better than the old way. I found that out with my 12"LB.
Andrew I bought my knobs at www.Astronomy-Shoppe.com (http://www.Astronomy-Shoppe.com), Tony Costanzo is the owner and very good to deal with.
Mike used www.bobsknobs.com (http://www.bobsknobs.com) another good dealer.
They are both in the U.S. with about a 10 day delievery time.:D

[rmcpb]

Mike,

Where did you get the stronger springs from?

[iceman]

Same place - Bob's knobs.

Go to their webpage, they have all the stuff listed there. I bought it for the Meade 12" LB kit but they fit the 12" GSO just fine (and the 10" too, apparently).

[monoxide]

sounds good mike, ive found that i do more collimating with the locking screws than the collimation screws, and so far ive had to collimate it every time i set it up.
have you noticed if it holds collimation better with the knobs?

heres a link to the knobs (for 12" gso), springs avaliable from them also
http://www.bobsknobs.com/Meade/Newt/MLB12.htm

[ballaratdragons]

Hmmmm, sounds like good mods, Mike. I hate using the screwdriver on my 12".

I get one of my kids to turn the screwdriver while I look in the Cheshire :lol: