How to achieve Declination balance

[HeavyT]

Hi folks

I didn't think it would be possible to imbalance my 900mm f9 doublet any further than hanging a full frame DSLR off of it, but I've done it.

Turns out an astro cam with filter wheel, oag and reducer/flattener weighs more than a dslr, plus all the cables.

I've always had to slide the tube further forward in the rings than I was comfortable with, and now I've run out of play.

Should I buy some Velcro "wrap-around" weights to put at the objective end of the scope to achieve Declination balance without the flexure risk?

Or do I need a ridiculously long dovetail so I can push the whole lot further forward (this seems a precarious scenario)?

I can't think of too many cons to the Velcro weights idea, provided they are tight enough to not move around.

I can't be the first person to have faced this and yes I know a larger scope would potentially solve my problem ;)

Thanks in advance for your suggestions! Clear skies.

[Merlin66]

It's not unusual to add weights up front to get better balance...
The Kmart wrist weights seem to work pretty well.

[HeavyT]

Cheers mate, just spotted those online this morning and am off to get some :thumbsup:

[glend]

Buy a Triplet, problem solved.

[HeavyT]

Indeed! And on the cards

[Wilso]

Some scopes have an offset mounting plate for this, my fsq85 is one, works well with the camera. Losmandy have some long d series dovetail plates that should get you out of trouble or add a small counterweight to the forward underside of the dovetail.
Good luck:thumbsup:

[HeavyT]

Thanks, I tried this and it didn't give me balance so I've had to wrap 2 x 1kg weights round the tube close to the rings.

Am I likely to warp my tube over time?

[Joshua Bunn]

Try bolt something to the objective side of your declination dovetail, and have a sliding counterbalance on there, no issues with more weight hanging off the tube.