guide for dob

[hookedonsaturn]

I have a 12 inch southern cross and am wondering if there is a goto system that can be mounted on it. Failing that what Eq mount would be recomended bearing in mind i may ad some extras bringing the weight up a bit

thank you for any help

[rmcpb]

We would need to know a bit more about your scope. Is it a dob? A photo would help as well.

Cheers

[hookedonsaturn]

hope i did this right

[monoxide]

Mike has his 12" on a Skywatcher EQ6 for planetary imaging so id imagine it would be ok for visual but youd have to keep in mind that the eyepiece would be in some pretty radical positions once you get something that big on an EQ mount, probably need a small step ladder unless you are fairly tall and flexible.
the most id add to the 12" if it was on an eq6 would be a telrad too, anything major would probably push it over the limit.
it wouldnt be the best setup in a bit of a breeze either id imagine.

the only other option really would be a Losmandy G11 which would handle it no problems at all plus whatever else you decided to throw on top of it within reason.

another (cheaper and easier imo) option is an Argo Navis, it wont move the scope for you but you tell it what you want to look at and it will tell you how far to push the tube and in what direction, it is very accurate too and i wouldnt hesitate to recommend one.

[rmcpb]

I would not go the GEM, Mike is not an actobat as he does not look through the eyepiece, his camera does that for him.

Push to would be the way I would go so something like a Argo Navis would be fantastic and later add an equatorial platform for tracking. This will keep the eyepiece in "normal" positions for visual use.

Cheers

[hookedonsaturn]

i have been playing wirh an idea for a plastic gear around the OTA with a slip ring to fit against the saddle .The scope itself could remain in a fixed balance position as i have already built a slideing counterbalance at base of scope.This would then eliminate the need to have an omnidirectional s curved swivel centered neck as view would always be in compfortable position. Probably someone has tried this before and if it hasnt worked then please let me know before it costs me a case of stubbies to get the guys at work to machine this gear for me.The great thing about the "plastic" i am useing is its durability and low weight. total weight of gear and drive would be slightly under .5 kg

[rmcpb]

Do you mean make your rings so you can rotate the OTA? If so its commonly done by visual observers with GEMs.

[hookedonsaturn]

sort of but will put fixed ring on OTA and leave the rings slightly loose and install gear and drive to keep viewer in comfortable position

[AlexN]

to have it motorized or just setup on counterweight system where the counterweights will always rotate the tube so the eyepiece is always at a horizontal angle would be nice...

[hookedonsaturn]

well i guess nothing ventured nothing gained so will go ahead and build my setup.At worst it will be a case of stubbies down the drain for machine shop. at best maybe it works and i can contribute something to the folks here instead of always asking for help. Thank you all for your input