Can anyone recommend a refractor setup on a dobsonian?

[Davekyn]

I realise this is an unusual thing to request...but the looks through a refractor and having yet another eye piece to give another perspective with just a slight movement of the head would be awesome.

I understand that having a long focal length will have the eyepiece of the refractor to low and my shorter ED80 seems a little heavy, not to mention I really can’t find a way to mount it.

I was just thinking the concept for multitasking off a dob could be not only fun, but add a lot more (and variety) to the viewing sessions, in a shorter amount of time with less effort. Great for light polluted areas...my 8X50 is not really doing much for me.

I am at a loss for mounting options however believe counter balancing could make it worth trying out. I don’t mind drilling extra holes.

I’d be happy to mount my ED80 while it’s waiting for it’s Astro gear...I just can’t find a way to mount it?

Just a thought.
Dave




:screwy:

[monoxide]

mounting it wouldnt be as big of a problem as trying to balance the scope afterwards, i think its like a 5 - 1 ratio (?) so for every 1 pound you add at the focuser end you need 5 pounds at the back to even it out.

you could probably get around this a bit by mounting it in the middle of the tube, id just bolt the rail to the tube with a bit of aluminium flat bar on the inside to reinforce it

[Davekyn]

Thanks for the tip...I may very well just do that.