Tracking Equipment.

[Dingo]

I would like to know if it's
1) Possible to attach a tracking device to a 8 inch Dob. and how difficult is it
2) What brands are there
C) things to look out for
4) Price Range ??

Thanks for reading
Dingo

[toryglen-boy]

1. Usually not, although the newest skywatcher Dobs coming out have a tracking dob mount. see the thread called 14" Dob or something in the forum. even with the very newest dobs that can, frame rotation would be an issue for imaging, unless (and i am happy to be corrected here) the base was mounted an a plinth that was of equal angle to your lattitude and pointed to the SGP? although for visual use it would be fine, the dobsonian mount is the instruments greatest strength, and greatest weakness ...

Although to answer your questions properly, yes it can be done, usually with an Argo Navis and a CAT etc. still costs loads !!

2.Orion (USA) and Skywatcher, although again, just announced, and not alot of news yet.

3. ? Cars when crossing the road?

4. Loads. the only current price i have for the 12" is $3100, whereas the ordinary model without tracking can be had for $1150. I called Andrews, and they said they hadnt posted anything online yet, as they would do so when they had thier very best price. for an Argo Navis and CAT? well, the AN is very reasonably priced, and a great piece of kit .. the CAT will cost a little bit more

watch this "space" :lol:

;)

[peter_4059]

Mount the OTA on a HEQ5 or EQ6. Second hand you can pick these up for under $2k.

[Dingo]

LOL.... 2K, second hand !!! Could I have picked a more expensive hobby. :-)
Thanks for the info
Dingo

[Dingo]

Thank you for that info. Sirius Optics , which is where I got the telescope from , have Dob Go-to's coming in June. I know Go-to's and tracking are different, just thought i'd share that. :-)

Question 3--what to look out for , LMAO at your answer. I was actually referring to the quality or specs so I dont buy a dodgy one.

Dingo

[peter_4059]

Possibly not.

HEQ5 + 6" MAK $1500

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=43340&highlight=HEQ5

Buy the package and sell the OTA :)

[toryglen-boy]

Maybe i didnt make the point i was trying to, perhaps you didnt get my accent !!

;)

The dobs coming in June are Go-to compatible, but come with tracking out of the box

:P

[peter_4059]

What about this

http://www.budgetastronomer.ca/index.php?page=eq-platform

[toryglen-boy]

Bingo!!

thats exactly what i meant!!

as long as the rear axis points to the SGP ... you should be laughing


;)

[PCH]

SCP I think actually ;)

[toryglen-boy]

Oh do you ;)

i can be smug to,look its easy !!


;)

[Dingo]

Nah it's not ya accent, it's Newbie-ism on my behalf. It'll slowly be cured as I learn more :-)

[gary]

Hi Karl,

Equatorial platforms transform your Alt/Az mount to a true equatorial mount. One way they do
this is to tilt the mount over so that the Az axis of the mount can then be aligned to coincide with the
Earth's Polar axis. This angle of tilt is a function of your latitude on Earth, so most platforms are
designed for a use at a specific latitude on Earth. Most will allow you to adjust a few degrees
either side of this.

One of the better platforms on the market comes out of the U.S. from Equatorial Platforms.
See http://www.equatorialplatforms.com/
Designed by Tom Osypowski, they are a popular choice.

Here is another out of Chicago by a gentleman named Brian Reed called the "Round Table Platform" that some have recommended -
See http://www.roundtableplatforms.com/
recommendation here -
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=1752

Some people make their own, for example, see -
http://www.biophysik.uni-freiburg.de/Reiner/ATM/Plattform/Plattform_e.html

Hope this helps.

Best Regards

Gary

[Dingo]

SCP--- Southern Celesital Pole ?? See how new I am :-)

[netwolf]

JMI have released a tracking add on for the Lightbridge dob's.
http://www.jimsmobile.com/buy_acc_lightbridge.htm#TNT%20for%2 0Meade%20Lightbridge

But i would wait for reviews of the Skywatcher Dob's with goto mentioned before.