Heq5 counterweight BAR

[BerrieK]

I was hoping that someone wise may be able to enlighten me on something...

I have a SW600 8" newt on a Heq5pro (I was using an eq5), and mostly use Hypeion eyepieces (a bit on the heavy side). In order to balance the scope + eyepiece on my new mount I have had to add an extra 5kg counterweight (total 15kgs!!), and have had to slide the dovetail + tube so high on the mount that I cant reach the bloomin' eyepiece half the time without standing on a stool (I am only 5"4 tall). I think that this is because of the short counterweight bar on the Heq5 when compared to the eq5.


With that extra 5kgs it all weighs too much for me to lug out and into the house all set up and really... I have to take the time to set up now!! I'm really quite lazy I have come to realise.

If I were to get a counterweight bar extension would I be able to bring the OTA / dovetail back down the mount so I can reach, and / or use less weights ? :shrug: (due to change in centry of gravity etc)

If the answer is yes of course, dummy, then I guess Trevor W will be hearing from me mighty soon.

Thanks, Kerrie

[OneOfOne]

If you get an extension....now let me think who might be able to do that for you :whistle:, you will be able to use less weight to balance it, but to be able to move the scope lower along the dovetail you will need to make the mirror end heavier. The best way to do that may be to put a heavy weight (magnets are a good choice for a start) on the mirror end of the tube...but...if you put the tube too low it may catch on the leg of the tripod as it moves around. You could test this by releasing the clutches and checking you can swing it around without hitting. Of course, if you put more weight on the tube, you will need even more weight on the bar to balance it, but if the bar is longer, you can move the weight further down the bar!

Hope that is as clear as mud!

[BerrieK]

Thanks so much for you help Trevor! PM coming your way...