Mounting a C8 on a HEQ 5 Pro

[chrisc]

Hi all,

After much sitting-around-in-boxes-after-arriving, I finally had time to put together my shiny new HEQ 5 Pro mount, and my equally shiny new Celestron C8 SCT scope.

However....

The OTA cannot be mounted on the mount! :-( The dovetail / rail systems are incompatible.

Lacking a decently equipped machining shop in my garage, is there a simple off-the-shelf solution for locking a C8 onto a HEQ 5 Pro mount? Or a relatively straightforward workaround?

I would actually like to get this thing up and running in the coming week if possible...

All solutions, suggestions, and ridicule (the thing may lock right on and I'm just having a blonde moment) gratefully accepted. :-)

Cheers,
Chris

[chrisc]

...addendum...

Photos of the mount, the top bit that accepts a (smaller) dovetail, and the OTA as it shipped with a nice wide dovetail already on it (too wide for the mount's slot on top).

The optimal solution would be to be able to buy a larger-slotted top bit for the mount.

Any idea if they're sold?

Cheers,
Chris

[asimov]

Yeah, I had the same problem when I bought my EQ6 & wanted to mount my C11. In my case I was lucky enough to have a Losmandy style saddle to mount to the standard Vixen saddle (stolen from my CGE mount).

You can buy something like this as an example: http://www.skiesunlimited.net/index.php?ProductID=5028

I'm pretty sure you can purchase the wide Losmandy style "top bit" as in your second lot of pics somewhere, I'm just not sure where..

[mill]

Bintel -->> https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm
It is under mounts and the third page, "Orion D-Style Dovetail (EQ6/Atlas)"
For $49.ooI have one on my EQ6 and it is perfect for wide dovetails.
Just give them a call and ask if it fits on a EQ5 (i think it will).

[asimov]

Yep, thats the one Martin. Knew I'd seen it somewhere.

[chrisc]

Thanks for the responses, guys. Much appreciated.

The $49 dovetail adaptor from BinTel looks like it is exactly what I need, though I will check with them whether it definitely fits onto a HEQ-5-Pro (and it appears that there are two subtly different versions available as well).

There is a narrow dovetail rail supplied with my mount/OTA which I could attach to the underside of the wide dovetail on the C8, but that would involve some drilling into the OTA's dovetail and a reduction in lateral stability.

The adaptor provides a much more elegant and sturdy solution.

Cheers,
Chris

[chrisc]

...addendum...

The $49 Bintel replacement saddle doesn't fit a HEQ-5-Pro. A guy in Melbourne machines an appropriate part but charges $289 for it. Sirius Optics promptly provided a custom/locally made wide replacement saddle for $49.95 but it doesn't actually have the top bit of the saddle that actually clamps to a male dovetail, just a flat circular block with two thumbscrews to mount a flat plate...

...the saga continues...

OPT in California have an appropriate adaptor and it's now wending its way to me for $158.

Live and learn, I guess, but I am surprised that given the existence of two common but incompatible dovetail mounting systems/sizes that simple adaptors/converters to allow easy marriage of the two are not readily available... ?

Chris

[pmrid]

Chris, the EQ6 and the HEQ5pro have different sized pucks (the ring thing on top of the mount). The puck is held in place by 3 grub screws and if you loosen them off, you can remove the whole assembly. You can buy a replacement puck suitable for a HEQ5Pro which is pre-drilled to accept a suitable Losmandy D-type saddle. You screw the saddle onto the puck and them refasten the 3 grub screws and away you go. I buy this sort of gear from ADM accessories because I find them well-engineered and reasonably priced. See them on http://www.admaccessories.com/default.htm .
Go to "Miscellaneous" then "Adapters" and order the EQ5-A for US$25 and then buy a D-Saddle (go to "Losmandy D Series" and order the DSAD-HEQ5 for US$109.)


Peter

[Steffen]

I believe the EQ5-A hockey puck is included with the DSAD-HEQ5.

Cheers
Steffen.

[chrisc]

Thanks guys...

The adapter coming from OPT in California (from whom I bought the OTA in the first place) is indeed one of the nifty ADM pieces. $109 USD.

Cheers,
Chris

[pmrid]

I wondered about that. Looking at the way the web page is presented, it seemed to me that the photo showing both the saddle and the puck together was for "illustration" purposes only. My natural cyncism coming to the fore I suppose.
I hope you're right but I doubt it. I suggest that our inquirer check first before placing an order.

Peter

[Steffen]

I'm not sure either, but being an HEQ5 owner myself I looked into that one specifically and came to this conclusion. The saddle plates are the same for most of the various "models", which means they're actually bundles not models. But yes, I'd definitely ask them before ordering.

Cheers
Steffen.

[boogie8ball]

i've just gone through the same problem,i just took the orange celestron dovetail bar off and replaced it with Losmandy Dovetail Plate VSCT13 plus Losmandy Curved Block Set VCB8 total cost $120.
problem solved

[Brundah1]

Stefan and Peter,

Yes DSAD-HEQ5 is the complete kit for HEQ5. Bought one myself when I had a HEQ5. You won't regret buying ADM gear, its superior engineering. Only comment (and I'm a fussy bugger) is you may have to rework the V saddle side plate holes as some of my ones were a bit stiff and could jam - perfect after some TLC.

For my NEQ6 I have the the ADM Dual Saddle & Puck (Atlas/EQ6 "New" USD139) its a great improvement, holds both D & V bars very well tight.

Also have the ADM D & V SBS, plus ADM rings.

BTW check the website for anything else you may need as Adolphi's shipping costs very competitive when buying multiple items. Adolphi responds to emails promptly.

Cheers,

David

[chrisc]

Thanks for all the info, guys. Much appreciated.

Waiting for the postie to deliver the dovetail adapter. Once it arrives, hopefully I'll finally be able to get my act together and post a few photos... (it'll be a C8 on a HEQ-5-Pro, +/- focal length reducer for some wider shots, and a Canon 450D DSLR hanging off it).

Presuming, of course, that the weather co-operates :-)

Cheers,
Chris