Correct weight of a GSO Carbon Fibre RC8?

[dugnsuz]

Hi - seems to be some varying data out there online as to the weight of the various Carbon Fibre RC8 scopes available.

I've seen weights ranging from 6.2kg to 7.5kg.

Could anyone please tell me the weight of their stock GSO Carbon Fibre RC8 scope minus finder etc?

Thanks in advance.

Doug:thumbsup:

[Tandum]

My bathroom scales say it's 8Kg but I don't know how accurate these scales really are :shrug:

[dugnsuz]

Thanks Robin - looks like they're putting on weight!

Do you have the stock focuser or a replacement?

[Tandum]

It's all stock Doug. Didn't bother throwing money at it. Focus doesn't seem to shift at all.

I did need to use an OAG with it to get rid of the flex from my guide scopes.

[mill]

Mine is 7.5Kg with the stock focuser and 50mm extension.
Bottom plate is Losmandy and top plate is Vixen style.
All done on a electronic scale.
The stock focuser is non shifting and works very smooth.
I am just doing another mod to it so it will have direct drive focusing.
Will be in a separate thread.

[dugnsuz]

Cheers Martin - is the Losmandy D plate removable?

[Tandum]

It looks to be, it has 2 allen screws on each end. I don't feel any nuts on the inside so I'm guessing the tube is threaded.

[dugnsuz]

Thanks Robin - that should shave at least a kilo off the weight. Perhaps that's where the 6.2kg quoted weight comes from.
Cheers
Doug

[mill]

Yes the tube has threads on the inside.
I had to switch both because the Losmandy saddle was on top and i needed to put the scope on a G11.

[dugnsuz]

So roughly how much do you think the D plate weighs Martin?

[mill]

Between 700 and 800 Grams.
I can take it off to weigh it but i first want to finish my focuser mod.

[gbeal]

As per usual, I'll swing against the tide here. I removed my stock focuser, it was either that or get shot of the scope as a whole, I hated it. Sourced a F/T adaptor and sat a spare 2" F/T on the rear, with motor, happy as now.
If I guess where the weight query is headed Doug, let me add that most of the weight is towards the rear, and while it could be construed as "heavy", it is all concentrated in a central mass, rather than having a long weight distribution. Make sense?
Gary
Gary

[Tandum]

Gary's right, it's arse heavy. I have to hang one of these (http://admaccessories.com/D_Series_Counterweight.htm) off the front to get balance.

[mill]

Ok instead of making a separate thread, i just post the simple mod here.

I used the original bracket that comes with the Skywatcher sw electric focuser and just bend it so it fitted.
Only had to use one screw 1.5X longer than the original screw to hold it and used a 6mm to 4mm coupler from Jaycar and only had to drill out the 4mm hole a tiny bit so it fits the focuser shaft.
I made a flat on the focuser shaft so it had a nice grip.
Now i can tighten the focuser and it will push the whole assembly straight upwards.
Once focused the knob on the other end will not turn at all so it is very rigid.
For people who want to secure the motor even better, you can fit a second screw on the other side 1.5X longer than the original.

See photo of a wee bit rusty bracket (better paint it :P ).

[mldee]

My digital bathroom scales refused to measure each piece individually, but the ADM, saddle blocks, Top vixen and three rear spacer rings came to 1.7Kg. If I removed the rings from the scale, it became 1.2Kg. See pic of the items. YMMV with scales :)

FYI possibly, the spacing from the rear flange of the RC to my QHY9 CCD plane is approx 25Cm as shown in the pics below. I also needed a small 1.25Kg dumbbell front weight to keep things happy. See bolted under ADM in pic.

I use a Meade microfocusser + FCUSB and so clamp the GSO Crayford down tight and it never moves until I change cameras. Suits my rough and ready style....

My apologies if overdosing you.

[dugnsuz]

Thanks for all the info - was interested to see if my HEQ5 could carry the RC8, Astro 40D and QHY5 finder guider. It might just get away with it I think.
Doug

[Tandum]

jjjnettie originally had this one on a heq5 I think. She might know of any problems there.

[bmitchell82]

I recon that as long as your in calm weather youll have no issues, i have 24kgs + ontop of the rated 20kgs of a EQ6 my stars are round and even in a little bit of breeze. if you leave it with back lash and un tuned. no matter what load you have on there itll be a poor proformer!

:thumbsup:

[peeb61]

Thanks Martin, You have just answered my question regarding this Skywatcher focuser, I have the same stock focuser on my scope by the looks of things and was wondering how this electric focuser was going to fit if I purchased one.

Apologies for moving off topic.

Paul