Hey everyone,
After lots and lots and lots of time researching I finally started and finished my equatorial platform for my bintel 10" F10 dobsonian. I made the vertical north segment version.
Just wanted to share it with every one as it's such a great addition if you can get it done! I've got a wood working business on the side so didnt find it to difficult (maybe I should start custom making them :p). Besides all the research needed to understand the design.
Visual tracking with rough polar alignment leaves Jupiter in the field of view for 20+ minutes. Clouds came over quite quickly after testing it for first time tonight so cant comment on exact times yet
.
Thinking of getting a cross hair eyepeice to do more accurate drift alignment too.
Attached are photos of the platform and a photo of omega centauri globular cluster taken with my phone through a 32mm widefield lens 2 second exposure. I managed upto 10 second exposure without star trail but way to much light polution.
Anyway hope this is interesting to some.
Cheers
Greg