[Tinderboxsky (Steve)]

Hi Cliff,

Yes, I also use a pair of multigrips to properly tighten that collar. It causes all sorts of havoc if it slips. Get it nice and tight and everything works well.
By coincidence I set my mount up earlier today to show you some photos to explain how I balance everything.

Image 1 shows the general set up. You can see I have mounted a battery on the second dovetail mount. This replaces the normal counterweight and provides the mechanism to balance everything when the scope is vertical.
Image 2 shows the battery cradle and its dovetail bar.
Image 3 - balance the scope in the horizontal position by sliding the scope along the main dovetail clamp. You will notice the battery is centered in this position and has no effect on balance. There is a Mak Cas hiding under the dew shield, hence the balance point is towards the rear of the scope.
Image 4 - balance the scope in the vertical position by sliding the battery cradle in its dovetail clamp. You can see the battery is off set and effectively balancing out the effect of the finder scope hanging off the side of the scope. Image 5 gives a slightly different view of the same position to highlight the finder scope hanging off to one side.

This works really well and is easy to adjust.

If you have your solar scope where I have my battery then you could achieve the same result by clamping a piece of wood with a weight attached at one end onto your Losmandy dovetail.

I hope this makes sense.

Steve.

PS, A slight hiccup, images to come shortly!!
PPS Images in correct orientation now attached!!