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Hey Grant,
I have exactly that, 8 inch reflector on an Heq5 and I do it like this.
1) Undo the retaining safety nut at the bottom of the counterweight shaft, slide off the two counterweights.
2) Retract the CW shaft into the housing.
3) Undo the Dovetail retaining screws for the OTA (CARFEULLY) while holding the OTA.
4) Remove the OTA and place carefully on the carpet.
5) Lift and carry the HEQ5 tripod and mount out to the backyard, place in my predefined SCP alignment.
6) Carry the CW x 2 out and install on the CW shaft
7) Carry out the OTA. I normally hold the tube via the dovetail bar like a "handle". Install this back on the mount and balance everything.
8) Carry out my battery starter pack and power up the mount, align etc.
When I am finished, I do this procedure all over again.
I CAN move the mount and the tube without the 10KG of CW's installed, but it is a bit cumbersome and the last thing I want to do is trip down the stairs with $1500 worth of kit in my arms. I have done it in a pinch but generally do it as described above, to be safe.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Chris
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