Piggyback Orion 80mm EON on Meade 12"LX200gps

[Bob Jones]

Hi all

I'm about to take delivery of an Ultrawedge for my Meade 12" LX200gps. I plan to piggyback an 80mm Orion EON (6.6lbs) using an ADM rail and rings. Is this too ambitious weightwise? Would a 72mm Orion EON (5.2lbs) be more suitable. The difference is only 1.4lbs.

Also, for autoguiding I am looking at Guidedog and a Shoestring USB Guide port interface device and RJ12 cable to connect to the Autoguider port.
I am also thinking about a Canon 40d but that will come later.

Any suggestions or comments please?

Bob Jones
an old fart

[astroturf (Bryan)]

G'day Bob

from 1 old fart to another
I've got an ED 80 piggybacked on my LX90 10" I just weighed it, 7.5 lbs including the rings - the rail, probably round it off at 8+lbs, and then there's the diagonal etc.

The LX90 copes with it all OK, it doesn't affect Goto's although petersons clutch upgrade is recommended,

I've also got a losmondy counterweight setup under the SCT which helps keep things balanced

Tip:Throw the compass away that comes with the Ultrawedge & use a handheld, I wasted a few good nites getting a bum steer from that compass

Good luck
Bryan