We had a garage sale before Christmas that raised a bit more than we expected. So I got the OK, and the cash, to put together a new rig for my strictly visual viewing. Plus I sold my golf clubs and my metal detector!
With a few DIY ideas gathered from IIS and Cloudy Nights forums over the past few years, and some strategic purchases from IIS members, it has come together very nicely, so I thought I would share the result, and maybe give others some ideas.
My tripod is an old but very sturdy Meade(?) unit with 1.75" tubular steel legs.
The scope is a Celestron C6 SE, thanks Flashdrive!
The mount is a Tele-Optics Giro III, thanks gb_astro!,
with 2 x 1.8kg counterweights, thanks Astrobot for one of those!
I had to slightly modify the tripod head to take the Giro base.
I also had to find a piece of threaded rod to fit the base of the Giro, so I gave it some extra length and added an extra shelf to give me somewhere to put binoculars, eyepiece caps etc.
The azimuth setting circle was created using Rob Willet's website:
www.settingcircles.com
I like Rob's setup as you can print verniers to give added accuracy to 6 arc minutes.
Altitude measurement is provided by a Wixey guage, also accurate to 6 arc minutes.
The azimuth pointer, with vernier, is mounted using velcro double sided strap, and can be accurately calibrated. The tape is called Moroday Maxi-Grip available in 5 meter lengths from Bunnings, magic stuff!
Some perspex found in my shed has been put to good use to support setting circles and other bits and pieces; an Orion Accufocus focuser, the adjustable platform for the Wixey, and a handle to save me from moving the scope by pushing the diagonal.
I've mounted my modified/shortened Telrad in place of the stock red dot finder which I found hard to see through. I also added small rubber grommets to make alignment of the Telrad much easier.
And a platform for my Nexus 7. I bought a cheap tablet stand on ebay for $5, reduced it to just the tray that snaps on to the N7, and cut slots to take vecro straps that secure around the OTA. Very secure and easy to see.
I've also 'modified' my diagonal so that it now has a Baader Click Lock device to save fiddling with small screws.
And a home made dew shield.
Balance on the mount is easy with the counterweights; buttery smooth motion in both azimuth and altitude.
The DIY handle and the electronic focuser means I'm not touching the scope at all, apart from the Nexus 7.
Very very happy with the results, makes an evening under the stars even more enjoyable!
I can even dream of upgrading to a C8 down the track, the mount would certainly manage it...
Cheers
Chris
